Size
(when grown) Small 25 lbs (11 kg) or less
Details
Good with kids,
Good with dogs,
Spayed or Neutered,
Shots are up-to-date,
Story
* To be considered for a meet/adoption, please read the full biography to see whether they may be a good fit for your home, then submit an online application at www.dpsrescue.org.* This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, July 11th from 12-3 PM unless adopted prior to the event. All DPS Rescue dogs are spayed/neutered, vaccinated, dewormed, flea/tick treated, and microchipped prior to adoption. Adoption fee: $650 Praline: Built for zoomies, snacks, and snuggles! 5–6 Months Old Pug Mix 19.6 lbs Praline is a joyful, friendly, and deeply affectionate young dog with a huge personality and even bigger zest for life. From the moment she arrived, she has been social, confident, and eager to connect with people and other dogs. At first, she was very much a “velcro dog,” wanting to follow her person everywhere and stay close at all times. As she has settled in, she has gained confidence and now also enjoys independent downtime, often choosing to nap in another room once she feels comfortable. She is incredibly curious about everything and everyone. On walks, she regularly stops to wag her tail at passersby, fully expecting— and often receiving— pets and attention. If she recognizes someone she’s met before, she may even whine a little in excitement until she gets her greeting, as if to say, 'Hi friend! I love you!' She is affectionate and social, but not overly clingy once she’s settled. She enjoys being near her people, but also knows how to relax on her own. Daily Routine Praline starts her day bright and early around 6:00 a.m. with a quick potty break, followed by breakfast around 7:00 a.m. She enjoys a solid play session for about 45 minutes afterward, then settles in for a long morning nap that can last until late morning or even noon. Her afternoons are a nice balance of activity and rest. She typically goes out for a 30–40 minute walk mid-day, followed by a small snack. After more play and nap time, she eats lunch around 2:00 p.m. She enjoys another walk in the late afternoon (around 4:00–6:00 p.m.), dinner at 7:00 p.m., and a final potty break around 10:30 p.m. Praline is highly food motivated, so meals are scatter-fed to slow her down and turn eating into a fun enrichment game she genuinely loves. Social Behavior (Dogs, Cats, Kids) Praline is very social with other dogs and generally plays well, especially with dogs that match her energy. Some older or lower-energy dogs may find her enthusiasm a bit much after a while, but her play style is typically gentle and engaging, and she is often invited back into play again and again. She has shown curiosity and playfulness toward cats, though her exposure has been limited. She is friendly with children of various ages, including toddlers and older kids. She is affectionate and often gives gentle licks, but she does get excited and may jump or nibble when overstimulated, as is typical of a puppy her age, so she does best with supervision around small children. Energy Level & Play Style Praline loves fetch, loves being outside, and absolutely loves engaging with people and other dogs. She can run, play, and explore for long stretches, and still come home ready for more interaction. That said, she is still a puppy and can become overstimulated. When she reaches that point, she responds very well to redirection. A treat tossed into her crate is often all it takes; she willingly settles in and falls asleep quickly for a solid rest. Leash Skills, Drive & Travel Praline walks well on leash and also enjoys running alongside her person. She is still learning not to criss-cross in front when running, but overall handles leash work well. She does not bark at other dogs, even when they bark at her, which is notable given her age and energy level. She loves chasing lizards, followed by birds and squirrels. She is an excellent car passenger and happily hops in for rides and adventures. House & Crate Training Praline is house trained, though she may have occasional accidents if she drinks a lot of water and wakes from a deep nap. With consistent outings every 3–4 hours, she does very well. She is also crate trained. She sleeps in her crate through the night and will often choose to nap there during the day. The crate is an effective tool for helping her settle when she becomes overstimulated. She does not yet respond to the word 'crate', but happily goes in for a treat. Training & Intelligence Praline is extremely smart and highly food motivated, which makes her very trainable. She quickly mastered an intermediate-level puzzle toy in just a few minutes and is already working on more advanced enrichment games. She has learned “sit” and “down” quickly, though she sometimes mixes them up as she continues to learn. She is currently working on “stay.” She loves using her brain and thrives when given tasks, puzzles, or training sessions. Ideal Home Praline would do best in an active home that can match her energy and provide consistent structure, exercise, and enrichment. A home with another young, playful dog would be ideal, or an active family with older children who can participate in her energy and play needs. She is best suited for someone who enjoys an engaged, interactive dog who wants to be part of everything. Favorite Things Praline’s foster home is full of favorite moments— watching her excitement when she sees her “regulars” for pets, her joy during fetch sessions, her dedication to food puzzles, and her comedic habit of collecting questionable treasures on walks. She is equally lovable when she is zooming around outside or curled up for a peaceful nap. She brings a constant mix of chaos, intelligence, and affection that makes every day with her memorable. July 11, 2026, 12:52 am
