Colby
Hello, my name is Colby. My animal id is #220847. I am a desexed male brown dog at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 2 years 3 months 1 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a agency on 5/15/2026.
Sorry, this pet is for new hope partners only.
Pre-Screener FormColby is at risk due to due behavioral concerns. Colby arrived at the shelter as a stray with limited history. Upon arrival Colby allowed handling with staff. Unfortunately, Colby has shown increasingly fearful behaviors and a decreasing threshold for arousal. Colby was reported to be fearful during his handling assessment and frequently does not walk on sidewalk for relief walks, however he does use the play-yards more comfortably. Recently, Colby has been showing a decreasing threshold for arousal. In once instance Colby attempted to redirect on to a handler when kennel fighting. When outside in the play yard, Colby is treat receptive and allows petting with a neutral body. Medically, Colby is apparently healthy.
Let's get to know each other a bit more...
This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. This pet is available only through ACC New Hope partners. To adopt or foster, please complete the pre-screener form below. Inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Colby is at risk due to due behavioral concerns. Colby arrived at the shelter as a stray with limited history. Upon arrival Colby allowed handling with staff. Unfortunately, Colby has shown increasingly fearful behaviors and a decreasing threshold for arousal. Colby was reported to be fearful during his handling assessment and frequently does not walk on sidewalk for relief walks, however he does use the play-yards more comfortably. Recently, Colby has been showing a decreasing threshold for arousal. In once instance Colby attempted to redirect on to a handler when kennel fighting. When outside in the play yard, Colby is treat receptive and allows petting with a neutral body. Medically, Colby is apparently healthy. Colby arrived at the shelter as a stray with limited history. Upon arrival Colby allowed handling with staff. Unfortunately, Colby has shown increasingly fearful behaviors and a decreasing threshold for arousal. Colby was reported to be fearful during his handling assessment and frequently does not walk on sidewalk for relief walks, however he does use the play-yards more comfortably. Recently, Colby has been showing a decreasing threshold for arousal. In once instance Colby attempted to redirect on to a handler when kennel fighting. When outside in the play yard, Colby is treat receptive and allows petting with a neutral body. We recommend placement with and experienced New Hope Partner that can carefully manage his potential triggers and offer adequate decompression time. What my friends at ACC say about me: My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! I can be slow to adjust to new environments. I prefer to take things at my own pace. 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 prefer to call the shots and enjoy coming to you when I'm ready for pets. A Volunteer Wrote: He looks like a character out of a cartoon (kind of like a fox with those whiskers!) and he's got the buoyant personality to match once he high tails it out of the shelter and gets to stretch his legs in the park. There, he practically lights up with joy, being able to graze on the grass, people watch, and have a chance to share a lap and treats. This sweetheart is tucked away in a pop up crate in a small room, when he should be making room in your heart for love and laughter!
My medical notes are...
Weight: 41 lbs
4/23/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2-3 years based on dentition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Agency, owner hospitalized Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - tense/whale eyes, but allows handling. Very food motivated and easily distracted with food Is there evidence of suspect cruelty? No Objective T = P = WNL R = WNL BCS: 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, fairly clean, limited due to muzzle PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact male, 2 scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Apparently healthy Intact male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort SURGERY: Ok for surgery
4/26/2026
Pre-surgical exam, anesthesia, and surgery performed by offsite vet. Medical record uploaded to Vet Documents. Green linear tattoo placed lateral to incision. Start the following pain managements: Rimadyl 75 mg, Give 1 tablet, orally, once a day for 2 days beginning the day after surgery for post op pain management. Dispensed med’s in the "Surgery Bin " in the Pharmacy room
5/1/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2-3y Microchip noted on Intake? scanned positive History: Owner arrested Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Standing tense at kennel door. Visual exam elected as here recently and UTD on all tasks. Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge noted H/L: eupneic ABD: Not distended U/G: mal neutered MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: normal external Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment apparently healthy Prognosis: good Plan: reunite/new home Surgery: already neutered
5/11/2026
Staff note pet more reactive in crate A: r/o kennel stress P: Trazodone 100mg 1 1/2 tablets po bid while in shelter
5/16/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~2 yr Microchip noted on Intake? Yes History: Agency Subjective: BARH Observed Behavior - Nervous, allowed all medical handling Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: T = NT P = WNL R = WNL BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: clean adult dentition with scant dental tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MC MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: not performed Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment: ~2 yr MC Mix Apparently healthy Prognosis: Good Plan: CTM
5/27/2026
Staff note pet highly anxious outside and refusing to walk towards the street. A: Increasing anxiety in shelter P: Advise placement Clonidine 0.2 mg 1 tablet po bid while in shelter.
5/30/2026
K9 behavior notes intense kennel reactivity and attempted redirection onto handler A: High FAS/deterioration P: Clonidine 0.4 mg PO BID indefinitely
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
Upon intake Colby allowed all handling and was social and friendly.
Date of intake:: 5/15/2026
Spay/Neuter status:: Yes
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, No known history (fourth stay)
Other Notes:: Third stay 5/9/26: Stray, No known history Second stay: 4/22/26 During their previous stay Colby was observed to be fearful. First stay: 2/19/25 *Previous assessments can be given upon request*
Date of assessment:: 5/30/2026
Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Balks Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Balks in the driveway and then pulls hard back to thwards the building, did not make it to the street Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Fearful Call over: Approaches handler with coaxing Sociability comments: Tense body, tucked tail, seeking exit Soft handling: Fearful Exuberant handling: Fearful Comments: Tense body and tucked tail Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler with coaxing, seeking exit at door Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler with coaxing, low body and low wagging tail Toy Toy comments: Sniffs, No reaction
Summary:: 5/5/26: Colby rushes towards the gate where another dog is. He slides forward into a play bow position. He remains like this for a few seconds before growling and jumping forward.
Summary (4):: 5/30/26: As handler approaches Colby is is persistently barking in kennel and jumping off the kennel walls. Handler uses a treat to gain his attention, which works and he would quickly take the treat and then attempt to push himself out of the kennel. He is then leashed and removed from kennel where he would quickly lunge towards the neighboring kennel. Colby is then kept on a short leash as he would attempt to lunge towards the kennels, he is muscled out of the room and clipped outside. Shortly after, he is moved to a closer kennel in a different room where he would return to the kennel with ease.
Summary (5):: 5/30/26: Colby is reported to attempt to attempt to redirect toward a handler's hand when being short leashed out of the kennel room when intensely kennel fighting. -AR 05/28/26: Colby is at the front of his kennel barking and jumping on the kennel door. Handler uses a treat lure and Colby is easily leashed and taken outside. He starts backing up in the hallways and pulls back into the room. Handler uses squeaker toy and treats and after sometime is able to get Colby to the driveway. His body remains tense with tucked tail. As soon as he gets closer to the gates he starts pulling back again fully refusing going to the street. Handler decided to try take Colby to the play-yard; as soon as Colby gets to the yard he starts sniffing a lot and eventually relieves himself. He allows petting and doesn't show any reactivity towards other dogs in other pans or people. During returning handler is able to pre-clip the leash; as soon as Colby gets into the room he starts pulling towards other dogs with kennel fighting but handler is able to pull him away and bring back into the kennel with no further issues.
Summary (6):: 5/25/26: Colby is observed to baulk again in front of the kennel room and refused to walk towards the street, handler then opts to take him to the yard where he remained calm and was easily returned. 5/24/26: It is reported that Colby would begin to baulk outside of the kennel room and refuse to walk towards the street. 5/22/26: It is reported on the behavior board that Colby is very fearful on the street and kept pulling back to the shelter. 5/21/26: Colby is at the front of his kennel whining; he is easily leashed and brought out the kennel; Colby initially pulls towards the kennels, but then pulls hard exiting. After crossing the the street, Colby looks at the police car, and hesitating a few times, but the handler pulls him away to continue the walk. Once outside, Colby stands in place when seeing police officers; when the handler tries to walk to the left, Colby slightly baulks; when they walk to the right, Colby walks with them and then across the street. Colby walks with mild leash tension, but baulks when the handler attempts to walk forward; he doesn’t react to dogs. The handler then crosses the street and walks Colby a little further away, but Colby slightly increases his leash tension. The handler brings Colby to the yard. While walking around the perimeter, he doesn’t mind one large dog, slight whines at another, and then reacts to a small dog by pulling hard towards them with vocalization; the handler pulls him away and shortens the leash until they’ve walked past. While walking past the first pen, Colby reacts in the same manner to a puppy and jumps on the fence. He does it once more and then the handler shortens the leash while entering the building. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and walks Colby into the room; he darts and vocalizes towards the first few kennels, so the handler shortens the leash when approaching his kennel. Colby walks on his hind legs and then enters his kennel afterwards.
Summary (7):: 5/11/26: Colby is sitting in his kennel. He is loose and wagging his tail as the handler approaches. He demand barks at the handler so they ask him for a sit and he quiets down and takes treats. He is easily leashed and lead outside. He begins trembling in his hind legs, whining, and is hypervigilant. His tail is tucked. The handler decides to turn back around after about 50 feet, and he begins to pull moderately back to the building. He jumps up towards a flying pigeon in the driveway. He is then taken to the yard where his body relaxes and his tail rises to a neutral position. He sniffs around and relieves himself. He accepts pets and treats. He jumps up on the bench. He is lead back to the hallway where he again becomes tense and tucks his tail while being vigilant. Once on the second floor, he walks very quickly towards his crate and gets in. 5/3/26: Reported via whiteboard that Colby is very sweet and easy to walk outside until return to building. Then fearful and pulls hard - fit harness? 4/26/26: It is reported on the whiteboard that Colby may be dog reactive. 04/23/26: Colby is at the front of his kennel laying down as handler approaches, he begins to tremble and shake as handler unlocks the kennel door and offers treats. Colby does not accept treats but does allow leashing and being lifted out of kennel. He is carefully placed down and follows handler out to the street for his walk. Outside he pulls mildly and passes people on the street without issue, he stops to sniff or to relieve himself and returns to the building for his assessment after finishing his walk. He is then returned to kennel without issue.
Date of intake:: 5/16/2026
Summary:: Allowed all handling
Date of initial:: 5/16/2026
Summary:: Nervous, allowed all medical handling
ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Colby so we cannot be certain of their behavior in a home environment. However, they will need daily mental and physical activity to stay engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in addition to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only
Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner
Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior we recommend an adult only home. Place with a NH Partner: Due to Colby's low threshold for arousal, we recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.
Potential challenges: : Fearful,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Low threshold for arousal
Potential challenges comments:: Fearful: During his previous stay Colby was observed to be fearful. Noted to be hypervigilant while on the street and have a tense body during his assessment. During his current stay in care, Colby has continued to show reluctance with going to the street. Noted to balk repeatedly while on leash. They should never be forced to approach anything that they are uncomfortable with or submit to petting or handling. It should always be their choice to approach a new person or thing. Colby would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to their new surroundings. Please see handout on Decompression Period. On-leash reactivity & Low Threshold for Arousal: Colby quickly becomes over aroused in the presence of exciting things. While in shelter he was been observed to attempt to redirect onto handlers while kennel fighting. He should be rewarded with treats when calm. If he escalates to jumping or mouthing, people should immediately walk away from and separate themselves from Colby. Please see hand-outs on Arousal and On-leash Reactivity.
