Washington: A Goofy, Loyal Lab-Hound Mix
Location: Chelsea, Alabama at Love Hope and Paws Dog Rescue
Breed: Labrador Retriever and Hound Mix
Age: Approximately 2 years old
Gender: Male
Size: Large
How to Adopt Washington
Washington is available through Love Hope and Paws Dog Rescue in Chelsea, Alabama.
View Washington’s Petfinder Profile
View Love Hope and Paws Dog Rescue’s Information and Forms
Complete the Dog Adoption Application
Email: lovehopepaws@gmail.com
Phone: 205-503-1650
Location: Chelsea, Alabama
Visits: By appointment only
The rescue’s screening process includes an application, phone interview, personal-reference checks, veterinary-reference check, and home visit.
Out-of-state adoption may be available. For many East Coast and New England placements, the rescue currently lists a $200 transportation fee and a $50 health-certificate charge in addition to the adoption fee. Transportation costs to other locations may vary. A virtual home evaluation using FaceTime, video, or photographs may replace the in-person home visit for long-distance applicants.
Applicants should confirm Washington’s current availability, compatibility requirements, transportation options, and total adoption costs directly with the rescue. Review Washington’s current adoption information.
About Washington
Meet Washington, a handsome Lab-Hound mix whose goofy grin and joyful personality have a way of making people smile.
At approximately two years old, Washington is an energetic young adult who enjoys playing with toys, exploring during walks, running around the yard, and settling onto the couch when the day’s adventures are complete.
Washington may seem slightly shy when he first meets someone. He needs a little time to observe unfamiliar people and determine that they are safe. Once he feels comfortable, however, he becomes a loyal best friend who is always excited to see his person—whether they have been gone for five minutes or five hours.
He is affectionate, funny, curious, and full of personality. He enjoys receiving kisses and attention, but he is also capable of relaxing beside his family as a contented couch companion.
Washington is already house-trained and crate-trained. He is also neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped, giving his future family a wonderful foundation on which to build.
His permanent home will need to understand his size, energy, and preferences around other animals. Washington can be dominant with some dogs and appreciates having personal space. He may be happiest as the only pet, although the rescue reports that he can get along with certain older, calmer dogs after careful introductions.
His Petfinder compatibility fields currently indicate that he should not live with dogs, cats, other animals, or children, while his written biography says he may do well with calmer dogs and older children. Because those details differ, applicants should discuss Washington’s most recent evaluations directly with Love Hope and Paws Dog Rescue before applying.
Characteristics
Affectionate: Once Washington trusts someone, he enjoys attention, cuddling, and staying close.
Loyal: He forms strong relationships and is thrilled whenever his favorite people return.
Playful: Washington loves toys, outdoor play, and opportunities to have fun with his family.
Smart: He is described as intelligent and trainable, making continued learning an excellent way to engage him.
Curious: Washington enjoys investigating his surroundings and participating in new adventures.
Funny: His goofy personality and happy grin can bring plenty of laughter into a home.
Gentle with His People: Although he can be energetic, Washington also has a loving and tender side.
Initially Shy: He may need a little time before revealing his full personality to someone new.
Active: Regular walks, play, training, and enrichment will help him remain physically and emotionally fulfilled.
Cuddly: After an active day, Washington is happy to relax on the couch.
Quiet: His profile describes him as a relatively quiet dog.
House-Trained: Washington already understands an essential part of living inside a home.
Crate-Trained: His crate can continue serving as a secure and comfortable resting place.
Selective with Dogs: He may accept certain calm dogs but is not suited to uncontrolled or overly pushy canine interactions.
No Cats or Small Animals: His current profile recommends a home without cats or other animals.
Building a Relationship with Washington
Washington may not immediately show every new person his affectionate and playful personality.
A shy dog often needs time to observe before deciding whether an interaction feels safe. Washington should be allowed to approach at his own pace rather than being crowded, hugged, or pressured to accept attention.
Helpful ways to earn his trust may include:
Sitting or standing calmly nearby
Allowing Washington to initiate contact
Speaking in a relaxed voice
Avoiding prolonged staring
Tossing treats without reaching over him
Taking quiet walks together
Maintaining a predictable schedule
Rewarding voluntary check-ins
Introducing new people gradually
Limiting visitors during his adjustment
Giving him a comfortable retreat
Respecting his need for personal space
Keeping early experiences positive
Allowing his personality to emerge naturally
Once Washington feels safe, his loyalty becomes one of his most endearing qualities. He wants to become a genuine companion who shares both adventures and quiet moments with his person.
Training and Structure
Washington is smart and trainable, but intelligence works best when it is given a productive outlet.
His adopter should continue his education using rewards, consistency, and clear expectations. Positive-reinforcement training can strengthen their relationship while helping Washington understand what is expected of him.
Useful skills to practice may include:
Responding to his name
Loose-leash walking
Recall
“Sit”
“Down”
“Wait”
“Leave it”
“Drop it”
Door and gate manners
Calm greetings
Settling on a mat
Checking in with his handler
Passing other dogs at a comfortable distance
Entering his crate voluntarily
Taking breaks during exciting play
Cooperative handling
Relaxing when visitors arrive
Short, enjoyable training sessions will likely keep Washington more engaged than long or repetitive lessons.
Training can also be incorporated into his normal routine. He might practice waiting before walking through a doorway, checking in during a walk, sitting before receiving a toy, or settling on a mat while his family eats.
Everyone in his home should follow the same basic expectations. Consistency will make his environment easier to understand and help Washington adjust more confidently.
Exercise and Enrichment
Washington is a lively young dog who needs regular opportunities to move, explore, play, and think.
Activities he may enjoy include:
Daily walks
Sniffing walks
Hiking
Exploring quiet trails
Backyard play
Fetch
Tug games
Long-line exploration
Food puzzles
Treat searches
Scent games
Learning new cues
Durable chew toys
Stuffed enrichment toys
Hide-and-seek
Supervised play with a carefully selected dog
Relaxing on the couch after exercise
A securely fenced yard could give Washington additional space to run and play, but it should not replace walks, training, enrichment, or companionship.
Because Washington may be selective with other dogs, dog parks would not be an appropriate source of exercise. Uncontrolled interactions could overwhelm him or place him in situations where his requests for space are ignored.
His adopter should choose controlled environments and provide distance from unfamiliar animals whenever he appears uncomfortable.
Life with Other Dogs
Washington’s written biography says he can be dominant with other dogs and is best suited for a home without another dog or with an older, calmer companion. It also says he can be good with many dogs after he gets to know them.
However, the compatibility section of his current Petfinder profile lists him as not compatible with dogs. His permanent family should therefore assume he needs to be the only dog unless Love Hope and Paws Dog Rescue approves a specific match after a supervised introduction.
If the rescue believes Washington could live with another dog, the best candidate may be one who:
Has a calm personality
Is socially appropriate
Respects personal space
Is not physically pushy
Has a compatible play style
Can disengage when asked
Does not guard food or toys
Is comfortable taking breaks
Has experience living peacefully with other dogs
Any introduction should be handled under the rescue’s guidance. Compatibility should be based on the individual dogs rather than breed, size, or gender alone.
If Washington enters a home with an approved dog, they should initially have separate spaces for:
Meals
Treats
High-value chews
Favorite toys
Crates
Sleeping
Decompression
Unsupervised time
Washington could also thrive as the only dog. A one-dog home would allow him to receive individual attention without needing to share his space, belongings, or people with another animal.
Life with Cats and Other Animals
Washington’s current profile lists him as unsuitable for a home with cats or other animals.
His permanent home should therefore have:
No cats or kittens
No small companion animals
Secure doors, gates, and fencing
Responsible leash handling
No uncontrolled interactions with neighborhood animals
A plan for maintaining distance during walks
No expectation that he visit dog parks or socialize with unfamiliar pets
His adopter should not attempt to introduce him to a resident cat or small animal without direct guidance from Love Hope and Paws Dog Rescue.
Choosing an animal-free home will allow Washington to relax without requiring permanent separation or creating unnecessary risks.
Life with Children
Washington’s written biography says he is gentle and playful with older children but can be too rambunctious for very young children.
At the same time, the compatibility section of his current Petfinder profile lists him as unsuitable for children. Applicants should ask the rescue for its most recent recommendation and whether Washington has been evaluated around specific age groups.
If the rescue approves a home with older children, they should be mature enough to:
Approach Washington calmly
Avoid hugging or climbing on him
Respect his crate and resting areas
Leave him alone while he eats
Avoid taking toys directly from his mouth
Recognize when he needs space
Keep exterior doors and gates closed
Avoid rough or chaotic play
Allow adults to handle animal introductions
Participate appropriately in his training
All interactions between Washington and children should be supervised.
Because he is a large, playful dog, a calm adult household may ultimately be the clearest match unless the rescue specifically approves older, dog-savvy children.
Helping Washington Adjust
Moving into a permanent home will bring many unfamiliar sounds, smells, people, and expectations.
Washington’s first days should focus on creating security and predictability. He does not need to meet every friend, relative, neighbor, or dog immediately.
A thoughtful transition may include:
Establishing consistent feeding times
Following a predictable bathroom schedule
Showing him where he will sleep
Maintaining his crate as a positive retreat
Introducing rooms gradually
Keeping early walks quiet
Limiting visitors
Avoiding crowded outings
Providing appropriate toys and chews
Practicing simple cues
Giving him uninterrupted rest
Using secure walking equipment
Preventing interactions with cats and unfamiliar dogs
Watching for signs of stress
Allowing him to approach new people voluntarily
Washington may initially follow his adopter closely, sleep more than expected, hesitate in unfamiliar areas, or need help settling into a routine. These behaviors do not necessarily predict how he will act after feeling secure.
Patience during this transition will allow his funny, affectionate, and playful personality to emerge naturally.
Health and Vetting
Washington is currently listed as:
Neutered
Vaccinated
Microchipped
House-trained
Crate-trained
Approximately two years old
Available for adoption
Prospective adopters should request his complete veterinary records and confirm:
His exact age
His current weight
His vaccination dates
His heartworm-testing history
His heartworm-prevention schedule
His flea and tick prevention
Whether he takes any medications
His current food and feeding routine
His microchip-registration process
Whether he has any activity restrictions
When his next veterinary examination is due
His permanent family should continue providing:
Annual veterinary examinations
Monthly heartworm prevention
Flea and tick prevention
Recommended vaccinations
Balanced nutrition
Healthy weight management
Dental care
Nail and coat care
Regular exercise
Mental enrichment
Positive-reinforcement training
Prompt attention to physical or behavioral changes
Ideal Home
Washington is searching for a dependable family ready to appreciate both his energetic, goofy side and his affectionate couch-companion side.
His ideal home will:
Give him time to become comfortable
Use positive-reinforcement training
Provide clear and consistent routines
Offer daily walks and play
Include regular mental enrichment
Enjoy having an active companion
Give him toys and appropriate outlets for his energy
Appreciate his funny personality
Allow him to cuddle and remain close
Maintain his crate as a positive retreat
Have no cats or small animals
Most likely have no other dogs
Consider another dog only with rescue approval
Have no young children
Include older children only if approved by the rescue
Introduce unfamiliar people gradually
Avoid dog parks and uncontrolled animal interactions
Keep him securely managed outdoors
Continue his preventative veterinary care
Include him in everyday family life
Commit to making him a permanent family member
Washington offers the best of both worlds: an enthusiastic adventure partner who loves walks and playtime, and a loyal companion who is happy to curl up beside his family afterward.
He may need a little time to decide that a new person belongs in his circle. Once he does, that person gains an affectionate best friend who will greet them with happiness, follow them into their next adventure, and make them laugh with his goofy personality.
For someone seeking a smart, loyal, playful dog—and who can provide the right pet-free environment—Washington may be the devoted companion they have been waiting to meet.
