Casentino

Large mixed breed · Location not listed

My foster writes: Casentino, Tino as we call him, is the perfect dog for NYC apartment life; he is super chill 99% of the time, perfectly happy napping at your feet while you work or cuddling up on the couch, but also enjoys walks through the park and the opportunity to people-watch sitting on a bench. He has some stranger anxiety, especially when people enter our apartment, but we are working on getting him more comfortable with new people, and he has made many strides already. He is absolutely adorable, even if a bit slobbery, and has been a dream in the home overall, never having accidents and showing no destructive behaviors. While Tino has his quirks, he has proven to be an absolute sweetheart, and with continued training and plenty of TLC, I have no doubt he would be a lovely addition to nearly any family!

Meet Casentino!

Casentino is the longest stay dog at Queens ACC and a truly special boy who has already come so far. He was found as a stray and arrived very overwhelmed and stressed, but with time, care, and consistency he has slowly started to show his brighter personality. His adoption fee has been sponsored, and he is more than ready for a patient home to help him continue his journey. Bushwick Bark has generously donated a goodie bag of treats and toys to get him started in his new home! Come to Queens to meet him and help him explore his gifts!

Personality

Casentino is a thoughtful, sensitive dog who does best when given time and space to feel comfortable. In the past, he struggled with stress and found it hard to focus, but now he is showing steady progress and a growing sense of confidence. He is beginning to reveal a more relaxed, affectionate side, especially with people he trusts.

When he feels safe, Casentino enjoys gentle attention and even gets wiggly with soft voices and familiar people. He knows "sit," enjoys treats, and is starting to show interest in toys, which is a big milestone for him. He still prefers affection on his own terms, but with patience he continues to open up more and more.

Out and About

Casentino walks better and more calmly than when he first arrived. He is able to stay engaged with his handler. He does not focus on other dogs on walks and generally moves through the environment without fixation, especially when supported with structure and reassurance.

He is also part of the Shelter Scholars program, where he is actively working on staying focused during walks and building confidence around distractions using positive reinforcement. He is making big progress!

Social Behavior

Casentino is learning to trust and relax in new environments. In his kennel, he now shows a soft, wiggly greeting style, often stretching and approaching with a loose body and wagging tail. br />

Home Life

Casentino will thrive in an adult only home that can offer patience, structure, and time to continue building his confidence. He has made incredible progress in a shelter environment, and there is strong potential for him to blossom even more once he is in a stable home setting.

Things to Know

Casentino is housebroken, enjoys quiet rest periods, and is continuing to grow in comfort with handling and daily routines. A volunteer describes how he has gone from highly stressed to much more settled, now able to relax, enjoy treats, and engage in simple enrichment. He will benefit greatly from continued positive reinforcement training and a patient adopter who understands sensitive dogs.

Fun Fact

Casentino is a perfect example of a dog who just needs time to shine. From a stressed stray to a pup who now stretches, wags, and leans into gentle affection, he's quietly writing his own comeback story and is ready for someone to help him finish it. 🐾

My foster writes: Don't let his appearance fool you, this guy is a sweetheart. When he isn't curled up on his bed, he loves a good game of tug of war or rolling around on his back getting pets. Casentino has been the best foster dog. He is perfectly house trained, doesn't beg for food, and has no destructive behaviors. He does get a little over excited sometimes around new people or other animals, but is very food motivated and will do great with a little patience and TLC.

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