Russet
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: ADOPTED!
Shelter ID: A0056662150
Location: BARCS Shelter (2490 Giles Road, Baltimore, MD 21225)
Sex: Male
Age: 3 Years Old
Current Weight: 66 lbs
About Me
Meet Russet, a handsome dog who's recently joined our shelter and has already made an impression. Since he was found as a stray, we don’t have much information about his behavior in a home, which can make it more challenging for potential adopters to fully understand him. In the shelter, Russet appears to be experiencing some stress, which is not uncommon for dogs adjusting to this environment. There are signs that he may have once been part of a family—he was found wearing a collar, though without a microchip or other identification. A foster placement could greatly help us learn more about Russet’s personality and needs, giving him a better chance of finding his forever home.
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:
Leash Reactivity: Leash reactivity happens when a dog becomes overly excited, anxious or reactive on a leash, often responding to other dogs, people or moving objects. To manage leash reactivity, the dog may need to be kept at a safe distance from triggers, with positive reinforcement for calm behavior, and possibly work with a trainer if the behavior persists.
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.
Humping/Mounting: Humping or mounting is a behavior where a dog may attempt to climb on people, objects or other animals, often due to excitement, dominance or stress. If humping or mounting continues outside of the shelter, the dog may need redirection to appropriate behavior, increased exercise to burn off excess energy, and consistent training to discourage the behavior.
