Date of Intake: 11/19/2017

Basic Information:: French is a 6 years old male large dog breed. He was a gift from a friend 5 years ago. He was surrendered to MACC due to a newborn baby. He has no known injuries or health problems. Last vet visit was on 5/07/2016.

Previously lived with:: 2 Adults, 1 baby, 1 dog, 2 cats.

How is this dog around strangers?: He was friendly around strangers. He was rarely around strangers but whenever his previous owner had guest over he tried getting their attention.

How is this dog around children?: He did not interact with children. He lived with a newborn baby that he never came to contact with.

How is this dog around other dogs?: He lived with a 2 years old neutered male chihuahua and was very playful towards him. He played gently with his adopted brother.

How is this dog around cats?: He lived with 2 female 6 years old cats and was relaxed around them. He was also playful but did not enjoy when they approached him while he was eating. He growled at them if they came close to his food bowl while he was eating.

Resource guarding:: He growled when his food bowl was touched while he was eating.

Bite history:: He has no bite history.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Very High.

Other Notes:: He was not bothered by being held or restrained. He was friendly during baths and while having his coat brushed. He was not bothered by having his nails trimmed. He barked at strangers that approached his house and not bothered by strangers that approached his previous owner or family member.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: He has no known medical problems.

For a New Family to Know: He was described as an affectionate, excitable, and anxious dog. He was a very lovable and affectionate but would get over stimulated easily. His favorite activity was going on walks in Central Park. He followed the previous owner around the house. His favorite toys were bones and game was tug. He was kept mostly indoors and slept in the cold kitchen floor. The previous owner was unable to recall which dry dog food he fed him. He was well behaved when left alone. He knew how to sit, come, and down on command. He wander some but came back when called while off leash.

Date of intake:: 11/19/2017

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (In home for 5 years)

Previously lived with:: Adults, a baby, a small dog, and two cats

Behavior toward strangers:: Friendly

Behavior toward dogs:: Playful with the dog he lived with

Behavior toward cats:: Relaxed

Resource guarding:: Yes, he will growl if his food bowl is touched when he is eating.

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: French is described as affectionate, excitable, and anxious dog with a very high level of activity.

Date of assessment:: 11/21/2017

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 stands still and accepts the touch, eyes are averted, and tail is in neutral position with a relaxed body posture. Dog’s mouth is likely closed for at least a portion of the assessment item.

Tag:: 3. Dog responds with tail high, ears forward, mouth likely closed for at least half of the assessment item, body stiff and body checks the Assessor. Dog is often focused on other stimuli in the room.

Paw squeeze 1:: 2. Dog quickly pulls back.

Paw squeeze 2:: 2. Dog quickly pull back.

Flank squeeze 1:: Item not conducted

Flank squeeze 2:: Item not conducted

Toy:: 1. Minimal interest in toy, dog may smell or lick, then turns away.

Summary:: French approached the assessor in the assessment room with a soft body. He appeared anxious in the room, whining and panting. During tag, he became tense, jumped up at the assessor, and barked. He allowed all handling.

Summary:: French has been polite and tolerant when greeting female dogs in the care center. He has not yet been introduced off leash to another male dog. The previous owner cites that French was “playful” around the dog he lived with. Slow future introductions are recommended to respectful dogs.

Summary (1):: 11/20: When introduced off leash to the female greeter dog, French approaches and sniffs cautiously, with a bit of a tense body. He offers brief bows to solicit, though quickly becomes overwhelmed and backs away when reciprocated. As he becomes more comfortable, he continues to approach and check in with the greeter.

Summary (2):: 11/21: French follows, sniffs the female helper dog. He does not solicit or engage in play.

Summary (3):: 11/22: French greets politely.

Summary (4):: 11/25-26: French keeps mostly to himself.

Summary (5):: 11/27-12/1: French greets politely.

Date of intake:: 11/19/2017

Summary:: French was whimpering and hiding between his owner’s legs,.

Date of initial:: 11/19/2017

Summary:: French growled, barked, and struggled when restrained.

ENERGY LEVEL:: French’s previous owner described him as having a very high level of activity. He 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. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend only force-free, reward-based training techniques for Static.

IN SHELTER OBSERVATIONS:: French has allowed some handling in the care center though has been observed to easily startle; when uncomfortable French will make all attempts to increase distance, displaying all appropriate warning signals.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: ADULT ONLY HOME

Behavior Asilomar: TM – Treatable-Manageable

Recommendations:: No children (under 13)

Recommendations comments:: No children: Due to the low threshold for arousal displayed at the care center, as well as his anxious behavior, we recommend an adult only home.

Potential challenges: : Low threshold for arousal,Resource guarding,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: French’s previous owner notes that he may growl when his food bowl is approached. We recommend that Beatty be left along while eating, and that food guarding behavior modification steps (available at ASPCApro.org) be utilized if this behavior is problematic in his future home. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of French’s mouth, and any time something is removed he should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. He should be taught the “drop” cue and trade-up games. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: French has growled at the care center when uncomfortable. It is important to always go slow and give French the option to walk away from any social interaction. French should never be forced to approach anything that he is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be French’s choice to approach a new person or thing. French would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to his new surroundings. Anxiety: French appears anxious in the care center, whining and pacing during his assessment. His previous owner described him as an anxious. We recommend giving her puzzle toys, long walks, and things to do to relieve her anxiety. Positive reinforcement, reward based training only should be used. Low threshold for arousal: French has displayed low threshold for arousal that may tip over to aggression, becoming tense and hard barking on the tag item of his assessment. Immediate intervention and consultation with a qualified veterinary behaviorist/professional trainer is strongly recommended if this behavior presents in a new home environment. We recommend only force-free, reward based training when introducing or exposing French to new and unfamiliar situations.