Nathan (fka Nacho)

**Tommie is the contact (send application first)**Fostered in Mechanicsville VA** Applicants must meet the following requirements: Setting: Rural, Suburban Dwelling: Single Family Fence: Secure Physical Fence 6ft Energy Level: Moderate to High Training Addendum: Yes Mar 1, 2026: Nathan’s biggest overall challenge continues to be that he’s an extremely shy, fearful dog around people and in new environments — but he truly shines with other dogs. At this point he is very bonded to Casey, and while FM does think he could potentially bond to another dog in the future, we would consider them a package deal long-term. He needs that social stability and “another dog to show him the ropes.” This past week FM made an intentional change to his setup that I’m really happy with. Before his medical treatments, Nathan and Casey were spending time in the large yard with other dogs, and we had started to fall into a pattern where FM was having to chase or herd him to get him back inside. That’s not a relationship we want to develop with him — and it also reinforces his instinct to flee when he’s uncertain. So for now, both for continued socialization and while he recovers from his eye surgery, FM “made his world smaller.” He currently has a kennel area in FM's small apartment space and access to a small fenced yard (approximately 10x20). This limits his flight options and removes the need for chasing or pressure — and it has already made him noticeably easier to get in and out, and a little more comfortable overall. Even though he still won’t approach FM directly or solicit attention, we are seeing progress: He will now take a very high-value treat inside his crate. He will take that treat directly from FM's hand. He’s starting to reach out and give a nose touch. When Nathan first came in, he would often grumble or growl simply when approached or perceived by a human — and that has largely faded away at this point, which is a huge step forward for him. We do want to be transparent that Nathan is always going to be more of a “periphery dog.” He’s probably never going to be a social butterfly or a cuddle-bug, but he is a truly wonderful dog as part of a cohesive pack. His dog-to-dog skills are very strong. He plays well with other dogs, reads social dynamics appropriately, and can even accept correction from a more outgoing or slightly bossy dog without escalating or panicking. Behavior medication has been started, and he has not been on it long enough yet for us to see the full effect — but I do feel this is the best path forward for him right now, and I’m optimistic it will help lower his baseline anxiety and reduce the intensity of his fearful behaviors. In the meantime, we are continuing to build his confidence through low-energy enrichment and calm skill-building: stuffed feeders licky mats confidence-boosting enrichment activities lots of reinforcement for calm behavior (to counter the fear/flight response) From a home-life perspective, he’s doing really well: Nathan is crate trained and potty trained He’s now able to have a blanket in the kennel without shredding or destroying it He does best with hard toys or durable chews only He will chew off any harness left on him, so harnesses should always be removed when he’s not actively supervised or being handled Overall: progress is slow, steady, and very real — and the most important part is that we’re moving forward in ways that build safety and trust, rather than forcing interaction before he’s ready. Dec 16, 2025: Casey and Nathan are adolescent brothers who have made steady, encouraging progress and continue to grow more confident with time, consistency, and routine. They currently function as a bonded pair, and their relationship plays an important role in how they move through the world—particularly for Nathan, who relies heavily on Casey for social cues and reassurance. Both boys are fearful by nature, and that fearfulness is likely the result of a combination of genetics and inadequate early socialization. Unfortunately, we don’t have a clear picture of what their early life experiences looked like, but their responses to novelty suggest that they did not have the benefit of broad, positive exposure during critical developmental periods. As a result, unfamiliar people, fast movement, new environments, and unexpected changes can feel overwhelming to them. Importantly, their fear presents as avoidance rather than aggression, and they have not shown any aggressive behavior. Casey is the more confident and outgoing of the two. He will approach people, sniff or lick a hand, and readily take a high-value treat. Nathan, the smaller brother, is not quite there yet, but he is making progress and gains confidence by watching Casey navigate new situations first. They get along very well together and do not show conflict over food. They can eat in the same space, although neither is particularly comfortable eating in front of people. If left alone, Casey may eat more than his share, but there is no tension or disagreement between them. I did trial having them share a walk-in kennel for meals and downtime. While they were initially content to curl up together, they eventually became frustrated with the close quarters, so I now separate them for mealtimes and rest, which works best for everyone. One of their biggest milestones is that they now come in and out of the house on their own with no issues. That was very challenging at first, but they’ve made excellent progress. They are well-mannered in the yard, love to run and play, and get along well with other dogs. They show no interest in digging or trying to go over a tall fence. That said, both dogs are still very much a flight risk, and I supervise them closely. If they were to get loose, they could be difficult to capture, so a secure, well-managed environment is essential. Both boys keep their crates and kennels clean and are not having accidents in the house, so they are well on their way to being fully housebroken. Like many adolescent dogs, they can be destructive if under-stimulated and need appropriate management. They are crated when not directly supervised and do best with sturdy enrichment toys, especially Nylabones, Benebones, and No-Hide chews. They love carrying toys around the yard, wrestling with them, and chewing. Casey and Nathan will require an adult-only home. While neither has shown any aggression, they are sensitive to fast movements and unpredictable activity, and a home with active children would likely be overwhelming. A calm household with a high degree of structure, predictable routines, and patient handling will help them continue to build confidence safely. On leash, Casey is quite strong. Nathan is easier to manage physically, but walking them together is challenging and not something either of them particularly enjoys right now. A securely fenced yard where they can get most of their exercise is going to be very important. These boys are likely always going to be homebodies rather than dogs who enjoy frequent outings. In terms of adoption status, both dogs have upcoming veterinary appointments in the next few weeks. Casey will be undergoing heartworm treatment, which will require strict crate rest during his recovery period. During that time, I plan to intentionally work with Nathan on spending time separated from Casey and interacting more with new, appropriate dogs. The goal will be to continue building Nathan’s confidence independently rather than having him rely so heavily on his brother. At this time, Casey and Nathan are still best viewed as a bonded pair. However, it is very possible that with continued progress, they may do well in separate homes as long as there is another calm, confident dog in the household. Any change to that requirement will be made thoughtfully and based on how Nathan responds to increased independence. Casey and Nathan are progressing beautifully and will thrive with the right match—an experienced, adult-only home that understands fearful adolescent dogs, values routine, and is willing to meet them where they are. Whether together or, eventually, apart with canine support, they have a great deal of potential with the right guidance. Dec 5, 2025: Nathan and Casey were found as strays in a rural area. Their finder took them in and worked with a rescue to get their vetting started and then that rescue bailed on them and they reached out to us. Nathan(Nacho) and Casey(Queso) continue to make steady, encouraging progress as they adjust to life as domesticated dogs. While they are still on their socialization journey, both boys are proving to be easy keepers and a joy to care for. Casey is the larger and more confident of the two. He now comes in and out of the house independently and is generally quicker to try new things. He’s food-motivated and willingly takes high-value treats, which has been helpful in training and confidence-building. Nathan, who is smaller and more shy, is still gaining confidence. He often looks to Casey for reassurance and cues. Sometimes taking Casey outside first helps Nathan understand what’s expected, and he is increasingly able to follow along without needing to be handled. While more reserved, Nathan is making real progress at his own pace. Both dogs: Are fully potty trained Crate well and know their kennel spaces Go voluntarily to their crates at mealtimes Walk nicely on a leash with minimal pulling and no reactivity Are hypervigilant on walks, but calm and easy to handle Love being outdoors Get along extremely well with other dogs They are very bonded and prefer to sleep cuddled together, so convincing them to use separate crates at night can require a bit of negotiation. Because Casey will eat all available food, meals are served separately, though there is no food aggression or resource guarding between them. They do best with indestructible bedding, as they can be destructive with soft materials, and they enjoy having plenty of chew toys and enrichment. Casey is less dependent on Nathan, while Nathan is strongly attached to Casey. For this reason, they should currently be adopted together, as separating them at this stage would likely be distressing for Nathan. With continued confidence-building and increased positive interactions with other dogs, this may change in the future. A tall, secure fence is currently a must as they are still a flight risk. We are intentionally working on short, positive separations to help Nathan build independence and confidence around dogs other than Casey. Overall, Nathan and Casey are sweet, affectionate, and thoughtful dogs who are learning what it means to be part of a home. With continued structure, patience, and gentle exposure, they are expected to keep thriving. Nathan/Nacho is a 17 month old yellow male. He weighs 57 lbs and could gain a few. 4DX Negative. See medical tab. Stray to rescuer