Harvey - Hound Beagle mix

"You're gonna want to muzzle that one when you walk him. He's a nipper. He's just playing but he'll go after the leash and then he'll go after ..." and the other volunteer walker points to her sleeve where it looks like there might be a tear. But I don't muzzle him. I grab the chain lead instead.

Harvey leans in as I scratch his soft floppy ears. All hounds are love hounds. I leash him up no problem. He tests the metal chain with his mouth, decides it's not worth it and that's it for his bad behaviour, other than as soon as we're outside, he pulls like a hound chasing a scent, which is what he is and so he is his nature.

Harvey came into the shelter in January with an injured foot which required surgery so he's been there a while. He's got a lot of pent up energy built up from the last four months of living in a kennel. When we first walk outside, he's hyper, trying to gather up every scent in the air, wants to go in every direction. Ten minutes later, he's settled, still pulling but in just one direction, not zigzagging.

At first, I think he might one of those eager dogs who cannot be distracted when on scent but he pays attention as soon as I bring out the snacks. Well good, I think. So he can be trained with the right incentives. Well, I mean any dog can be trained with the right incentives. Someone just has to want to try.

Harvey gives me a smile and I take his picture. Looks like he wants to try. Just needs the other half to help him along.

The best way to check on the adoption status of this dog (and other dogs and cats and other small domestic animals) is to visit Toronto Animal Services adoption website or call 416 338 6668 for the Toronto Animal Services South shelter. If the dog is no longer on the TAS adoption website, it's probably because it's been adopted already.