SLIME aka SLIM – 7759 (ALT ID A1071692)

Behavior Determination: New Hope A volunteer writes: It’s always hard to resist a handsome, smooth-talking gentleman, and Slim’s soulful eyes speak volumes. They tell me he misses his family, yet welcomes my love and attention; that he’s made mistakes in the past but is ready to leave them there; and that he’d really really like to take a walk in the street now…please? Slim has great behavior test scores on all kinds of handling, from paw squeeze to petting, and though bashful when I hug him or plant a kiss on his head, he’s very accommodating of my attempts to make a selfie happen during our photo shoot. A laid-back and chilled out dude, Slim is definitely one of the best leash walkers I’ve had the privilege to take a stroll with, never pulling, greeting other dogs of all sizes with friendly interest, and taking care of his business promptly. He’s pretty subdued in the yard, but if the speed of his crooked tail wags is anything to go by, he just loves getting out for a walk in the park and will trot along quite contentedly at my side. Low-key and polite in playgroup, we’re told by his former owner that he’s usually playful with small dogs and shy around larger ones, knows commands for sit, down, stay and shake paw, and is used to snuggling up on her bed at night. Due to a reported preference for enjoying his food in peace and previous reactivity toward a noisy child, we’re recommending Slim be adopted into an adult-only family as affectionate and gentle as the big man himself. Dogs of any size would be welcome, too, but no cats, please! Treat yourself to a lifetime of soft snuggles and relaxed good times by stepping up for Slim today. I guarantee you’ll love him as much as I do.

Weight: 80.6 lbs

Date of intake: 30-Sep-2017 Spay/Neuter status: Yes Means of surrender (length of time in previous home): Owner Surrender (In home for 5 years) Previously lived with: Adults Behavior toward strangers: Can be shy or friendly and outgoing Behavior toward children: Can be aggressive with them, has bitten a four year old Behavior toward dogs: Playful with small dogs, shy with large ones Behavior toward cats: Lunges at them Resource guarding: Yes, will snap when his food bowl is touched Bite history: Yes, Slime has bitten two people. He bit a four year old child on the lip when she was screaming about a year ago and bit the child’s mother on the finger when she was pulling him away from her. Housetrained: Unknown Energy level/descriptors: Slime is described as independent and anxious with a high activity level. Date of assessment: 2-Oct-2017 Look: 1. Dog’s eyes are averted, with tail wagging and ears back. Allows head to be held loosely in Assessor’s cupped hands. Sensitivity: 1. Dog stands still and accepts the touch, eyes are averted, and tail is in neutral position with a relaxed body posture. Dog’s mouth is likely closed for at least a portion of the assessment item. Tag: 1. Dog follows at the end of the leash, body soft. Paw squeeze 1: 1. Dog gently pulls back his/her paw. Paw squeeze 2: 1. Dog gently pulls back his/her paw. Flank squeeze 1: Item not conducted Flank squeeze 2: Item not conducted Toy: 1. Minimal interest in toy, dog may smell or lick, then turns away. Summary: In the assessment room, Slim quickly approached the assessor in a social manner. He solicited attention, nudging the assessor’s hand, and allowed all handling displaying no concerning behaviors. Summary: Slim has been polite and tolerant when greeting dogs in the care center. He has displayed interest in gentle play with select dogs. The behavior department recommends slow introductions between Slim and respectful dogs. Summary (1): 10/1: When introduced off leash to the female greeter dog, Slim is polite and briefly bouncy, playful. He spends time wandering and keeping to himself. Summary (2): 10/2: Slim greets politely, wanders. Summary (3): 10/3: Slim keeps mostly to himself. Summary (4): 10/4: Slim engages in brief bouts of bouncy play with a select female dog. Summary (5): 10/6: Slim engages with a playful female dog with loose body and wagging tail without engaging in play. Summary (6): 10/7: Slim greets politely and wanders the pen. Date of initial: 30-Sep-2017 Summary: Upon intake, Slime was wiggly and allowed handling. BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: NEW HOPE ONLY Behavior Asilomar TM – Treatable-Manageable Recommendations: No children (under 13) Place with a New Hope partner Recommendations comments: No children: Due to Slim’s bite history, we recommend an adult only home. New Hope: Due to Slim’s multiple bite history, we recommend placement with a New Hope partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow Slim to acclimate comfortably to her new environment; force-free, reward based training only is advised when introducing Slim to new and unfamiliar situations. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended for guidance to safely manage/modify any behavior Slim presents with outside of the care centers. Potential challenges: Resource guarding Fearful/potential for defensive aggression Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression Anxiety Potential challenges comments: Resource guarding: Slim’s previous owner notes that he may snap when his food bowl is touched. We recommend that Slim be left along while eating, and that food guarding behavior modification steps (available at ASPCApro.org) be utilized if this behavior is problematic in his future home. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Slim’s mouth, and any time something is removed he should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. He should be taught the “drop” cue and trade-up games. Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression: Slim has bitten a child in the home when she was screaming, and bit the child’s mother when he was being pulled away. Slime needs careful behavior modification and management to prevent future bites. We recommend only force-free, reward-based training methods for Slim as more aversive techniques are likely to increase fear and increase the risk of aggression. Anxiety: Slim’s previous owner reported that he has a high level of anxiety in the home. He should be given things to do to relieve his anxiety, such as walks, Kongs, and puzzle toys. If this behavior presents a problem, a positive reinforcement, reward-based trainer/behaviorist should be consulted.