Chef Boyardee

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: $750
Meet Chef Boyardee!
2 years old * 17 lbs * Pug

Straight from the shelter to the test kitchen, Chef Boyardee is serving up a full-course meal of fun, energy, and pure pug personality. At just about 2 years old and 17 pounds, this compact little chef is proof that big flavor really does come in small packages.

A Day in the Life of the Chef
Chef starts his mornings between 7-8am and immediately insists on his signature opening act: a 30-minute walk to inspect the neighborhood and gather inspiration. Once back home, he enjoys breakfast right away before settling into his x-pen to relax and recharge. In the afternoon, he heads out for a shorter walk, followed by some mental enrichment- puzzle toys, Kongs, chew bones, or a little training session to sharpen his skills.

Around 6pm, Chef is back on duty for his longest walk of the day (30-40 minutes), then it's time for dinner. Evenings are reserved for what he does best: dramatically emptying the entire toy bin and sampling every option before bedtime. He finishes his day with a short walk around 9:30pm and sleeps in his crate in the living room. He may protest briefly when crated, but he settles quickly and sleeps through the night like a professional.

Personality & Training
Chef Boyardee is extremely playful and goofy! Squeaky toys are a personal favorite, and he loves a good chase- he's surprisingly fast and can keep up with even speedy dogs. While he's not much of a lap dog, he does enjoy staying close, just in case a ball might be thrown at any moment.
When he first arrived, Chef was still learning the basics. Since then, he's added sit, wait, leave it, and spin to his growing skill set. Training is ongoing, but he's very food motivated and eager to learn with consistency and patience. His signature move? An adorable counterclockwise spin that comes out whenever he's excited.

Social Life
Chef loves other dogs and wants to play constantly. He's still learning polite play skills and how to read when another dog isn't in the mood, but he's making steady progress. He hasn't been around kids yet, but he adores all the humans he's met on walks. He's met a cat once and showed interest but also some uncertainty; he may be an option with cats if slow intros and initial separation is possible. He also rides beautifully in the car-quiet, calm, and ready for the next adventure.

Leash Skills
On leash, he's a work in progress. He pulls, barks at other dogs out of excitement, and lunges toward cars, so continued leash training will be important. He has learned "leave it" on walks (especially when treats are involved) and loves picking up interesting treasures like sticks, pinecones, and rocks along the way.

Home Life & Habits
Chef is mostly housetrained and has had no accidents after initial few days in new environments. He is crate trained and settles after a brief whine. He does enjoy chewing and sometimes thinks fingers are toys, so redirection with appropriate chew toys is key. He may bark when new people come over, but once he knows them, he switches from barking to enthusiastic, jumpy greetings.

Why Chef Boyardee?
Chef is joyful, goofy, and always ready for whatever comes next. He's the kind of dog who brings constant motion, laughter, and positivity into your life. With his expressive pug face, happy-go-lucky attitude, and food-motivated brain, he's a wonderful candidate for someone excited to continue training and channel his enthusiasm.
If you're looking for a dog who approaches life with tail wags, spins, and an unshakable zest for adventure, Chef Boyardee is ready to take your order.