SHADOW – A1109626

Basic Information: Shadow is a 10 year old altered male. Owner stated Shadow is a Russian terrier Poodle mix. However it’s note he can be a Tibetan Terr. He was given as gift to owner when he was 6 months old. He recently has an ear infection for the past three weeks and never was seen at the vet for this reason. Owner surrenders Shadow due to personal problems.

Social Life and Personality: Shadow lived with one female adult and children ages 2, 13, and 17 years old. Owner stated Shadow is friendly and outgoing towards everyone in the house and visitors. He is gentle towards children and other dogs he sees on walks. He will jump up with tongue out his mouth ready to play owner stated. He also lived with a cat and was relaxed and playful. Owner stated Shadow is hyper and has a lot of energy.

Behavior: Shadow has never bitten or scratched anyone owner stated. Shadow doesn’t like stepping in puddles or getting wet. Owner never touched her food while eating or took toys out of her mouth. He doesn’t like to take baths or be groomed he will bark and growl. He is friendly when people approach the house or family member.

For a New Family to Know: Shadow is mostly trained to use the bathroom outdoors. He does have the option of using training pads in the house but for the past two months he has been missing the training pad and using the bathroom on the floor. He likes to follow owner around the house or sit by the door. He eats mostly chicken and steak or anything the owner feeds him besides dog food. He doesn’t know commands but is well behaved when home alone. Owner describes Shadow as friendly and excitable.

Intake Behavior: Upon intake Shadow was loose body, jumping and wagging his tail. He scanned negative for a microchip and allowed all handling.

BEHAVIOR:

KNOWN HISTORY:

4/22/17

Neutered, Owner Surrender (In previous home for ten years)

Previously lived with: Adults, children (ages two, thirteen, and seventeen), and a cat

Behavior toward strangers: Friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward children: Gentle

Behavior toward dogs: Gentle

Behavior toward cats: Relaxed and playful

Resource guarding: None reported

Bite history: None reported

Housetrained: No

Energy level/descriptors: Shadow is described as friendly and excitable.

Other notes: Shadow will bark and growl when being groomed.

SAFER ASSESSMENT:  4/23/17

Look: 1. Dog’s eyes are averted, with tail wagging and ears back. He 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. Follows at end of leash, body soft.

Squeeze 1: 2. Dog quickly pulls back.

Squeeze 2: 2. Dog quickly pulls back.

Toy: 1. Minimal interest, dog sniffs toy.

Summary: Shadow displayed no concerning behaviors on his assessment.

DOG-DOG INTERACTION ASSESSMENT:

Summary

PLAYGROUP:

When introduced off leash to dogs in the care center, Shadow wanders the yard and ignores interaction.

MEDICAL BEHAVIOR: 4/22/17

During his initial medical exam, Shadow relaxed and playful but snapped when his ears were examined.

ENERGY LEVEL:

Shadow is an 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.

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

Potential challenges:

_X_ Handling/touch sensitivity: Shadow is reported to growl and bark when being groomed or bathed, showing an uncomfortability with touch in certain areas.  It is important to go slowly when grooming or bathing Shadow and to be cautious when touching him in other areas as we do not know where he may have other sensitivities.  Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Shadow to be more comfortable with this.