Stryker is a four-year-old heartthrob with ice-blue eyes and a gentle soul. Found as a stray, he's now soaking up the comforts of foster life and showing off just how good of a boy he truly is. He has a medium energy level and spends his days alternating between bouts of playful fetch and tug-of-war, and quiet time staring out the window-his favorite pastime. He especially loves using treat-dispensing toys and hunting for hidden goodies around the house. Stryker is a curious, bright pup who thrives on routine, soft praise, and plenty of belly rubs.
This sweet guy is house-trained and walks nicely on a leash, although he has a mild to moderate prey drive and can show some initial reactivity when spotting small animals or certain dogs. He doesn't bark much-more of a silent observer-but he may pull briefly before settling back into the rhythm of the walk. Indoors, he's polite and has excellent house manners. He doesn't beg or counter surf, and prefers lying on his bed to climbing onto furniture unless invited. He's especially respectful when it comes to people's space, though he's more than happy to cuddle up at bedtime.
Stryker is a little nervous during thunderstorms and may need some extra comfort when the weather turns. He's also been adjusting to time alone in the home. At first, he would bark at the door after his foster left, but each day he's getting more comfortable with the routine. He's shown no destructive behavior while alone, and some days he doesn't bark at all, which is a sign that he's learning to trust his new environment.
While he hasn't been crated in foster care, Stryker has proven to be trustworthy when left alone. He hasn't shown any interest in chewing on off-limits items and is happy to entertain himself with his toys-especially if they squeak. His foster's favorite moment so far? Watching him discover and joyfully play with a frozen blueberry like it was the world's greatest treasure. Stryker's joy is contagious, and his silly, sweet side comes out more each day.
He would likely do best in a home with no male dogs, as he prefers the company of female pups and would appreciate meeting any potential canine housemates before going home. He hasn't been tested with cats or children in his foster home, but he's shown friendly interest in every human he meets. Stryker would love a home with big windows or a good view of the world, but more than anything, he wants a family to call his own. If you're looking for a loyal buddy who loves belly rubs, ball games, and quiet companionship, Stryker might just be your perfect match. To meet him, email dogfosters@barcs.org to get in touch with his foster family.
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A dog's behavior in a shelter can be very different from how they act in a home once they have time to relax. In the shelter, dogs spend a lot of time isolated in their kennels, meet new people constantly and are surrounded by other loud barking dogs, new smells, new sounds and new routines. This environment can keep their stress levels elevated for days or even weeks, which can cause them to act out in ways they wouldn't in a home. Because of this, what we see in the shelter are just observations and not promises of how the dog will behave later. A dog's true personality often shows up once they've had time to settle into their new home-that's why fostering and adopting is so important!
The following are the observations of my challenges in a shelter environment:
Leash Reactivity: Leash reactivity happens when a dog becomes overly excited, anxious or reactive on a leash, often responding to other dogs, people or moving objects. To manage leash reactivity, the dog may need to be kept at a safe distance from triggers, with positive reinforcement for calm behavior, and possibly work with a trainer if the behavior persists.
Dog Selectiveness: Dog selectiveness is when a dog may get along well with some dogs but might have a poor reaction or be avoidant with others. Selective dogs may need carefully managed interactions, intentionally selected playmates to ensure compatibility, supervised play with other dogs, and avoidance of situations where they feel threatened or overwhelmed.
Barrier Reactivity: Barrier reactivity occurs when a dog may bark, growl or lunge when behind a barrier, such as a fence, gate or window, often due to frustration or excitement. If barrier reactivity continues outside of the shelter, the dog may need desensitization by gradually exposing them to the trigger from a safe distance, rewarding calm behavior, and managing the environment to reduce opportunities for reactivity.
