Meet Bahama Mama (a.k.a. Bama!)! Your future workout partner, cuddle coach, and sunshine-loving goofball!
Bama is a fitness queen who's always ready for action-whether it's a run, hike, walk around town or backyard calisthenics. She's explored wooded trails, splashed in rivers, and chased after tennis balls with full enthusiasm. Afterward? She's all about the snuggles-curling up next to you, folding herself into you for a full-body hug, or staring into your eyes while you stroke her face (and yes, she'll gently nudge you if you stop too soon!).
This smart girl thrives on learning and connection. When she first came home, Bama barked at people passing by the porch. Her foster family started teaching her to come back inside for a treat instead-and within a few hours, Bama had it down. Now she trots back unprompted or with just a gentle window tap. She's truly that quick to learn and eager to please!
At home, Bama is the perfect balance of independence and affection. She's fully housetrained, can be left alone uncrated without issue, and hangs out during the workday by entertaining herself with toys or sunbathing between naps. Her favorite hobbies include tossing her toys in the air, chewing on bones, chasing bumblebees, and baking in the sun beams until she's "fully cooked."
Bama is dog-social and loves rowdy play with dogs her size, though calmer or smaller pups may find her a bit much. She's polite and non-reactive on walks, even when other dogs bark at her. Bama was very stressed in the shelter, and below is a list of some behaviors she exhibited, but these behaviors can and do look very different in a home environment! If you think this bio sounds like a good fit for you, you will have the opportunity to discuss everything with her foster family and the BARCs behavior team! Bama is the perfect mix of playful energy and lover-girl.
Email dogfosters@barcs.org to be connected with her foster family and see if she's the match you've been looking for!
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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:
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.
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.
Separation-Related Behaviors: Dogs with separation-related behaviors may become distressed when left alone, leading to barking, whining, destructive chewing or house soiling. This behavior stems from their fear of being apart from their family. To help, gradual routines, positive reinforcement and crate training can provide security. In more severe cases, professional training or behavior-modification medication may be needed to support the dog's adjustment or as a life-long solution.
Jumpy/mouthy: refers to behaviors associated with energetic, playful, stressed or anxious adolescent or adult dogs. A dog who shows jumpy/mouthy behavior may jump up, put their mouths on people (usually people's arms and legs), and may even grab at clothing and/or the leash. See Mouthy. Mouthy: This commonly refers to behaviors associated with energetic, playful, stressed, or anxious adolescent or adult dogs. A dog who exhibits mouthy behavior may put their mouth on people (often hands, arms, and/or legs), and may even grab at clothing and/or the leash. This same behavior can be normal play between dogs.
