FIFTY – 18248

A volunteer writes:  Gorgeous Fifty (as a native of the Bronx, I like to think he pronounces it ‘Fiddy’) is a terrific teen with stellar reviews from his former owners and he can’t wait to find a new family to love love LOVE with all his heart. The best model I had all day, Fifty is as sweet as he is handsome, full of joyful tail wags, jumpy snuggles and well-trained manners that he’s ready to show off at the drop of a hat. He walks happily in harness, takes care of all his business outdoors (he’s wee wee pad trained, too!) and sits like a champ to softly nibble treats from my hand. While he can get a bit over-excited passing other pups in the street, when it comes to meeting new friends of any species off-leash, Fifty is simply the best. He’s been rocking our Care Center playgroups and in his previous home he spent quality time with kids of all ages, interacted amiably with dogs of every size and even got along well with cats, though his sniff ‘n’ side rub technique would be appreciated by only the most dog-savvy feline. I had to laugh on reading in his notes that when given the chance he likes to play with balls, stuffed and squeaky toys but has yet to find one he cannot destroy. Sounds to me like the challenge is on–your move, toy manufacturers! When relaxing at home, Fifty liked to be where his people were and his favorite place was in the living room where he’d lay contentedly in his very own crate, the same spot where he slept and hung out when left home alone. Dogs don’t come any more appealing than this, I’ve fallen head-over-heels after just one date and I guarantee you will, too. Adopt him today and tomorrow you could be living that big city dream with fabulous Fifty shining bright at your side.

Basic Information:      Fifty is a 1 year old male white large mixed breed dog with a brown spot on his tail. Fifty lived with previous owner for about 10 months and was surrendered because the previous owner could no longer take care of him. Fifty has no injuries or health issues and was last taken to the vet for his vaccinations on June 2017.

Previously lived with: Fifty previously lived with 2 adults.

How is this dog around strangers?     Fifty is friendly and outgoing with strangers. Fifty is described as being friendly and jumpy around strangers and will allow to be petted.

How is this dog around children?       Fifty has previously interacted with children ages 2-11 years old. Fifty is described as being playful and jumpy around children.

How is this dog around other dogs?   Fifty has previously interacted with both small and large dogs. Fifty is described as being friendly and playful with both small and large dogs.

How is this dog around cats? Fifty has interacted with cats before and is described as being pushy and energetic. Fifty likes to sniff cats and push his body onto them.

Resource guarding:     Fifty is not bothered when his food or bowl is touched while he is eating. Fifty is also not bothered when a toy, treat or object is taken away from him.

Bite history:    Fifty has never bitten another animal or human.

Housetrained:  Yes

Energy level/descriptors:         Fifty has a high energy level

Other Notes:   During storms, fireworks or loud noises, Fifty is not bothered. Fifty is also not bothered when being pushed or pulled off of furniture, when being held or restrained, when his paws are touched or when an unfamiliar approaches him and his owner. Fifty is friendly and enjoys being bathed. Fifty has never had his nails trimmed.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?     No

Medical Notes: Fifty has no known medical issues.

For a New Family to Know    Fifty is a friendly, affectionate, playful, pushy and independent dog. Fifty loves to run around when given the chance and likes to play with balls, stuffed toys and squeaky toys although he has not found a toy he cannot destroy. When at home, Fifty will follow you around and likes to be in the same room with you. His favorite area of the house was the living room where he would lay inside of his crate. Fifty was kept as an indoors only dog and was taken out for slow walks on the leash every other day. Fifty was fed Blue Buffalo dry food 3 times a day. Fifty is house trained and used wee-wee pads. When left home alone, Fifty is kept inside of his kennel. Fifty is also kept inside of his kennel overnight and is well behaved. Fifty has never been walked off the leash.

Behavior Notes: Upon intake, Fifty allowed me to pet him on the head and scratch her chin. Fifty allowed me to collar him and place a leash over his head and pulled very hard when he heard the other dogs in the back. Fifty did not want to go into the kennel but his owner carried her inside.

Date of assessment:    14-Jan-2018

Look:   1. Dog’s eyes are averted, with tail wagging and ears back. Allows head to be held loosely in Assessor’s cupped hands.

Sensitivity:      1. Dog leans into the Assessor, eyes soft or squinty, soft and loose body, open mouth.

Tag:     1. Dog assumes play position and joins the game. Or dog indicates play with huffing, soft ‘popping’ of the body, etc. Dog might jump on Assessor once play begins.

Paw squeeze 1:            2. Dog quickly pulls back.

Paw squeeze 2:            2. Dog quickly pull back.

Toy:     1. Dog settles close, keeps a firm grip and is loose and wiggly. Dog does not place his/her body between you and the toy.

Summary:        Fifty quickly approached the assessor in the assessment room with a soft body. During tag, he became jumpy and a bit mouthy. He was social throughout and allowed all handling.

Summary (1):  1/14: When introduced off leash to the female greeter dog, Fifty is polite when greeting, and solicits soft play.

Summary (2):  1/16: Fifty engages in play with male and female dogs.

Date of intake:            13-Jan-2018

Summary:        Fifty allowed handling and pulled hard when he saw other dogs.

Date of initial: 14-Jan-2018

Summary:        Fifty allowed handling but pulled hard and growled at dogs he was passing.

ENERGY LEVEL:    Fifty is described as having a high level of activity. He is a young, enthusiastic, social dog who will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:   EXPERIENCE (suitable for an adopter with some previous dog experience, especially with the behaviors outlined below)

Recommendations:     No young children (under 5)

Recommendations comments: No young children: Due to the jumping and mouthing seen at the care center, we recommend a home without young children. Older children who are comfortable around large, jumpy dogs should have an in-depth interaction prior to adoption.

Potential challenges:   Basic manners/poor impulse control, Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition, On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:
Basic manners/poor impulse control: It is recommended that default behaviors such as “Leave it”, “Sit/Stay”, “Down” are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach him to control his impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward based training only is recommended.

Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition: Fifty has shown some mouthiness in the care center. Little pressure is applied, but this is a behavior that should be extinguished through training alternate behaviors and lack of reward (ex. walking away whenever Fifty’s teeth make contact with skin).

On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: At the care center, Fifty has been observed to react to other dogs on leash, pulling towards them and growling. As Fifty plays well with other dogs, this reaction is likely due to excitement and frustration, we recommend a front clip harness or head halter to help manage this behavior. He may need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach him to look at you rather than other dogs.