CHESTER

Chester is a super sweet boy who LOVES attention and affection! He came to OCAS as a stray and was a bit underweight, but he's eating well and doing great! He's a total lovebug! His adventure buddies report that he can be a little restless on car rides, but he walks well on leash and is a great hiking companion. His foster family also reports that he did really well in their home, and he did well with another dog (the dogs didn't become best friends but they got along with each other just fine). He would likely do best in a home without cats. He knows some basic commands and seems housetrained! Chester will make a great addition to some lucky home!Foster notes on Chester:`Chester is such a sweet, affectionate, friendly, and energetic dog. He is always happy and loves everyone. We took him for a hike at Carolina North Forest and he totally LOVED it. He is a great outdoor companion and is a very good hiker. We went 3 miles and he was still strong at the end. Afterward we stopped for a pup cup which Chester also loved. He is so cheerful and full of love and affection that I think he would make a great dog for any family that is able to give him long walks or has another dog he can play with to burn off energy.``Chester was absolutely amazing! He was a very headstrong dog that was hilariously food/treat driven. He was amazing on his walks, and had an adorable curiosity of everything he came across. When other dogs walked by, he wouldn’t bark, but would show interest without being overly aggressive. He was also amazing in the car! We 100%% want to come back for another day out with Chester soon!!``Chester is a mellow, easygoing guy with a big love for treats. On his long car ride to Blue Dog Farm, he was a bit anxious, so a car leash is recommended for safety. Once we arrived, he happily sniffed and munched on grass during our walk to the dog playground. He wasn’t interested in running, but he did enjoy exploring. We did move him to another area since he was eager to snack on acorns, which can upset a dog’s stomach.Chester was especially friendly when meeting the owner and his wife, approaching them with a happy, social manner. When the owner’s dogs accidentally slipped out and rushed toward him, Chester handled it calmly—he gave one strong bark to the pushiest dog, then let the situation de-escalate on its own. Afterward, he carried on without fuss. He showed little interest in the alpacas on the property and only mild curiosity toward the Great Pyrenees guard dogs.Chester really shines when treats are involved. He knows sit, down, shake, and speak, and will cycle through his tricks if he thinks a treat is taking too long! He has a very soft mouth and takes food gently from your hand. He also enjoyed some adventure—walking across a rock water bridge, and even after slipping into the water, he bounced right back out, unfazed.On the ride home, he was still a little anxious but noticeably more relaxed than on the way there. Back at the shelter, he leaned into a good brushing session and clearly loved the attention.Overall, Chester is a sweet, mellow, and friendly dog who loves to explore, enjoys being brushed, has great manners, and—above all else—adores his treats!``Chester was the biggest sweetheart ever! He was very energetic at first but once walked and he got to know us, he was super chill and was just happy to be around! He never barked or lunged at other dogs or strangers when we were out, and he loved when people came up to pet him. He loves cuddling and being pet and is very motivated by treats. He is such a good boy and anybody would be lucky to love him! We went on a car ride to go on a long walk and then we got some pup cups and met some friends. Then we walked around UNC chapel hill campus and sat in the pit for a while. Then we returned to a house setting and he laid around before we took him back! Favorite Thing: How loving he was! He loved being pet and he loved laying on us and just hanging around! He was just so loving and sweet!``I've walked Chester lots of times but this was my first time taking him out of the shelter. He didn't enjoy the car ride, even though it was very short. As we approached the apartment complex, he started whining, and as I parked, he jumped over the barrier between the back of the car and into my lap, dashing out the door as I opened it (luckily it was easy to grab the leash). He then spent a long time exploring and sniffing the grounds outside the apartment building. He seems to really like using his nose to learn about the environment. We then hung out in the apartment for about 90 minutes. He played with a number of toys and enjoyed my dog's puzzle feeders and shredding a `treasure box` (cardboard box stuffed with treats and chews wrapped in various bits of paper and cardboard to provide a rewarding mental challenge). He seemed to prefer exploring the apartment to sticking near me, which was fine, though he did check in a few times. I then took him out, and we walked around the complex, in the woods, and eventually back to the shelter (I was concerned about putting him back in the car!). We saw a number of dogs walking around the apartment complex, and he always stayed calm and relaxed. He walks really well on leash - doesn't pull and it's easy to get his attention when needed. Other than on the initial car ride, Chester was calm and easy going the whole time I had him. He's a very sweet boy who would do great in a loving home (with plenty of treats!)Chester seems to like exploring new places, and learns as much as he can through thorough sniffing! It's fun to watch him investigate :)``Personality/TemperamentYou probably read on his profile that he is a major cuddlebug and sweatheart. This is 100%% true. He wakes up in a happy mood, happy to see us and go outside. He purrs when we pet him and wants nothing more than to snuggle with or on us (never mind that he is 65 lbs!). He is really a good dog who I think is just happy to be in a home with people and other dogs.Leash Walking & ExerciseWe have Chester walking with a harness right now and I would say he does very well on walks. He is easily corrected and we have not had any issues with him showing aggression towards dogs or people who we encounter. Taking Commands/AdaptabilityIt's clear that he has experience living in a home. He has had zero accidents in our house and he knows several commands including Sit, Stay and Down.Other DogsHe has done really well with our dogs. Other PeopleHe seems to love all people.Toys/ChewingWe have not had any issues with him chewing anything he shouldn't in the house. He is guilty of going into my kids rooms and stealing some of their stuffies. In particular he likes to carry the otters around by their scruff and he does it so delicately like they're his babies - it's hard to be mad!`