Badger KNA Buddy Silver Labrador Retriever Male 3 Years Old ID#3280

Meet Badger.  Badger is a young silver Labrador who was surrendered by his breeder as he was no longer needed as a stud dog.  Please read his blog from the bottom up to learn more about him.

December 3, 2024

I’ve been in my foster home for a week now and am doing great! I’m still learning about “house-training” but have been doing really well with it. I’m also still working on crate training. I howl for about 5 minutes hoping FM will have pity on me but when she doesn’t come down, I settle down and sleep for 8.5 – 9 hours.  I went for a few walks in the woods and only pulled a few times when my foster brother ran after a squirrel. He doesn’t need a leash, so I got confused when he ran, and I didn’t get to. FM says I do very well with walking on a front-clip harness.I’ve met lots of new people, big and small. I don’t jump on or bark at anyone who comes in the house. I just greet them with a very “wiggly butt”! FM said I have to be careful with the little guys, so I don’t knock them down. I’m a very solid 85 lbs, 3 1/2-year-old boy so FM made sure I sat nicely by her when we were inside the house. FM says I have a medium energy level; I love to run and play but also settle very nicely when she does. I am learning to “wait” at the gate in the yard and at the door when my people go through it. I want to be with them and have tried to push my way out with them. I don’t want to run away; I just want to stay close to them. FM says I’m getting very good with the “wait” at the gate but need more work with “wait” at the front door. I still want to chase 2 of the 3 cats in the house so FM says my new home should not have cats. I’m very friendly with the dogs in the neighborhood (and of course with the 3 resident dogs) so it would be nice to have a dog sibling to hang with, but I’d also be OK as an only dog because then I would get all the loving and attention. A fenced in yard would be nice too but not necessary since I don’t like being outside without a human companion. Over-all, I am loving life off the farm and in a home!

November 21, 2024

Hello, it’s me Buddy (that’s my new name and I’m loving it)! FM says I’m such a good boy. I love a good romp in the yard and am learning to fetch. I got the running after the ball part; I’m still working on bringing it back. I love all the dog beds around the house and rest quietly while she does some work. I have not tried to get on any furniture. I’m a very chill boy and rarely bark. I’ve met some of the neighbors and got lots of pets – who doesn’t love a good belly rub! I have not tried to jump on anyone, I greet humans very politely, but I will jump straight up in the air when I’m really excited; FM laughs when I do this.I am learning “leave it” because I still want to chase the cats. FM uses “leave it” for anything I’m not supposed to touch or go after. I’m a fast learner and I stop and look at her when she says it. I know sit and I’ll do a good down for a treat. I am very food motivated so FM’s been giving me a treat when I do my business outside. I’ve only been in my foster home a few days, but FM is very proud of the progress I’m making with house training. We go outside every couple of hours or when I wake up from a nap. I sleep through the night but I’m still not overly fond of my crate as I’d much rather be by my FM’s side. She says Buddy is the perfect name for me because I love being by my human’s side. I am the perfect companion for someone who wants lots of loving from their Buddy!

November 19, 2024

Hello – I was named Badger, but my FM feels like Buddy makes a much better name and I couldn’t agree more. I really don’t respond to the name Badger, but I do come to FM when she calls me Buddy! I’ve moved from the kennel / daycare to a home. This home has 3 cats and 3 dogs. I’m great with the dogs and am trying to figure out the cats. I was afraid of them at 1st but now I’m very curious and am tempted to chase them. FM tells me that is not OK so I’m trying hard to listen. I am so eager to please my humans!I’m learning about doing my business outside but until my FM is sure I’ll only pee outside, I have to wear this silly thing called a belly band. I don’t mind it, but I’m going to try really hard to just do my business outside so I can stop wearing them.

I slept in a crate last night. I barked for about 20 minutes and then just laid down and slept a full 9 hours! I don’t mind the crate, and FM will keep using it so if my new family wants to use one, they will be able to. So far, I don’t chew on anything except the dog bones and toys FM give me.

She says I’m a good boy… I couldn’t agree more. I’m a big lovebug and lean on my humans to get lots of love and pets. I don’t mind when I human goes near my food or my toys. I’m a good sharer! tay tuned for more updates in my new foster home!

November 6, 2024

Badger is doing exceptionally well.  He has been very friendly with the staff at BCK, and the other dogs that I’ve introduced him to.  He walks well on leash even though he was a farm dog with no leash experience. Badger recently went on a field trip with fellow foster, Olive and they had a great time on the trail sniffing and exploring. He is not much of a barker both in his run or outside in the yard.  Although he loves to explore, he also loves being with people and will often follow me around when we are out in the yard.  He enjoys playing with other dogs, Badger and fellow foster, Olive play well together.

He’s very treat motivated and learned sit quickly.  We have also been working on down, but he still needs a lure for it.  He’s getting very good at getting into the car and is very quiet and well behaved for the ride.

Badger has his second vaccine appointment yesterday and was a superstar!  He is scheduled for his neuter in about a week so he will be on some exercise restrictions while he heals.

We are still trying to work on housebreaking and would love to find him a foster home, so he can learn his house manners before being adopted.  He does a good job of keeping his kennel clean, but does have the tendency to periodically “mark” indoors still.  If you are interested in fostering this handsome fellow and to help him find a forever home, please reach out to info@brooklinelabrescue.org

October 21, 2024

Badger has been meeting new friends at Kamp.  He was very happy to meet Jilly, and after giving her lots of sniffs, wandered off to sniff the yard. Badger also got to play with Bear.  After the initial sniffs hello, the boys went off to explore and then had some chase time.

Badger is doing really well.  He’s friendly with people and dogs.  We haven’t tried cats yet.  He is still not too sure about going for car rides but we’ll take him to some fun places and help him get over that.

He jumped right in the puppy pool!

October 17, 2024

Badger is settling in nicely at Kamp!  He was a little bit shy on his first day, but has quickly come around to being very friendly with everyone  He had to go to the vet yesterday to get some shots and bloodwork.  His bloodwork came back good so he can be scheduled for a neuter.He was a bit scared at first and reluctant to get in the car.  He was excellent at the vet office, and didn’t even mind the other dogs in the waiting room.

He’s experiencing lots of new things, and new smells, but is handling it like a pro! He is a really nice guy, and so handsome too!