Chiko

Gorgeous Little Chiko is seeking a forever home

He HAS NO ADOPTION FEE but requires a very special home

Chiko – is a 10-year-old gorgeous Maltese Terrier x Shitz who is a very handsome and outgoing little man, approximately 5kgs. He has made an amazing transformation in personality and appearance since he arrived at foster care. He has come out of his shell and is just loving life now. His eyes now sparkle, and he has a big smile on his cute little face. He is happy to relax during the day whilst I work, either sleeping on the floor near my feet, playing with his toys around the yard or relaxing in the sun on the deck or on the grass. He is very playful and loves to roll on his back on the grass, carpet, or floorboards. He has been home alone at different parts of the day and is very happy to see me come home for a pat and lots of belly rubs. He will shadow you everywhere and when he cannot see you – he puts his nose to the ground and sniffs around looking for you. Chiko will happily give you lots of love and snuggles.

PLEASE READ THE MEDICAL NOTES ON CHIKO BEFORE YOU APPLY

OBEDIENCE

Chiko does know a few commands such as sit, stay, wait, up, inside, bed, and come. He also knows to go to the backyard now to do his business – command is “go wee wee”. He runs down the back steps and off he goes. He is nervous about getting his harness on but will let me put it on with gentle encouragement and a treat. He loves going for a walk and is amazing on lead. He does not pull on his lead and is happy to go anywhere you go. He does tend to walk on the right side of you.

SOCIALISATION

Chiko has been for a walk with another small dog and was chilled out and enjoying the company of the other dog. Chiko is reactive to other dogs bigger than him. I generally just pick him up until the other dog has gone past, and he calms down. He will come when he is called, wait at the curb when told - I count to 5 and then say “ok” and off we go. He will approach people to say hello and a pat. He generally goes on 1-2 walks a day for about 20mins.

Chiko has a lot of fun playing gentle tug-of-war with me and he loves to be chased and playtime. Since being here he has learned to play with toys and has a few favorites that he runs around the house and yard with including the dry food cup which he tosses into the air. He likes to sit and play with the squeaker in the soft toys.

He can be a little jumpy when you touch him. He just needs gentle handling and reassurance and he will relax.

FOOD

Chiko is currently eating two meals a day of My Dog – chicken mince with rice, carrots, and spinach and 4 Legs – slow cooked chicken, sweet potato, green beans, and barley - mixed with a teaspoon of greek yogurt, psyllium husks and My Dog dry food . He has tried cooked cauliflower, carrot, brussel sprouts and broccoli which he seems to like. He likes to play and chew on a pig’s ear. These can last for days. Sometimes he will also play and do a little dance prior to eating his treats - it’s very entertaining to watch.

SLEEPING

Chiko is sleeping inside either on his bed or on my bed – he likes to be close to his human and feel secure. He sometimes gets up once during the night to be let out for a toilet break – he’s very quick and comes running back inside. I say “bed” and he will run back to bed. He is a quiet sleeper – you wouldn’t even know he was there. To get comfortable het will dig into his bed and crumple up his blankets, so they are just right before he sits down and settles in for the night. When he snuggles up beside me – he is like a little electric blanket.

TOILETING

Chiko was in terrible condition when he arrived in foster care and had a few accidents inside either due to being in a new environment, fear or learned behavior. It was a work in progress to teach him to go outside for his toileting. I am still taking him outside every 30-40 mins as he likes to be near me all the time to go for a wee etc to get him into a regular routine, so he learns that outside is the bathroom for him, not inside. If the weather is wet outside – he is reluctant to get his feet wet and will run (very fast) back inside. He has a leaking issue at night and will wear a “male belly band” to avoid any accidents. He had adapted well with a consistent routine.

GROOMING

Chiko loves to be brushed and pampered - I have been using a slicker brush and sometimes he has fallen asleep while I am brushing him. He is much better at getting bathed but with gentle reassurance he is happy. He has had quick baths so he can get used to it. He likes to be towel dried or if you are not quick enough and he can get out of the bathroom – he runs around the house and then outside and rolls around on the grass. 🤣

He will need to be regularly groomed every 8 weeks to keep him maintained and keep his coat etc in good condition.

TRAVEL

Chiko is a little nervous in the car but will eventually settle down. He likes to sit up higher to look out the window - LOVES to stick his nose out of the window to feel the wind on his face. He sits in the back seat in a harness and seat belt on a dog hammock which keeps him secure on the seat. He does like to peer over the middle part of the hammock to see what is going on. You may like to try a high pillow or booster seat so he can see out would be great for him. I also put some of his favorite toys for him to play with as well.

MEDICAL NOTES

Chko has had a full dental completed

Chiko does have a grade 2 heart murmur which the vets do not feel medication is required

Chiko has both back legs with slight luxating patellas that can be managed with anti inflammatories when it occasionally flairs up

Due to his age and heart murmur we don't feel putting him through this very extensive surgery and exceptionally long recovery is the fair thing to do as he is managing fine as long as he is not allowed to jump up on the bed ect

Chiko has had a cough off and on in the mornings and late and night that we have extensively treated with all types of antibiotics but is hasn't improved

We have had his chest x-ray and heart x-ray and there were no issues found so the vets had deemed it as a senior dog cough

Chiko is incontinent at night but does wear a belt which has resolved this issue and he must be allowed to sleep in the bed or he will be very distraught

We feel that all that we can be done by the vets has been done and Chiko just needs to live out his life full of love and affection.

IDEAL HOME

Chiko needs a kind, gentle and loving home with a yard to run around and explore especially when he gets the zoomies. A home that will allow him to have access to inside and outside with fresh water each day and soft toys to play with (with squeakers in them). He can use a doggy door with confidence. He needs love in his life and to feel safe and secure, committed to offer consistent obedience training including socialization. Chiko currently has a secure fenced area at his foster home.

Chiko will make a fantastic family dog - will love his humans and want to be with them as much as possible. He has some funny quirks which will make you laugh