Charles #3 Black Labrador Retriever Male ~10 Months Old ID#3002

Meet Charles!  Charles was abandoned in a dog park along with 5 other dogs in Bucks County.  After he was recovered from the park, he found himself at BCSPCA.  This handsome boy is now safe in a Brookline foster home.  Read his blog from the bottom up to learn more about him.

October 1, 2024

I can’t believe it’s only been one week since I  sprung Charles from the shelter.  He seems like he has been here longer because he’s made so much progress in a week! My dog loving brother came to visit today and it took about 25min of him sitting on the floor and playing with my guys until Charles went to him for a pet. After several pets he walked away and came back, he did that 3 times and then he was comfortable with my brother even after my guys walked away Charles stayed for pets and licked my brother’s hand. I  was so happy to see he is good with men just needs patience.

Charles has met several neighbor dogs and he instantly goes up to all of them with a wagging tail.  Tonight is the first time he barked. He was trying to get Enzo to play.

Today, he started nibbling my arm sometimes.  That can be a sign of affection. He also wags his tail more when I call him and he comes to me and I make a fuss.

Charles is such a sweet and gentle boy with a  beautiful shiny black coat and handsome face.

September 29, 2024

Charles is housebroken!!! He has not worn a male wrap since Thursday and no accidents. We have established a routine and if does need to go out, he will go to the door.Because of the weather we didn’t meet too many neighbors out walking until last evening.  He was timid but ok with the wife gently petting him but he backed away from the husband. One of our female neighbors walked with us this morning and he let her pet him in the beginning of walk and when we got back and were standing at end of driveway talking he timidly walked to her and sniffed her pants and she petted him some more and he didn’t pull away. He is afraid of my husband but my husband always has his cane with him because he’s legally blind.  My one dog loving brother is going to stop by a few times this coming week so will see how that goes.

I took them for a car ride Friday.  I got my guys in the car first hoping he would jump in but I had to lift him in and then he tucked into Fern.  Will continue to take little rides.

He always wags his tail when interacting with my dogs but this morning was the first time I got a very little wag but I’ll take it. He does come to me more often for pets without my dogs initiating it. Last night my guys went to bed when my husband did but I stayed up in another room and Charles stayed with me. He really enjoys pets, chin and ear scratches and loves to run!

September 26, 2024

Charles continues to adapt to living as a pet. He walks great on a leash,  no pulling unless a squirrel runs across the road in front of him. Charles enjoys being outdoors and running around the yard. Charles made a big step forward today when I was sitting on the sofa he came over and put his chin on my leg and stayed there while I petted him and kissed the top of his head and he didn’t pull away! That was the first time he sought out affection. He also didn’t have any wet male wraps today so housebreaking is moving in the right direction. The only step backwards was he won’t take treats from hands today but it was great that he made progress in other ways. Charles continues to be less skittish with the help of my dogs showing him there’s nothing to be afraid of. This handsome boy continues to show how brave he is in this new experience.

September 25, 2024

Charles has learned a few things in his first day out of the shelter:

-dog beds are more comfortable than the floor

-benebones are great toys to chew on

– cats are interesting but keep a safe space from them

– I get a treat if I go in the crate

– I LOVE to run!!! I’m happy my foster fur brother loves to run too

-FM is not as scary as I thought

Charles is making progress with trusting.  Last night he walked up with my dogs on our walk, this morning he went between up front with them and back along side me, he stayed beside me the entire time this evening and kept looking up at me. This afternoon I laid down on the dog beds with my guys he stood staring and then got closer and closer and eventually came and laid next to me and let me pet him and he licked my hand. Up until this evening he wouldn’t take treats from my hand,  I  would toss them on the floor in front of him but he just took the first treat from my hand when we got back from our walk.  Since it’s been kind of rainy today I wipe the dogs down on the way in and he would pancake to the floor when I got to him. Tonight he stayed standing and let me wipe him down.

Will continue to work on housebreaking and getting more comfortable and less afraid of new things and people.