Meet Astro Arnold, a sweet and lovable 52-pound boy with the best ears around! He is so sweet, friendly, affectionate and smiley. This smart pup knows "sit," "stay," and "paw" and will offer his paw all on his own-he's that eager to impress! Not only does this handsome pup know all the basic commands, but he's also a great listener - making him a dream to spend time with on the trail or at home. Treat-motivated and ready to learn, Astro Arnold comes right to you for easy leashing and is always excited for his next adventure. On walks, he loves to casually sniff along the trails. While he may pull slightly when he sees other dogs, he listens well to his handler and can be redirected easily. Astro Arnold comes to you for pets, sitting next to your feet and gazing up with a smile. He has one of those gazes that makes you feel so good because you know he is feeling good - simply infectious! Whether he's exploring new sights or simply soaking in the moment, Astro brings a calm and thoughtful energy wherever he goes.
Astro Arnold enjoyed a sleepover with a volunteer, and he truly shined! He was sweet, affectionate, and well-behaved throughout his stay. He enjoyed lots of walks and some quality playtime with his favorite toys (especially tug toys). He's a very playful pup for a dog of his age! He loved running around and playing keep away with his toys, wagging his tail and getting the zoomies. After he explored the big backyard, he took it easy and hung with the family by the fire pit (and maybe got half of a hot dog for being such a good boy). Astro Arnold has a great, balanced energy level - ready for fun but also happy to relax with his people. He loves his walks, and does an adorable full body spin when he can tell he's about to go for a walk.
The next day Astro accompanied his new friend as she did yard work and ran errands, fitting right in to home life. He listened to all the humans equally and didn't show any signs of anxiety or fear, apart from a few nerves at the very start. Astro is a total lovebug. He fell asleep completely wrapped up in his friend's arms and loved falling asleep to gentle scratches and pets. Astro Arnold thrives when he's with his humans and will need a little support getting used to crate time if that's part of his future home setup. But he did just fine left alone without crating. This polite gentleman is also housebroken, making him an easy addition to any home.
Astro has quickly become a Dog's Day Out favorite-and it's easy to see why! This well-behaved sweetheart has gone on several outings, including trips to Fort McHenry, local parks and hiking trails, the Inner Harbor, and even a café. No matter where he goes, Astro is a calm, friendly companion who's just happy to be by your side. He's a polite car passenger, restaurant pro, and a total gentleman-always respectful, well-mannered, and relaxed in any setting. Volunteers rave about how well he listens and how eager he is to follow your lead, whether you're strolling through the city or lounging at an outdoor table. During a recent café visit, Astro sat quietly while his humans ate lunch, never begging or fussing-just giving his best puppy dog eyes in hopes of a little bite (and yes, he was thrilled when he got one!). Astro also spent time at a volunteer's home, where he met some older kids and did wonderfully-further proof that he could be the perfect family dog. He even loves laying in the sun, soaking up the warmth and watching the world go by.
And of course, no adventure is complete without a pup cup-Astro's favorite treat! He's got the kind of easygoing, affectionate personality that makes every outing better and every quiet moment sweeter. Astro is just a dog that "gets it".
Astro is playful with his dog pals at BARCS and would love to meet any potential dog roommates to make sure they're a good match. He's also eligible to return for social sessions after adoption to continue building his doggy social skills.
If you're looking for a loyal sidekick who's up for any adventure but happy to relax, too-Astro's your guy. Come to BARCS to meet Astro Arnold!
Astro Arnold is a BARCS VIP, which means his adoption fees are always waived! To learn more about his personality and needs, check out his VIP profile by clicking here: https://www.barcs.org/vip-urgent-list
**I'm on BARCS' VIP Urgent List. Why is My Status Urgent?**
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.
Fearful/Nervous: Fearful or nervous dogs may react poorly or give other warning signs when they feel threatened or scared, often to get a person or object to back away. If the dog continues to display fearful behavior, after the proper acclimation/decompression period in their new home, they may need a continued calm, supportive environment, with gradual exposure to their triggers and positive reinforcement to build trust and reduce anxiety.
