Paddy is a sweet boy!

He is also gentle, playful, and smart. We are thinking this handsome dude is a Labrador Retriever and Hound mix.

Paddy has lived in a shelter for most of his life and we don’t know how he will do in a household. A potential adopter will need to keep this in mind and go slow, work on socialization, give him plenty of exercise, and provide training and structure as he transitions from life in a shelter to life in a forever home. He is at higher risk to having separation anxiety, resource guarding, stranger danger, and/or leash reactivity when placed in home environment. He would do best in a low-key household without much foot traffic, no young children, and lots of patience and treats!

He loves playing with other dogs and we don’t know how he is with cats, but he is a pretty laid-back boy. He is calm and chill around older kids.

Paddy is a bit timid with new places, but does settle after a little time. He does great on the leash and loves meeting people. He is always ready for action and also cool to chill with one of his toys or with you! As he has lived so long in a shelter, he is not yet house trained, but has recently mastered crate training, and think he will do the same with house training as he is such a smart boy.

Paddy is a happy boy who just wants a loving forever home. Can you make his dream come true? Fill out an application today and let him know that you'd love to have him join your family!

Paddy’s story: He came to a shelter as a young puppy many years ago. He is a black dog and has been overlooked for all these years. His placement in the shelter did not make him stand out to people looking to adopt.

Behavioral Note: This dog has had limited exposure to and socialization in a home/real life environment. While he deserves the chance and patience to live a great life as part of a human family, the transition into a new home may initially be an overwhelming experience for the dog. To respect this, this dog needs an adopter who is committed to keeping his world small until he starts to settle in. The adopter should plan to limit visitors to his home, leave the dog at home (crated – not loose!) rather than taking him to parties, soccer games, dog parks, etc, and focus on building a bond through structure and moderate obedience training. Interactions with children and other dogs/animals should be closely managed and supervised. The adopter will need to be sensitive and responsive to the dog’s body language and comfort level; the dog should not be forced to partake in activities that he is not ready for yet and safe alternatives should be provided. Consulting with a professional trainer during this transition period - which could span several months - may be necessary to help with this process. Starting basic training immediately to build the dog’s confidence and skill set of appropriate behaviors, and consistent house rules (e.g., “no free lunch” policy) will be important. Sit, Stay, Leave It, Wait, and Come are all imperative commands. This training will serve to further the dog’s socialization and confidence, provide mental stimulation, and build a bond between the adopter and dog. Please discuss these topics and any concerns you may have with your SOS Adoption Counselor.

**Additional info you should know - For most of our dogs, we are only guessing at predominant breed or breed mix. We get to know each of our dogs as an individual and do our best to describe and place them based on personality not breed label. Some dogs may not yet be in New England, nor ready for immediate adoption. There may be additional vetting, quarantine, waiting periods and/or fees depending upon your state of residence. If you have questions or concerns on any of this, you can discuss this with your Adoption Counselor.