Foster Dog: Latte (we call him Buddy; Latte never really stuck)
Foster Dog Location (city): Chesterfield, VA
Gender: Male
Age/weight: 4 years old / 70 lbs.
Spayed/Neutered: In process (scheduled for this month)
Basic intro/highlights: Latte (aka Buddy) is a truly special boy with the gentlest soul. He is incredibly loving, soft-natured, and happiest when he’s close to his people (something he’s only recently discovered!). Buddy has come such a long way since being rescued on October 27th from a breeding facility, where he spent the first four years of his life living outdoors in a kennel with another dog. When he arrived as a foster, it was clear that he had missed out on human affection and indoor life—he didn’t know how to trust, how to relax, or how to be brave. At first, his world was very small: his crate (and later the couch) and the door to go outside.
Over time, and with a lot of patience and love, I’ve watched Buddy slowly blossom. He began exploring new rooms, following me upstairs for baths or naps, and even checking out the toy chest on his own. Every small milestone felt like a big victory for him—and for us. While he arrived healthy and well-fed, it was clear that learning how to be a cherished indoor family dog would take time. Thankfully, he caught on quickly with potty training and hasn’t had an accident since the first week or two.
Buddy does wonderfully with my two small (13 lb) cavapoos and would be perfectly happy as an only dog or with a canine sibling to play with. We transitioned him from crating in our indoor sunroom, to leaving the crate door open to now sleeping peacefully on a cozy bed—no crate needed. He loves sneaking in naps on the bed with me (though he’s a bit of a bed hog!), and at night he does well either in a crate, gated, or with free roam. He tends to sleep until he hears movement, then may bark a little for attention, something we’re gently working on with consistency and guidance from a trainer.
Overall, Buddy is a gentle giant with a huge heart. The early days were challenging, but watching him grow into the loving, trusting dog he’s becoming has been incredibly rewarding. I adore this boy and can’t wait to see him continue to thrive in a patient, loving furever home.
General Activity Level: Low-to-Moderate. Buddy enjoys daily activities but doesn’t need a ton of exercise. He’s become quite the couch potato and loves relaxing near his people. He enjoys chasing a ball in the yard and is learning to enjoy walks. Since he spent most of his life in a kennel, he’s just discovering the joy of sniffing and exploring. Walks are a great way to help him build confidence and engage his senses.
Interaction with dogs: Very good. Buddy lived with other dogs for years and is very comfortable around them. When walking on leash and encountering other dogs, he remains calm and largely uninterested.
Interaction with cats: Unknown, but no concerns are expected.
Interaction with children: My children are 19 years old, but Buddy is extremely gentle and patient. I would not expect any issues. He shows no food or toy aggression and allows items to be taken from him without concern.
Physical fence required? Not required but suggested. He absolutely loves playing ball in the yard.
Is physical fence an absolute requirement, or flexible? Flexible but recommended.
How many hours are they able to be left alone? 5–6 hours. While he hasn’t been left alone that long yet due to our schedules, he is fully potty trained and should be able to manage this timeframe.
Able to climb stairs? Yes. He’s learned to carefully navigate hardwood floors—no more “Bambi on ice” moments.
Health concerns: None. Buddy has had healthy veterinary checkups.
What basic commands are known? Reliable or still learning? Still learning. He hasn’t had formal training and would benefit from basic commands.
How does he walk on a leash, and what do you use (collar, harness, etc.)? Buddy wears a harness. He’s made great progress on leash walking. Since he’d never been on a leash before, it took time for him to understand personal space and direction. He started off wanting to stay very close and would circle a bit but now walks nicely in his own lane.
In need of obedience training? Yes, he would definitely benefit from obedience training. Buddy thrives with a calm, confident leader. Because he loves being close to his people, basic commands like “sit,” “come,” and “off” will help him continue to build confidence and structure.
Personality and additional information: Buddy is sweet, sensitive, and quietly affectionate. Interestingly, he isn’t very food motivated like many Goldens, likely due to early trust issues—it took time before he felt comfortable taking treats from my hand. A trainer recommended Stewart Beef Liver freeze-dried treats (blue bucket on Amazon), which he’s now familiar with and enjoys for training.
