My name is Buddy!

You know how when puppies are happy to see you they wag their tail and their whole body shakes from it? That's Buddy! Buddy is an adorable puppy-faced and easy-going dog, always happy to see you again and meet new people or animals. Full of puppy-wiggles but with adult-dog attentiveness and obedience, Buddy really loves to please and learns quickly. He'll cuddle with you on a couch or in bed and win you over by flopping on his back and showing you his belly for some love. He plays well by himself or with people, and he's learning to play with our dog, starting to initiate play back. Buddy is already a really good dog, well-behaved and laid back, but with some work on minor things he'll quickly be a great dog. Buddy is approximately 2 - 3 years old and currently weighs 42 lbs.

Here is what else Buddy's foster family had to say:

Buddy wants to be everyone's friend! He loves animals and people alike and has had great interactions with everything he's come across - kids, strangers, cats and other dogs. Buddy approaches everyone tail wagging, full of puppy-like wriggles and joy. Buddy hasn't shown any shyness towards any people, but we are working with him on situation-confidence like stairs and louder noises (passing buses). Buddy handles all his interactions with other animals like a well-socialized pro, tail-wagging and friendly posture. He's been around dogs of all sizes, as well as cats - both in the home and out. Buddy is so even-tempered and friendly that he was even passive and friendly towards another dog that got off-leash and ran up to him while barking. He hasn't shown any fear or uncertainty with other dogs so far, on leash or off. Also, Buddy has been great with cats - we have two in the home he ignores, and has since the first day. He's also shown no interest to the strays in the area that run away on approach. Buddy is a moderate energy dog. He loves to go out on his walks and play solo or with other people or dogs, but he also settles in just fine when his people want a break. We haven't noticed Buddy shedding much at, and he handles brushing really well!

While Buddy absolutely loves his people he hasn't shown any signs of separation anxiety when we leave him, instead settling in to his crate or, on short trips away (shovelling) the couch or dog bed. Buddy has shown some fear towards a few things yet has shown dramatic improvement in the short time we've had him. He now traverses the stairs with just a little encouragement/invitation though the first day he was so afraid he refused to go near them at all. He's also shown some fear with loud noises on walks (passing buses) but is mostly afraid of his crate/being led to his crate, which we're working on. Luckily Buddy is so well behaved we've only crated him when no one will be around during the day - at night he sleeps beside us and doesn't leave! Buddy loves his walks, playing with people, and snuggling up next to them to sleep. Recently he's discovered the fun of chasing snowballs and digging for them, taking great joy in pouncing on piles of snow or jumping up to catch them in mid-air. Buddy is very quiet dog, so far making only charming noises while stretching after waking.

On the first day with us Buddy managed to steal a loaf of bread off the counter, but didn't actually eat it despite being obviously hungry. Since transitioning to regular feeding, Buddy's house manners have been pretty great! He hasn't stolen any more food or chewed or ruined anything he hasn't been given. He also doesn't bark incessantly when people come to the door or in the house. Occasionally he does get excited (when preparing for walks or playing with people) and jumps up on people, which we've been working on and he is learning. Buddy came to us not knowing any commands, but is making progress on learning "sit", "come", "down" (for lie down) and "off" (for not jumping on people, or relinquishing the couch). So far Buddy has had zero accidents in the house and seems to be fully house trained! We're working on crate-training with Buddy, but he does seem particularly fearful of being led to his crate. Once inside he does settle down and sleep after some time, but the first while he's obviously afraid (shaking/avoidance). He doesn't make any noise to get out, or try to chew on the crate etc. to get out. He also doesn't destroy any blankets/toys etc we've left inside with him. In the right home, we don't think Buddy would need to be crated at all. Buddy has been pretty good on a leash. He shows some curiosity and occasionally pulls off to the side, but mostly Buddy just happily follows along on his leash. If he does start to wander, gentle correction is enough to get him to continue with you. He also doesn't react to dogs across the street or barking from inside houses, and is good meeting other dogs on approach. Buddy hasn't tried to escape from the yard, but did manage to slip out the front door when we were taking our own dog for a walk. This can be easily managed by being conscious of where he is and through training from his forever family. We've only had Buddy in the car once - to pick him up - and he was pretty afraid, curling up in the backseat and shaking. We feel that this is a lack of socialization to car rides and huge amounts of stress from transport. With some work, his fear around this probably isn't a permanent thing.

Puppy-wriggles! Oh my goodness. It's like having a puppy, without having to clean all the pee or deal with the nipping! Buddy is an endearing and amazing pup - the whole house is really going to miss him. He's friendly and even-tempered - with some confidence building he's going to be a really well-rounded dog. Buddy will do great in a home with or without other animals, and would do best in a home that can spend time with him and build his confidence and overcoming fears. With that, Buddy will be a great dog who could fit in to any forever home where his people are willing to spend time with him, playing, exercising and snuggling. If he's going in to a family home, Buddy would definitely appreciate and benefit from being slowly introduced him to the noise and chaos that can sometimes come with a family lifestyle.

If you would like to make Buddy a part of your family, please submit an application for consideration.