Bobby

Feb 18, 2026: On hold awaiting recheck on bloodwork 2/25/26 **Tommie is the contact(send application first)**Bobby is fostered in Mechanicsville VA** Applicants must meet the following requirements: Setting: Rural, Suburban Dwelling: Single Family Fence: Negotiable Energy Level: Moderate Training Addendum: No, but support provided with our trainer even after adoption Jan 19, 2026: Bobby has truly come full circle during his time in foster/training. When Bobby first arrived, he was a very grumbly, growly dog, and FM exercised a little caution with him. At that point, he didn’t feel especially trustworthy to handle, and he struck me as a dog who had never really belonged to anyone — a dog who had never been able to relax or feel secure enough to develop any real peace of mind. He seemed like a dog who had spent a long time having to look out for himself. That has changed in a really meaningful way. Now, Bobby is often playful, relaxed, and genuinely comfortable in the home. I never hesitate to reach out and pet him, and he clearly enjoys that interaction. Early on, he would sometimes avoid touch or growl when approached simply because he didn’t trust it — and that behavior has completely faded. He has learned that human interaction is safe, predictable, and fair. From a day-to-day living standpoint, Bobby is a pretty easy dog: -He has excellent house manners -He is housebroken -He is not destructive -He is comfortable being crated when needed -He is quiet and settled in the house Bobby does have a history of resource guarding, and while that has not been an issue for quite some time, I do recommend lifelong management strategies for him — as I would for any dog with that background. Practically speaking, this looks very reasonable and low-drama. Any long-lasting or high-value items (chews, lick mats, etc.) are given in his crate or kennel. Early on, if he had something of value, he would stiffen just if someone entered the room. Now, he calmly enjoys what he’s been given until it’s gone, with no posturing or concern. We also continue to practice “adding value” to his food bowl while he’s eating — occasionally dropping in higher-value rewards. Bobby knows this game very well now, and I think it’s helped him build real confidence in the idea that resources aren’t going to disappear and that he’s going to be treated fairly and consistently. He’s clearly learned that he doesn’t have to guard what he has anymore. On leash, Bobby is strong and still needs continued work. I currently use a no-pull harness with him, and that’s something an adopter should expect to continue using while fine-tuning his leash skills. He’s very workable, but he’s not a “naturally easy leash walker,” and ongoing reinforcement will be important. He still needs support for vet visits, including anxiety medication beforehand and muzzling, but he is a pro with both and vet visits are far less stressful than they were originally. Overall, Bobby has made an incredible turnaround. He has good skills, a calm presence in the house, and a much more settled, trusting outlook on life. I truly feel that whatever experiences forced him to “take care of himself” in the past are behind him now. He’s ready to be a pet and a companion. Bobby is absolutely ready for a home, and I sincerely hope the right one comes along for him soon. I’m very proud of where he is and of the dog he’s become. Dec 17, 2025: Bobby recently returned from a trial adoption. His trial adopters had nothing but positive things to say about him and were very complimentary of his behavior in the home. They shared that Bobby was affectionate, engaging, and a joy to have around. He enjoyed playing with toys, settled nicely in the house, and proved to be an easy dog to live with. He was taken for grooming during his stay and did just fine with the process. No serious behavioral complaints were reported. Some of the reasons for Bobby’s return were simply a matter of fit. His adopters realized they were not fully prepared for the realities of living with such a large dog. Bobby is a big guy, weighing around 80 pounds, and his size was more than they anticipated. They also noted that Bobby can be vocal at times. He will alert to things that are out of the ordinary, but he is very easily redirected. He is not a nuisance barker, but he will absolutely let his people know if something unusual is going on — a trait many will appreciate. Bobby continues to be housebroken, crate trained, and quiet overall. He enjoys spending time in the backyard and is generally very low-maintenance in his daily routine. He walks well on a harness once he gets into his routine, but he is a strong dog who will need a consistent handler. While he still prefers to be the only pet in the home, he is not reactive to seeing other dogs while out on walks. His resource-guarding behaviors have greatly diminished and now require only minimal, thoughtful management. He is fed in his crate and easily allows me to add higher value reinforcement while he's eating. One especially sweet note from his trial home: when Bobby had his people all to himself, he quickly showed just how much he loves close companionship and became a true “Velcro dog,” happily bonding and sticking close to his humans. Bobby is a loving, affectionate boy who will thrive in a calm, pet-free home with people who are comfortable with a large dog and appreciate a loyal companion who likes to stay close. He’s ready for the right match to come along and see just how special he is. Aug 20, 2025: Bobby is doing well overall, and we think he’s still making nice strides with his handling skills. He got groomed this weekend, and fM was able to take him by the collar and put his muzzle on with no growling at all. He tolerated the bath well—not resentful in the slightest—and she thinks he might even enjoy it a little. What he absolutely loves is being toweled off afterward. We are still not putting him out in play group with other dogs. While he does not seek out any issues with other dogs, he prefers just to be left alone so would be best as FM add high-value items to his bowl and doesn’t mind if FM is FM will get him on more neighborhood walks to refine his leash skills. He’s better than he was, and he does okay with the no-pull harness, but he’s still a big, strong dog. Out on walks, he’s non-reactive to people and other dogs, which makes it a lot easier. Overall, he’s a quiet dog and not especially high-energy. FM thinks he could do well in a townhouse if it had a fenced area. He’d be a lot to manage on strictly leash walks, but if he had even a small yard for potty breaks, she thinks he’d be great. He’s good in a crate when needed, but he’s also completely housebroken, respectful of furniture and bedding, and just a nice dog to have around. Jun 22, 2025: Bobby continues to make steady and meaningful progress in both behavior and handling. While he still gets a little grumbly and uncomfortable at the vet, he’s shown significant improvement, especially in the home environment. His most recent bath was a big success—no muzzle needed, and he tolerated the process beautifully. In fact, he thoroughly enjoyed being towel-dried afterward, showing us just how far he’s come with grooming. At a recent vet visit, we used short-acting anxiolytics and muzzled him as a precaution. He did very well—minimal vocalization and no resistance while standing still for the exam. With another appointment coming up soon for a heartworm test, I'm looking forward to giving him another positive experience to help reinforce this progress. On walks, Bobby is curious about the people he encounters. He’s not yet comfortable with being touched by unfamiliar people and will gently dodge attempts to pet him, but he does not show any signs of reactivity or aggression. With a few regular volunteers helping out now, we’re working on slowly building his comfort level with being approached and touched by new people. One area of specific focus has been collar handling. It seems likely that Bobby experienced rough handling in the past, which may explain his sensitivity around his collar. Through patient desensitization, he’s now allowing light petting around the head and neck and short collar grabs with no distress. It’s a small but meaningful victory. Another notable area of progress is his resource guarding. Early on, even standing near his crate while he ate would elicit growling. That behavior has resolved. He now shows no guarding around food and appears secure in the knowledge that meals are safe and that human presence means good things, like bonus treats. Bobby is fully house-trained and doesn’t require crating, though he’s fine with it when needed. He’s calm and nondestructive when left alone and has proven trustworthy in the house. He enjoys time in the backyard and may bark occasionally when something catches his attention, but he’s generally a quiet, laid-back dog who loves lounging on a dog bed or curling up on the couch. Bobby will do best in an adult-only home with patient people who understand and respect a sensitive dog’s need for time and space to build trust. Once he’s comfortable, his true personality shines through—goofy, affectionate, and easygoing. He’s come a long way, and he’s ready to keep moving forward with the right family by his side. Apr 19, 2025: Bobby is a stunning young yellow boy, tipping the scales at about 77 pounds. He’s an extra-large boy with a gentle heart and a big brain to match. Though he’s strong, he’s also incredibly smart and eager to learn – especially when the reward is tasty treats and your praise. He walks nicely on leash with a no-pull harness. Since he has been recovering from his neuter, he has had limited interaction with other dogs, but has gotten along fine with most of them. Bobby is fully crate-trained, house-trained, and enjoys quiet time in the backyard, lounging in the sun or sniffing around. He’s generally a calm and quiet companion who saves his voice for moments that really warrant a bark. Bobby enjoys the company of adult humans who respect his boundaries and help him build trust through positive experiences, but is not a match with young children or cats. Bobby has responded well to training in his foster home, as FM has built trust through time and effort. His trainer will provide a prescription for his success and continue to support his adopters. Bobby has told us he likely was mishandled in the past. He has reacted positively to "consent-based handling"- asking permission and minimizing contact until he asks for more pets. He is also learning that a gentle pull on his collar portends good, not bad, things are about to happen, so he now enjoys being leashed up. Bobby is not comfortable being restrained by strangers so he has been taught to willingly accept a muzzle for vet visits. Bobby probably did not have much, if any, of his own "stuff" in his past life so he can be possessive of his high value trinkets. He has his private time with his treasures, after which he trades them for great treats so they can be secured until next time. If you’re a dog-savvy adult looking for a big, beautiful boy to grow and learn with, Bobby might be your perfect match. He’s come so far and continues to make progress every day. With the right person by his side, Bobby is going to shine. Bobby is a 6 year old yellow male. He weighs 77 lbs. Lyme positive completed doxycycline; Heartworm/Ehrclichia/Anaplamosis negative. Follow up test due in 6 months (June 2025). See medical tab. Stray to shelter