Meet Humphrey!
A one-year-old Hound/Terrier mix currently in Northborough, MA, whose gentle heart shines as brightly as his beautiful golden coat with white accents. At about 45 pounds, this medium-sized boy is wonderfully smart, deeply affectionate, and eager to build trusting relationships with the people who make him feel safe. Humphrey's greatest wish is simple. He wants to love and be loved, and every day he makes encouraging progress toward becoming the confident companion he is meant to be!
Humphrey enjoys the little joys in life, especially black Kong chew toys, chasing balls, frozen pupsicles, sniff games, training sessions, and long cuddle breaks on the couch. He will often stroll by just to give your ankle a quick lick before grabbing a toy or heading for a drink, and he loves leaning into his favorite people for reassuring hugs!
This bright boy has completed two rounds of behavioral training and proudly knows commands including sit, down, wait, place, stand, look, and leave it. He responds well to positive reinforcement and genuinely enjoys showing off how clever he is! Humphrey receives Fluoxetine to help manage his separation anxiety, and the improvement has been encouraging. He is now settling more easily and can comfortably spend short periods alone while continuing to build confidence.
Humphrey needs an experienced pet parent who understands anxious and reactive dogs and can provide patience, structure, and compassionate guidance. He reacts to unfamiliar people, dogs, bicycles, skateboards, strollers, motorcycles, squirrels, rabbits, and other busy activity, especially on walks, but he has no bite history with people or dogs. A calm home with steady human companionship, no young children, and preferably no other pets or small animals will help him continue thriving.
Humphrey will thrive with a pet parent who understands that building confidence takes time and consistency. He needs a calm, structured home where someone is present for most of the day, ideally with two or three adults or a household where people have staggered schedules, since being left alone for long periods is especially difficult for him. His new family should be comfortable continuing his medication, using positive reinforcement training, and celebrating the small victories that add up to lasting progress. While his compatibility with cats has not been formally assessed, his strong reactions to squirrels and rabbits suggest that a home without cats or other small animals would be the safest choice. He may also be happiest as the only dog, allowing him to focus on building trust with his new family and continuing the wonderful progress he is already making.
