Basic Information:: Margie is a 11 year old tan small mixed breed dog. Her owner passed away on November 17th, 2017 and lived with a family member for about 2 weeks. Margie was surrendered because her caretaker could no longer afford to take care of her. Margie appears to have some sort of mass on her lower part of her stomach and licks and scratches at her right ear. She has not been to the vet recently.

Previously lived with:: 1 adult

How is this dog around strangers?: Margie around strangers is friendly and outgoing and plays gently between adults and kids.

How is this dog around children?: Margie has been around kids up the the age 8 and is known to be relaxed, playful and tolerant.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Margie has never been around another dog beside’s her daughter. With her daughter he is known to be relaxed, playful, and tolerant.

How is this dog around cats?: Margie has lived with another two cats for 10 years. Around cat’s Margie is described as relaxed, playful, and tolerant.

Resource guarding:: Margie is known to growl when approached while she is eating, clipping her nails or taking a bone away, but according to the previous owner never has acted past a growl.

Bite history:: Margie has never bitten or scratched anyone nor has she received any bites or scratches.

Housetrained:: Partially

Other Notes:: Margie will have an accident urinating about once or twice a week if not walked.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: Yes

Medical Notes: It appears Margie has some sort of mass on her lower part of her stomach and the previous owner mentioned that Margie scratches her right ear more so and yelps when scratching from time to time.

For a New Family to Know: Margie is described as friendly, affectionate, playful and excitable. Margie is known to a high activity level. When the previous owner was home Margie tended to follow him around or be in the same room. Margie didn’t play with toys and enjoy getting attention from people. Margie has been mostly kept indoors and slept in a crate that had a blanket and bed. Marige was fed Beneful Original and Alpo, a half can wet food and some dry once a day, the food was left out for her to pick at throughout the day. Margie is house-trained but is known to have pee accidents about once or twice a week. When left alone Margie is known to be well-behaved and kept in a bedroom. Margie knows the command sit and goes on 45 minute minute walks once a day on leash. Margie doesn’t pull on leash.

Date of intake:: 12/2/2017

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender

Previously lived with:: An adult, a dog, and two cats

Behavior toward strangers:: Friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward children:: Relaxed, playful, and tolerant

Behavior toward dogs:: Relaxed, playful, and tolerant with the dog she lived with

Behavior toward cats:: Relaxed, playful, and tolerant

Resource guarding:: Yes, she will growl if approached while eating or if a bone is taken from her.

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Margie is described as friendly, affectionate, playful and excitable.

Date of assessment:: 12/6/2017

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:: 1. Dog follows at the end of the leash, body soft.

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:: Margie approached the assessor in the assessment room with a soft body. She was social, allowed all handling, and displayed no concerning behaviors.

Summary (1):: 12/3: Margie is unable to be collared for off leas introduction to dogs. She does not display interest in passing dogs in the yard and seeks exit.

Summary (2):: 12/7: When introduced off leash, Margie is playful and solicitous.

Date of intake:: 12/2/2017

Summary:: During intake Margie had a soft body and was wiggly. She allowed handling.

Date of initial:: 12/2/2017

Summary:: Margie was tense and cried

ENERGY LEVEL:: Margie displays a medium level of activity.

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

Behavior Asilomar: TM – Treatable-Manageable

Recommendations:: No young children (under 5)

Recommendations comments:: No young children: Due to potential resource guarding noted in her previous home, we recommend a home without young children.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Margie’s previous owner notes that she may growl when her food bowl is approached. We recommend that Margie be left along while eating, and that food guarding behavior modification steps (available at ASPCApro.org) be utilized if this behavior is problematic in her future home. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Margie’s mouth, and any time something is removed she should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. She should be taught the “drop” cue and trade-up games.