Animal Profile
Rocky
Hello, my name is Rocky. My animal id is #234595. I am a male brown dog at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 6 years 1 months 3 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 8/19/2025, with the surrender reason stated as person circumstance- moving - no pets allowed.
Rocky is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Rocky has been reported to resist walking, pancaking outside and immediately pulling back into the care center. He has been highly fearful on walks, pulling back toward the building once outside. In his kennel, Rocky was observed baring his teeth while growling and lunging at a handler near his kennel. Rocky is social at times but continues to struggle to settle and acclimate in the care center environment. Medically, Rocky is apparently healthy.
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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Rocky is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Rocky has been reported to resist walking, pancaking outside and immediately pulling back into the care center. He has been highly fearful on walks, pulling back toward the building once outside. In his kennel, Rocky was observed baring his teeth while growling and lunging at a handler near his kennel. Rocky is social at times but continues to struggle to settle and acclimate in the care center environment. Medically, Rocky is apparently healthy. What my friends at ACC say about me: I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I would do best in a home with only adult humans. I don't always like to share my food, toys or bedding with other animals. I love to be loved, but on my own terms! Let's brush up on some canine body language together! I'm ready to learn! I need a patient person who has the time to work on training with me.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 74.25 lbs
8/22/2025
Behavior team reports heavy panting, hypersalivation. Start trazodone 300 mg PO BID. *Awaiting intake exam, estimated weight 70 lbs = 9 mg/kg PO BID dose of traz
8/26/2025
Rounds board has note of oral mass - kennel side exam performed - BAR, panting, epulus visible at just caudal to 204 (left max canine). No treatment at QACC, consider additional care with placement (removal, biopsy, benign neglect, etc).
8/26/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 6yo based on history Microchip noted on Intake? scan neg History: owner surrender Subjective: BARH Observed Behavior - walked in wagging tail and accepted food and treats. During exam would head flip but was able to refocus on food. Exam stopped during abdominal palpation when he bared teeth, growled and head flipped Is there evidence of Cruelty? n Is there evidence of Neglect? n Is there evidence of Trauma? n Objective BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, unable to examine ears, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Clean adult dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Tense but non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Male intact, 2 testicles MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally normal Assessment Apparently healthy ~6yo MI large breed dog High FAS Prognosis: good Plan: Routine intake procedures Ok to stay at current trazodone dose SURGERY: Okay for surgery
10/3/2025
Behavior team reports reluctance to walk, very fearful during walks; also note growling, baring teeth, and lunging at handler near his kennel. Already on trazodone, add clonidine 0.02 mg/kg PO BID
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 4. Orange
upon intake: staff had the owner place the leash on him and remove his harness. He walked back to his kennel without issue, he was hard pulling on leash. He let staff clip the leash and walked into the kennel without issue
Date of Intake: 8/19/2025
Spay/Neuter Status: Unknown
Basic Information:: Rocky is a 7y/o LMB who has been with his current owner for the past 7 yrs. and was last at the vet in 09/2024
Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 1 child , 1 dog
How is this dog around strangers?: owner states he is friendly & outgoing and tolerant
How is this dog around children?: he's lived with a 6mos old will hide at first and is tolerant
How is this dog around other dogs?: he has lived with a dog and is tolerant and will alert bark, with unfamiliar dogs he will pull towards them and alert bark
How is this dog around cats?: he has spent time around cats and is tolerant
Resource guarding:: Owner stated that Rocky will become tense and will hover over his food and toys.
Bite history:: no known bite history
Housetrained:: Yes
Energy level/descriptors:: high
Other Notes:: He is anxious when left alone, jumps up non stop and fearful of loud noises. He isn't bothered when he is held/restrained, disturbed, startled, moved from furniture or his collar grabbed, he is fearful when his paws are touched
Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No
For a New Family to Know: He is very active and playful, social and affectionate, very active and playful. He loves bath time/water and allows family to bathe and brush him, doesn't allow his paws/nails to be trimmed. He goes on walks 1-2x for 10-15 minutes with hard pulling, he's crate trained, loves car rides and knows the cue for sit, stay, eat, use the bathroom and go lay down. He eats wet and dry Purina dog chow
Date of intake:: 8/19/2025
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender
Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 1 child , 1 dog
Behavior toward strangers:: owner states he is friendly & outgoing and tolerant
Behavior toward children:: he's lived with a 6mos old will hide at first and is tolerant
Behavior toward dogs:: he has lived with a dog and is tolerant and will alert bark, with unfamiliar dogs he will pull towar
Behavior toward cats:: tolerant
Resource guarding:: Owner stated that Rocky will become tense and will hover over his food and toys.
Bite history:: no known bite history
Housetrained:: Yes
Energy level/descriptors:: Rocky is noted in the prior home to have a high energy level.
Other Notes:: He is anxious when left alone, jumps up non stop and fearful of loud noises. He isn't bothered when he is held/restrained, disturbed, startled, moved from furniture or his collar grabbed, he is fearful when his paws are touched. He is very active and playful, social and affectionate, very active and playful. He loves bath time/water and allows family to bathe and brush him, doesn't allow his paws/nails to be trimmed. He goes on walks 1-2x for 10-15 minutes with hard pulling, he's crate trained, loves car rides and knows the cue for sit, stay, eat, use the bathroom and go lay down. He eats wet and dry Purina dog chow
Date of assessment:: 8/20/2025
Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: mild Reactivity to humans:N /a Reactivity to dogs: N/a Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Ancius- pacing, heavy panting, hypersalivation, red eyes Call over: Afloof seeks exit, anxious, raises hackles towards his rear when hearing dogs bark Sociability comments: tense with collaring, looks back whale eyes Handling Soft handling: Allowed- flinches, pinned back ears when touch around/when the hand hovers Exuberant handling: Allowed- Heavy open mouthy panting, stay in handling position Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow- heavy open mouth panting Arousal comments: Knock: Approaches - heavy open mouth panting Knock Comments: Toy: sniffs, walks away Toy comments:
Summary:: According to Rocky's previous owner(s), he has lived with a dog and is tolerant. With unfamiliar dogs, he pulls towards them and alert barks. On/off leash unspecified. 08/24/25 Rocky is introduced to a female helper dog while off leash at the care center. Rocky is taken into the female dog's pen, approaching her with a high swaying tail. With a tense body, Rocky appears pushy as he attempts to sniff the helper dog and she moves her rear away from him. Rocky will display chin overs while hyper-salivating making the female dog uncomfortable. Rocky is moved away and separated from the helper dog, concluding the interaction.
Summary (7):: 10/09/25: Rocky is reported to not want to walk again, pancaking outside and immediately pulling back into the care center. 10/1/25: Rocky is reported to no want to walk and be highly fearful on his walks, pulling immediately back to the building once outside. 9/30: Rocky was observed to bare his teeth while growling and lunging at a handler that is near his kennel. 9/27/25: Rock is standing at the front of the kennel with a neutral frame as the handler approaches. Once the handler opens the door, Rocky is leashed with ease. He pulls moderately to the live room where he is clipped to a drag leash. Rocky readily engages with the snuffle mats and the handler. Rocky eventually starts sniffing around the room and begins to mouth a few toys. He will toss a rubber toy around and then begin to sniff around again. Rocky is leashed and returned to his kennel with a toy. He is secured safely. 08/20/25 (Assessment note): Rocky is standing at the front of his kennel and allows the handler to leash him with ease. He is then brought to the assessment room, where one handler holds and distracts him with cheese while the other handler collars and leashes him. During this process, Rocky displays slight hackles when touched, along with heavy panting, pacing around the room, and hypersalivation. Rocky is then escorted back to his kennel safely without any issues. For more information, see behavioral assessment
Date of intake:: 8/19/2025
Summary:: hard pulling on leash. He let staff clip the leash and walked into the kennel without issue
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 3
Recommendations:: No children (under 13)
Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): We reccomend Rocky is placed in an adult-only home at this time.
Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful,Separation anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration
Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Rocky has been reported to become tense and hover over his food and toys when approached, indicating discomfort with sharing valued items. This behavior suggests a need for structured resource guarding protocols to build trust and reduce guarding responses. Please see the handout on Resource Guarding. Basic Manners/Poor Impulse Control: Rocky jumps up persistently, showing excitement and a lack of impulse control. He would benefit from consistent training to reinforce calm greetings and appropriate attention-seeking behaviors. Please see the handout on Basic Manners/Poor Impulse Control. Handling/Touch Sensitivity: Rocky is fearful when his paws are touched, indicating sensitivity to handling. Gradual desensitization and positive reinforcement during low-stress interactions can help increase his comfort with touch. Please see the handout on Handling/Touch Sensitivity. Fearful: Rocky is fearful of loud noises, which may cause him to startle or retreat. Providing a calm environment and using confidence-building exercises can help reduce his sensitivity to sound. Please see the handout on the decompression period. Separation Anxiety: Rocky becomes anxious when left alone, which may result in distress behaviors. A structured routine, enrichment, and gradual independence training can help him feel more secure when separated from his caregivers. Please see the handout on Separation Anxiety. On-Leash Reactivity/Barrier Frustration: While Rocky was tolerant of a familiar dog in his previous home, he displays reactivity toward unfamiliar dogs by pulling and alert barking during walks. Controlled exposure and redirection techniques can help reduce his reactivity and improve his focus. Please see the handout on On-Leash Reactivity/Barrier Frustration.