SHAQ – A1063449

Shaq lays flat on his kennel floor, right behind his door, head up, looking all wary and sad. Will I be able in a few days to erase this line and proudly say that this gorgeous young boy is running happily with his peers in  playgroups ? I so hope for this to happen…..Shaq is for now a little leash shy but we make it eventually to the yard..He walks the tail under his belly. He trembles. The cold does not help but he obviously dreads too much contact, so forget about a coat…Shaq is now loose in a pen. He sits, all bent over himself, looks at me, all scared as I approach him. He is so beautiful, well dressed , handsomely made, healthy and owns absolutely gorgeous green/brown eyes. I talked to him softly, pet his head, his body. The shaking stops but I know that it will take more than a session to get Shaq in a more comfortable state of mind. Young Shaq is with us as his short term family lost its home. He previously lived  and played with other Pities and shared his present life with kids of all ages. He is described as very sociable and friendly, although initially timid with strangers. Shaq needs to come out of his shell to show us the wonderful inner side I know he has. I am looking forward to meet him again , write about his progresses at the care center and dare to dream of a new home for this  endearing young boy. Shaq is at the Manhattan Care Center.

Another volunteer writes:

Could this relaxed happy chappie be the same Shaq who only days ago trembled in fear? You bet he is! Now that our hunky redhead is feeling more secure he’s ready to step out and live life to the full again, especially when it comes to playtime. Showing off an athleticism and commitment to the game that would put his Basketball namesake to shame, Shaq sits politely to wait for my throw then dashes and leaps after the ball, grabbing it mid-air or running it to ground but always returning with his prize held triumphantly high. He likes to play shake-it and tug-o-war with a plushie but the tennis ball is where his heart lies and if we had the time, he’d be happy to continue fetching for hours. Shaq sits on command for treats too, kissing them from my fingers with the softest, gentlest mouth, and his tail wags like a pendulum when I rub his side. Now that I’ve met the ‘real’ Shaq–easy-going family dog, stellar ball player and gentleman with a heart of gold–I can wholeheartedly encourage bringing your family in to adopt him today. This is the guy you want on your home team!

Basic info

Shaq A1063449 is a 1yr old red and white male American Pit Bull who was surrendered by his owner due to living situations. Shaq joined his family 2 months ago, given to them as a gift.

Socialization

Shaq was described as being sociable but is initialy shy with strangers. Shaq would approach strangers slowly and than begin to allow to be pet and rubbed. The owner described Shaq as playing with the children ages 5, 6 and his 14 yr old gently. He got along with the other pit bulls that lived in his previous home and played with them gently.

Behavior

Shaq was said to be house trained and would bark loudly at the door when it was his time to go outside. He allowed to be bathed and being brushed. Shaq was described as not having any food/toy guarding behaviors and usually allowed anyone to play and grab his toys.

For a Family to Know

Shaq was described as friendly and sociable around strangers with a loose wiggly body and wagging tail. He loved to jump up on the visitors who came to the home in a non-aggressive manner. Shaq has a high activity level who loves to run in the back yard playing games such as fetch and tug. He enjoys dry food (pedigree) and raw hide treats. He pulls hard on the leash when he first gets outside but will walk alongside you after a few minutes.

During Intake

Shaq had a tense body with tail tucked. Shaq would flee when approached by staff. He was scanned (+), and photographed but needded to be led to his kennel by his previous owner.

SAFER:

1/27 update:
Shaq greets male and female dogs politely, and is still a bit cautious while exploring the yard.

1/28 update:
Shaq is polite and social. He runs with the other dogs and when the other dogs do not engage he solicits attention from handlers.

1/30 update:
Shaq greets well, both males and females, then goes off to explore the yard. He may attempt to mount one of the males.

2/2:
Shaq greets politely and wanders in a pen with males and females.

Shaq pulls a bit on the leash. He was shy but friendly during the assessment – low body and tail, but trying to stay close. Shaq was shy and nervous and trembled during handling, but had soft body language. He becomes extremely frightened during the tag interaction, tail tucked, and trying to exit room. He was not interested in toys.

The behavior department feels that he may do best with an experienced adopter.  Shaq nervous and trembling throughout the assessment and has a crouched body posture. The behavior department advises that future adopters should be able to provide positive experiences for Shaq. In addition, we recommend that introductions are done slowly, and Shaq be given the opportunity to interact at their own pace.  We cannot be certain if behavior may be suppressed as a result of the shelter environment. Please note that behavior may change when Shaq is more comfortable and settled in a home environment. We also recommend a home without young children; older children can be considered pending interaction.

Look: 2. Dog’s eyes are averted. His body posture is stiff and fearful; his tail is low and not moving. He allows head to be held loosely in Assessor’s cupped hands.
Sensitivity: 2. Dog accepts the touch, his eyes are averted, shy body language,  mouth closed, lip long, ears likely back, may lip lick.
Tag: 3. Dog repeatedly turns quickly away when touched, or repeatedly spins toward the touch, and repeatedly tries to exit, Dog may be crouching ,tail is tucked, mouth closed, body stiff
Squeeze 1: 1. Dog does not respond at all for three seconds.
Squeeze 2: 1. Dog does not respond at all for three seconds.
Toy 1. No interest.