Dog that spent 473 days in shelter gets chance at ‘new life’
Bruno, the 3-year-old dog that spent 473 days in a Virginia shelter. (Rachel Koehler/rkdtfosterdogs)
Bruno, a 3-year-old dog that was dumped outside a Virginia shelter in March 2023, is getting a chance at a new life.
Bruno had been at the Colonial Heights Animal Control shelter for 473 days and while he is a very laid back dog, living in a kennel was causing him to act out, which affected his appeal to adopters.
The loud sounds and hectic environment caused him to have barrier insecurities and overall made him a nervous pup, according to the shelter.
But last week, Ring Dog Rescue saw Bruno’s potential and decided to set him up with a foster dog training program.
Bruno was dumped at a Virginia shelter, along with his siblings in March 2023. (Rachel Koehler/rkdtfosterdogs)
Rachel Koehler, a professional dog trainer, has taken Bruno in and is giving him a chance to shape up before finding his forever home.
"My thought is that a trained dog is more likely to get adopted than an untrained dog. Bruno specifically was really struggling in the kennel environment. The hectic environment caused him to bark and go crazy in the kennel. That isn’t a dog that a lot of people would want to adopt. Since he has been at my house, he hasn’t had any issues. So by taking him in and training him, I’m able to help his mindset and behavior to help him get adopted," Koehler told FOX TV Stations.
Although Koehler has only had Bruno for about a week, she can tell he is a very mellow dog who "loves affection."
Now that Bruno is out of the shelter, his behavior has improved and he has a mellow personality, Koehler said. (Rachel Koehler/rkdtfosterdogs)
Koehler’s training typically takes anywhere between four and six weeks for foster dogs that have come from the shelter.
Once Bruno has completed his training with Koehler, he will be fully able to go on and off leash and whoever decides to become Bruno’s forever family will get an extensive rundown of Bruno’s training and how to best transition him into his new home.
For anyone who is interested in adopting Bruno, they can fill out a form on the Ring Dog Rescue’s website.
This story was reported from Los Angeles.