Meet Chico! He’s a charming little guy who’s settling in wonderfully! He’s an affectionate snuggle bug who loves curling up on the sofa for cozy naps with his favorite person.  When he’s not lounging, you’ll find him perched by the window, keeping a close eye on squirrels, birds, and the occasional bunny he seems determined to chase after.   Chico tends to be protective of his person and will bark and get excitable around strangers, so slow intros are needed when meeting new people.  In fact, if you'd like to meet this dapper fella, we feel a meet-and-greet at your home would be great so Chico is less territorial. Chico is crate-savvy and happily tucks himself into his heated crate when he’s ready to relax. Although he may protest at first, he settles nicely in his crate, whether during the day or for a full night’s sleep.  He’s also doing well with his potty habits on a schedule.  Since the weather has warmed up and he’s getting outside more often, he’s had no accidents in our home. He’s house-trained and has only marked once.  Chico keeps his crate clean and dry overnight. Belly bands may be needed at meet and greets.  We introduced Chico to our friends’ mini dachshunds this weekend with a slow and careful approach. While he wasn’t comfortable with them and needed to be separated, this helped us learn more about the type of home that would be the best fit for him. Chico may thrive as an only dog or in a home with a well-trained larger dog. This playful pup loves his toys and enjoys a good run. Check out this cute video of him with a stuffie toy!  And here’s another cute video of Chico … he loves his toys!  He’s recently neutered and still adjusting, which may explain his frequent attempts to mount our male dachshund mix (who is more than twice his size).   Chico is very smart and is making progress in obedience training and has a lot to say! Because he’s quite vocal, he may be best suited for a home without shared walls. …. He just wants to please his human.  With a little guidance, he’ll be the perfect companion for someone who loves snuggles, playtime, and watching the world go by together.   Chico is from a local reservation. If you are interested in getting to know this animal better, please fill out an adoption application. An adoption application is the best way to show your interest in an animal and is not a binding contract. To learn more about Ruff Start’s adoption process and the care our foster animals receive, please visit our How to Adopt page. If you are unable to adopt but want to help this animal and others in our care, you can donate   to support the medical and veterinary needs of all Ruff Start Rescue animals.