There's a lot to learn when you have a new pet. Our sister brand, The Wildest, is here to support you—with new pet checklists, virtual training, and expert guides. Sign up for free.
I found a new home! Plenty of my friends are looking for one too. Check out other pets at this shelter, or start a new search.
Find a pet to adopt
My basic info
Breed
Labrador Retriever/German Shepherd Dog
Color
Black
Age
Adult
Size
Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg) (when grown)
Weight
–
Sex
Male
Pet ID
–
My details
Good with dogs
Good with cats
Shots current
Spayed / Neutered
Housetrained
My story
Share
Here's what the humans have to say about me:
RED: 3 Year-Old Male Labrador Mix – Neutered 79 Pounds
Meet Red, named by his former owner's son to pair with the neighbor's dog, Blue. Red is an owner surrender and his story is quite a sad one. He was adopted through his family's local shelter when he was about a year-old. For the first year of his life, he was confined to a small apartment, with an owner who worked long hours leaving Red alone for 9-10 hours/day. He was eventually surrendered to the shelter where he was adopted by his former family and lived for the last two years. Red's human parents and their families (human, canine and feline) spent a lot of time together and Red's human dad was the main person who exercised and trained him; Red was loving life! His parents married a few months ago, combining two households into a small home and expanding from two humans and two dogs to three humans, five dogs (including Red), and four cats! Red's human dad became seriously ill with stage 4 cancer, and the family began to spend long hours at the hospital. Red started acting out and snapped at two of the dogs, exhibiting some jealous and possessive behavior over toys and food. He was then sequestered to a separate room, where he ate and slept. He had no issues with the four cats, and could be found sleeping with the four of them at times. Within the last few weeks, his human dad came home from the hospital in January and passed away a week later.
He's been with his foster for a few days, and this is what she has to say:
This morning, I took Red for a bath and he did very well. He did not love it, but no barking. I weighed him and he is about 70 pounds. He is not shedding and their was very little dirt, but now he smells really good and has soft fur. I suspect that he is part lab/ part German Shepard.
So far he has been very good on the leash. He walks a good pace, not pulling. But he does pull at times when he gets a scent of food. But walks are quick as he has yet to pee or poop on a walk which is really odd. We walked again with another lab tonight and he was very good. I could use a leash that has the double handles, so I can keep him close at times as he is big and I do not know what he will do.
He does know commands. For example, I went into my garage with the door open to the kitchen. I told him to STAY (in the kitchen) and he did. I was shocked. So he is a smart boy. He does have extra energy at times (ie. when feeding and when his leash comes out) but I am working on this by waiting until he is calms down before he gets his food or walk. I think he is getting the idea that these are not one time events that he does not have to get excited about. He also really likes tummy rubs! He just got one.
He has not chewed anything in the house. As you saw I have lots of stuff on the bookcase near the window and he has not taken anything. I also have old shoes laying around and he has not touched them. So I suspect he was taking things for attention or destroying them in frustration.
The only time he has been alone is while he was in my car. I ran into the store after his bath. He stayed in the back seat even though he could have easily jumped into the front seats. He did not bark either.
I do not plan to leave him for a few more days, then I will run to the grocery store and see how he does when I am gone an hour.
What Lab Rescue Says:
We just got Red into our program and are getting to know him. We first met him at a dog park, where he was super excited to be out and about. He didn't have any recall, but you have to understand his recent circumstances and this poor guy's life was turned upside down within the last few months. He did try to hump another female at the park and could not leave her alone, so we left.
Red will benefit from a dog-experienced family who can start working with and training him again. We'd prefer a home where he won't be left alone very much and one where he will be a part of the family again! Just within the last few days, his foster has been working with him and sees improvements every day. He does tend to jump up, so a family with older children would be best. He is fine with dog savvy cats.
Red is neutered, current on all vaccinations, heartworm negative and is located in San Jose.
If you are interested in this nice and active guy, please call Rescue Rep Kris at 415-652-6091 and leave your email address.
(Please keep in mind we are all volunteers, most of us work full time and we all have personal lives. I do call everyone back within 2-3 days so please be patient and I will be back in touch with you. When the dogs are in foster homes then it may take longer as we need to touch base with the fosters for updates on the dogs. We work very hard to make the right matches for the dogs and for the new owners. We get 3-5 dogs per week and we do not have a facility that we keep the dogs housed in. They are scattered all over the Bay Area.)
