Dancer Black Labrador Retriever Mix Male 3 Months Old ID #3776

Dancer and his siblings were rescued in rural Arkansas. Their mom was a pregnant stray. A family was feeding her but after they found she had died, they took in the puppies with the help of Monticello 2nd Chance Fur Dogs Rescue, who then reached out to Brookline.

February 15, 2026

It’s been just over a week with Dancer and what a joy it has been! It was a bittersweet moment to move him to available for adoption yesterday, but we know that any family who brings Dancer into their life will be so fortunate.

He’s really settled into a routine. He gets up at 6:30 a.m., uses the potty, and eats his breakfast before taking a morning nap with us. He’s also been accident-free for three days with frequent trips outside. He’s even scratching and whining at the door to signal that he needs to go out.

Dancer and our cat, Biscuit, seem great friends thus far. Biscuit is also no nonsense and doesn’t run or play chase games, which I think helps Dancer learn how to interact safely with him. The two are often sniffing each other’s faces, and it’s funny to see Dancer lick the cat’s face.

Dancer is also learning quickly. He’s becoming well-versed in “sit” and “off” and “here.” We erred and taught him “down” rather than “off” at first and he’s been quick to pick up the new command. Before going outside and before coming inside, he sits. I am also starting to work on stay, but he is still excitable so he’ll need more time learning this.

He’s still struggling to settle in his crate when he first goes down at night (at 9:00 p.m.), so he’ll need more patience. When we wake him at 12:00 a.m. to potty one last time, he settles with just a bit of whining, though. Because our 6- year-old also sleeps in our bed, it’s made bringing him into our room at bedtime a bit more difficult, but I think he’ll feel more comfortable if he can sleep in the same room or even in the bed with his family.

Since he’s little and we live in the city near a lot of dogs, we don’t go to the park yet for fear of parvo. In our house, our ground floor and finished basement both have a lot of open space for him to play, though. He enjoys playing fetch and running back and forth to get out his zoomies. He gets a burst of energy after lunch and then again in the evening around dinner time. But I think leash walks somewhere safe or an enclosed backyard will help wear him out.

He’s still doing great with our 6-year-old and enjoys a snuggle on the couch with him. Yesterday, he slept on my son’s chest while he played his game and it was very sweet to see.

When Dancer gets excited, our son is redirecting to his rope, tug toy, or yak chew. But he’s still mouthy, as he’s a puppy. He’ll need a family who understands how to calmly redirect and ensure any kids are supervised. But he’s a quick learner and eager to do well. He’s a real love bug and I will miss these cuddles and adventures with him.

February 12, 2026

Today was day 6 with Dancer. And he’s really making himself at home. Each day, after breakfast, he waits for us to let him upstairs to the couch so he can nap next to us during foster brother’s morning shows.

He’s starting to get the hang of going outside to potty and is actually using the outdoor potty grass much of the time. He’s still using the indoor potty grass occasionally between trips. But he’s getting good at signaling at the door by scratching or whining to go out. And the number of accidents are fewer each day.

Last night was a tougher night for his sleep. Dancer is having a tougher time in the crate right now and needs some patience. He’s going in with treats and his snuggle puppy and a yak cheese cheese, but he begins to bark and whine after we leave the room. He really doesn’t like been left alone, which is understandable. Just last week, he was with his siblings. And now, he’s with us 99% of the daytime, so going to bed by himself is tough.

He will need some patience with crate training during the daytime. He spends the day with us and the brief moments he might go in his crate during the day are tough for him. I’m not sure if this is because he knows we’re home or if he’d still be so upset if we left.

We’re working on sit, down, drop it, and here. He’s really getting the hang of sit, especially before going outside, going inside, and getting food. He still needs practice but he is learning more each day.

His favorite toy remains his squeaky tug-of-war bunny. And we’re playing fetch with the bunny and rope through the day to get his energy out. He’s a bit mouthy when he’s playing excitedly so we’re redirecting often and trying to keep chew toys close by.

He’s still doing great with our cat, Biscuit. Dancer will occasionally bark at him, but more because he’s mad that the cat is on the side of the gate he can’t reach. And Dancer is interested and wants to be near him.

This cutie is very eager to learn. And such a love bug. He just wants to be cuddled all day. Even as I write this, he’s curled up on me for his post-dinner nap. He’s a great puppy and such a joy to be around.

February 10, 2026

Today was day 4 with Dancer. He was extra sleepy today and took lots of naps with the family. He’s a real cuddle bug and laid on my chest for about an hour this morning as well. We think the last few days of play and all the new sights and sounds took it out of him.

He also had a late night and struggled to fall asleep in his crate last night, which probably attributed to his tiredness. He had a tough time settling last night and we tried the potty, sounds, heartbeat puppy, and some extra blankets. But he finally settled around 10:00 p.m. when we came in for about 15 minutes (he’s sleeping in the room next to us). But once he was asleep, he did very well. We got him up at 2:00 a.m. to potty and he went right back to bed until he started stirring around 5:45 a.m.

When he went downstairs this morning, he wasn’t eating much of his breakfast at first. But after he went poop, he seemed to have his appetite back. And he ate up all his lunch and dinner right away. We’re feeding around 6:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 6:00p.m.

He was more amenable to going outside today and did successfully use the potty on a leash in the back yard once today. While we had a few pee accidents in the afternoon, there were less overall. He’s still using the indoor potty grass regularly.

While he took a lot of naps today, we still had some play time through the afternoon. He’s got a favorite tug of war bunny and he stays busy with that.

We’re still working on nibbling and redirecting to his toys and yak chews. We’re also still practicing sit, here, and down.

He and the cat seem to get along okay. With supervision, they’ve gotten near each other and both left the other alone. They are interested in each other, often hanging nearby, but there hasn’t been any chasing yet.

Much to my son’s joy, Dancer pulled a blanket over himself today to cuddle up from the cold. My son hopes this will eventually lead to Dancer pulling the covers over him and tucking him in at bedtime.

He’s such a delight and full of love. Any family who gets to snuggle with this boy will be so happy.

February 9, 2026

Today was day 3 with Dancer. And he’s settling in well. He’s such a cuddle bug and wants nothing more than to be wrapped in a blanket and lay next to you.

He still has anxiety about being left alone and doesn’t want you out of sight. This morning, while foster dad made breakfast, Dancer relaxed on his dog bed nearby and refused to leave the area. He wanted to be close by all morning. And when mom started work, he slept nearby for her virtual meetings for a little bit. He still spends most of the daytime outside of his kennel with foster dad and foster brother, usually downstairs, with just an hour in his kennel in the afternoon for some quiet/calm time.

Because it’s been so cold, we’re finding ways to keep him active in the house. He has a few new toys, and he’s been enjoying playing fetch with his blue ball and his rope. He really likes to hang in his playpen with the door open so he can have some time to himself while still being close by. But his favorite place is still the couch, laying under a blanket next to our son. It’s even motivated him to learn how to climb the stairs so he can join.

Last night was his 2nd night here, and he slept much better. We took him to potty quietly at 12:00 a.m. and 3:00 a.m. and he went right back to bed without a peep with his heartbeat puppy and his blanket. He slept until we got him at 6:00 a.m.

He’s still having some occasional potty accidents (pee only) but using the indoor potty grass regularly. We’ve tried to take him outside in the back with a leash a few times but he’s still not happy about the cold and is struggling to go outdoors. We’ll keep working on it through the week. But he is treat motivated and seems eager to learn. We also continue to work on “sit” and “down” and “here.”

The best part of my day is when he wants to sleep on me. This snuggly boy is such a dream. We’re so grateful to experience this time with him. And we know a family will be absolutely smitten with him.

February 7, 2026

Today, Dancer a 3 month old puppy weighting in at 19 lbs. completed his long journey to Philadelphia, where he’s joined our family of 3, including a 6-year-old boy, B, and our orange cat, Biscuit.

So far, he is settling in well. He’s a real cuddle bug, much to the delight of our son. All he wants are pets and snuggles. He’s spending much of his time in his playpen with us, enjoying his yak cheese dog chew and rope ball.

We’re already working on a routine and practicing using the potty grass with a slip leash. He’s still so young (and it’s day 1) so it will take practice and reinforcement.

He seems to go into his kennel easily for a bit of rest and quiet but he does whimper. It’s been a long journey and it must be hard to be separated from his siblings.

We are very excited to see what the coming weeks bring. He’s full of love and anyone would be lucky to have Dancer in their lives.