Dogs

Foster or Forever Home Wanted: Meet Baxter!

Don’t let his petite frame fool you — Baxter is packed with personality, intelligence, and heart. While we don’t know much about his life before rescue, we do know this: his future is bright, and it’s only getting better.

Baxter is a sweet, sensitive boy who does best when people move slowly and allow him to approach on his own terms. Fast-moving things like bicycles, skateboards, joggers, and rollerbladers can make him nervous, but he’s actively learning how to manage his reactions and is making great progress. With consistency and repetition, Baxter will continue to grow into the confident, amazing dog he’s meant to be.

He walks nicely on leash and already knows his basics — sit, down, off, and place. Baxter is crate trained and appears to be potty trained when given regular outdoor breaks.

One of our volunteers occassionally takes Baxter to work on the Balboa Peninsula, where he’s done wonderfully navigating the sights and sounds of everyday life at a safe distance. We suspect some working-breed smarts (hello, possible cattle dog!), and he truly thrives with structure, guidance, and a “job.” He’s looking for a calm, confident, experienced handler who can offer clear, consistent leadership and help him continue building trust with new people.

Because of his sensitive nature, Baxter needs a low-traffic, adult-only home where he can feel safe and settled. He will do best in a home with a large backyard and a more “homebody” lifestyle, rather than a household that frequently visits busy, high-traffic environments.

Baxter is also muzzle trained, and his future family should be comfortable continuing to use the muzzle as part of his training and management plan to help keep Baxter — and everyone around him — safe. Muzzles are a valuable training tool and are used for many reasons, including managing reactivity, preventing dogs from picking up unsafe items, and supporting safe socialization.

Now for Baxter’s favorite part: he is 100% dog-friendly. Every dog is a friend, and he would love a home with another confident, well-balanced canine to help show him the ropes and remind him that humans can be pretty great, too.

Baxter may be small, but his potential is huge — and he’s ready to grow with the right person by his side. If interested in fostering or adopting Baxter, please fill out an application at www.labradorsandfriends.org. 
 

Baxter is located in Southern California.