Tanthony
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: A0055910211
Location: Foster Home
Sex: Male
Age: 2 years old
Current Weight: 52 lbs
About Me
Meet Tanthony, a fun-loving, goofy boy with the most adorable head tilt. He’s had a tough start, coming from an unstable home where he was often found running loose until his owners could no longer be reached. Tanthony loves jumping on tree stumps and might have the makings of an agility champ. He knows how to sit, patiently waits for treats, and is eager to learn more. While he’s still working on bringing the ball all the way back, he’s got the basics down and just needs someone to help him perfect his skills. Tanthony enjoys chilling on a bench with his human friends and playing with his favorite stuffie. After playtime, he loves walking on trails, checking in often, and staying calm around passersby. This sweet and handsome boy is ready to find his forever family who will appreciate his playful spirit and gentle nature.
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:
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.
Barrier Reactivity: Barrier reactivity occurs when a dog may bark, growl or lunge when behind a barrier, such as a fence, gate or window, often due to frustration or excitement. If barrier reactivity continues outside of the shelter, the dog may need desensitization by gradually exposing them to the trigger from a safe distance, rewarding calm behavior, and managing the environment to reduce opportunities for reactivity.
