SAM – A1125949

SAM – A1125949

**SAFER: EXPERIENCED HOME**

NEUTERED MALE, BROWN / TAN, GERM SHEPHERD MIX, 4 yrs
OWNER SUR – AVAILABLE, HOLD FOR ID Reason PERS PROB
Intake condition UNSPECIFIE Intake Date 09/18/2017, From NY 10302, DueOut Date 09/24/2017

Medical Behavior Evaluation BLUE
Medical Summary DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~4 years Microchip noted on Intake? positive History : o/s Subjective: BARH Observed Behavior – was loose and wagging his tail but had some whale eyeing and flailed with muzzle on Evidence of Cruelty seen – no Evidence of Trauma seen – no Objective P = wnl R = eupneic BCS 7/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears have mild brown waxy debris, no nasal discharge noted Oral Exam: clean adult dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MN MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat, overweight CNS: mentation appropriate – no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: Overweight, otherwise apparently healthy Plan: Continue to monitor while at BACC Rec weight loss Prognosis: Excellent SURGERY: neutered
Weight 73.8

A volunteer writes: Sam is a pup trapped in the body of a prizefighter–one who maybe has been on a training break and eaten too many potato chips? He’s an utter goof who doesn’t know his size, and so pulls a bit on the leash to start, wanting to explore the big wide world with you and bounding excitedly after bits of trash on the curb, the better to explore them with his Sheppie nose. But soon after taking one of the longest bathroom breaks I have seen, Sam calms down and proves to be a champ on the leash, with mellow manners and a shy smile. He also ignores pigeons and a stray cat, and is happy enough just sharing the sunshine and the great outdoors with you. Sam has many more walks left in him, and the energy to get back to his fighting weight. All he needs is a coach/training partner to recognize his skills and help him realize true greatness. Could that be you? Find out today at Brooklyn ACC!

PROFILE:

Basic Information: Sam is a German shep./ Lab mix, with no known health issues or injuries. He has not seen a vet recently. His owner was deployed and Sam was staying with a family, but now that he is back he does not have a place to take Sam with him and had to surrender. He has not seen or been with the dog in over a year so profile is based on his time with him prior to deployment.

Socialization: Sam is friendly and outgoing with strangers. He does jump on them for attention and he is a larger dog, so it can be an issue with smaller children. He has lived with the owners one year old son and was reported as relaxed and playful around him with no conflict. He has lived with other dogs and once he adjusted and got to know them, he was playful and respectful. His owner stated he does bark or growl at dogs he does not know. He has not spent time with cats.

Behavior: Sam has no bite history and is not bothered by loud noises. He is described as being friendly 99% of the time, as well as affectionate and playful. He has no resource guarding behavior with humans, but has guarded with unfamiliar dogs in the past. He tolerates being bathed, allows for grooming, but pulls his paw away when having his nails clipped. He will bark when some approaches the house or yard. He has a high energy level, loves to run around and play tug of war or fetch, and likes all kinds of toys. He sleeps on either his bed in the crate or on his owners bed. He eats dry food, and is house trained to go outside on grass. When left alone he does need to be crated as he has destroyed household items before. He needs a lot of exercise and would benefit from someone with a yard or large house, and lots of walks.

Behavior during intake: Sam was very hyper but allowed for all handling.

BEHAVIOR:

KNOWN HISTORY: Full profile

9/18/17

Neutered  male, owner surrender

Previously lived with: Adult, 1 child (ages 1 year old), and 1 dog.

Behavior toward strangers: Friendly

Behavior toward children: relaxed

Behavior toward dogs: Playful with dog in the home, but will growl at other dogs.

Behavior toward cats: Unknown

Resource guarding: Sam has shown resource guarding with other dogs, but not humans.

Bite history: None reported

Housetrained: Yes

Energy level/descriptors: He is described as being friendly 99% of the time, as well as affectionate and playful.

Other notes: Sam has destroyed household items in the past. He needs a lot of exercise and would benefit from someone with a yard or large house, and lots of walks.

SAFER ASSESSMENT:

9/20/17

Look: 1. Dog holds gaze with soft eyes, soft body. He allows head to be held loosely in Assessor’s cupped hands. Dog holds gaze for three full seconds.

Sensitivity: 1. Dog leans into the Assessor, eyes soft, 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.

Squeeze 1: 1. Dog does not respond at all for three seconds. His eyes are averted and his ears are relaxed.

Squeeze 2: 1. Dog does not respond at all for three seconds. His eyes are averted and his ears are relaxed.

Toy 1: 1. Dog settles close, keeps a firm grip and is loose and wiggly. He does not place his body between you and the toy.

Summary: Sam was playful, and social towards the assessor. He showed non-concerning behavior.

PLAYGROUP: According to Sam’s previous owner, Sam lived with other dogs and once he adjusted and got to know them, he was playful and respectful. His owner stated he does bark or growl at dogs he does not know.

Summary: 9/19 When off leash at the Care Center, Sam immediately displayed reactivity at the gate. He is muzzled before greeting the helper off leash. He briefly displays a tense body, but is mostly occupied with the muzzle throughout the session.

According to Sam’s previous owner, Sam lived with other dogs and once he adjusted and got to know them, he was playful and respectful. His owner stated he does bark or growl at dogs he does not know.

9/19: When off leash at the Care Center, Sam immediately displayed reactivity at the gate. He is muzzled before greeting the helper off leash. He briefly displays a tense body, but is mostly occupied with the muzzle throughout the session.

INTAKE BEHAVIOR

9/18/17

Sam displayed high energy, but allowed for all handling.

MEDICAL BEHAVIOR:

8/19/17

During the initial examination Sam was neutral, whale eyes.

ENERGY LEVEL:

According the previous owner Sam is friendly affectionate, and playful. Sam will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Experience (suitable for an adopter with some previous dog experience, especially with the (behaviors outlined below).

Potential challenges:

_X_ Resource guarding: Sam reportedly guards from other dog in the previous home.  While we do not have any specific details, we recommend exercising appropriate management.  There is no report of this being directed onto humans.

_X_ Destructive behavior: Sam is reported to show destructive behavior in the home. We are unaware of what, if any, attempts were made to remedy this behavior but we suggest to future adopters that Sam will need to be provided with physical and mental stimulation and with a variety of appropriate and engaging chew toys so he can engage in necessary chewing behavior without damage to human objects.

_X_ Single-pet home/Recommend no dog parks: Due to the concerning behaviors that Sam has shown during playgroup (see GROUPBEHAVIOR SUMMARY), we feel that Sam should not visit dog parks and be the only resident dog. The Behavior Department recommends that he be socialized in a more controlled setting until his behavior towards other dogs can be further addressed. Reward-based, force-free training can be utilized to help Sam associate dogs with things he enjoys like toys or treats.

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