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About Ricardo
Status: Adopted!
Species: Dog
Rescue ID: 24-0610
Distinguishing Marks: chip registered
Current Size: 5.5 Pounds
Current Age: 10 Months (born on 1/17/2024)
Fence Required: Yes
Housetrained: No
Obedience Training Needed: Needs Training
Exercise Needs: Moderate
Grooming Needs: Low
Owner Experience Needed: Species
Reaction to New People: Friendly
Hi, I’m Ricardo! I’m an 8-month-old Shih Tzu puppy, and even though I’m blind, I’m a super happy and playful little guy. I weigh just 6 pounds, but my heart is huge, and I love everybody and everything around me! Whether it’s making friends with other dogs or exploring the yard and finding sticks to chew on, I’m always having a great time.
I may not be able to see, but that doesn’t slow me down! If you show me around a new space, I’ll quickly learn where everything is and will start navigating like a pro in no time. I also love the freedom of a fenced yard—it’s where I can safely run, explore, and play. I don’t really go for walks on a leash yet, but I love spending time outside in the yard.
At home, I’m crate trained, and I use both potty pads and go outside when needed. I love being around other dogs, and I’d do best in a home with a dog buddy to play with and help show me the ropes. I do great in a calm environment, but overwhelming commotion can make me a little nervous.
I may be blind, but I’m smart and full of love. I’m looking for a special home where I can continue being the playful, joyful pup I am. Could I be the perfect fit for your family? Let’s find out!
*I’m a growing puppy and I have not yet had a lot of experience with crates, kids or cats and I might bark if something alarms me, but I really love to learn and hoping for a family who will take me to a basic obedience class to continue to help me build confidence and dog skills. Ideally my forever home would need to be home during the day to help me with my potty training and not leave me for breaks longer than 3 - 4 hours. If you are looking for a best friend, please fill out the puppy application. The more info you include on the application the better so I can find a good match for my forever home. Get your toy box ready!
**Obedience classes are required when adopting this puppy from Underdog Rescue. Many of our puppies have a mama who was not properly socialized before coming to Underdog Rescue. Since coming to Underdog, this puppy has been in a socialized and loving home, but that needs to be continued with its Adopters. Training classes teach puppies the ins and outs of being a pet while creating a bond with their new Adopter. Obedience classes are key to creating a relationship with your puppy while having it be a happy and successful member of society. Proof of Obedience Class registration is required for this puppy before adoptions can be finalized. If you would like some suggestions, we would be happy to send some trainers who have experience with Underdog Rescue, but a Basic Obedience class in your area should work!
Please note that some of our dogs are obtained from shelters, surrendered to our care, or released from breeders. Each animal's bio is based on our experience of the animal within our care, an educated guess based on physical characteristics, temperament and information shared. Each dog receives basic grooming when coming into rescue, but for some dogs they have not received grooming attention until recently and grooming may be required shortly after adoption. This will be at the adopter’s expense, so we encourage you to research the breed and be prepared for grooming expenses. Underdog cannot guarantee hypoallergenic or non-shedding qualities of any dogs in our rescue. Some of the animals come from situations where they are lacking experience in a home and confidence in humans. In turn, they require another companion dog and/or a fenced in yard in their forever home in order for them to feel safe. If you are interested in a particular dog whose bio states those needs and do not currently have them, please understand that your home might not be the right fit. Please use the filter on our Adoptable Dogs page to find the perfect match for your home.
This puppy requires an application fee. This fee must be paid within 24 hours or your application will be considered void. We will not review or contact applicants that have not completed the payment portion.
Puppy Applications will be responded to within 5 business days, after receipt of the application fee. Please understand that paying the fee does not guarantee you will be approved to adopt the puppy. Our goal is place puppies in homes that are suited for their individual needs. You may be willing and able to provide a great home, but if it doesn’t meet the specific needs of the puppy, we will not approve your application.
We accept applications for puppies until we have a candidate that meets all of the requirements needed for the specific puppy and they have been contacted to review the adoption process as well as agree to all of the terms to move forward.
***Be sure to check your spam/junk folder as sometimes our emails end up there***
More about Ricardo
Good with Dogs, Good with Adults, Somewhat vocal, Requires a yard, Cratetrained, Needs special care, Playful, Eager To Please, Goofy, Needs a companion animal
Special Needs: Neuter Certificate Needed, totally blind
If you have other questions about me you can email Underdog Rescue at <inquiries@underdogrescuemn.com>
ADOPTION EVENTS:
Adoption events are updated at the top of each dogs animals' as their foster home signs up. Check back for updates on which events they will be attending. If an event is not listed within their bio above, the animal is not planning to attend. Please understand that all of our pets are in volunteer foster homes and sometimes "life" happens and the foster family cannot make it to their scheduled adoption event. If you are traveling from a far distance to meet a specific animal, please understand we cannot guarantee event attendance. We recommend filling out an application and we will set up a private appointment. Private appointments are only scheduled after an application is submitted and approved.
ADOPTION PROCEDURE:
The first step in our process is to complete an online adoption application on our website:
Note: In most circumstances Underdog Rescue will only adopt within 60 miles of Minneapolis, MN.
All of our foster animals can be seen by appointment with an approved adoption application. Contact us at http://www.underdogrescuemn.com/contact-us/ if you have further questions.
FOSTER CARE:
All of our animals are fostered in individual homes or doggie daycare facilities. While they are in our care, they are part of our families and given lots of love. We work on training, crate-training and socialization prior to adoption, but each bio is written by the foster as they see them, in their home. Each animal's behavior is evaluated and we have a sense of its temperament and personality, but it cannot be guaranteed. We look for adopters who will give each animal the wonderful life and permanent home that he or she deserves in time and with patience. If you have an interest and ability to be a foster home, please visit our website www.underdogrescuemn.com/foster-applications and fill out a foster application.
NUTRITION:
Nutrition is vital to the rehabilitation and life-long health of our pets. All of our foster animals are fed a premium diet such as NutriSource, Canidae, Orijen, Nature's Variety, Fromm, Pure Vita, Stella and Chewy's, Primal, or balanced raw diet. All adopters are required to continue providing premium diets for the life of the animal.
YOU CAN HELP:
Not able to foster or adopt right now? Please consider sponsoring an Underdog. Your donation will help us buy dog food and pay for medical costs. Visit this link www.underdogrescuemn.com/donateto donate.
(Please note: A Paypal account is not necessary to use Paypal. When you get to the Paypal page, just use the link to the left of their login to make your donation via Paypal without an account.)
Other Pictures of Ricardo (click to see larger version):