Enzo's Handbook

Enzo's Handbook: A Guide for His New Family

Welcome to Enzo’s World

This handbook is designed to help Enzo's new family get to know him in the most authentic, helpful way possible. It includes detailed insights about his routines, health, personality, preferences, and the little things that make him who he is. Whether you’ve owned Labradors before or are welcoming one into your life for the first time, this guide will make your transition smoother and help Enzo settle in with familiarity and trust.

About Enzo

Enzo is a 4-year-old, 100-pound male chocolate Labrador Retriever, born on February 23, 2021. He’s the kind of dog who wears his heart on his sleeve—he’s loyal, attentive, curious, and intelligent. He originally belonged to his owner’s father and came from a breeder in Ephrata, Washington. In July 2022, Enzo required knee surgery to correct a medial patella luxation (a condition where the kneecap dislocates). Because his original owner was recovering from heart surgery at the time, Enzo was cared for full-time by his current person, Sean. That time together created a deep bond between them, as Sean managed Enzo's recovery through crate time, cone-wearing, and 24/7 supervision.

When Sean’s father passed away in December 2024, Enzo became Sean’s full-time companion. However, due to family pet allergies and the cost of Enzo’s ongoing care, Sean made the difficult decision to rehome him. This isn’t about wanting to give Enzo up—it’s about giving him a better, more active life.

Daily Routine

Morning Routine: Enzo typically wakes up between 7 and 8 AM. However, he’s been known to lounge in bed later if you do. He’ll need at least one potty break in the early morning and may need several throughout the morning, depending on how active things are around him. He’s tuned into human routines, so expect him to track your every move in case something exciting is about to happen.

He loves his morning outing, typically 15–30 minutes at the park. This is when he gets to roam, sniff, and mark territory—a favorite Labrador pastime. While this has been his usual, it’s worth noting that Enzo would benefit from more outdoor time. Ideally, two hours of activity per day would help him meet his breed’s physical and mental stimulation needs.

Workday Habits: Since July 2022, Enzo has accompanied Sean to work every day. While he does nap on and off, he isn’t one to sleep all day. He frequently comes over for potty breaks, attention, or simply out of boredom. If he's awake, he wants a job—or at least something to do. He’s often right underfoot or staring intently at his person, waiting for the next thing. Though he enjoys being with you, he likely would prefer more active engagement or outdoor enrichment than an office day can always offer.

Afternoon and Evening: If the day allows, Enzo goes out again in the afternoon. If not, an evening walk or park visit is usually offered in its place. That said, this doesn’t happen every single day. Sean has done his best to provide two outings daily, but time and energy constraints mean Enzo doesn’t always get the full two hours of recommended exercise. Whoever adopts him should be prepared to offer him more consistent physical and mental activity.

Nighttime Routine: After dinner and a few final potty breaks, Enzo finds a place to wind down. He’ll often settle in on his bed, your bed, or any bed that’s available. He typically falls asleep between 6 and 8 PM and sleeps through the night. He may need a potty break or two during the night but handles them calmly. If anything interesting is happening in the house during the evening, Enzo will want to be part of it—he has a bad case of FOMO (fear of missing out) and wants to be in the center of everything.

Living Environment

Enzo is an indoor dog who sleeps inside—not kenneled, not crated, unless absolutely necessary. He has been crate-trained and tolerates it, but he prefers to be out and about, lounging freely. He typically sleeps on his own dog bed, the human bed, or even on the carpet. At work, he finds sunny patches or lays beneath desks to stay close.

He is allowed on furniture and generally respects household boundaries, though he may occasionally make a mistake. He doesn’t chew on furniture, shoes, or other inappropriate items and hasn’t for years.

While he does fine alone for a few hours (up to 3–5 in the evenings), he has not been left alone for full workdays and may bark or feel unsettled if left too long. He typically barks for a reason—excitement, needing to go potty, or in response to triggers like seeing someone grab a coat or keys.

Enzo has been monitored via security camera, and on rare occasions, his owner has spoken to him through an Alexa or Echo device to let him know someone’s on the way home. That said, he finds voices over speakers confusing and it's only used when urgently needed.

Health Overview

Medical History:

• Knee Surgery: July 2022 – Medial patella luxation (recovered fully)
• Arthritis: Diagnosed early; currently well managed
• Dental Work:
  • Upper fourth premolar (208) and Upper right canine (104) extracted due to damage from chewing antlers
• Skin Allergies: Treated with daily Apoquel (1.5 pills)
• Preventative Medication: Monthly Simparica Trio for fleas, ticks, and heartworm

Conditions:

• Skin Allergies: Confirmed contact-based (not food-related)

Medications:

• Apoquel (1.5 tablets daily) – For skin allergies
• Simparica Trio (monthly) – Flea, tick, heartworm, and worm prevention
• Glucosamine Chondroitin (1 tablet, twice daily) – For joint support

Neutering: Enzo is not yet neutered but has an appointment scheduled for May 7, 2025. If he is adopted before then, the cost of neutering will be covered by his previous owner's father's estate, provided the decision is made before the estate is closed.

Because of his predisposition to orthopedic issues and confirmed allergies, Enzo should not be bred.

Training & Commands

Enzo was trained using the Sit Means Sit method and responds well to both verbal and hand signals. He’s also been trained off-leash and wears an e-collar in high-distraction areas, especially at the park. While the e-collar is used, the goal is for his new owner to continue training and reduce reliance on it over time.

He knows a wide range of commands:

• Basic obedience: Sit, Stay, Down, Up, Come, Off, Wait, Heel, Side
• Movement commands: Back, Place, Front, Spin (left), Twirl (right)
• Correction commands: Uh uh, Nope, Leave it, Shush
• Everyday phrases: Just a minute, Water, This way, Okay, Free, Break
• Gesture cues: Follows directional hand waves and points

He’s highly treat-motivated, which makes training easier—but expect some drool if the treat is delayed!

He would benefit from a minimum of 15 minutes of daily training to reinforce good behavior, strengthen his bond with you, and give him mental stimulation.

Behavior, Socialization & Quirks

Enzo is generally calm, endearing, and curious. He loves being near his person but doesn’t need constant attention. He’s not super cuddly, but he’ll happily lie near you. If you sit next to him for too long, though, he might quietly get up and relocate.

He interacts well with other dogs, though his play style is energetic and sometimes rough. He enjoys provoking chase games and roughhousing but has occasionally had scuffles with dogs who weren’t a good match. He’s been around kids and is great with them. With cats, it’s a mixed bag—he’ll usually chase, but he has peacefully coexisted with one before.

Some quirks include:

• He will jump 1–3 feet in the air when excited (especially for walks)
• He responds to pre-walk cues like lotion, coats, or shoes
• He gets zoomies if you lunge toward him, often escalating into him chasing you or trying to grab your clothes
• He drools heavily when waiting for a treat
• He has a habit of dripping water after drinking

Sound Sensitivity & Environment

Enzo has severe fear of fireworks. Desensitizing him has been tough. The most effective approach is wrapping his ears and playing spa music through headphones to calm him. On those nights, minimizing food and water intake can reduce potty needs, since going outside is often traumatic for him during loud booms.

He has no adverse reactions to sirens and his reaction to thunderstorms is unknown.

Final Notes

Enzo is a lovable, smart, and faithful companion. He’s used to being included in daily life—not crated all day or left in a backyard. While he’s not high-maintenance in the traditional sense, he does need a structured routine, consistent mental and physical stimulation, and companionship.

If you understand Labs, enjoy an active lifestyle, and want a dog that will follow you loyally (sometimes literally underfoot), Enzo may just be your perfect match. Thank you for considering giving him the life he deserves.