Leo

My story

Leo is approximately 2 years old and 12 pounds  Leo is proof that patience and trust can change a life. When Leo first arrived in foster care, he was wary of people, and handling him could be a challenge. Months later, this clever, affectionate poodle now loves curling up on his foster mom's lap. Leo thrives on kindness, routine, and thoughtful introductions. Once he feels comfortable, he enjoys playing with other friendly dogs and has been wonderful with his puppy foster brother. When he has had enough playtime, Leo communicates his boundaries appropriately and simply walks away rather than engaging in conflict. He has made tremendous progress with both leash manners and dog reactivity. While he once barked and lunged at other dogs, he can now calmly pass them and even greet them appropriately. He is also growing more comfortable around strangers and has improved significantly when visitors come into the home. Leo still needs time, treats, and slow introductions to help him build confidence with new people. Leo will need an adopter committed to continuing his training in an adult-only home. His foster mom uses a muzzle for nail trims and for handling certain grooming areas, especially his front feet. In the past, grooming could lead to nipping or biting, but he is now coping much better and communicating more clearly. He can still become overly excited during games like fetch and may show some arousal grabbing, but he has made excellent progress learning "drop it," "wait," and "ok" through positive reinforcement training. When Leo first arrived, he would try to ingest items he found outdoors. With training and management, that behavior has improved dramatically, especially when traded for a treat. He responds well to cues like "look" and "drop it," though supervision is still important. In the home, Leo is an absolute delight. He is housetrained, crate-trained, fine when left alone, gentle when taking treats, rides beautifully in the car, and knows several commands including sit, down, wait, look, bow, and recall. He enjoys adventures but most of all loves being close to his humans. Because he can be vocal, apartment living would not be a good fit, and he will need a secure fenced yard. Every day brings new successes for little Leo. His journey has been remarkable, and with a patient, understanding family willing to keep building his confidence, he will reward them with loyalty, affection, and companionship.June 18, 2026, 6:49 pm

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Leo, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.