Ozzy #2 Black Labrador Retriever Mix Male 1 Year Old ID#3659

Meet Ozzy!  Ozzy is a friendly, affectionate, and playful young Labrador mix that was found stray and was taken in by Safety Net Sanctuary and is now in Brookline’s care.  Please read his blog from the bottom up to learn more about him. If you are interested in fostering Ozzy, please contact us at info@brooklinelabrescue.org

December 5, 2025

When Ozzy first arrived, he would jump all the time. He did have a decent sit and would eventually lay down when asked. His recall was terrible. Ozzy would come only if he felt like it. My tried and true squeaker had no effect it getting him to come. So we started over.

The first step was to have Nick my helper stay about 5 feet from me while Ozzy was with me. Nick would call Ozzy and then ask him to sit and he would treat him. Then, I would call him, and ask him to sit and treat him. We each would then take a step back and repeat the process. Ozzy did great. Recalls are probably the most important thing to teach your dog.  This also helped Ozzy to really have a solid sit.  In addition to sit, we started to add down. He’s doing much better now.

The following day Ozzy and I went for a walk. He was on a harness with a clip between his shoulder blades. That was not the right harness for him. Ozzy is better with a front clip harness. Yesterday we walked using the front clip harness. He was much better.

We also gave him the opportunity to be off lead in the big yard at BCK. Since starting his recall training, it’s night and day with off leash recalls. He started checking in with Nick and I. We would call and he would race over. We realized we need to tell him to sit as he gets closer. He was using us as the stop. He started to realize he was supposed to stop and sit when he got to us.

He is jumping less because we correct and ask him to sit. He does and he is beginning to self correct the jumping. He starts to rear up but then turns away from us. He is starting to put it together. It would be great to get him in a foster home. It’s the last piece we need to complete Ozzy’s training.

Ozzy is so sweet and gentle taking treats. If I put my face close to his he gives me gentle kisses. He has these white markings on his face that look like someone took a paint brush and splashed him with paint. The picture in the plastic house show the splattering.I want to share some pictures of how great he is doing. I will place treat on the agility equipment so he will walk or sit on it. He is a huge love. He has dreamy eyes.

December 2, 2025

Ozzy has arrived at BCK. I have just begun to work with him. He is a very handsome guy but all puppy. He does have a good sit. We have been working on sit, downs and stands from a sit. He is doing well. He needs to work on recall. He gets so excited when he is in the big yard. He rather run around than come to me. We will keep working on recall smaller area.  When he does come, he runs full speed directly at me. He does stop but the first few times I wasn’t sure.

I like his exuberance. He is still a baby but he is smart. I am looking forward to our training sessions. It’s really fun when they start to put everything together.