Animal Profile
Nico
Hello, my name is Nico. My animal id is #43615. I am a desexed male black dog at the . The shelter thinks I am about 7 years 2 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 10/5/2018, with the surrender reason stated as animal behaviour - aggressive towards people.
Reserved
Someone has already placed a deposit on me. I'm no longer available.
Nico was placed at risk due to behavioral concerns; he has a bite history and has also not acclimated well in the shelter environment. He is displaying distant-increasing behavior here and will benefit from placement into a more controllable environment. we are recommending placement with a rescue partner at this time. Nico is otherwise healthy.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 12.6 lbs
10/8/2018
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 7 years according to o Microchip noted on Intake? negative History : o/s Subjective: BARH Observed Behavior - Shaking and very nervous, whale eyes, ears back. Used towel and muzzle for exam. Evidence of Cruelty seen - no Evidence of Trauma seen - no Objective P = wnl R = eupneic BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear with early aging signs, ears clean, no nasal discharge noted Oral Exam: muzzled PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MN MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: Apparently healthy Plan: Continue to monitor while at BACC DOH-B hold Prognosis: Excellent SURGERY: neutered
10/18/2018
Progress exam: Presented today for health certificate Subjective: BAR. No c/s/v/d. No signs of URI. Objective: EENT: No nasal or ocular d/c L: Eupneic, normal RR/RE, no c/s MS: Ambulatory x4 NEURO: A&A A: Apparently healthy No signs of URI or other contagious illness P: Ok to travel, health certificate signed Excellent prognosis
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow
Behavior during intake: Nico had a tense body and was hiding behind the owners chair during intake. After several minutes, he approached counselor and began to jump on the counselor lap and put his head under counselors hand to pet him. Counselor was able to scan for a microchip, collar and take a picture without any issues
Date of Intake: 10/5/2018
Spay/Neuter Status: Neutered
Basic Information:: Nico is a 7 year old neutered male that has no previous or current medical issues that the owner is aware of. OWner had Nico for 6 1/2 years but had to surrender due to Nico's bite history
Previously lived with:: 1 Adult
How is this dog around strangers?: When a stranger would come to the home, Nico was friendly and outgoing. He will usually approach the person and allow them to pet him.
How is this dog around children?: Nico has not been around any children so behavior is unknown
How is this dog around other dogs?: Nico has not been around any other dogs so behavior is unknown
How is this dog around cats?: Nico has not been around any cats so behavior is unknown
Resource guarding:: Nico will growl and snap if someone tries to take away his food, treats or toys
Bite history:: Nico has bit 4 times over the last 6 1/2 years with the most recent bite being on 10/4/18
Housetrained:: Yes
Energy level/descriptors:: Medium
Other Notes:: Nico will growl if someone tries to push him off furniture, being held/restrained or if someone disturbs him while he is sleeping. He is not bothered when someone bathes him or brushes his coat. Owner has never tried to trim his nails so behavior is unknown. When an unfamiliar person would approach the home, Nico will bark
Medical Notes: Nico does not have any known medical concerns
For a New Family to Know: Nico is described as friendly, affectionate, sometimes playful and confident. He has a medium activity level and likes to play with balls. In the home, he liked to follow the owner around from room to room. Nico was kept mostly indoors and is house trained. He was fed both wet and dry food brand Pedigree. When left alone in the home, Nico was always well behaved. He knows the cues come and sit. For exercise, Nico was taken on brisk walks on the leash. When on leash, he tends to pull lightly. Owner has never tried to walk him off leash so behavior is unknown
Date of intake:: 10/5/2018
Spay/Neuter status:: Yes
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner surrender
Previously lived with:: 1 adult
Behavior toward strangers:: Friendly and outgoing
Behavior toward children:: Unknown
Behavior toward dogs:: Unknown
Behavior toward cats:: Unknown
Resource guarding:: Yes, he will growl and snap if someone takes away his treats or toys.
Bite history:: Yes, Nico has bitten multiple times in his previous home environment. 1st incident: Owner attempted to clip leash on Nico when he turned and bit her on the hand between her thumb and pointer finger. This bite resulted in red marks and one puncture wound. 2nd incident: Owner went to move Nico's food bowl and he bit her on the hand which resulted in two puncture wounds; owner reports no previous warning signs displayed 3rd incident: Owner was laying on the couch and in getting up Nico ran over to her and bit her on the chin, this resulted in one puncture wound and red marks. 4th incident: Nico bit the owner when she began to pet him on his head and back. She stated he did not give any warning, that the bite left two puncture wounds, and that he released immediately after.
Housetrained:: Yes
Energy level/descriptors:: The owner describes Nico as friendly, affectionate and sometimes playful with a medium activity level .
Date of assessment:: 10/16/2018
Look:: 1. Dog's eyes are averted, ears are back, tail is down, relaxed body posture. Dog 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.
Toy:: 3. Dog takes toy away, keeps a firm hold. Body is stiff.
Summary:: Nico came into the assessment room loose and wiggly, he was friendly and social towards the handlers.
Summary (1):: According to Nico's previous owner, Nico did not socialize with other dogs. When off leash at the Care Centers, Nico greets a group of small male and female dogs with a neutral posture. He explores the yard and slightly sexually motivated.
Date of intake:: 10/5/2018
Summary:: Tense, hiding under the chair but allowed handling.
Date of initial:: 10/8/2018
Summary:: Very nervous, whale eye. Needed muzzle for PE
ENERGY LEVEL:: Nico displays a medium activity level in the care center.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: NEW HOPE ONLY
Behavior Asilomar: TM - Treatable-Manageable
Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner
Recommendations comments:: New hope partner: Due to all noted concerns displayed in a home environment, the behavior department recommends Nico be placed with a New Hope placement partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow Nico to acclimate comfortably to his new environment; force-free, reward based training only is advised when introducing Nico to new and unfamiliar situations. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended for guidance to safely manage/modify any behavior Nico presents with outside of the care centers. No children (under 13): Due to Nico's multiple bite history combined with his propensity to startle easily, we believe he would be best set up to succeed in an adult only home.
Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression
Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Nico is reported to growl and snap over food and toy resources. It is important to leave Nico alone while he is eating and never to take anything directly from his mouth. When he is asked to drop something he should be traded for an item of equal or higher value, in order to reward Nico for relinquishing the item he has. Multiple bite history: Nico has bitten multiple times in the last six years (see "Bite history"). Owner explained that Nico does not show any warning signs before he bites her. He also left punctures wounds several times in the home. Nico seems to escalate quickly to snapping and biting, so this is an established behavior that he offers when he feels threatened. Nico needs careful behavior modification and management to prevent future bites. We recommend only force-free, reward-based training methods for Nico as more aversive techniques are likely to increase fear and increase the risk of aggression.