Meet Ozzy, a playful, affectionate, and irresistibly charming boy who brings joy with him everywhere he goes. He's the perfect blend of silly, sweet, curious, and cuddly-an easygoing companion who always seems to know how to brighten a room. From the moment he entered foster care, Ozzy has shown just how loving and adaptable he truly is. He settled quickly into his new routine, explored his new surroundings with interest, and began bonding with his foster immediately. He is wonderfully expressive and always eager to share his affection, whether he's nudging your hand for pets or curling right up beside you.
Ozzy is fully housebroken and has adjusted beautifully to home life. After a single accident on his very first day, he has kept a perfect record and readily goes outside on schedule. When left alone, he relaxes and lounges, usually on the couch or occasionally venturing onto the bed for a little extra comfort. Although he's not being crated, he proves himself trustworthy-he doesn't get into things, stays calm, and greets his foster happily upon return. A dog bed in the living room is helping him learn where to settle during downtime, and he is responding very well to this gentle structure.
One of the most special things about Ozzy is how deeply affectionate and intuitive he is. He loves being near his people and has a way of sensing emotions and responding with quiet calm. When his foster cried one day, he cuddled close and comforted her in the sweetest way. Ozzy has also done wonderfully with children-he met his foster's 3-year-old cousin and instantly became her gentle cuddle companion. He greets new people politely, leans in for affection, and truly seems to enjoy connecting with everyone he meets, regardless of gender, age, or environment.
Ozzy is also a clever and enthusiastic learner. He already knows sit, paw, calm, wait, and is picking up new cues quickly. He takes treats gently, listens well, and is extremely food motivated, making training both effective and fun. On leash, Ozzy can pull at times out of excitement or curiosity, but even this is improving quickly as he settles into a routine. He is very responsive to guidance, easy to redirect, and always eager to please. With continued positive training, he will only become more polished and confident on his walks.
When it's playtime, Ozzy truly shines. He is a big fan of his ball, his beloved ketchup toy, and a good game of tug-his absolute favorite. He'll drop toys onto your lap to invite you to play or toss them around for solo entertainment. In the yard, he chases, retrieves, and happily entertains himself, sometimes pausing just to check in with his foster before diving back into the fun. His energy level is moderate: he enjoys bursts of excitement and play, but he also settles wonderfully and transforms into a mellow, affectionate couch buddy once he's had his fun.
Ozzy is an excellent adventure companion and has already enjoyed fun-filled outings, including a hiking trip to Patapsco State Park. He hopped right in the car, allowed himself to be buckled in, and rode beautifully with his nose out the window and the breeze in his face. On the trails, he showed impressive manners-greeting hikers politely, ignoring wildlife, navigating obstacles with confidence, and sticking close to the path. After exploring, he snoozed peacefully on the ride home, with his paws and head resting sweetly on the center console. He even earned a well-deserved pup cup at the end of his adventure.
Ozzy has also participated in sleepovers and "Dog's Day Out" experiences, all of which showcased how easygoing and adaptable he is. He was perfectly polite in an apartment, explored gently, avoided getting into anything he shouldn't, and curled up with his foster on the couch as if he'd lived there his whole life. He slept soundly through the night without a single issue. Ozzy has met other dogs at the shelter and enjoys playful chase; he did well with small dogs too. He would likely thrive with another friendly dog after a successful meet-and-greet. With his loving heart, playful spirit, gentle nature, and desire to be close, Ozzy is the kind of dog who makes every day sweeter. He's ready for new adventures, cozy nights in, and a forever family who will adore him as much as he adores them.
Ozzy is currently in the comfort of a foster home. If you're interested in meeting him, please complete an application and email dogfosters@barcs.org for next steps!
