Arlo is now ready for adoption. Arlo was reserved but the home check showed this wasn’t quite the right home for him.

Here is his foster-mum’s write-up…

“Arlo is a fox-red lab boy, intact at the moment but booked in for his op the beginning of May. He came to us 5 weeks ago, having been surrendered by his family due to changing circumstances. He settled within a few days with our two lab boys and it was immediately clear what a well looked after and loved dog he must have been.

He loves his cuddles and is very affectionate and likes to be with his humans as often as possible as he does need frequent gentle reassurance. He is a perfect companion when I am working from home, happy to lie in the office in his bed and snooze. (he is a bit of a snorer!)

I have been able to leave him for a couple of hours, both with our two dogs and on his own. His previous owners had crated him, but I did not find this necessary for any behaviour reasons. He has been a perfect house guest and hasn’t got into any mischief when I have not been around. He slept downstairs with our two dogs from the first night without any problems and has continued to do so.

He is completely house trained, although you need to make sure he is let out regularly as he does not seem to ask if he needs it. He is an athletic boy who adores his walks and has thrived on the structure of a regularly timed morning walk, after which he is happy to snooze the day away. He seems to need the walk to do his morning business as I do not think he is used to doing it in the garden.

To say he is scent driven is a bit of an understatement, so a walk with lots of sniffs is perfect for him. He does like to play ball, so once he has burned off some mental energy will play fetch, until a new smell comes along or he sees another dog to go and say hello to.

Whoever has him will have to work on recall, as ears are definitely firmly shut if there is something / someone more interesting for him to smell or say hello to. When he has been off lead and run off to another dog, he generally circles them a couple of times, sniffs and then comes back. Unfortunately, he does not seem to be food driven, so the promise of treats can’t compete with a new friend or smell.

On lead he is a puller and came with a Halti nose strap, which he was clearly used to. We quickly transitioned him over to a figure of 8 lead, which is what we use with our boys because we find it more versatile and simpler. He has adapted brilliantly to this and I think even pulls less. This means I can slip the nose part off if it is not needed.

He is very excited and interested to meet any new dog and will pull towards them. However, he is a super friendly chap and although a bit too full-on for some dogs, once he has said hello is happy to move on. On the occasions when another dog has growled or snarled at him, he has not reacted at all.

We recently went on a family holiday (13 people and 10 dogs) to Cornwall. He seemed unphased by all of the new people, places and activity, and even thrived on the busy environment. Everyone fell in love with him and he was in his element with all of the cuddles from my nieces. You could normally find him of an evening, tucked up amongst my nieces on the sofa, upside down, legs in the air getting tummy rubs and cuddles.

Anyone who adopts Arlo will be getting a super family dog who has so much love to give. He fully deserves someone who can give him kindness, love, time and companionship, as he will return it fully”.

We would ideally like Arlo to go with another similar-sized dog if possible as he gets on so well with the resident labs.

Arlo will be five years old next month.