PEPPER – 14516

PEPPER – 14516

Intake Date: 11/24/17  Intake Type: Owner Surrender

Medical Behavior: —  Sex: Female  Age: 1 year

Weight: — lbs

No medical information

A Little Bit About Me…

A volunteer writes:   Her former owner said her favorite thing about Pepper is how friendly she is with her children.  Joining us when her family moved to where she isn’t welcome, Pepper is a little girl (more salt than pepper), and I couldn’t help singing the Dr. Pepper theme song to her.   She ignored me!   She’s a slip of a pup, who lived well with children, lived with a cat with whom she was relaxed and playful, doesn’t guard her things and slept in bed with her person.  Pepper was happy to come out to make new friends, didn’t mind a toweling off of some schmutz, and wags her tail at all her new friends.   When staff came into the yard she ran to meet her, standing against the fence as I watched her whirlybird tail.  Coming in my lap for some petting, she then showed off her sit and gently took her reward treat.  A bit shy on our first date as she ponders her new environment, Pepper was nevertheless friendly and sweet.   Her coat is as soft as the finest velvet, her weight perfect for her diminutive body, and her little face ready to break into a smile when she meets her new person.

Let’s get to know each other a bit more…

Basic Information:Pepper is a 1 year old unaltered female medium mixed breed. The owner got Pepper 7 months ago from a friend. The owner is surrendering because she is moving to an apartment that does not allow pets. Pepper’s last vet visit was earlier this year for routine vaccines.
Previously lived with:adults and children
How is this dog around strangers?Pepper is generally described as friendly but the owner says that she snaps at strangers sometimes.
How is this dog around children?Pepper is described as very relaxed and affectionate with children, she plays exuberantly with the
children at home.
How is this dog around other dogs?Pepper has never been around dogs.
How is this dog around cats?The owner has a cat at home and Pepper is very relaxed and playful with her.
Resource guarding:Pepper is not bothered when her food bowl is touched while she is eating or if a treat or toy is taken away from her.
Bite history:Pepper has never bitten or scratched another animal or a person.
Housetrained:Yes
Energy level/descriptors:very high
Other Notes:Pepper is nervous during loud noises, she starts crying. Pepper is not bothered when she is restrained, when she is bathed, or when she is brushed. The owner has never taken Pepper off of furniture or disturbed her while she sleeps. The owner says that she took Pepper to the vet to have her nails trimmed but Pepper started snarling and
tried to bite. Pepper barks when the doorbell rings.
Has this dog ever had any medical issues?No
For a New Family to KnowPepper is described as friendly and affectionate. The owner’s favorite thing about Pepper is how friendly she is with her children. Pepper’s favorite thing to do is play with her chew bones. When the owner is home, Pepper follows her around. Pepper likes to play with balls and bones. Pepper plays tug and fetch. Pepper has been kept mostly indoors. Pepper sleeps on her bed. Pepper is fed 1.5 cup of Alpo dry food a day and 1 can of wet. When taken outside, Pepper uses the gravel. Pepper does very well in a crate. Pepper knows how to sit, stay, come here, and lay down on command. On a leash, Pepper pulls very hard.

Behavior Notes:
Upon intake, Pepper was snarling and snapping when she was scanned for a microchip and then again when she was being leashed. Due to behaviors described, Pepper was collared by the owner and the owner helped with her picture.

My medical notes are…

11/26/17 : DVM Intake Exam
Estimated age: 1yr Microchip noted on Intake? No History : owner surrender d/t relocation / lack of time to care for dog Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior – timid but compliant for exam Evidence of Cruelty seen – No Evidence of Trauma seen – No Objective : T = DNP  P = WNL  R = WNL  BCS 5/9  EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: clean adult dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Intact female MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate – no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: DNP Assessment: apparently healthy young adult dog Prognosis: excellent Plan: ok for surgery and placement. SURGERY: Okay for surgery.

11/28/17 Vet Notes: Stool is pudding-consistency this morning. R/O early CIRDC vs. stress colitis. Monitor for CIRDC signs.

Details on my behavior are…

Date of assessment: 26-Nov-2017
Look: 1. Dog’s eyes are averted, ears are back, tail is down, relaxed body posture. Dog 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: Pepper approached the assessor in the assessment room cautiously. She quickly warmed up and allowed all handling. She was distracted at times, looking at other things around the room.
PLAY GROUP :
11/27: When introduced off leash to dogs, Pepper approaches and greets with a soft body and wagging tail. She offers bows to solicit play, and becomes anxious, seeks exit when play is not reciprocated. When paired with an exuberantly playful dog, Pepper becomes overwhelmed by this play style and offers a small correction.
11/28: Pepper engages in running play with male and female dogs.

11/29: Pepper engages in running play with male and female dogs. She offers correction for overly exuberant play.

Date of intake: 26-Nov-2017
Summary: Upon intake, Pepper was snarling and snapping.
ENERGY LEVEL: Pepper’s previous owner described her as having a very high level of activity. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm.
IN SHELTER OBSERVATIONS: During a socialization interaction, Pepper is initially growling in-kennel but when treats are offered growling, she stops and accepts treats with tail low and wagging, and responds to the cue “sit” in exchange for treats. Once outside, Pepper displays some anxious and exit-seeking behaviors.
After given time to acclimate to environment and handlers, dog will jump up on handlers, receive pets, and take treats.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: ADULT ONLY HOME
Recommendations: No children (under 13)
Recommendations comments: No children: Due to her history of snapping at strangers at times, we recommend an adult only home.
Potential challenges: , Fearful/potential for defensive aggression
Potential challenges comments: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Pepper’s previous owner reported that she would sometimes snap at new people. In the care center, she has at times shown defensive behavior. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is advised; force-free, reward based training only is recommended. New people should always allow Pepper to have the option of approaching them. No one should ever reach for her and she should always have the option of walking away from any interaction.

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