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irst came to us, he was very much a puppy trapped in a large dogâs bodyâcurious, unsure, and still learning how the world works. Over the past several months, he has grown into a much more confident, thoughtful dog, and itâs been incredibly rewarding to walk alongside him on his journey of exploration and healing. We suspect he may have had some difficult experiences earlier in life, which makes his progress even more meaningful.
Braxton is a very gentle soul. While we havenât personally seen him live with other dogs, based on his temperament we believe he would likely get along with them. According to the shelterâs records shared with interested adopters, he may chase cats, though weâve seen so much positive behavioral change in the last 10 months that we feel this could be worked on with patience and training.
One of Braxtonâs favorite things in the world is belly rubsâwhich he enthusiastically requests using his paws, often forgetting just how sharp his nails can be. Over time, heâs learned to ask more gently after realizing that his nails can hurt, though the instinct hasnât disappeared entirely. Itâs all part of his charm.
Braxton is very attentive to his surroundings. He listens closely to emergency service sirens and has even howled a few times on his own. With a little encouragement, heâs also shown he can howl on cue. Recently, heâs begun barking when he senses someone at the door, a clear sign of the confidence heâs been building.
He responds well to training and understands several verbal cues, including sit, down, heel (both by voice and finger-pointing behind you), and watch me, especially during treat timeâwhere he now focuses on the cue instead of the treat itself. Structure is important to him: before walks, he sits and stays while the door is open and waits until heâs released with the cue âall done.â The same routine applies at mealtimes. Heâs fed in the morning and again between 5â6 PM, and he patiently stays down, watching the person serving his food, until heâs released to eat.
Because of his size and ongoing training, we feel Braxton would do best in a home without children under 10 years oldânot because heâs aggressive, but because heâs still learning to fully understand his size. He has shown some discomfort when surrounded by loud environments, such as being on the same floor with 10â12 teenagers, but with gradual exposure and practice, we believe he can adapt.
Walking is still a work in progress. Until heâs fully trained, someone with back issues or conditions like tennis elbow could find it challenging. With the right toolsâsuch as a harness or a Haltiâand plenty of patience, we believe heâll continue to improve.
When we first brought him home, Braxton didnât understand boundaries or even how to sit on the sofa. Today, he confidently chooses to sleep either near our bed or stretched out comfortably on the couch, where he spends hours relaxing. His progress extends to car rides as well. Initially reluctant, heâs now happy to travel, though heâs still figuring out the most comfortable way to lie down. Given how far heâs come, weâre confident heâll get there. For safety, we recommend using seatbelt clips if he rides in a passenger seat.
Braxton is a dog who thrives with patience, structure, and kindnessâand in return, he offers gentleness, loyalty, and a heart thatâs still learning just how safe the world can be.
`Meet Braxton! This dog is 70 pounds of pure joy and love. Initially, Braxton was afraid of the outdoors and loud noises, but over the past few months he’s made amazing progress to-wards becoming a calm and confident dog. He is always learning, and with a calm, confident owner, his days of being afraid will be over. Now it’s safe to say Braxton loves the out-doors and can’t wait to go on his next walk.Braxton is a very versatile dog fit for someone who loves a good long walk but also a good cuddle session with lots of tummy rubs. He is very trustworthy and gentle, though he’s still learning about personal space and believes he’s a lap dog. Braxton is very gentle and does not guard his food nor his toys. He is friendly with people and kids, making him a perfect companion for families and individuals alike.He walks nicely on a leash and can be left alone without worry. Whether it's sitting at your feet while you work or walking around town, Braxton is your ideal companion. This boy has so much love to give, made all the more evident by the fact that his tail wags at supersonic speeds if you so much as look at him. He is truly an amazing dog.` - Foster Parent