My name is Smoke!

Smoke is such a sweet little guy that needs to feel safe and then his lovable nature absolutely shines through.   He is cautious of new people so needs thoughtful slow introductions and a little time for him to adjust.   He has gravitated toward the kids he has met although fast movements can be very startling to him.    Dog savvy and older kids who understand his need for space and to gain trust will be a better fit.     He loves to be near his favorite people and will follow you around but can also settle down in a comfy bed and be content.   He absolutely loves to be held or cuddle up on the couch next to his humans. 

  He is underweight and due to the food insecurity in his past, needs to be fed separately, then he relaxes and enjoys his meals.   He can be nervous around dogs bigger than him so would do best with a doggy friend around his size that he can also continue to learn all dog things from.    Although another dog is not a requirement, learning from another well adjusted dog will help him continue to gain confidence and become less fearful.   He is still getting used to different sounds and can be easily startled.   He will typically bark a couple of times at these noises but calms down with reassurance.    Shared walls are probably not an ideal home as he does tend to have some separation anxiety and will bark for a short time when left alone.   He kennels up without problems, sleeping in his kennel at night but within sight of his people and dog friends.

  He is not too sure yet what toys are for but loves to alligator roll around in dog beds and blankets which is adorable.  Speaking of adorable, check out his underbite!!   Also, belly rubs are high on the list of his favorite activities.  Potty training is going very well.   He is very food motivated making training much easier.  He does not enjoy the cold weather so typically does his business very quickly so that he can get back inside fast.  He is a low to medium energy dog. 

  Smoke has not had an easy life to begin with so new sounds and people can be scary things to him.   However, he is making progress every day.   He will need a patient family that will continue to introduce him slowly to new things and to help him become the amazing little dog that we already know he is!    If you are looking for a super sweet, loyal guy that needs some extra TLC to help him come out of his shell, then this little gem may be the one!

Smoke is from Texas. 

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.