Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Good with dogs,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
Sable is a two-year-old, 70 pound chocolate lab mix as sweet as his namesake. His fosters report that he is completely housebroken, sleeps quietly all night in his kennel, and is a quick learner: after only two corrections about staying off the furniture on day one, he has obeyed consistently since. He also knows "sit" and "down" and is working on "stay." He seems to travel well in the car.
Sable could just as easily have been dubbed Shadow, Velcro, or any other name befitting his desperate desire to see you, be near you, and please you. Sitting at the kitchen table? He has contorted himself under the chair so he can put his head on your feet. Working in the garden? He is sitting politely on the other side of the fence, looking longingly for a sign that you still love him. Taking three steps to retrieve something from across the room? He is right behind you, making sure you wouldn't think of leaving him. He is extremely handsome and expressive, gentle when taking treats, and unabashed in deploying his puppy dog eyes and rolling on his back in hopes you'll provide some belly rubs.
Sable's only challenge is the time he has spent in the loud, chaotic environment of dog shelters while awaiting adoption, which has made him anxious at noisy dog adoption events and hyper-alert on leash when he spots approaching dogs (and the occasional squirrel). When he draws near to another dog, he does what he learned in the shelter: jump and bark loudly. But Sable and his fosters have been working with a trainer on some calming and distraction techniques, and he is making slow progress in making less of a ruckus when other dogs pass. His fosters report that in spite of his offputting greetings, it genuinely appears that he is just an anxious, untrained and over-enthusiastic two-year-old who wants to get closer to other dogs for the purpose of meeting and playing. With every dog he has actually approached after the initial threatening barking, Sable has sniffed thoroughly, wagged his tail vigorously, and then dropped into play pose. His fosters are confident that with continued training he will learn over time to be more calm and polite when encountering his fellow canine friends. He is otherwise great on the leash and friendly with adults and children who stop to admire him.
Given his young age, high energy level, and need for continued leash training, Sable would do well with a calm and confident dog owner who will commit to giving him the exercise he needs: 2-3 long walks a day and plenty of fetch in a fenced yard. At home he is awesome: quiet, sweet, and attentive. He will make a WONDERFUL, loyal addition to a really lucky family. He is a wonderful boy and you are guaranteed to love him!
PAW adopts in the MD, DC, northern VA, and southern PA region.
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