Coal

• One-year-old Lab mix with a heart full of potential!
• Friendly and affectionate with people; jumps to greet and loves every human he meets
• Loves to chase a ball and will settle down for belly rubs; a diamond in the rough!
• Needs training 101; Will need experienced, committed handlers willing to put in the work
• Only dog in the home; No Cats; Adults only at this time
• Needs dog-savvy people ready to invest in daily training, exercise, and a job well done

Hi! My name is Coal. I am a handsome, one-year-old Lab mix who arrived at Homeward Bound with a whole lot of enthusiasm and absolutely zero training. None. Zip. The good people here say I need to learn EVERYTHING. I prefer to think of it as having a totally blank slate and unlimited potential!

Here is what I have going for me: I love people. Like, I really, really love people. When I meet someone new, I want to say hello with my whole body, which can mean some jumping and some excitement and lots of enthusiasm. I just have a lot of feelings and need some help building the skills to manage them gracefully. But the people here believe in me. Here’s an example of why: One of the volunteers here started eating her lunch in the yard with me and I settle right down next to her on the lawn. Could I smell her food? Absolutely. Did I let her eat in peace? I did. And then she gave me belly rubs, and I gnawed on my ball, and it was honestly a pretty perfect afternoon. That’s the kind of boy I can be.

It’s kind of hard to be that boy here. Other dogs and I are not a great match right now and I’m surrounded by them. Cats are a hard no and there is a giant one that stares me down. And the kind folks here think I would do best in a home with adults only for now…people who can really focus on helping me grow without little ones underfoot while I am still figuring myself out.

What I need is someone who has been around the block with dogs. Someone who knows that a tired dog is a good dog, and who has the patience and skill to bring out the best in me. I could be your hiking buddy, your training project, your best success story, and your most loyal and loving companion. The people here believe in me, and I am hoping you will too.