Charlie made it into a foster home. This is one of those bittersweet moments of dog training.

Charlie came in as a raw dog. He mouthed uncontrollably and nearly went on a bite hold after lunging at a staff member’s stomach.

For me, our introduction was some mouthing in his kennel followed by him breaking out under my legs and fence fighting with other dogs in the shelter before me and staff could get a slip leash around his neck.

That all seems like ancient history now. Charlie turned into an A+ student.

First known for the talent of thunking his head against any door frame he came across, Charlie quickly acquired commands and calmed down.

At one point, I tried to convince the shelter to rename him “Charlie Will Hunting” (after the movie “Good Will Hunting”) for his surprising and unsuspecting smarts.

Charlie is going to be so happy and comfy in a foster home until he finds his forever family. He’ll become an even better canine citizen.

On Tuesday, a staff member tipped me off that he was going to foster. I’ve never had a heads up that a dog I was training was about to leave the shelter for foster. As I trained him that evening, I couldn’t help knowing that our time was limited and each thing we did together might be our last. I didn’t want to leave; I wanted to stretch our time as much as I could.

I put Charlie in his kennel and said goodbye. He looked back with his goofy grin and dangling tongue. I washed my hands and then snuck one last look at him on my way out making sure he wouldn’t notice me.

Goodbye Charlie Brown! I’ll miss you! Great job buddy!