Alf

This dog will be at the Palo Alto Pet Food Express on Saturday, February 7th from 12-3pm unless adopted prior to the event. To be considered for adoption, pls submit an application in advance.
Adoption fee: $650
Alf is a 1-2 year old Poodle-Shih Tzu mix weighing around 20 lbs, with a low-shedding (but not 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 does have some anxiety, which is important to know. He can be vocal when he hears unfamiliar sounds, deliveries, squirrels, or neighbor dogs, but he settles fairly quickly with calm redirection and training techniques. On leash, he is reactive to other animals and can become very overwhelmed. That said, he has already shown noticeable improvement in a short amount of time and is very responsive to training. His reactivity appears to come from fear and insecurity rather than aggression, and with consistent training, reassurance, and positive reinforcement, he has strong potential to continue improving.

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- 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. Alf does not chew, dig, or destroy items, but he does bark 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.