Cockapoo puppies and dogs in Palo Alto, California

All of our dogs are spayed/neutered, shots current (DHPP, Bordetella and Rabies where applicable), dewormed, flea and tick treated, and microchipped.  * If you are interested in a dog, please first read the biography on the dog (keep scrolling down for the bio!) and then go to our website, www.dpsrescue.com for an application. Our adoption fees vary. Each biography will specifically list the adoption fee.Adoption fee: $750 Meet Gumdrop — a petite 4–5 month old Terri-poo weighing about 7–8 pounds, with a tender heart and a quietly endearing personality.   Gumdrop’s story begins in the shelter, where she was found plastered to the back of her kennel, shaking with fear. Fast forward to today, and while she is still a shy and sensitive girl, she has made incredible progress. With patience, consistency, and gentle reassurance, Gumdrop has truly begun to blossom. She has already shown just how much love she has to give once she feels safe.   Daily Routine   Gumdrop wakes up around 7:00–7:30 am in her crate. While she isn’t thrilled about crate time and may protest briefly, she always settles and does very well overnight. First thing in the morning she goes outside to do her business and does an excellent job using her designated potty area. She has had no overnight or indoor accidents.   Breakfast is around 8:00 am, followed by some relaxed roaming time. Gumdrop’s favorite spot is the couch, where she happily settles onto her fluffy pillow, chew stick in paw, soaking up quiet companionship. She loves cuddles, gentle pets, and simply being near her people. She often naps there until late morning, when she goes out again for another potty break.   If the weather cooperates, she enjoys roaming the backyard alongside the resident dogs, sniffing and exploring at her own pace. Lunch is around 2:00 pm, after which she happily returns to her fluffy pillow on the couch. While she will occasionally hop down to explore, she strongly prefers being on the couch as long as someone is nearby.   Gumdrop hangs out with the family throughout the afternoon and evening and is taken outside every 3–4 hours, which has helped her maintain her excellent potty habits. Dinner is around 7:00 pm, followed by some relaxed indoor roaming before—once again—answering the call of her beloved fluffy pillow. Bedtime is around 10:00 pm, when she goes into her crate and settles for the night.   Personality   Gumdrop is a gentle, sensitive soul. She was extremely shy when she first arrived and still takes time to warm up, but her desire for affection is unmistakable. She wants to trust—her tail wags, she watches you closely, and she lingers nearby—but sudden movements can make her retreat. With slow movements and soft encouragement, she will eventually settle so you can pick her up. Once she’s in your arms, she melts completely and is visibly happy.   When she feels comfortable, Gumdrop loves cuddling, being petted, and giving sweet kisses. She is always aware of where her people and dog friends are, keeping a quiet eye on everyone. She is not aggressive toward people or dogs and shows gentle manners overall. Her only true nemesis appears to be squirrels, which inspire some barking and growling driven more by nervous excitement than aggression.   Other Dogs & Social Life   Gumdrop currently lives with two large dogs (40 and 80 pounds) and does wonderfully with them. She especially enjoys playing with and cuddling her golden doodle foster sibling. When she first arrived, she did briefly growl at the resident dogs, but that phase passed within 24 hours. She also previously loved playing with a puppy foster sibling who has since been adopted, showing she can enjoy canine companionship of many sizes.   She has not yet been leash-walked due to vaccination status, but she has gone on “walks” in a sling alongside the larger dogs. She clearly prefers being included and close to her canine friends. She may bark or growl when seeing other dogs or squirrels while out, but this appears to be nervous energy rather than aggression.   Playfulness & Energy Level   Gumdrop is friendly and playful, but she is not a high-energy puppy. She enjoys roaming, sniffing, and doing short bursts of running in the yard, but her true happiness lies in lounging on the couch, perched on her fluffy pillow, patiently waiting for pets and affection. Her lower energy level makes her a wonderful companion for a calm household.   Training & Manners   Housetraining: Excellent when taken outside regularly; no pee pads (she considers those toys).   Crate training: Reluctant but successful; settles after a short protest.   Chewing: Minimal and appropriate—she prefers chew toys.   Teething: Very gentle; she licks rather than nips.   Barking: Mostly at squirrels, dogs, or when other dogs bark.   Visitors: Calm and quiet when people enter the home or walk by.   Digging: None observed.   Ideal Home   Gumdrop would thrive in a calm, adult-focused home where her sensitive nature is respected. Older teens would likely be fine, but younger children—with their quick movements and louder energy—may be overwhelming for her. A home with another gentle dog would be a bonus, though she may need a short adjustment period. She does best with patience, routine, and understanding as she continues to build confidence.   A Favorite Moment   One evening, Gumdrop was relaxing on her fluffy pillow watching TV when a dog appeared on the screen. She immediately growled and barked at the “TV dog,” stopping as soon as it disappeared—then continuing to stare at the screen just in case it returned. Equal parts serious and hilarious, it perfectly captured her cautious but curious nature.   Final Thoughts   Gumdrop is an incredibly sweet, affectionate little dog who simply needs time to feel safe. She has already come so far in just two weeks and clearly wants connection and love—she just needs someone willing to move at her pace. With patience and consistency, she will reward her future family with deep loyalty, gentle affection, and lots of cozy couch cuddles.December 22, 2025, 4:26 pm

All of our dogs are spayed/neutered, shots current (DHPP, Bordetella and Rabies where applicable), dewormed, flea and tick treated, and microchipped.  * If you are interested in a dog, please first read the biography on the dog (keep scrolling down for the bio!) and then go to our website, www.dpsrescue.com for an application. Our adoption fees vary. Each biography will specifically list the adoption fee.Adoption fee: $750 Meet Mr. Darcy — a 3 year old, 22-lb Poodle mix with movie-star good looks, a brilliant brain, and a heart that beats for closeness. Mr. Darcy came to DPS from the shelter alongside his buddy (possibly girlfriend!) Lady Elizabeth, and he has settled into foster life showing exactly why everyone falls for him so quickly.   Daily Life & Routine Mr. Darcy thrives on a predictable, cozy routine. His mornings begin around 8:00 am with a 10-minute potty break in the backyard, followed by breakfast. Around noon, he enjoys a 20-minute backyard play session filled with sniffing, exploring, and the occasional zoomie. The afternoon is mostly for napping or quietly observing the world from his enclosure gate— interrupted by several short snuggle breaks with his foster. He heads out for another potty break around 4:00 pm, eats dinner at 6:00 pm, and then enjoys a 20–30 minute walk or backyard play session. Evenings from 7:00–10:00 pm are spent happily relaxing in his enclosure while frequently popping out for affection and company, followed by a final potty break at 10:00 pm.   On his first night, Mr. Darcy struggled when left alone and vocalized quite a bit. With the help of some bedtime meds, he now sleeps quietly through the night.   Personality & Temperament Mr. Darcy is exceptionally smart, affectionate, and playful— and a true Velcro dog at heart. His greatest joy is being close to his people and soaking up affection. He learned how to use a doggy screen door and ramp to the backyard almost immediately (a first for his foster!), knows “sit,” and is highly treat-motivated, making him a joy to train. When someone enters his enclosure, he immediately trots over for pets, rolls onto his back, and happily requests belly rubs.   He is absolutely a cuddler and snuggler, preferring calm, gentle affection—especially with new people. He communicates clearly and appropriately if something makes him uncomfortable, such as overly rough play, which shows his good boundaries and emotional awareness.   Mr. Darcy does experience a bit of separation anxiety when left alone, barking and whining, but will definitely make progress with some alone-time training. With people nearby, however, he settles beautifully and can quietly relax for hours.   Social Skills Mr. Darcy is friendly and thoughtful with other dogs. He lives with a medium-sized reactive resident dog and consistently approaches her with a wagging tail while giving her respectful space. He attempts polite play invitations with play bows and gentle body language and seems to read canine cues very well. On walks, he is non-reactive to other dogs and children. He has not been tested with cats.   Energy Level & Play Style He is a medium-energy dog— happy to go on walks or even a longer outing, but just as content relaxing nearby. He doesn’t show much interest in most toys yet, possibly because he’s still learning how to play. He does enjoy his lambie on occasion and especially likes puzzle-style enrichment, such as digging treats out of a soft treat ball. He would likely enjoy having another friendly dog in the home, though it’s not required.   Leash & Manners Mr. Darcy has been out on walks and does pull a bit on leash, but he responds very well to gentle correction and is clearly eager to learn. He does not chase squirrels and does not bark at other dogs.   Housetraining & Home Habits Mr. Darcy appears mostly to completely house-trained. He has occasionally peed on potty pads. He uses a doggy door confidently. While he isn’t crated in foster care, he does well in an enclosure area when people are home and does not chew or destroy household items. He does not dig, bark at passersby, or vocalize unnecessarily.   Ideal Home Mr. Darcy would thrive in a home where companionship is part of daily life and his people enjoy having a devoted, affectionate dog close by. He would benefit from consistent routines, positive-reinforcement training, daily walks, and mental enrichment. He could do well in an apartment or house and would likely love having a friendly canine companion, though he would also be happy as the center of someone’s world. His future family should be patient and committed to helping him feel secure as he continues building confidence.   Why Mr. Darcy Is Special Mr. Darcy is the full package: incredibly smart, deeply affectionate, calm yet playful, and wonderfully polite. He takes treats gently, isn’t mouthy or jumpy, and has just the right amount of energy for both adventures and couch time. He’s non-shedding, travel-friendly, and beautifully attuned to his people.   A Favorite Quirk One of his foster’s favorite things is how Mr. Darcy sneaks his nose under your hand to demand affection. Even cuter? When you try to leave his area, he’ll dart in front of you and dramatically flop onto his back, belly up, ensuring you simply must stay a little longer and give him more love.   Mr. Darcy is ready to charm his way into a forever home—preferably one with open hands, a soft couch, and plenty of time for snuggles.December 21, 2025, 9:53 pm

All of our dogs are spayed/neutered, shots current (DHPP, Bordetella and Rabies where applicable), dewormed, flea and tick treated, and microchipped.  * If you are interested in a dog, please first read the biography on the dog (keep scrolling down for the bio!) and then go to our website, www.dpsrescue.com for an application. Our adoption fees vary. Each biography will specifically list the adoption fee.This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, December 13th from 12-3pm unless adopted prior to the event. To be considered for adoption, pls submit an application in advance.   Adoption fee: $700 Meet Bob Marley!   When Bob Marley, a 5 year old, 11 lb Poodle mix, arrived at the shelter, he was buried under severe mats and dreadlocks— so caked with urine, feces, and filth that the dog underneath was barely visible. Every tug of his coat caused him pain. Volunteers removed what they safely could, and at his professional grooming appointment, Bob had to be shaved all the way down. Now, beneath all that, a sweet, expressive Poodle mix has emerged— clean, comfortable, and ready to start fresh. His beautiful, fluffy coat will grow back, but Bob’s gentle heart is already on full display.   A Day in the Life   Bob wakes up between 7–9am, then heads into the backyard for a potty break and some morning playtime— anywhere from 30 minutes to a full hour. Breakfast follows: one cup of kibble topped with a jerky treat.   On workdays, Bob accompanies his foster to the doggy salon. He enjoys calmly roaming around, taking in the activity, and sometimes interacting with other dogs. He also gets a short crate break to relax.   On days off, the routine is the same, with added walks or zoomies around the house. His second meal is between 6–8pm.   Personality & Progress   In his first few days, Bob was anxious— pacing, struggling to settle. But as he began to feel safe, his tension slowly melted away. Now he can nap on his own, sleep through the night without whining, and relax comfortably even when his foster steps away.   Bob is a loving, affectionate, people-centered dog. He adores cuddles, thrives on attention, and is happiest when he’s near someone. He’s a classic velcro companion, following his person from room to room— but at bedtime, if he feels he’s gotten enough love for the day, he’ll put himself to bed without fuss. He’s tender, expressive, and truly just wants to belong.   Energy Level & Play Style   Bob has a spirited, lively personality. He enjoys activity, backyard time, and being included. He’s playful, bright, alert, and always ready for interaction. But he also knows how to settle and relax. He’s not a hyper dog—just an enthusiastic one with a happy tail and a big heart.   Leash Skills   Bob has gone on walks and does well overall—he doesn’t pull, doesn’t bark at other dogs, and isn’t distracted by squirrels. However, he may chew on his leash when he gets excited. With routine and consistency, this should improve easily.     Why Adopt Bob Marley?   Because he’s special.   Bob is joyful, loving, enthusiastic, and incredibly endearing. He has the biggest heart and a bright, expressive spirit. After surviving neglect, he hasn’t lost his faith in people—he still offers unconditional love, trust, and sweetness.   He’s the kind of dog who lights up a room with his wagging tail, who wants to be part of everything you do, and who will reward your love with limitless devotion.   Foster Favorite   Bob’s foster says her favorite thing is his unbelievable ability to spread joy. Whether it’s his happy tail, his energy, or just the pure love he radiates, Bob makes every day better. His presence alone can lift a mood—and he’s always ready to cuddle close and let you know he adores you.December 12, 2025, 3:44 am