Evan is an 8-year-old gentleman with a heart full of love and a calm, confident presence. He is treat-motivated and already knows how to "sit," showing a clear eagerness to learn and connect with people. He walks well on a leash and truly enjoys spending time outdoors-especially when he gets to explore trails and follow his nose to all the best smells. After doing his business, he's been known to throw in a few happy kicks, just to let you know he's feeling good.
He's showing strong signs of being house-trained and has great manners. Evan also absolutely loves back scratches, often wiggling with joy when he gets a good one while lying in the grass. This sweet, affectionate boy is the perfect combination of laid-back and playful. Evan is ready to leave the shelter behind and find a home where he can enjoy the simple things: good walks, good company, and lots of love.
Evan recently had a fun-filled Dog's Day Out at Patapsco State Park, and he had a blast taking in all the sights-and especially all the smells! This curious boy was gentle, energetic, and a great hiking buddy. He walked beautifully on leash the entire time, making him a joy to explore with. While he was a bit cautious around water at first, Evan got braver as the hike went on, showing his sweet mix of curiosity and courage. He did well passing on the trail with people, dogs, and kids.
Evan recently went on another Dog's Day Out adventure, and he was the perfect gentleman! He stopped by Petco for some fun and treats, then enjoyed a well-deserved pup cup before taking in the sights and smells along the waterfront. Described as sweet, gentle, calm, and handsome, Evan is a total dream to spend time with. He did wonderfully in new surroundings, showing curiosity without overwhelm. In the car, he was a star-settling in quickly and happily snoring away on the ride home.
Whether he's exploring a new place or just soaking up a peaceful moment by your side, Evan is the kind of dog who makes everything feel a little more relaxed and a lot more special. He truly loves adventure and takes it all in with calm, easy charm.
Evan has met other dogs at the shelter, he is playful and rowdy With his friends. He requests to meet any potential roommates to make sure they are a good match. Evan is eligible to come back to BARCS to participate in social sessions.
Come down to BARCS and meet Evan!
**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:
High Energy: High-energy dogs are very active and often need plenty of daily physical and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. These dogs will more than likely benefit from structured routines and handling. If the dog remains high-energy at home, they may need regular exercise and playtime, along with puzzle toys or training exercises to keep their mind engaged.
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.
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.
