Italian Greyhound puppies and dogs in Hayward, 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: $700 Meet the Seed Puppies: Poppy, Chia, and Sesame — a delightful trio of 3–4 month old Italian Greyhound mix puppies, each currently weighing about 3–4 pounds. These tiny pups each bring their own distinct personality to the group, making them an especially charming and well-balanced bunch.   The Seed Puppies are easygoing, happy little dogs with a predictable and puppy-perfect routine. They typically wake up around 7:00 AM, immediately ready for breakfast and whatever fun the day has in store. After eating, it’s straight into play mode, complete with zoomies, wrestling matches, and enthusiastic exploration of the yard. They’re a curious pack and like to thoroughly inspect every inch of their environment before tiring themselves out. These puppies truly play hard and then crash hard, settling in for a couple of hours of napping before waking up ready for lunchtime and another round of fun.   In the afternoons, their personalities really shine. Chia and Sesame love stretching out in the sunshine, soaking up warmth and watching the world go by, while Poppy prefers indoor comforts, choosing a cozy couch or a welcoming lap. After dinner, the trio gears up for one last burst of energy, racing around the living room before winding down and seeking out a snug spot for the night. All three puppies are crate trained and happily sleep in their own cozy spaces, making bedtime an easy and peaceful part of their day.   Though they share a sweet and social nature, each of the Seed Puppies has a unique temperament.   Poppy is the gentle soul of the group. Her favorite place is in a person’s lap, where she’ll happily stay as long as neck scratches are provided. She is incredibly affectionate, quick to respond when called, and often opts out of rambunctious play to seek out human companionship instead.   Chia is the adventurer. He is fearless, endlessly curious, and always on the move. New environments excite him, and he’s often the first to investigate something unfamiliar. While the others hesitate, Chia charges ahead, confidently exploring and then returning when called. Once he's finished exploring, he settles down nicely for some cuddle time!   Sesame is the resident lovebug. She greets the world with a constantly wagging tail and an abundance of kisses. She’s expressive, joyful, and seems to communicate entirely through her ears and body language. Sesame loves playful tumbles just as much as she loves curling up for a nap in someone’s lap if the opportunity arises.   The Seed Puppies have been wonderfully socialized in their foster home and have done well living alongside a variety of companions. They coexist peacefully with a small dog, a medium-sized cat, a tiny hamster, and two teenagers. They’ve learned to respect the cat’s boundaries, happily engage the dog in group zoomies, and absolutely adore the teenagers, especially when they’re willing to roll around on the floor and play. Their friendly, adaptable nature makes them a joy to have in a busy household.   Energy-wise, these puppies strike a lovely balance. They are playful and energetic during their active periods, but once playtime is over, they transform into serious couch potatoes. They’ve even claimed the softest blanket in the house as their own, creating a cozy nest where they can all pile together to rest.   Due to their small size, they are not yet going on leash walks. They are doing well with pee pad use and are beginning to learn to potty outside, though continued housetraining will be needed. They enjoy chew toys and benefit from having appropriate outlets for their energy, but they have not been destructive in the home. They are also not big barkers; aside from some light whining in the mornings when they’re ready to start the day, they are generally quiet.   What truly sets the Seed Puppies apart is their wonderful demeanor. They are fun-loving, affectionate, and get along beautifully with everyone they meet. They bring joy, laughter, and warmth wherever they go. One particularly memorable moment involved the trio disappearing entirely, only to be discovered proudly hiding together in a closet, clearly pleased with their successful game. It perfectly sums them up: sweet, clever, and happiest when they’re together.February 8, 2026, 1:36 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, 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   Meet Poppy!   3-4 months old * Italian Greyhound mix * 3-4 lbs   Poppy is a gentle, affectionate puppy with a brave heart hidden in a tiny package. She's the ultimate lap dog who loves human companionship and has an adorable spunky side that shines through once she feels comfortable. Whether she's curling up for cuddles or playfully 'wrestling' with her canine foster friends, this sweet girl knows how to win hearts!   Daily routine Poppy starts her day around 8:00 AM with a trip to the backyard, followed by breakfast in her pen in the living room. After eating, she's ready for zoomies and playtime before settling into her pen for a nap. She has kibble accessible throughout the day and typically eats around noon and 6:00 PM. She follows this play-nap pattern throughout the day, with plenty of cozy couch time mixed in when her people are available. By 11:00 PM, she's happily tucked into her crate for the night, where she sleeps soundly.   When her family is home, Poppy rotates between supervised playtime around the house and quiet time in her pen. Her favorite spot? A welcoming human lap, where she'll curl up with a blanket and nap as long as you'll let her. She also has her own little bed where she contentedly snoozes when laps aren't available.   Personality and Play Poppy is playful and curious—very much a puppy! But she's also a serious cuddler who loves couch time, especially when she's sleepy. She has an infectious energy that gets even older, more reserved dogs engaged in chase games with her.   She's gentle-natured and prefers to be the one to initiate contact. If you sit on the floor, she'll crawl right into your lap, but she's a bit hesitant if someone scoops her up without warning. Once she knows you, though, she's all in for snuggles and affection.   Despite her tiny size, Poppy is cautiously brave. When she first met a large Anatolian Shepherd, she was understandably nervous but took cues from her foster sisters and cautiously approached to say hello. She's done well at puppy socialization groups and soccer games where many people have held and petted her. In busy, crowded settings with lots of new people, she's more reserved at first, but she warms up beautifully once she settles in.   Poppy is absolutely hilarious with her toys and treasures. She'll climb right into the toy box to select exactly what she wants, dragging it back to her pen. By day's end, her pen is filled with her collection! She also loves finding sticks in the yard and hiding them under the coffee table—her foster family once discovered three sticks carefully stashed there after an afternoon outside.   Training and Habits Poppy is making great progress with housetraining. She does well going outside and is increasingly consistent with using pee pads indoors, though she still has occasional accidents. She's recently been cleared for walks and has been on a few short ones. She was a little hesitant at first but took cues from her foster sisters and is starting to enjoy it. As a young puppy, she'll need continued practice and training with leash walking and hasn't yet built up the confidence to walk without her canine companions.   She's crate-trained and happily sleeps through the night in her crate. She chews on toys and sticks but hasn't shown interest in furniture. She's in the teething stage, so her people do keep an eye on her to make sure she's not tearing bits off toys. She's generally quiet—not a big barker—though she sometimes lets out excited little shrieks or howls when her family comes home or when she's left alone for longer periods.   With other dogs & people Poppy absolutely thrives with other dogs. She warmed up to her foster dogs immediately and they clearly hold her attention and affection. She engages them in playful wrestling and chase as much as they'll allow, and she learns the 'big dog ropes' from watching them. When she first arrived after being separated from her littermates, her foster dogs were definitely her anchor and source of comfort.   She has a funny habit of copying her foster sisters—when they hop into their crate at mealtimes or bedtime to get a treat, Poppy marches right in with them like 'that's what we do!' Poppy has met a few children and was comfortable with their gentle petting. She has not yet been around cats.   Why you'll love her Poppy is a funny, spunky little puppy who wins over everyone she meets, dogs and people alike. She may be shy at first in new situations, but she definitely isn't shy once she comes out of her shell. She's this tiny dog who really wants to be a big girl, and watching her navigate the world with cautious bravery is endlessly endearing. She's the kind of pup who'll steal your heart—and all the toys—then curl up in your lap like she's always belonged there.   Poppy would thrive in a home with another friendly dog she can play with and learn from. She'd do well with someone not gone all day, though she has managed half-day absences in her current foster home.February 10, 2026, 4:44 pm