Licorice
The VIP (Very Important Placements) program at BARCS identifies dogs with medical challenges, behavioral challenges or those not handling the shelter environment well, who urgently need homes to prevent their decline. With our shelter at or near capacity nearly every day this year, and new dogs arriving daily, it's critical to find these dogs placements quickly. By doing so, we aim to save them from the risk of euthanasia due to lack of space. Adoption fees are waived for all VIP dogs.
UPDATE: IN FOSTER!
Shelter ID: A0056373805
Location: Foster Home
Sex: Male
Age: 1 Year Old
Current Weight: 57 lbs
About Me
Licorice is the cutest and goofiest guy. He’s always finding odd sleeping positions and getting his lippies stuck on his teefs. He recently spent time in a short-term foster home, where he loved going on long walks in Patterson Park, practicing tricks like "sit" and "lay down," and keeping busy with chew toys. Licorice is great on leash and enjoys being around other dogs on walks. He has plenty of energy for play and activities, but he’s also content to settle down and relax on the couch with his human companions. Licorice is affectionate and loves nothing more than cuddling up with his favorite people, whether it’s at their feet or snuggled close on the couch. He did well with a 1-year-old child, handled crate time with ease, and steadily improved his house training during his stay.
Licorice has also enjoyed several Dog’s Day Out adventures, where he proved to be the perfect adventure buddy. Though a bit nervous getting into the car at first, he quickly warmed up and showed his love for exploring. On his outings, Licorice was well-behaved, non-reactive to people, other dogs, and cyclists, and loved taking breaks to give kisses and hugs. He particularly enjoyed shady wooded trails and even made a wish for a forever home at Downs Park’s Wishing Bench. To top off his adventure, he delighted in a pup cup from The Human Bean Pasadena. Licorice has lots of energy and is eager to explore the world with an active family, making him an ideal companion for someone who loves outdoor adventures.
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 behavioral 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.
Leash Biting: Leash biting occurs when a dog grabs or chews on the leash during walks, often out of excitement or frustration. If leash biting continues in an adoptive home, the dog may need redirection with treats or toys, and it might help to practice calm behavior before walks to reduce their excitement.
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.
