Caramel is an American Staffordshire Terrier/Lab mix that had his official first birthday on January 1. He has been neutered and chipped and is ready for his forever home!  This dog has a wonderful personality, willing to play hard and then making up for it by being a super heavy sleeper. complete with snoring! (see video on dog bed above). Caramel is curious, wants to be with his humans outside to investigate every move, will alert with barks of a new situation, and loves to cuddle.  Wary by nature, he is protective of his humans and needs to be leashed at all new situations.

HISTORY: Caramel followed my elementary schooler home from the bus stop.  He was so friendly and playful, he seemed to belonged to someone who would be missing him.  He loved all the attention and we waited for a few hours in the front yard hoping someone would respond to our post about this lovable, friendly dog.  When no one came to claim him, we decided to foster him.  He's a great first foster! He was treated for worms and was heartworm negative. 

THE GOOD:   knows basic commands  sit, stay, lay down.  Knows asking, "Are you hungry?" means feeding time! Intelligent, friendly, playful, and would love to be a lap dog! Loves to greet people, especially if you take him with you to the door to greet.  He is cautious of new people in his space and is better with greetings outside.   Has been crate trained and will now enjoy his crate on his own for rest and/or sleep during the day.   Can be left in his crate for a few hours with no problem. Very easy care.  No allergies, isn't bothered by insect bites, and medications seem to work easily with no side effects for this pup.  

>>LEARNING:   Proper leash behavior (we use an extra long leash for playtime and a short leash for public outings).  The heel command; likes to run/walk ahead of everyone.  Proper pal play (is learning jumping not acceptable and/or mouth play not good).   Caramel is an investigator!  Will pay attention to animal sounds and unusual noises, and can focus for long periods of time on figuring out a sound (see tv video above).   Is protective and will bark to alert of anything out of place until reassured of the commonality or we let him know  that we know and it's okay.  Struggles to trust pats on the head, but is ready to be petted everywhere else!

>>FAVORITES: walks are good but runs are better (especially playing chase), fetch is ok, but tug of war is better, adults ok, but kids are better, cuddles and snuggles are best, but will take a lean or a paw on you if you don't have time to pet.  Is in heaven if he gets to sleep with a person!   He does sleep in his crate overnight but he is such a sleepyhead when he falls asleep outside his crate at night he needs some time to get up and get moving in there (see video).  Loves to explore outside and sun himself, will follow anyone around the yard to investigate and be curious about what his humans are doing.  Climbs the playgound to get a good vantage point and will slide down the slide unless it's wet (he doesn't like the rain!).  Sniffing anything and everything at any time.  Loves to play!  Will wrestle at the drop of a hat--any person or dog.

THE BAD:  needs a lot of oral stimulation.  Loves any chew toy, and will happily chew anything you give him, but keep a ready supply, or he will find the smelliest clothing or shoe to chew instead.  Keeping things out of his mouth has become a pastime for everyone.  Nylabones, ropes, and sticks are favorites.  Can be a barker and/or a digger without enough stimulation but is naturally a people pleaser, so easily broken of bad habits.  Can be fearful of pats on the head and will avoid direct touches to his face and head until he gets to know a person.  New people must be aware of proper dog approach for him.  Has never bitten anyone or anything but shows he is scared by barking at person, though he barks to alert as well.  

THE UGLY:  Willing to make anything into a game, which makes discipline a challenge. Thinks the open door is an invitation to leave the house, and wants to explore other areas and will escape an opening in the fence.  Leery of new people in the house, especially males, and will bark to alert.  May take a few weeks of regular occurrences with the same male to feel comfortable.

Caramel's ideal home will be a place with a constant companion or two, with an active person and/or a person who likes to travel with his or her pet, since he loves car rides and being with his humans.  Older children will be welcomed and younger children easily tolerated but also seen as fellow dogs to play as a free for all unless leashed.  

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Please contact  app@aarfhouston.org for more information about this dog. You can apply online by clicking on Application .

Puppies that are under 4 months old cannot be adopted outside of our Veterinary Service area.  Please call for specific locations.

Children under 8 years old often are not a good match for our puppies and dogs.   In order to protect both, your child and our rescued dogs/puppies from harm, we seldom if ever adopt to families with young children.

Once your application is approved, we will schedule a meet and greet at one of our adoption events.  Thank you for considering a rescue!

Good with Dogs, Good with Kids, Good with Adults, Somewhat vocal, Does Good in the Car, Requires a yard, Leashtrained, Cratetrained, Plays fetch, Likes to play with toys, Protective, Obedient, Playful, Skittish, Affectionate, Eager To Please, Intelligent, Even-tempered

The adoption fee includes vaccinations, Bordetella, de-worming, rabies, spay/neuter and microchip. There is a an additional $12.99 fee for Home Again for a lifetime registration of the microchip.

Puppies cannot be adopted outside of the Houston area until they are spay/neutered after they are 4 months old.

It is against the law in the State of Texas for a rescue not to be sterilized so we have to make sure it gets completed and that we have record of it.

NOTE: In our bios, we provide information based on our volunteer's experience with a particular dog; such as temperament, training, and ability to get along with others.

AARF is a 501(c)3 Non Profit, all breed, no kill organization. Our group is always in need of donations in order to continue to give the needed medical care to our rescues. Adoption fees do not begin to cover all of the medical costs. Any donation , no matter how small is a big help and is greatly appreciated. Please help us to continue to help them. Thank you.