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RHODA aka SWEETPEA – A1098842

Safe - 2-14-2017 Manhattan

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SAFE 02/14/17

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

A volunteer writes:
Someone told me…This is a very nice video of Rhoda.. I answered. Thank you but all the credit goes to the amazing actress….  princess Rhoda!!! Rhoda is a dog one has to spend time with to really discover all what she has to offer as a pet. Rhoda , it is a given, does not present well in a kennel or even on the leash. She barks… She is a free spirit …Give her an open space(a room or a backyard), set her free, off leash and she will transform into one sociable, playful and loving companion. We could watch her for hours, darting after a ball, catching it and  releasing it to continue the game. Rhoda is quite an  energetic pooch ! She sits beautifully on command and for treats. She gives her paw and mouths gently my hand. There is so much love and healthy excitement in her eyes. And look at her smile, going from one ear to the other… She bounces from one caretaker to the other, harvesting caresses and kisses that she stores into her heart. While in our care, Rhoda has not only gained weight(she is not overweight…) but transformed into one gorgeous and healthy gal. Rhoda  has been a daily presence in our playgroups where she has shown great improvement in her social skills with her peers. Practice makes perfect…She is a dutiful student who has learned quite a lot at the care center and we believe that in experienced hands she could be one loving, loyal and very enjoyable friend to live with. Come and meet Rhoda very soon at the Manhattan Care Center.
A Volunteer Wrote: Rhoda’s walking log has one word that is repeated again and again by volunteers and staff members who have spent time with her, and it’s generally capitalized: “SWEET!!!!!!” We are delighted to be able to be more specific with you: She loves eating snow. She loves giving kisses. She loves running around and then coming back and giving kisses. She is fantastic on a leash and enjoys stopping to say hello to absolutely everyone she passes, whether they are canines or humans. She appears housetrained. She’s a good girl in playgroup with the other dogs, and she has a puppy energy that makes everyone around her just light up with delight. She is one sweet that is going to be nothing but good for your health in the New Year!

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

A volunteer writes:
Just in case you wondered about Sweetpea’s shoulder wound…She was darted, not because she was aggressive but , trying to escape, she incurred the risk to find herself under a car…Sweetpea must have been very lost…Still lactating and without her puppies…She needed shelter and was brought to the care center. Sweetpea is a wary gal. I bet she has all the obvious reasons on earth to be scared. I am very slow ,  gentle moving around her and soft spoken. No raised voice or sudden gestures or towering her…She recoils quickly and runs away… Strangely, her tail does not stop wagging, fast and low. Her  food deprivation is stronger than her fears and she approaches me again and again for treats. She consumes them a little far away from me. “Do not worry little girl, I am a giver and not a taker.” Leashing her back for a walk is a real rodeo. Sweetpea is a good girl , though and after a little while , she is leashed and on her way around the block. She pulls a little  and even does her business. Other dogs are neared. Sweetpea is fine  with them. Before bringing Sweetpea back to her kennel, I decided to sit on the bench with her. This is when the transformation happened… Sweetpea started to lick my hands, put her head in my lap, hopped on the bench next to me… Her fears seemed to have vanished…at least for the moment. Her worried little face was more relaxed. Her tail wagged into a blur…I did not even have treats anymore…Dogs have such a need to belong, to be loved….I know there is hope  for Sweetpea but only if …you give her a chance. Come and meet her soon at the Manhattan Care Center.

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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