Meet Maxaroni! This handsome boy arrived at BARCS as a stray, and his finder reported that he was friendly, easy to handle, appeared to be housetrained, and even politely asked to go outside when he needed a bathroom break. He also lived comfortably alongside their small breed dog and settled nicely into a crate when needed. Since then, Maxaroni has continued to show that beneath his initially cautious demeanor is a deeply affectionate dog who simply wants to be close to his people.
Since moving into his foster home, Maxaroni has truly blossomed. If you're looking for a dog who believes there is no such thing as too much cuddle time, Max is your guy. His foster describes him as a total cuddle bug who loves leaning against his people, curling up beside them on the couch, and even flopping down across their feet whenever he wants a little extra attention. Being close to his favorite humans is easily his favorite place to be.
Maxaroni has settled beautifully into home life. After a couple of minor accidents during his first few days of adjusting, he has been perfectly housetrained with no accidents since. He also does wonderfully when left home alone for reasonable periods and is comfortable relaxing in his crate. Like many dogs, he appreciates a consistent routine, and now that he's settled in, he's proving to be an easy and reliable houseguest.
On walks, Maxaroni is a pleasant companion who enjoys taking in the world around him. Squirrels are certainly exciting, and his foster is continuing to help him stay focused when wildlife catches his eye. He also enjoys exploring new places and recently had a wonderful time visiting a quiet dog park where he could safely sniff, wander, and enjoy the environment all to himself.
Max is a smart boy who enjoys learning with his people. He already knows "sit," "paw," "down," and "crate," and he's eager to show off his growing list of skills. While he's still figuring out which toys are his favorites, he never says no to spending quality time with his humans.
One of Maxaroni's sweetest quirks comes at mealtime. He prefers not to eat alone and often waits until his people are nearby before finishing his meal. Whether everyone is sitting around the table or simply spending time together, Max seems happiest when he can enjoy life's little moments alongside his family.
Maxaroni absolutely loves meeting people. When he's able to approach someone, sniff, and introduce himself properly, he quickly becomes a friendly, affectionate companion who happily accepts pets and attention from new friends. He can sometimes bark if he sees people through a fence, window, or other barrier, but once he's able to greet them appropriately, he relaxes and shows his sweet personality.
Maxaroni is continuing to work on feeling more comfortable around other dogs and some moving vehicles. He can become reactive when unfamiliar dogs get too close on walks and has shown interest in chasing motorcycles and large trucks. His foster is already helping him build confidence, and he'll benefit from an adopter who is committed to continuing positive reinforcement training and giving him plenty of space to succeed. With consistency and patience, Max continues to make progress while remaining a loving, devoted companion at home.
With his medium energy level, affectionate personality, excellent house manners, and love of cuddling, Maxaroni offers a wonderful balance of adventure buddy and couch companion. Whether he's exploring on a walk, practicing his commands, or happily lying across your feet while you relax, he's simply happiest sharing life with his people.
Maxaroni has met other dogs at BARCS and does best with gentle, socially savvy canine companions. Because he can be uncomfortable around unfamiliar dogs, he would like to meet any potential dog roommates before adoption to ensure they're a good fit.
Maxaroni is currently thriving in the comfort of a foster home while he waits for his forever family. If you're looking for a loyal best friend who will happily join you on adventures before curling up beside you for an evening of snuggles, Maxaroni is ready to meet you. Please complete an adoption application and email dogfosters@barcs.org for next steps.
