Betty Labrador Retriever Mix Toronto, ON

Please carefully read Betty's bio before applying for adoption.

Our adoption process and timelines can be found on our website;
www.straytoplay.org/adopt

Ideal home: The ideal home would have a strong, confident primary handler with at least one other dog. Betty is strong, and she does get spooked and try to escape, so she needs a handler who can be calm but also manage her. It's best for her to be the only dog for that handler, so a home with multiple people going on walks would be ideal. A backyard is required as sometimes a walk is just too much, and a quiet neighbourhood is better, but the suburbs are fine. Betty prefers a quiet life with a lot of snoozing on the couch or playing with toys. She doesn't like a lot of activity and noise, though she's fine with day to day noises. Betty loves to be snuggled and pet and cuddled so she needs a home where she would get lots of love! She is very submissive with other dogs, so she should be with a confident dog who does not guard resources or humans. Betty needs to be able to share in the love and needs to be accepted by her sibling(s).



Personality: Betty is unbelievably sweet and has moments where she is very much a puppy. We originally thought she was more dog focused, but she is very interested in human affection as well and is super excited every time her fosters walk into a room. She can be very timid and introverted and gets anxious when she is unsure, leading to circling or hiding. At the end of the day, when Betty is comfortable and her people are home, she is super silly and awkward and awesome to have around.


Age: ~2 years old
Breed: Lab mix
Weight: 42lbs
Gender: Female
Energy level: Medium


Good with dogs: Betty isn't interested in dogs outside on walks, but is playful when there is another dog in the home. She loves to play and wrestle and will need another dog in the home.
Good with cats: She mostly ignores cats but will sniff them or watch them calmly if they are near.
Good with kids (+ ages): 12+
Good with strangers: Betty barks at new people in the home and takes a bit of time to warm up. Once she is settled with someone she is extremely affectionate and loves people. She is so happy when her fosters get home at the end of the day!!
Guarding issues: She shares everything with no issues, and you can take food from her mouth with no reaction.
Behavioural issues: She has severe avoidance issues, and there is not always consistency in what she's trying to avoid. She needs to be diligently pushed to face her fears because she will easily revert back to hiding and running away if allowed to. She needs to be firmly controlled on walks, and is doing great on a slip leash. She is doing very well with the sit command, but has not started with down or any other commands.
House trained: Betty needs routine to be housetrained and a persistent owner who makes sure she goes outside. Crating her when not home is key to preventing accidents. She will have accidents if not crated when alone and taken out frequently and monitored, so she needs a predictable routine.
Crate trained: Yes
Separation anxiety: None shown
Destructive: Betty needs to be told what she can and cannot chew. She is very good at leaving things alone when told and is really redirected to a toy
Leash skills: Betty can be very scared outside and therefore has periods of amazing loose leash walking with a few moments of intense pulling to go home. She needs a strong handler and seems to respond better to males. She is currently walking well on a slip leash and loves walking with a pack, but does better being handled on her own.
Okay with manipulations: Yes, if she trusts you.
Medical issues: Betty is on clomicalm for anxiety.