Labrador Retriever - Winston - Medium - Young - Male - Dog in Brooktondale, New York

Labrador Retriever - Winston - Medium - Young - Male - Dog
***WINSTON IS NOT A CDR DOG. THIS IS A COURTESY POSTING FOR HIS CURRENT GUARDIANS WHO WILL MAKE ALL DECISIONS ABOUT HIS PLACEMENT***
Hi, my name is Winston (?Winnie?), and I am a super friendly, energetic, playful and goofy, 2 to 2.5 year-old, 66 pound, male Lab/Mastiff mix!
I am very active, intelligent, gentle, playful, graceful, and affectionate. I love playing tug-of-war, and since I?m smart, I?m very strategic about it. :) I am really a pretty gentle guy though, never hurting anyone during roughhouse play and taking treats from your hand so delicately that you cannot even feel that I have teeth! I also love giving ucky-wet doggy kisses--particularly when least expected--I crack myself (and my people) up! I also love attention and affection and think there?s nothing better than getting a tummy rub! My ears flop over sweetly most of the time, but if I?m very interested in something, one or both of them may stand straight up, and when that happens, people tell me I?m awfully dignified.
I am quite athletic, and would make a fabulous walking, hiking, jogging or skiing partner! My athleticism coupled with my smarts would make me great at agility as well. I have very nice house manners?am not food aggressive or destructive in any way, and am completely housebroken. In the short time I have been in my foster home, I have learned to use Poochie Bells to request going out and have made progress on sitting at intersections during walks. I can be left alone loose in the house for at least two hours; I may bark a bit as you leave, but I quickly quiet down and await your return with patience.
My sterling behavior is really remarkable when you consider my past. I was dumped in an abandoned apartment without food or water. That was a tough time for me, but I was found eventually and I?m doing ok now. As you might imagine, I remain a bit nervous with strangers and will sometimes bark at them--especially at men-- when we?re out on walks, but I am basically friendly and should socialize well with more experience and especially if you help me see that strangers can be nice (e.g., will feed me treats!).
I like other dogs?I show interest and no aggression?but I need to learn how to better interact with them, as I have not had a lot of experience there either. My current humans have been told that I?m good with cats and with children. In personality, because of my limited socialization, I am very much a puppy.
I already have all my shots and am microchipped. I have a few temporary health issues that will be resolved before adoption. I may have allergies (the vet said the redness of my eyes were allergy related). I am currently on a no-grain, no-dairy diet, but I still beg for other foods so you have to be careful!
I will be neutered before I am adopted.
My only less-than-awesome behavior is that when I don?t get enough exercise, I can whimper and pace around a bit. I probably wouldn?t do this at all in the right home, if I got good daily walks or jogs and if you gave me a little mental stimulation (taught me tricks, played games with me, etc).
If you?re looking for a loving, energetic friend and are willing to help me ease into a wider world, I am just the guy for you!
If you are interested in adopting me, please fill out an online adoption applicationatwww.cayugadogrescue.org/adopt.php and the rescue folks will forward it to my current guardians. They?ll be in touch!
CHARACTERISTICS:
Breed: Labrador Retriever
Size: Medium
Petfinder ID: 25093303
ADDITIONAL INFO:
Pet has been spayed/neutered
CONTACT:
Cayuga Dog Rescue | Ithaca, NY
For additional information, reply to this ad or see: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=25093303
Brought to you by Petfinder.com