ANDY BERNARD

Adoption

United States, MA, Springfield, 01104

Shelter Information

Thomas J. O'Connor Animal Control and Adoption Center

(413) 781-1484
Shelter Profile
General info icon

General info

Category
Adoption
Pet
Dogs
Gender
Male
Breed
Labrador Retriever
Age - Birthdate
6 months - 04-24-2026
Description icon

Description

***In Foster--Call to Arrange a Meet.***Andy may be the cutest little guy you have ever seen, but he has some specific needs and we want to take the time to make the right match for him.When he feels safe, Andy is goofy, playful, and happy go lucky like all puppies. He is a total dream when it comes to potty training and crate training! He is very respectful and polite towards his feline and canine foster siblings and is wonderful at sharing food and toys. He is not destructive and knows to play with toys and chew on bones rather than furniture.However, Andy is under-socialized and has some trauma from his past life. He is behind on many of the experiences that other dogs his age would have had by now: going new places, meeting new people, walking on leash… as a result he can be quite fearful and stressed in new situations. He also had some negative experiences with other dogs in the past and hearing barking or interacting with overbearing dogs can be very scary for him.We are looking for patient and committed adopters who are ready to go at a slower pace with Andy and recognize that he may not learn new skills in the timeframe typically expected of a puppy. We are also strongly recommending that his adopters reach out to a behaviorist (either Paws of Nature or Pet Behavior Consulting, LLC) to start sessions at home with him. We want to make sure he is set up for success in his new home and has the best help possible to help him overcome his fears and unpack the baggage he is still holding onto from his past life. The good news is, Andy is so fun, exited to learn, and he LOVES to please his people! We think Andy will do best in a home without young children. We also think he would greatly enjoy life in a more rural/woodsy area away from all the city noise that can be scary for him, but this is not a requirement. Andy will do very well with a neutral, calm, well adjust canine friend who can be a good role model for him. He will also do very well in a home with cats.

Color details
Black