About Taco

Please read profile in full before applying! 1 year old male Chihuahua, about 8 pounds. Meet Taco, a snuggly, fun-loving pup who brings joy all week long (not just on Tuesdays). Taco is very playful - he often instigates play with his foster siblings and loves zooming up and down the hall or bopping around the yard in search of sticks. You can't help but smile at his bouncy frolicking, especially when accompanied by the playful tune of his demon noises. He's also quite happy to entertain himself with toys - he's got fancy footwork with tiny soccer balls and kong toys and spiritedly flings his lamb stuffy off the couch and chases it. He's not yet perfected fetch but I bet he could learn. When not playing to his hearts content, Taco enjoys relaxing and snuggling: on a couch, in a doggy bed, amidst some blankets - basically anything comfy. He loves finding sunbeams to bask in or flopping on his human for slow, steady scritches to send him off to snooze-land. When guests come over, hell bark at first, but will eventually visit everyone in the room to see who he can snuggle. Taco is food motivated and responds well to treats. We think hell be quite trainable, as he's shown willingness to pay close attention when treats/food are on the line. He's currently good at Sit and Stay, but there's definitely more for him to learn (Down, Come, Leave it). While Taco frequently makes us smile with his goofy antics, he has a couple challenges that his future family will need to work on with him: (1) leash reactivity and (2) separation anxiety. __Reactivity:__ Though Taco LOVES playing with approved doggie friends, when he encounters another dog on a leash (e.g. on a walk), his first reaction is defense-mode. If left to his own devices, the full force of his feisty self will emerge. Through training, he's proved willing to be neutral when other dogs pass, so his behavior has made progress through diligent management of his attention. But this will be a major area for training and improvement for him. When at home, Taco can be vocally defensive of space he thinks is his - the couch, his person on the couch, the top of the stairs. Sometimes it's playful (like energetically intercepting another dog coming up the stairway when he has the high ground) but hell need some correction about what he's allowed to be the boss of (e.g. not a spouse leaning down for a good night kiss). We think Taco would do well in a family with other dogs, but introductions should be carefully managed. We've had practice meet-n-greets with other Smidget fosters, and while his first response is still quite intense, if everyone gets over the initial rude first impression, he's very excited to play and romp with his new friends. For this reason, we think Taco would be best with another dog who's easy-going, forgiving, and not aggressive. If he encounters another dog who is similarly reactive and will escalate to his level, it may be tough to find common ground. __Separation Anxiety__ Taco loves companionship (sometimes too much - he still needs some work at reading the room when another dog doesn't want his attention) and prefers to be within sight of his humans. He's crate trained and sleeps quietly through the night in his human's bedroom, but if left in his crate alone while his humans are away, he'll cry. If not in a home with another friendly dog, he may be best in a place that doesn't share walls with noise-sensitive neighbors until his anxiety can be eased. __Health note__ While generally healthy, Taco has mild subluxated patellas. He won't likely be your long-distance exercise companion, but he still enjoys a solid walk. His human should just be mindful of if his legs bothering him. In summary, Taco is super fun and sweet when he's comfortable in his environment but will need a family committed to working with him on reactivity and separation anxiety. His temperament with cats and children is unknown, but we suspect neither of these would be suitable for him. He's still learning to be gentler with his playful chomps and he can be growly/snappy if he's being pet or handled in a way that bothers him. (Sadly, he does not enjoy getting dressed up in cute sweaters and he will tell you). Were excited for Taco to find his forever family that will love this lil rascal to bits! To request an adoption application, email [email protected] Adoption contract and fee applies. All adoptable dogs can be met at adoption events hosted every weekend or through scheduled meet and greet after application review. For a list of scheduled events go to: https://www.facebook.com/SmidgetRescue/events . Smidget Rescue is not a shelter, and all dogs are fostered throughout the Puget Sound area and brought to the events where they can be met by prospective adopters. Additional pictures of adoptable dogs can be seen at: https://www.facebook.com/SmidgetRescue/photos_stream?tab=photos_albums. All adoptable dogs are spayed or neutered at 6 months of age or ol

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Smidget Rescue
King County
Maple Valley, Washington

206-817-3731

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