RALPH – 12359

RALPH – 12359

**SAFER: NEW HOPE ONLY**

Location: Manhattan,  Intake Date: 11/12/17,  Intake Type: Stray

Medical Behavior: Green,  Age: 1 year,  Sex: Male,  Weight: 40 lbs

DVM Intake Exam; Estimated age: 1yr; Microchip noted on Intake? N; History : surrender as stray find; Subjective: BAR; Observed Behavior – attention seeking, complaint for exam; Objective ; T = DNP; P = WNL; R = WNL; BCS 3/9; EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted; Oral Exam: full 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 male- both testes symmetrical in scrotum; MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, mild scaling over scapular region, otherwise healthy skin and coat; underweight; CNS: Mentation appropriate – no signs of neurologic abnormalities; Rectal: DNP; Assessment: apparently healthy, underweight, young adult intact male dog; Prognosis: good; Plan: ok for surgery and placement.  SURGERY: Okay for surgery.

A volunteer writes: Ralphie is bouncing in his kennel, looking for attention, a new friend and a walk. His gorgeous ears flop up and down in rhythm with his moves; so cute. Out we go! Ralphie pulls hard on the leash so a harness and some leash training will go a long way to making it a more enjoyable walk for both ends of the leash. In the park Ralph focuses on the birds and squirrels as they fly and scurry about. We settle on a park bench, Ralph in my lap giving me some kisses and letting me put a neckpiece on him for photos. There’s so much going on in the park as the rain finally stopped it was hard for either of us to concentrate on the photo taking task at hand. Ralphie loves meeting new people, wagging his tail at every person who passed, clearly inviting them to stop and pet him. Energetic, fun and social ( he loved playing tag with the behavior assessor), Ralphie isn’t into sharing his food or his toys, and can be a bit mouthy in play, so needs an experienced person to help him learn appropriate behavior. He loves treats so that will go a long way with positive reinforcement training, and he’s young, and ready to learn. Ralphie is a bit thin in my opinion and needs to gain some weight and is ready to win your heart and a place in your home. Plentiful food, a full box of toys, and a lap in which to cuddle, coupled with appropriate training will make Ralphie an awesome companion.

BEHAVIOR:

Behavior Assessment Date: 11/12/2017

Date of intake: 11-Nov-2017
Spay/Neuter status: No
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home): Stray

(Information from finder)
Behavior toward strangers: Friendly and outgoing
Resource guarding: The finder reported that when she put a water bowl down next to a food bowl, Ralph growled. When she did this again the next day. he did not growl.

Date of assessment: 12-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 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: 1. Dog does not respond at all for three seconds. Eyes are averted and ears are relaxed or back.
Paw squeeze 2: 1. Dog does not respond at all for three seconds. Eyes are averted and ears are relaxed or back.

Toy: 5. Dog snaps or bites the Assess-a-Hand.

Summary: Ralph approached the assessor quickly in the assessment room with a soft body. He allowed all handling and was social. When the assess-a-hand touched the toy he was in possession of, he bit and held on to the hand.

Summary (1): 11/12: When introduced off leash to the female greeter dog, Ralph is polite when greeting and displays brief interest in play.

Date of intake: 11-Nov-2017
Summary: Ralph had a soft body and allowed handling.
Date of initial: 11-Nov-2017
Summary: Ralph was playful, mouthy, and bouncy.

ENERGY LEVEL: We have no history on Ralph so we cannot be certain of his behavior in a home environment. However, 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: NEW HOPE ONLY
Behavior Asilomar TM – Treatable-Manageable
Recommendations: No children (under 13)
Place with a New Hope partner
Recommendations comments: No children: Due to the potential for severe resource guarding seen at the care center, we recommend an adult only home.

Place with a New Hope partner: Ralph has displayed a potential for severe resource guarding at the care center, biting and holding onto the assess-a-hand when it touched the toy he was in possession of. We recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home
Potential challenges: Resource guarding

Potential challenges comments: Resource guarding: Ralph displayed resource guarding behavior with the finder, growling when she approached his food bowl. In the care center, he has displayed potential for severe resource guarding, growling, biting, and holding onto the assess-a-hand. We recommend that Ralph be left alone while eating, and that a positive reinforcement, force-free trainer/behaviorist be consulted. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Ralph’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.

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