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.This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, February 21st from 12-3pm unless adopted prior to the event. To be considered for adoption, please submit an application in advance at https://www.dpsrescue.com/adopt/dog-application/. Adoption fee: $650 Alf is a 1–2 year old Miniature Poodle-Shih Tzu mix weighing around 20 lbs, with a low-shedding (but not 100% non-shedding) coat and a huge, joyful personality. From the moment he arrived in foster care, Alf made it clear that he loves people and life itself. He greets the world like an old friend and brings a lot of humor, affection, and enthusiasm wherever he goes.   Alf thrives on a predictable daily routine. His day starts around 7:30am, when he comes out of his crate and heads straight to the backyard. He eats breakfast at 8am and then heads out for a walk. Depending on the day, that walk might be a quick neighborhood loop or a full-on adventure. Alf is equally happy with a short stroll or a six-mile hike. When he’s not outside with his people, he relaxes at home with access to a doggy door, happily moving between the house and yard. Dinner is at 7:30pm, and by 9pm he heads to his crate for the night, something he’s doing more and more voluntarily as he grows comfortable with it.   Personality-wise, Alf is an absolute goofball. He is friendly, outgoing, and confident with people, and showed zero shyness when meeting his foster family for the first time. He greeted everyone, an older resident dog, two kids, and adults, with openness and enthusiasm. Alf is affectionate and cuddly, loves kisses, and follows his people around with constant curiosity, eager to be part of whatever is happening. He enjoys playtime, especially tug-of-war, but he’s polite about it and won’t pester you to engage. You have to volunteer. He’s smart, learns quickly, and responds well to household rules. He’s energetic, inquisitive, and genuinely funny, with a personality that makes people smile without even trying. Alf can be a little sensitive at times, so it’s important his future family understands that. He may be vocal when he hears unfamiliar sounds like deliveries, squirrels, neighbor dogs, or anything that feels new or unexpected, but with calm redirection he settles fairly quickly. On leash, he can become overexcited or overwhelmed when he sees other animals, but he’s already made noticeable progress in a short amount of time and is very responsive to training. His behavior seems rooted in insecurity and uncertainty, not aggression, and with consistent guidance, reassurance, and positive reinforcement, Alf has excellent potential to continue gaining confidence.   In his foster home, Alf lives with a 12-year-old corgi mix and has had no conflicts at all. He learned quickly how to walk politely on a double leash, giving his canine companion space and adjusting his pace. Alf is also wonderful with children. He lives with a 9 and 4-year-old and handles their noise, movement, and excitement beautifully. He keeps a safe distance when needed but clearly wants to be included, and he tolerates petting, brushing, being picked up, and plenty of kid kisses with ease.   Alf is an energetic dog who is up for almost any activity whether it's walks, hikes, car rides, runs, or playtime. While he isn’t interested in balls, he loves tug-of-war and interactive engagement. When it’s time to settle, he’s happy to curl up in a lap during work time or while listening to bedtime stories.   He is housetrained and uses the doggy door well, though accidents can happen if access to the yard is closed. He initially found the crate frightening, but with patience and training, that has completely changed, and he now goes into his crate calmly at night with no issues. He shows his adaptability. Alf does not chew, dig, or destroy items, but he does bark occasionally at noises and passersby, which will benefit from continued training and confidence-building.   Alf’s ideal home is one where he is deeply loved and where his people are committed to helping him feel safe and secure in the world. He would do well with someone who has dog experience or is comfortable with training and behavior work. Whether with a single person or a family, with or without another dog, Alf will thrive with consistency, guidance, and affection.   What truly sets Alf apart is his heart. He may not be the flashiest dog at first glance, but he is incredibly charming, flexible, cheerful, and smart. He loves life intensely and wants nothing more than to share it with people who will love it alongside him. Alf is curious about everything, follows his humans everywhere, and happily sticks his nose into whatever is going on—because life is just too interesting to miss.February 15, 2026, 12:38 am

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, February 21st from 12-3pm unless adopted prior to the event. To be considered for adoption, please submit an application in advance at https://www.dpsrescue.com/adopt/dog-application/. Adoption fee: $700 Horseshoe and Wishbone are two of the “8 in a Crate,” 10–12 week old Poodle mix puppies who have been fostered together as they’ve begun learning that the world can be safe and kind. Though they have Poodle in their mix, as evidenced by their curly coats, they do shed. What truly defines them, however, is their sweetness, sensitivity, and enormous capacity for love.   While they have grown up side by side in foster and absolutely enjoy playing and napping together, they will be adopted separately. Each puppy must go to a home with a confident, friendly resident dog to help show them the ropes and continue building their confidence. Having a steady canine role model is essential for both of them.   Horseshoe is the natural leader. He tends to try new things first and is slightly more food-motivated (though both are light eaters overall). Wishbone is just a step behind but equally affectionate and eager to connect. They are both shy at first and can be easily startled, but their desire for love is unmistakable.   Neither puppy runs right up to greet you, but the moment you pick them up, everything softens. They melt into your arms. They lean into your chest. They look directly into your eyes and relax fully under gentle hands. They truly love being held and petted. They are especially comfortable with children— often preferring kids over tall adults, who can feel a little intimidating. With calm voices and slow movements, they blossom.   They are playful without being wild. They love to chew (very much in their teething phase) and enjoy tug-of-war and interactive toys. They romp happily, bark very little, and then settle in for long naps. They sleep through the night, eat free-choice, drink plenty of water, and are already doing quite well with potty training. Outdoors, they enjoy exploring and sniffing around, but they naturally circle back to stay close to their people.   Because of their early experiences, transitions may be hard at first. When they move to their forever homes, it is very likely they will feel overwhelmed and may seem timid again in those first days. They will need patient adopters who understand that trust takes time. Positive reinforcement is absolutely essential- they respond to gentleness, consistency, and love. When they feel safe, they attach deeply and become incredibly loyal companions.   What stands out most about both Horseshoe and Wishbone is how much they want to please. They are not aloof. They are not independent wanderers. They want to be near you. They want reassurance. They want connection. With a confident resident dog to guide them and a family committed to kindness and positive structure, each of these puppies will grow into a devoted, affectionate family member.   They may start out shy— but in the right home, with the right canine mentor, they will absolutely thrive.February 16, 2026, 5:04 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: $700 Charm is a 2–3 year old, 11.8-pound Poodle mix with the softest curls (that do shed), the sweetest eyes, and a heart that is blooming more every single day. He was one of the “8 in a Crate,” found dumped in a warehouse alongside seven other dogs. While his past may have been uncertain, his future is incredibly bright.   Charm starts his mornings between 6:00–7:00am and winds down for bed around 9:00–10:00pm. On remote workdays, he happily lounges around the apartment, usually stationed wherever his person is. If you move from the kitchen to the couch to the home office, he will quietly relocate too, often observing you from a nearby perch. He is the definition of a shadow dog— always wanting to be close, often politely requesting belly rubs. On office days, he rests in his pen until his foster returns home. He eats twice a day, morning and evening. In the beginning, he needed a little encouragement and even some hand feeding, but now he confidently eats at his own pace— especially when he sees his doggy foster sister Lyla enjoying her meal.   When Charm first arrived, walks were overwhelming. The outside world felt big and scary, and he would freeze at unfamiliar sights and sounds. Thanks to Lyla’s steady example and his foster’s patience, Charm has made remarkable progress. He now walks with growing confidence, especially when paired with his canine buddy. On weekends, when the weather is nice, he has proudly completed 2–4 mile walks. Watching him build momentum, freeze less, and even pick up a little jog— with his tail wagging instead of tucked— has been one of the most joyful milestones. He still pauses when people pass by and may need reassurance at doorways or in the elevator, but his improvement has been steady and inspiring. At home, he’s just as content to snuggle up on the couch or bed.   The transformation in Charm’s personality has been beautiful to witness. During his first few days, he was understandably nervous and unsure. Over time, he began taking cues from Lyla, watching her trust her human, ask for affection, and play freely. Slowly, Charm followed suit. Today, he is affectionate, devoted, and incredibly loving— on his terms. He prefers to approach you rather than be approached, and once he does, he melts into touch. He’ll place a paw on you, rest his head in your lap, or gently lean his body against yours. He loves belly rubs, face nuzzles, and will happily spoon on the couch. Earning his trust feels like being given a gift, and once you have it, he is deeply loyal.   Charm and Lyla have developed a sweet companionship. They walk side by side, share toys, and good-naturedly compete for affection. There’s no aggression— just two dogs happily asking for love. Lyla’s confidence has helped Charm blossom, and he would thrive in a home with another steady, friendly dog who can continue to show him the ropes. He has not directly interacted with children, though he has calmly passed strollers and kids on walks without reaction. Because he is still building confidence and prefers not to be approached quickly, an adult home or one with older, respectful children would be ideal.   Charm has adapted to a balance of activity and relaxation. He enjoys his walks and is building endurance, but he’s equally happy being a couch companion. He does not pull on leash and is improving steadily, though he may freeze occasionally when startled. Recently, he has shown some excitement around other dogs— doing a little hop and bark when close— so continued positive guidance will help him refine those manners.   Charm can be a little sneaky if small items are left within reach—socks and badges have been claimed before—but he relinquishes them easily. Puppy-proofing will set him up for success. He may cry initially when left alone, so a home prepared to continue building his comfort with alone time will help him feel secure.   His ideal home would include another friendly, confident dog and a calm, patient adopter who understands that trust is built, not rushed.   What truly sets Charm apart is the depth of his sweetness. Early on, he seemed unsure of what affection even meant. The first gentle kisses on his head appeared to confuse him. Now, he actively seeks out touch and connection. He wants to be close— always touching, always near. His little underbite, with one tiny tooth that sometimes peeks out, gives him a permanently endearing expression. He even enjoys staring at himself in the mirror, as if admiring how far he’s come.   One of the most special moments was during his longest city walk, when he froze less, picked up a gentle jog, wagged his tail freely, and kept looking up with what could only be described as a smile. It felt like watching him experience the simple joy of being a carefree dog for the first time.   Charm is not just looking for a home— he’s ready for a person to continue this beautiful journey with him. For someone willing to move at his pace and let him come forward in his own time, the reward is immeasurable. He is loving, devoted, and full of quiet resilience. Watching him grow is something truly special.February 23, 2026, 11:24 am