Well hi there! My name is NICO and here is some info about me:
PHYSICAL INFO:
- Breed: Chihuahua Mix
- Age: 2.5 years (approx.)
- Gender: Male
- Weight: 9 lbs (4.1 kg)
- Height: 26 cm (floor to shoulders)
- Length: 51 cm (head to butt)
- Chest: 39 cm
- Neck: 27 cm
- Original Rescue Location: MEXICO CITY
- Current Location: PORT COQUITLAM
RESCUE STORY - I was found abandoned outside a house in Los Dinamos, a mountain with a cold climate in Mexico City. I was left in a little box, shaking with fear. I was terrified and didn't trust humans at all. Luckily, a kind soul found me and took me to the local shelter. I was taken to the vet and I got all the medical attention I needed. I spent about 6 months at the shelter before I found a home in Canada. I flew to Vancouver on April 15, 2024 and have lived in Port Coquitlam ever since then. Unfortunately, my adopter's work schedule has changed and she isn't able to spend enough time with me. As a result, I'm on the hunt for my forever home again!
TEMPERAMENT - I am a quirky boy, I won't lie! I'm looking for someone who loves all things chihuahua, as I exhibit a lot of the standard "chi" behaviours.
The Pro's:
- I have quite a lovely side! I can be very affectionate when I trust you.
- I am very playful and LOVE chasing and fetching a ball. I love toys!
- I like to be right next to my person and love cuddles with them. I love belly scratches and enjoy having my ears rubbed. If I am comfortable with a person, I give lots of kisses.
- I am house trained!
- In the right environment, I get along with other dogs. I have met 5 of my adopter's family dogs and we got along fine (but we always played outside my home). I need proper introductions if I'm going to make doggy friends.
- I am food motivated (I love duck or chicken jerky the best!)
The Con's:
- I bond fast and furious and once I've bonded with my human, I can become quite territorial and protective of them. I can be nippy and growly if people approach my human without proper introductions first. I have bitten people who get too close to my human when I am guarding them. I am far more reactive if I'm sitting on my human's lap, so this should be avoided. I do exhibit pretty clear stress signals when I need space- I will growl or show my teeth (here is a video). It is best if new people just ignore me and let me approach when I'm comfortable. Throwing food for me sometimes helps win me over!
- This is a video of me guarding my crate in Mexico. I exhibit similar behaviours when I'm guarding my human in Canada.
- I am reactive towards other dogs when on leash. I will need an adopter willing to work with me on this.
MY IDEAL HOME WOULD HAVE:
- Less than 6 hours of alone-time daily.
- Lots of boundaries and structure. More freedom can be earned with time, but right away I should not be allowed on people's laps or allowed to sleep in the bed, as these privileges can contribute to guarding behaviours.
- Adopter(s) who have experience working with reactive dogs and who are willing to work through my guarding behaviours and leash reactivity. Training will more than likely be required, so I'm looking for adopters who are willing to invest in this. I promise it will pay off!
- No other dogs. I could potentially live with a canine sibling, however I would need lots of time to get used to them.
- Lots of patience and love :)
ENERGY LEVEL - Low/medium - I am a pretty chill boy! I have bouts of playfullness and I enjoy walkies, but then I'm more than happy to cuddle up and snooze. I am just looking to spend the rest of my life hanging out with a really nice person who wants a cuddle buddy.
GETS ALONG WITH:
- Kids – Unknown. I haven’t had much experience around kiddos. With my guarding tendencies, I think I should go to a home without children.
- Dogs – Yes, with the proper introductions! I got along well with my fellow pups at the shelter in Mexico and I have gotten along fine with the 5 family dogs I've met. I do better on neutral territory and need slow, proper introductions in order to be successful. I am reactive towards other dogs on leash.
- Cats – No thank you!
PREY DRIVE - Unknown. I’m not too sure how I’ll react around cats/squirrels/rabbits etc., so my adopter needs to be prepared and willing to train me through these behaviours, should they arise.
TRAINING:
- Leash skills – Work in progress. It is highly unlikely I was ever walked on a leash before my rescue, so I had a lot to learn! I can be leash reactive towards dogs and people who approach my human, so I'm looking for a confident human to show me how this whole walking thing is done! When there are no other dogs around, I am OK on leash (video). I'd do better with more structure (a slip leash would be ideal!) and less leash freedom.
- House trained – Yup! I might have some accidents when I first go to a new home and learn my surroundings, but I am confident I can figure it out quickly with frequent potty breaks and lots of positive reinforcement.
- Car rides - I am a passenger prince in the car (video). I will bark if you roll down the windows though!
Please Note: WCP highly encourages adopters to do some research and training on their own before taking their dog home. Nico would likely benefit greatly from diligent training with a professional dog trainer- something we're hoping potential adopter(s) would be happy to invest in!
HEALTH NOTES:
- I am neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped. I have proof of all my vaccines and test records.
- I was tested for Heartworm before flying North.
- NOTE: It is not uncommon for rescue dogs to require dental work/cleaning after they are adopted. West Coast Paws does not cover the costs of dental work and/or vet visits. If required, these costs are the financial responsibility of the adopter.
ADOPTION FEE:
- My adoption fee is $840.00 ($750.00 CAD + GST and PST).
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DISCLAIMER:
Please visit wcpdogrescue.com to read about West Coast Paws Dog Rescue and its adoption process.
Every dog is an individual and can act differently in different situations based on the person(s) adopting them and the environment in which they live.
WCP is unable to guarantee the accuracy of a dogs age and/or breed. These are strictly "best guesses" based on veterinary exams and their educated estimates.
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