Winston

Description

Meet Winston Winston is a one-of-a-kind pup who earned the nickname "The Grasshopper" because his long legs and bouncy energy make him hop around when he's being playful! He's a Lab/Coonhound mix, roughly 14-16 months old, and about 60 pounds of pure love and silliness. He absolutely adores children and gets along well with other dogs. When it comes to cats, he's not aggressive, but he definitely wants to play with them, so he will need some dedicated "leave it" training to keep the peace. One of Winston's standout qualities is that he's fully house and crate trained, and he genuinely loves his crate. He happily retreats to his "place" when told to do so, at night and whenever we leave the house. Winston is an incredibly loyal companion who just wants to be near his people. He's got plenty of energy for adventures and playtime, but he's also happy to snuggle up and chew on his favorite bone during downtime. He's a beautiful balance of go-go-go and cozy couch companion. Now, he's still a teenager, so he's got some things we're actively working on. Think of Winston as a giant puppy who's still learning life's finer manners. He's very food-motivated, which is fantastic for training, but it also means he's a bit of a counter surfer when you're not looking!  He gets visibly excited when guests arrive, and while his heart is in the right place, he's working on calming greetings rather than full-body enthusiasm. He's also learning how to politely walk on a leash. He pulls and barks when he spots squirrels or other dogs because he's just so excited to say hi! This reactivity is purely out of excitement, not fear or aggression.  He's made tremendous progress and is eager to keep improving with consistent, positive-reinforcement training. Overall, his biggest ongoing lesson is learning boundaries and how to calm down even when something exciting is within reach. Whether it's a treat, a toy, or an open door, Winston is discovering that impulse control is a skill, and with the right forever home he will make such strides with this.  With consistent, positive-reinforcement training, this dog has endless potential. Winston would thrive in an active, patient household that's ready to invest in his training and help him become the best boy he can be. If you're looking for a goofy, devoted, big-hearted companion who will love your whole family with everything he's got, Winston is waiting for you.