Dog Summary
Name: Tango
Location: Carleton Place, ON
Age: 10 months
Breed: Labrador Retriever (Yellow)
Sex: Male, Neutered
Home behaviour: Affectionate, social and happiest near his people. Tango enjoys a predictable routine and settles nicely at home, but he can be mischievous when looking for attention. He will need continued guidance around mouthing, chewing and taking household items.
Good with dogs: Yes. Tango loves other dogs and enjoys enthusiastic play. Because of his size and exuberance, well-matched playmates and appropriate supervision are important.
Good with cats: Unknown. Tango has shown no tendency to chase cats while out walking, but has never lived with cats.
Good with kids: Yes, although his size, excitement, jumping and mouthing should be considered, particularly around younger children.
Adoption fee: $3,000
About Tango
Tango is an easygoing and incredibly affectionate boy whose favourite place is wherever his people happen to be! Tango is happiest knowing his humans are nearby. He firmly believes he is a lap dog and would happily spend his day cuddling, touching, licking and soaking up as much affection as possible.
Tango enjoys having a predictable daily routine and quickly learns what to expect. He knows the boundaries within his current home and happily settles into his familiar spaces. He also loves his crate and views it as a cozy, comfortable place to rest. He has even started choosing to go into his crate on his own for a daytime snooze!
Tango also has mischievous side and when he wants attention, he may help himself to a shoe, tea towel, roll of toilet paper or another tempting household item because he has learned that this is an excellent way to get his humans involved. He may also try to chew sticks, rocks, socks, shoes or plants if given the opportunity. His future family will need to keep tempting items out of reach, provide appropriate chewing alternatives and continue reinforcing good choices.
Tango can become mouthy with hands when excited/playful/or trying to communicate that he needs something and because of this behaviour, Tango will need need continued training and clear boundaries in his new home.
Tango is extremely food-motivated, which is a wonderful asset for training. Occasionally, a forbidden treasure such as a sock or stick can be more exciting than the treat being offered, so his family should be prepared to continue working on trading, leaving items alone and making good choices.
A good fit for me is…
- A family who wants a big, affectionate dog who loves being around people. Tango would not be suited to a home looking for a more independent dog.
- An active home that can provide daily walks, opportunities to explore and space to run. A large, securely fenced yard would be a bonus for this playful boy.
- Tango could also enjoy sharing his home with another compatible dog. He LOVES to play and can be enthusiastic when meeting and interacting with other dogs. He sometimes forgets how big and strong he is, so another dog who enjoys his energetic style of play would be the best match. Despite his enthusiastic approach, once he gets into play, he can be surprisingly gentle.
- A family that is comfortable with continuing training, especially around jumping, mouthing, chewing and stealing inappropriate items. Consistency, positive reinforcement, appropriate management and a good sense of humour will go a long way with Tango!
My personality traits are...
- Cuddly
- Easygoing
- Playful
- Social
- Food-motivated
- Enthusiastic
- People-oriented
- Mischievous and goofy
Tango is a true people dog. He loves adults and children and loves to meet new friends. While Tango's enthusiasm can make his initial greetings feel like a lot of dog all at once (especially because of his size), once the excitement of the introduction passes and everyone resumes their normal activities, he settles nicely.
He also loves canine friends and is always ready for a good play session. Tango brings plenty of personality to the table and will likely keep his future family both entertained and very well loved.
Training notes
Tango has a good training foundation and responds well to food rewards. He walks very nicely on a leash when using a Gentle Leader and has shown good behaviour around animals encountered on walks. Rather than chasing squirrels, rabbits or cats, he is generally happy to watch them and then check in for a treat.
His future family should continue working on calm greetings, as Tango may still jump when excited. This has improved over time, but consistency will help him learn that keeping four paws on the floor is the best way to say hello.
Mouthing will also require continued attention. Tango sometimes uses his mouth during play or when seeking attention, and he may mouth hands when trying to communicate with his people. Although his intent is generally playful, his size means this behaviour should continue to be redirected and discouraged.
Household management will be important, especially while Tango settles into his new home. Socks, shoes, towels and other tempting items should be kept out of reach, and he should have plenty of safe, appropriate chewing options. Extra care should also be taken outdoors because Tango may attempt to chew sticks and rocks.
Tango is comfortable in his crate and can be left alone for periods of time without concern. He has also been successfully left loose in the kitchen for approximately 20 to 50 minutes, where he settles on his bed and watches the world through the window.
Tango is a wonderfully loving dog with a larger-than-life personality. He still has some adolescent habits that require patience, management and continued training, but in return, his family will get an affectionate companion who wants nothing more than to be included, have fun and cuddle up with his favourite people at the end of the day.