RHODA aka SWEETPEA – A1098842

RHODA aka SWEETPEA – A1098842

**RETURNED 01/02/2017**

SPAYED FEMALE, TAN / WHITE, AM PIT BULL TER MIX, 2 yrs, 8 mos
RETURN – AVAILABLE, HOLD RELEASED Reason PERS PROB
Intake condition EXAM REQ Intake Date 01/02/2017, From NY 10038, DueOut Date 01/03/2017,

Medical Behavior Evaluation BLUE
Medical Summary scan pos#981020019304547 BARH very nervous,tense mild tartar clean EEN clean coat no blood seen on nipples spayed UTD vax NOSF
Weight 46.0

PROFILE: 01/02/17 18:14

Rhoda is fearful of strangers but warms up to those she believes are good people. She hasn’t spent time around children or cats so it’s unknown how she would react around them. She plays exuberantly and gently with adults and has spent time around dogs but only is playful with them in the dog park. When on leash, Rhoda can get territorial and bark at other dogs in a frantic sort of way. However, she has never bitten another animal or human.

During loud noises such as fireworks, Rhoda is nervous but then adjusts and isn’t bothered. She doesn’t mind having her food bowl taken away and thinks you’re trying to play when taking away her treats or toys. Her owner’s never had to push her off furniture, she would get down on her own, so it’s unknown how she would react in that situation. She will screech when her owner’s hold or restrain her from something that she wants. Rhoda isn’t bothered when awoken from her slumber or when she’s given a bath. However, she does have issues at the groomers when there’s other dogs present. She isn’t bothered by being brushed and the groomers didn’t say she had any issues with getting her nails trimmed. She barks when someone unfamiliar approaches her home or her owner’s (especially if she has a bad feeling about the person approaching).

Rhoda’s owners describe her as friendly, affectionate, playful, excitable, and confident. She has a medium activity level but when she’s ready to play enjoys playing fetch with balls, tug with stuffed animals, and hiding all her toys. She also enjoys wrestling and chewing up rawhides. When her owner is home, Rhoda enjoys following him around, unless she’s tired– then she just lays in the same room as him. She’s been kept mostly indoors and sleeps on her blanket in the family room on the floor, but will sneak into the bed if she wants to snuggle. She’s very house-trained and doesn’t have accidents inside. When Rhoda is ready to go potty, she enjoys going on cement or right next to grates. She’s also very well-behaved when left alone in the house. She hasn’t been crate-trained and only knows sit. For exercise, Rhoda enjoys running around the dog park and brisk walks. She only pulls lightly when she sees something exciting to her. Rhoda was eating Science Diet but her owners were in the process of switching her over to Merrick (beef flavor). They fed her a cup of the dry food, twice a day. Her favorite treats are Greenies and pieces of cooked salmon.
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FEMALE, TAN / WHITE, AM PIT BULL TER MIX, 2 yrs, 6 mos
STRAY – STRAY WAIT, NO HOLD Reason STRAY
Intake condition EXAM REQ Intake Date 12/06/2016, From NY 10456, DueOut Date 12/09/2016,

Medical Behavior Evaluation BLUE
Medical Summary Microchip:Scan negative Sex:Female Age: Appears to be 2.5-3 years of age. Mentation:Good Eyes:Worry eyed Ears:In a downward position Nose:Moist Teeth:Mild dental staining. If abnormal BCS: Okay. Skin:Slightly dry. Hair Coat:Slightly dry Declawed:N/A Animal mammary glands are enlarged and lactating. Any injuries:Dart wound located on L front leg. Cleaned with Novasan solution/ and warm water. TAB was applied afterwards. Behavior:Tense,nervous and fearful. Medication:N/A
Weight 46.0

Profile:  12/06/16 09:38

Basic information

Sweetpea is an approximate 2 year old female American Pitt Bull Terrier. She was found as a stray by the police. Police never handled this pet. Police called ESU and they tranquilized this pet due to them not being able to capture it and possible hurting herself.

Behavior during Intake

Minimal handling occurred when Sweetpea came in because she was tranquilized. Sweetpea was lactating.

BEHAVIOR:

KNOWN HISTORY:

Spayed, Owner surrender

Previously lived with: Adults

Behavior toward children: Unknown, Rhoda has not been exposed to children.

Behavior toward dogs: Rhoda is reported to do well with dogs at the
dog park though reacts poorly on leash, lunging and growling.

Behavior toward cats: Unknown

FG/RG: None reported

Bite history: None reported

Housetrained: Rhoda is housetrained

Energy level/descriptors: Rhoda’s owners describe her as friendly, affectionate, playful, excitable, and confident. She has a medium activity level but when she’s ready to play enjoys playing fetch with balls, tug with stuffed animals, and hiding all her toys. She also enjoys wrestling and chewing up rawhides

Other notes: Rhoda is fearful of strangers though may warm up upon a slow approach, she will attempt to bark at approaching people. Rhoda is also reported to lack impulse control and become mouthy when excited and has made attempts to tug at people’s clothing, no information given as to what was done to assist this issue.

SAFER ASSESSMENT: 12/8/2016

Look: 2. Dog’s eyes are averted, body a bit tense and fearful

Sensitivity: 2. Dog stands still and accepts the touch, her eyes are averted, her tail is low wagging, lip lick, mouth closed, sniffs assessor’s hand

Tag: 1. Follows at end of leash, body soft, wag

Squeeze 1 / 2: 2. Dog does not pull back paw, licks assessor’s hand

Toy 1. Minimal interest. Dog smells, then walks away.

Summary: Rhoda appears apprehensive with sudden movements, may lower her head and body, but overall sweet and affectionate.

DOG-TO-DOG INTERACTION:

Tolerant: These dogs are typically friendly or indifferent off leash. They can typically tolerate some rude behavior from other dogs and can be described as having a long fuse. They show relaxed, appropriate, easy-going body language around others.

PLAYGROUP:

When introduced off leash to other dogs in the care center, Rhoda approaches with a low, nervous body with a slight wag.  She sniffs and apepars curious then wanders off and keeps to herself.

12/8: Rhoda is nervous and only seeks handler attention.  She offers correction for pushy greeting or when dogs attempt to mount.

12/10: Sweetpea is initially uncomfortable with solicitation from a playful female and will show her teeth. However, she will eventually tolerate brief greetings.

12/14: Rhoda appears conflicted when soliciting, bowing, then air-snapping and chattering while bouncing away from the other dog. She becomes more confident throughout the interaction and begins to solicit by offering bows and bounces without air-snapping.

12/15: Rhoda greets politely.  She mostly appears interested in interacting with handlers.

12/16-18: Rhodaa engages in running play with male and female dogs. She is uncomfortable with rougher play and will cease interacting.

12/21: Rhodaa approaches and greets politely.  She is avoidant of rough play.

1/3: Rhoda solicits and engages in pushy style play, becoming vocal during.

1/4: Rhoda solicits bouts of play.  She offers correction when overwhelmed by overly pushy solicitation from another female dog.

1/6: Rhoda engages in running play with male and female dogs. After a period of play she seeks exit.

MEDICAL BEHAVIOR: 12/6/16

During her initial medical exam Rhoda appeared tense and nervous.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Experience (Suitable for an adopter with a previous amount of dog experience)

_X_No young children (under 5)

Potential challenges:

_X_Basic manners/Poor impulse control

_X_Mouthiness/Poor bite inhibition (Decreasing the force of the mouth as well as the frequency of mouthing, in this order is recommended by using force-free, reward based training as well to reinforce a soft appropriate mouth and redirect hard inappropriate mouthing onto toys.)

_X_Fearful (The behavior department recommends allowing Rhoda  to approach her potential new adopters at her own pace. Rhoda  appears to easily startle upon loud noises/sudden movements, for this reason we advise against a home without young children at this time. Force-free, reward based training is advised when introducing/exposing Rhoda to new and unfamiliar situations.)

_X_On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration (See known history; When near other dogs Rhoda may lunge and vocalize but has been observed to refocus using treats. This does appear to be barrier reactivity as it is seen only on-leash; Rhoda has been playful with and tolerant of other dogs when off-leash. We recommend tools (i.e. head harness) and high-value treats to redirect Rhoda on leash and to reward calm behavior. We recommend only force-free, reward based training.)
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FEBRUARY 2017

JAN 2017:

DECEMBER 2016

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