Meet Dudley-a 43-pound love bug with a happy heart and a gentle soul! This sweet boy appears to be housebroken and absolutely loves his daily walks. He's a dream on the leash, walking nicely and often checking in with his human along the way. Dudley knows "sit" and is always happy to show it off-especially if there's a treat involved! Beyond his good manners, he is a total cuddle bug who loves to be close and soak up affection.
Dudley will sit so peacefully with you watching the world go round and loves the pets, cuddles & booty scratches. He will sit beside you or plop front half in your lap. Whether he's strolling by your side or snuggling in for some love, Dudley is ready to be your loyal, loving companion. If all that isn't enough, he is so adorable with his goofy (in a super cute way) ears, reddish tan "eyebrows" and sweet little smile.
Sweet Dudley hit the road to Sykesville for an adoption event-and he was an absolute rockstar. He hopped right into the car and rode like a champ, laying down peacefully and enjoying the scenery. At the event, Dudley met a wide range of people-from toddlers to seniors-and greeted everyone with his signature gentle charm. He soaked up all the affection, leaning in for extra cuddles and even offering up his belly for rubs. While he occasionally barked in excitement when he spotted other dog pals, he was otherwise calm and laid-back throughout the day. He's ready to be your road trip buddy, your couch companion, and your best friend.
Dudley had a sleepover with a volunteer, and he was a wonderful house guest from start to finish. He showed off his affectionate personality and gentle manners, happily snuggling on the couch after politely waiting for an invitation. Dudley enjoys being near his people, following them around the house, and settling down calmly after playtime. His sweet and calming presence made him a joy to have around. During his visit, Dudley demonstrated many of his great qualities. He loves playing with his rope toys and is polite about getting on furniture. He's very affectionate, friendly with new people, and an excellent car passenger. Dudley is food motivated and loves treats, making him eager to participate in training. He's playful but also knows how to relax and is an early riser ready to start the day. His adorable grazing habit adds to his charm as he nibbles at his meals throughout the day. Dudley is housebroken, walks well on a leash, and knows basic commands like "sit". He loves cuddles, pets, and booty scratches, often settling right next to his person or partially in their lap.
While he can be a little vocal around other dogs, he is gentle and loving with people. He requests to meet any potential dog companions to ensure a good match, as he can be rowdy and bouncy during play once comfortable.
He previously enjoyed a Dog's Day Out at Herring Run Park where he lounged in the grass, indulged in whipped cream, and showed off his sweet, cuddly, and strong personality.
With his adorable goofy ears, reddish tan eyebrows, and sweet smile, Dudley is ready to bring joy and companionship to his forever family. If you think Dudley is the boy for you, please come down to BARCS and meet him!
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**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.
Lack of Formal Training: A lack of formal training means the dog may not know basic commands or proper manners, leading to unruly behavior. If the dog lacks training, they may need basic obedience lessons, positive reinforcement, and patience as they learn new skills.
Prey Drive: Prey drive refers to a dog's instinct to chase and capture moving objects, such as small animals or toys. If the dog exhibits a strong prey drive in an adoptive home, they may need complete separation or controlled, supervised play with appropriate toys and training to manage their impulses and ensure safety around smaller animals.
