DUKE – 7867 (ALT ID – A1126670)

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DUKE – A1126670

**SAFER: NEW HOPE ONLY**

MALE, BLACK, LABRADOR RETR MIX, 4 yrs
OWNER SUR – EVALUATE, NO HOLD Reason MOVE2PRIVA
Intake condition UNSPECIFIE Intake Date 09/26/2017, From NY 11208, DueOut Date 09/26/2017,

Medical Behavior Evaluation YELLOW
Medical Summary DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 4 years Microchip noted on Intake? no History : surrender Subjective: bar, hydrated Observed Behavior -growling, frightened, tense, examination with muzzle and careful restraint. Objective P = 120 R = 20 BCS: 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal discharge noted Oral Exam: negative oral PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: male intact, both testes descended and symm. MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: mentation appropriate – no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: in apparent good health Plan: continue to monitor at ACC Prognosis: good SURGERY: okay for surgery
Weight 42.2

PROFILE:Basic Information: Duke is a black Lab with no known health issues or injuries, and has not seen a vet recently. His owner adopted him from another rescue when Duke was young and has had him ever since. Due to the owner moving to a location that does not allow pets, he is unable to keep him.

Basic Information: Duke is a black Lab with no known health issues or injuries, and has not seen a vet recently. His owner adopted him from another rescue when Duke was young and has had him ever since. Due to the owner moving to a location that does not allow pets, he is unable to keep him.

Socialization: Duke is wary of new people, he is known to growl if approached too fast. In the home he will keep his distance and then approach when he has adjusted, but still is not a fan of being touched. He has spent time with the owners younger relatives but does not engage in play with them. He is respectful but keeps his distance. He has only spent time with dogs at the dog park and is very playful with them. Duke has not spent time with cats.

Behavior: Duke’s owner stated he does play somewhat rough and should go to to a home with older or no children. He has no bite history and is not bothered by loud noises. Duke does have resource guarding behavior with food, but his owner is unsure if he has guarding behavior with treats or bones as he has never tried to take one away. The owner had gone away for work for 3 months and returned 4 months ago, in that time Duke stayed with his Mother but his behavior had shifted when the owner returned. Duke struggles to get out when behing bathed but allows him to brush him for a short amount of time. He has not trimmed his nails. Duke has a medium activity level and likes to play with all toys.

For a new family to know: Duke sometimes like to follow his owner around and other times likes to keep to himself. He has been an indoor dog and sleeps on his dog bed. He is house trained to go on any surface outdoors and very rarely ever has indoor accidents. He is well behaved when left alone in the house and knows some commands. He is a lazier dog and does not enjoy walking on the leash often, but will run off leash at the dog park.

During intake: Duke stuck by his owners side but after a while warmed up to counselor. He took a treat from her hand but had a stiff body when she tried to collar him. The owner put the colalr on and duke allowed this. When another staff member tried to introduce himself Duke hard barked and did not approach. He stepped back to counselor and seemed to only allow her to handle him.

BEHAVIOR:

KNOWN HISTORY: Full profile

9/26/17

Unaltered male, stray

Previously lived with: Adults, and has spent time around children.

Behavior toward strangers: Wary, and keeps his distance.

Behavior toward children: Tolerant, but does not engage in play.

Behavior toward dogs: Playful

Behavior toward cats: Unknown

Resource guarding: Yes, Duke does guard his food. Owner is unsure if he will guard toys/treats.

Bite history: None reported

Housetrained: Yes

Energy level/descriptors: Duke is described as exuberant, and playful.

Other notes: Owner suggest Duke go to a home with no young/no children due to his rough play.

SAFER ASSESSMENT:

9/29/17

Look: 2. Dog pulls out of Assessor’s hands each time without settling during three repetitions.

Sensitivity: 3. Dog stands tall and square. His tail perpendicular to spine, mouth closed for the majority of assessment item.

Tag: 5. Dog becomes tense, turns to the assessor, and growls.

Toy 1: No interest.

Summary: Duke displayed fearful body language when he entered the behavior room; keeping his body low, and tense. He was cautious, and would attempt to exit in between items. Duke tolerated minimal handling.

PLAYGROUP:

When off leash at the Care Center, Duke is nervous and mostly keeps to himself while exploring the pens. He growls at the other dogs when they approach him, or attempt to greet him. According to Duke’s previous owner, Duke only spent time with dogs at the dog park and is very playful with them. The Behavior Department believes that Duke would be most comfortable as the only resident dog at this time. Any additional resident dogs should be polite and respectful. All introductions should be conducted slowly and be under supervision

When off leash at the Care Center, Duke is nervous and mostly keeps to himself while exploring the pens. According to Duke’s previous owner, Duke only spent time with dogs at the dog park and is very playful with them. The Behavior Department recommends that Duke be placed in a home with resident dogs that are respectful and match his calm demeanor.

9/27: Duke is nervous as he slowly approaches to greet a novel female dog with a tucked tail. He leans back when she sniffs his muzzle, then walks away. He explores the pen, while keeping to himself.

9/28-29: In a group of calm dogs, Duke kept to himself while exploring the pens. He offers low growls when the other dogs approach him.

MEDICAL BEHAVIOR:

9/26/17

During the initial examination Duke began growling, he was frightened, tense, examination with muzzle and careful restraint.

RECOMMENDATIONS: NHO

_X_ No children (under 13)

_X_ Recommend no dog parks: Due to the concerning behaviors that Duke has shown during playgroup (see GROUPBEHAVIOR SUMMARY), we feel that Duke should not visit dog parks. The Behavior Department recommends that he be socialized in a more controlled setting until his behavior towards other dogs can be further addressed. Reward-based, force-free training can be utilized to help Duke associate dogs with things she enjoys like toys or treats.

_X_ Place with a New Hope partner- While Duke’s previous owner describes an energetic, playful dog, he is not thriving in the shelter environment and has had a hard time with handling in the care centers. He has generally given clear and protracted warnings and has not escalated to threatening behavior, but we are concerned that extra pressure may elicit higher level warnings. We feel that placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification guidance in a stable home environment will best set Duke up for success in a future adoptive home. We recommend only force-free, reward-based training methods as more aversive techniques

Potential challenges:

_X _Resource Guarding-Resource Guarding was noted in the previous home as Duke was observed to growl when engaged with food items, and someone approaches. We cannot be certain whether any guarding or possessive behavior may occur with toy/treat items. For this reason, we advise against ever removing any items from Duke’s possession without safely trading for an item or greater or equal value. Guidance from a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended to aid in safely managing/modifying this behavior in a new home environment.

_X_ Handling/touch sensitivity-Duke has growled during some handling, showing a discomfort with touch in certain areas.  It is important to avoid touching Duke’s paws, and being cautious when touching him in other areas as we do not know where he may have other sensitivities.  Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Duke to be more comfortable with this.

_X_ Fearful/potential for defensive aggression- On several occasions in the care center Duke has escalated rapidly when being handled, and gives high-level warnings (growling, baring teeth). Duke gives clear warnings when his is uncomfortable and does seem to choose to avoid or retreat when given the opportunity, but if prevented from moving away there is a potential to escalate to higher-level warning behaviors and possible fear-based aggression. It is important to move slowly with Duke, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow Duke to initiate interactions with new people. He should never be forced to greet or to interact if he is not comfortable and soliciting attention.

 

 

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