SQUID.

Welcome Squid! This cutie pie with the big brown eyes is an approximately two-year-old Lab x who came to MUTTS from a shelter east of the city where he was in a stray hold. While not much is known about his past, he has been thriving with his foster family and is now ready to transition into his furever home!

In true Lab fashion, Squid is a calm and friendly guy! He approaches new dogs politely and with interest, sniffing and then carrying on with his walk. His only encounter with another off-leash dog has been with his foster brother (a Bernedoodle). Initially, both were friendly with one another, but by day two the classic male dog v. male dog dominance games commenced (humping behaviours, putting paws on one another, etc.). This reduced significantly after the first week and both dogs are now much calmer with one another. We do believe Squid would do well in a home either with or without another dog, as long as it’s understood that there will be an adjustment period if another male canine sibling is involved.

When it comes to humans, Squid is a real people dog. At first, he is cautious when meeting someone new, but curiosity quickly gets the better of him and he starts sniffing. His fosters tell us he is extremely affectionate and loves nothing more than to receive cuddles, pets, head scratches and tummy rubs. He’s big on always maintaining some kind of physical contact (head on fosters lap, bum touching foster’s leg, providing his foster mom with some lumbar support while she works … you get the drift!). He’d certainly make a great WFH buddy. He is a 100% certified shadow dog who loves to follow his people around wherever they go. While in our care, he has not met any cats or kids.

Squid’s biggest hurdle will be overcoming his separation anxiety. His anxiety was at an all-time high during the first few days with his foster family: he would scream, claw and bang at the door when one of his foster parents left the room or house, even if the other foster parent was still with him. Over the past two weeks, with consistent work and training from his fosters, Squid’s separation anxiety has gotten significantly better. He still shows distress when left alone (he will whine and claw at the door) but gives up after a few minutes. He is crated when both fosters leave the house. Speaking of crate training, Squid isn’t a fan but is learning to tolerate it. He used to scream endlessly when he was in the crate, but he’s since calmed down (thanks to some soothing music, a bully stick and consistency!). It is essential that Squid’s adoptive family continue to put in the work of addressing his separation anxiety.

Though he’s still young, Squid isn’t a super high energy pup. He enjoys three to four walks per day (one of them being a longer 45-minute walk), plus playtime with his foster brother. He spends the rest of the day either sleeping, cuddling with his foster parents or people-watching by the window (which, it turns out, is one of his favourite activities!). He’s very food motivated and is often caught sniffing around his food bag. Squid knows a few basic commands but needs help to sharpen these skills. He’s a zig zagger on the leash and loves to sniff. He pulls a bit when excited and most certainly has a prey drive for rabbits. Squid isn’t much of a barker but does howl when he gets excited (like when his foster dad comes home from work!). He’s super curious about his surroundings and isn’t scared of nuthin’!

Squid is potty-trained (though he did have two accidents inside during his first week, but we believe it was just his nerves getting the best of him!), microchipped, up to date with his vaccines and neutered.

It’s time for this little stray to find his way home! Squid hopes to meet his furever people soon and can’t wait to snuggle up on the couch!

SOCIABILITY: Humans (adults) and dogs ENERGY LEVEL: Medium QUIRKS: His agility and ability to snuggle into the smallest of spaces (anything to be close to his people!) TRAINING NEEDS: Separation anxiety, leash skills, continued basic obedience training, crate training MEDICAL NEEDS: None FOSTER LOCATION: Scarborough