If you're looking for a dog who believes there is no such thing as too much cuddle time, Max is your guy.

Meet Maxaroni! This handsome boy arrived at BARCS as a stray, and his finder reported that he was friendly, easy to handle, appeared to be housetrained, and even politely asked to go outside when he needed a bathroom break. He also lived comfortably alongside their small breed dog and settled nicely into a crate when needed. Since then, Maxaroni has continued to show that beneath his initially cautious demeanor is a deeply affectionate dog who simply wants to be close to his people.

Since moving into his foster home, Maxaroni has truly blossomed. If you're looking for a dog who believes there is no such thing as too much cuddle time, Max is your guy. His foster describes him as a total cuddle bug who loves leaning against his people, curling up beside them on the couch, and even serving as the world's best foot warmer. While he arrived as quite the "Velcro dog," he's been making great progress learning to relax independently and will now occasionally choose to hang out in another room on his own.

Maxaroni has settled beautifully into home life. He's now fully housetrained with no accidents, has excellent house manners, and does well when left home alone with no issues to report. He appreciates a predictable routine and has proven to be an easy, reliable companion who settles in quickly.

On walks, Maxaroni is an enjoyable partner who walks nicely without pulling and loves exploring his surroundings. Squirrels, motorcycles, and large trucks can still be very exciting, and unfamiliar dogs are his biggest challenge. He may bark and react when he sees other dogs, especially if they're barking back, but his foster is helping him build confidence using positive reinforcement. When he's tired, he'll even plop down for a break, then happily get moving again with a simple "come" cue. He also loves visiting quiet, empty dog parks where he can safely sniff, explore, and enjoy the outdoors without the stress of other dogs nearby.

Max is incredibly food motivated, making training both fun and rewarding. Greenies are his nightly favorite, Trader Joe's salmon jerky treats are always a hit, and he'll happily cooperate for nail trims in exchange for peanut butter. He even enjoys having his teeth brushed, making routine grooming surprisingly easy. His favorite toy is a plush dinosaur, and he frequently entertains himself with zoomies before settling in for snuggles.

Maxaroni loves people and enjoys sharing his affectionate personality with those he meets. He can be a little cautious during initial greetings and prefers to approach new people at his own pace. When a friendly teenage girl asked to pet him on a walk, Max politely ducked away rather than engaging, showing that he appreciates having the choice to interact. Given a little time and space, he relaxes and happily accepts affection. He has also shown that he can settle quickly around unfamiliar adults once proper introductions are made.

Max has experience living successfully with another dog in a home prior to coming to BARCS, but he is currently reactive toward unfamiliar dogs while on leash and will need continued positive reinforcement training to help him feel more comfortable. Because of this, any potential canine siblings should meet him before adoption to ensure a good fit. He has not lived with cats in his foster home, so his behavior around cats is unknown.

Maxaroni's interactions with children suggest he'd likely do best with older, dog-savvy kids who understand how to let him approach at his own pace and respect his space while he builds confidence.

With his medium-to-high energy level, loving personality, excellent house manners, and endless desire to snuggle, Maxaroni offers the perfect balance of adventure buddy and couch companion. Whether he's riding along on a car trip, exploring a quiet park, practicing his training skills for tasty treats, or curled up at your feet after a day of fun, Max is happiest simply being part of the family.

Maxaroni is currently thriving in the comfort of a foster home while he waits for his forever family. If you're looking for a loyal best friend who will happily join you on adventures before settling in for an evening of cuddles, Maxaroni is ready to meet you. Please complete an adoption application and email dogfosters@barcs.org for next steps.

VIDEO: https://ws.petango.com/webservices/adoptablesearch/3Omw_8FAJ30