Meet Leo Leo is a 2-year-old Treeing Walker Coonhound who has already been through more than any dog should. Originally from Oswego, New York, Leo was raised as a hunting dog. When his owner shot a raccoon out of a tree and Leo approached it, the raccoon fought back and Leo became frightened. Because he did not perform the way his owner expected, the owner planned to shoot him. Leo was rehomed in September 2025. Having spent his life outside as a hunting dog, he had never learned how to live inside a house. Unsurprisingly, he struggled with house manners and had accidents indoors while adjusting to a completely unfamiliar environment. We have also been told by family members that he was mistreated during this time. Leo developed some resource guarding behaviors as well, likely because he had never truly had anything of his own before. Leo is now safe with us and currently in a professional board-and-train program with respected trainer Josh Moran of BFK-9 / Barefoot Dog Trainer. He is doing extremely well and making impressive progress every day. Leo is a very smart dog who wants to learn and please the people around him. He enjoys other dogs and has been responding very well to structure, training, and consistency. His resource guarding behaviors are very manageable, and we strongly believe much of what happened previously was the result of a lack of guidance and understanding. Leo can live with other dogs and does well with them. He can also be around children, but they must be respectful of his boundaries and space while he continues building confidence and trust. After Leo graduates from board & train, it is very important that his new family helps him with his journey. His future family will receive guidance and lessons from his trainer so they know exactly how to continue the work he has already started. Leo has survived situations that could have ended his life. Now he deserves the chance to move forward into a future filled with patience, understanding, and care. With the right home willing to continue his training and support his progress, Leo has every opportunity to become an incredible companion.