Animal Profile


Rocky Road

Hello, my name is Rocky Road. My animal id is #215500. I am a male black dog at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 2 years 1 months 3 weeks old.

I came into the shelter as a stray on 11/26/2024.

Rocky Road is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Rocky Road has been highly stressed inside of his kennel despite best efforts to keep him comfortable. When inside of his kennel will begin to wail and screech for prolonged periods throughout the day and when enrichment is offered to settle him, he shows very little interest. Rocky Road is social with staff outside of his kennel but is struggling to acclimate inside the care center due to kennel stress. Medically, Rocky Road is apparently healthy.

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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. Rocky Road is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Rocky Road has been highly stressed inside of his kennel despite best efforts to keep him comfortable. When inside of his kennel will begin to wail and screech for prolonged periods throughout the day and when enrichment is offered to settle him, he shows very little interest. Rocky Road is social with staff outside of his kennel but is struggling to acclimate inside the care center due to kennel stress. Medically, Rocky Road is apparently healthy. What my friends at ACC say about me: My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! It is unknown if I have ever lived with other animals or children. I came in with my friend Butter Pecan 215501 and would love to find a home with them! I am finding the shelter a little overwhelming, but when it's just you and me and some peace and quiet you'll see what a love bug I am. I am playful and cute! I will need daily physical activity to keep me healthy and happy!

My medical notes are...

Weight: 60.8 lbs

11/27/2024

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: Approx 2yr Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Stray - brought in with 1 other dog. Subjective: BAR in kennel, no v/d/c/s. Food motivated. Observed Behavior - Vocal, pacing, lip licking. Did well for handling and physical examination with muzzle on for medical tasks. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = NP P= 80 R = Pant BCS = 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear OU. Ears: Pinna are erythematous, mild accumulation of yellow to brown ceruminous debris. Otic exam not performed due to elevated FAS. No nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Scant tartar, adult dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Intact male - two descended, symmetrical testicles MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat with the exception of small amount of feces smeared on his left hip. CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally normal Assessment: 1) Approx 2yr, MI, shepherd mix 2) Otitis externa Prognosis: Good Plan: 1) Intake tasks performed 2) Placing on gabapentin and trazodone as pre-meds and scheduling for an ear cleaning with simplera instillation tomorrow. Gabapentin 300mg - 2 cap (~21mg/kg) po BID x 5d to help settle in to shelter/prepare for ear clean. Can extend, if needed. Trazodone 100mg - 2 tablets (~7.5mg/kg) po BID x 5d to help settle into shelter/prepare for ear cleaning. 3) ear clean tomorrow, 11/28 4) Simplera instillation tomorrow, 11/28 5) please collect blood for HWT at time of surgery. SURGERY: Okay for surgery

12/3/2024

Continuing with previously dispensed psychopharm indefinitely as reported to benefit due to fear behavior reported by CB: -Trazodone 200mg PO q12h -Gabapentin 600mg PO q12h

12/26/2024

Progress Exam: recheck ears S: BAR easily leashed, eagerly exits kennel and pulls on leash O: EENT: skin of pinnae smooth with no erythema, mild brown pasty debris in canals, eyes clear, no nasal discharge, no cough/sneeze H/L: eupneic Abd: no distension MSI: BCS 5/9, MCS 3/3, ambulatory x4 with no lameness Mentation: appropriate, no cn/cp/motor deficits noted A: history of otitis, resolved with treatment (Simplera) P: monitor while in care

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Upon intake, Rocky Road and Butter Pecan were very friendly, outgoing, and playful with each other. They would both bark at handler when they initially approached the door to the room the dogs were in and entered, but when handler squeaked a toy and threw treats they immediately stopped barking and were very friendly and outgoing. Rocky Road maintained a loose, relaxed body throughout intake and took treats gently from handler's hand. He allowed scanning for a mc with ease (mc negative), but initially backed away when handler attempted to collar. Handler presented treats and was able to collar without issue while the finder kept Rocky Road distracted. He allowed handler to place a slip lead over his head with ease and walked beside handler back to the kennel; he hesitated initially going into the kennel but went in without issue when treats were thrown ahead of him.

Date of Intake: 11/26/2024

Spay/Neuter Status: Unknown

Basic Information:: Rocky Road is a male large mixed breed dog who was found as a stray. He stayed with his finder for about three weeks prior to being brought to ACC

Previously lived with:: 4 adults, 2 children, 2 dogs

How is this dog around strangers?: Rocky Road will bark initially when strangers approach his home or owner, but will quickly warm up to strangers and visitors to be tolerant, friendly, outgoing, and playful.

How is this dog around children?: Rocky Road lived with two children ages 1 and 12 for about three weeks in his finder's home. Rocky Road is tolerant, friendly, outgoing, and playful around children

How is this dog around other dogs?: Rocky Road was found with another large dog and lived with one small dog in his finder's home for about three weeks. Rocky Road will bark initially when meeting unfamiliar dogs on or off leash, but will warm up quickly and become friendly, outgoing, and playful. He is always friendly, outgoing, playful, and tolerant around familiar dogs.

How is this dog around cats?: No experience with cats

Resource guarding:: No reported issues

Bite history:: No reported bite history

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Very high

Other Notes:: Rocky Road is reported to be partially housetrained and will use the bathroom outside on walks and wee-wee pads. He is reported to jump up often or non-stop, have general anxiety, pull really hard on leash, and be anxious when left alone. On walks, he will bark at strangers when they initially approach his owner/family member, but warms up quickly. Rocky Road isn't bothered when held/restrained, when disturbed while sleeping/resting, when startled, when pushed/pulled off of furniture, when his feet/paws are touched, or when his collar is grabbed/touched.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: Yes

Medical Notes: Reported by finder to be limping on his left front paw.

For a New Family to Know: Rocky Road is a social, affectionate, very active, playful, aloof, vocal dog. He spends most of his time in the bedroom. He does spend some time in his crate, but if he spends more than 2 hours in his crate he gets very anxious and begins howling/whining/barking. Rocky Road allows his owner/family to bathe and brush him and trim his nails. They had success with grooming while Rocky Road was distracted with peanut butter. Rocky Road pulls moderately on leash during walks, and was usually walked three times per day for 45min-1hour each. Getting/being in a car makes Rocky Road nervous. Rocky Road knows the cues sit, down, and wait. Rocky Road's finder loved how playful and affectionate he was, and how much he loved being brushed. Rocky Road's favorite toys were balls, ropes, sticks, squeaky toys, and bones. He loves running and playing. He loves all food, but his favorite is peanut butter.

Date of intake:: 11/26/2024

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray ( 3 weeks with finder)

Previously lived with:: 4 adults, 2 children (1, 10 Y/o), 2 dogs (1SMB.1LMB)

Behavior toward strangers:: Bark when strangers the home will warm up quicklytolerant, friendly, outgoing, and playful.

Behavior toward children:: tolerant, friendly, outgoing, and playful around children

Behavior toward dogs:: unfamiliar dogs on or off leash, but will warm up quickly and become friendly, outgoing, and playful

Behavior toward cats:: Unkown

Resource guarding:: No Known Reports of Resource guarding.

Bite history:: No reported bite history

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Rockyroad is reported in the finder home to have a Very high energy level.

Other Notes:: Rocky Road is reported to be partially housetrained and will use the bathroom outside on walks and wee-wee pads. He is reported to jump up often or non-stop, have general anxiety, pull really hard on leash, and be anxious when left alone. On walks, he will bark at strangers when they initially approach his owner/family member, but warms up quickly. Rocky Road isn't bothered when held/restrained, when disturbed while sleeping/resting, when startled, when pushed/pulled off of furniture, when his feet/paws are touched, or when his collar is grabbed/touched. He spends most of his time in the bedroom. He does spend some time in his crate, but if he spends more than 2 hours in his crate he gets very anxious and begins howling/whining/barking.

Date of assessment:: 11/28/2024

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Mild Reactivity to humans: Inconclusive- Didnt was;lk pass people Reactivity to dogs: Inconclusive- Didnt was;lk pass people Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Approaches handlers- stay near them, whining Call over: Readily approaches- jumps, mouthy on handlers hand Sociability comments: treats are tossed Handling Soft handling: Allowed handling- whining, panting Exuberant handling: Allowed handling- whining, panting, leans into handler Handling comments: conflicted Arousal Jog: Follows- looks at handler, panting Arousal comments: Knock: Approaches- whines, pulls Knock Comments: Toy: Grips walks away Toy comments:

Summary:: Due to Rocky Road entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded 12/30/24 Rocky Road is introduced to a novel male dog while off leash at the care center. Rocky Road will displace, sniffing away from the gate as the novel male dog reacts by hard barking and snarling at him. Rocky Road will pace back and forth as his hackles begin to rise. Rocky will continue to sniff away from the gate, maintaining his distance. After some time, he seeks attention from one of the handlers present, collecting pets. Rocky Road is returned to kennel, concluding the interaction. 12/02/24 Rocky Road is introduced to a novel female dog while off leash at the care center. Rocky Road greets the novel female dog exuberantly, offering her a bounce. The novel female will growl at him and Rocky doesn't pick up on the cue and must be moved away from the gate. Rocky Road is returned to kennel. 11/30/24: When off leash at the Care Center Rocky Road is introduced to a greeter female dog. At the gate Rocky Road approaches with a slow wagging tail. Rocky checks in with the handler before marking. Rocky Road approaches the gate, scents the greeter female before he begins displacement scenting. The greeter female is moved to the back of the pen to make space for Rocky Road to enter. Once in the pen Rocky Road displacement scents while staying in close proximity to the handler. The greeter female approaches Rocky Road and they meet face to face. Rocky Road scents the greeter female with ears pinned back. Rocky Road begins pawing at her as she offers play bows. They engage in a session in of chase play as they figure out each others play style. after some time Rocky Road disengages and begins checking in with the handlers again. Rocky Road takes no longer interest in the greeter female. Both dogs are separated.

Summary (4):: 01/21/25 Rocky Road is lying down as the handler approaches, rising as the handler unlocks the kennel door. Rocky is leashed with ease and he will hop out the kennel with a loose body, proceeding outside fora walk. Rocky maintains a soft, neutral frame as he trots moderately alongside the handler. Rocky will maintain his soft frame, as he exits the building and explores. Rocky will scan his surroundings remaining soft. He takes treats gently when administered, taking treats gently. Rocky will allow petting as the handler rubs his side, remaining soft. Rocky and the handler will commence their walk as he returns to the building with a moderate pace, entering his the building and his kennel with no issue.

Summary (5):: 01/16/25 (Trainer Note): Rocky Road is jumping on his kennel door and vocalizing as the handler approaches. He is easily leashed and pulls moderately to the canine training room. He engages readily with the enrichment, orienting reliably between items. Handler begins to encourage take a breath and Rocky does so intermittently. He leans into contact before moving away to explore independently. He is easily leashed and returns to kennel with decreased pulling. 01/13/25: Rocky Road was resting comfortably on kuranda bed when handler approached. He was leashed with ease and proceeded outside for a walk on the street. Rocky Road passed a number of MOP at close distance on his way out of the care center without issue, remaining at handler's side. Rocky Road walked with a loose frame at a casual pace. He spent much of the time sniffing around in grassy areas. Rocky increased his pace when there was another dog walking directly in front of him, but was easily redirected with treats which he would hold a sit for. Rocky Road found a toy outside the care center which he briefly picked up and frolicked with before dropping it outside entrance. Rocky Road was returned to kennel with ease just as edible enrichment was being given out to the room. 01/12/25: As handler is walking through the room, they can hear persistently wailing coming from a kennel. Upon closer inspection, they can see that it's Rocky Road. He is standing on the kennel door with his head thrown back wailing loudly. 01/11/25: Rocky Road is observed to be wailing and jumping at his kennel door as handlers pass. His kennel is also covered in feces often. 01/7/25: Rocky Road was seen standing on his kennel door wailing loudly for a prolonged period of time. A long-lasting enrichment chew is offered but he does not show any interest and continues to wail. 01/2/25: Rocky Road was lying down in his kennel as handler approached. He then started jumping at the door as the handler was unlocking it. He was able to be leashed with ease and taken to the play yard for enrichment fun. He pulled hard when entering the yard. He would play fetch with a stuff toy and take a few treats. He would explore around the room with a lot of sniffing and would mark his territory a lot. He would get very distracted and alert with a stiff body as he watched people that were walking across the street from the yard. He was able to walk back to his kennel and enter with no issues.

Summary (6):: 12/26/24: Rocky Road is standing at the front door as handler approached his kennel. He then started jumping up as the hander was unlocking it. He was able to be leashed with ease and walked to the live room for enrichment fun with no issues. He liked playing fetch with the two toys provided. He would bring one back one at a time and drop them on the handler's foot for the toy to be tossed again for him to chase. He then started to get distracted by the door and would jump up at the counter. He was able be be re leashed from the drag lead, walk and enter his kennel with no issues. 12/20/24: Rocky Road is lying down on his bed as handler approached his kennel. He then approached the front door and started jumping up as the hander was unlocking it. He was able to be leashed with ease and walked to the live room for enrichment fun with no issues. He engaged in the snuffle mat and stuffed toys. He liked playing fetch with all three toys back and forth. He would bring one back one at a time and drop them on the handler's foot for the toy to be tossed again for him to chase. When a loud sudden sound happen outside the door, he got tense and barked at the door. On the way out, he pulled very hard to get away from where he heard the sound faster. He was hesitant to go back into his kennel. So, treats had to be tossed in before he walked in willingly. 12/13/24: Rocky Road is standing at the front of his kennel and will be leashed with ease before being brought to the BT room. While walking there, Rocky displays a mild pull on a short leash. Once in the BT room, Rocky is dressed with a drag leash and allowed to roam freely. Handlers provide a snuffle mat with hidden treats, which Rocky engages with for a period of time before shifting his attention to an octopus-shaped soft toy. After his enrichment session, Rocky is leashed and escorted back to his kennel safely with no issues.

Summary (7):: 12/06/24: Rocky Road is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. Rocky Road is leashed with ease and pulls mildly out to the play yard. She is clipped to a drag lead and free to explore the space. Handler tosses a squeaky toy which Rocky Road will readily engage with. He runs around the yard for several minutes with a toy in his mouth. Rocky Road spends time enjoying a licky mat and will approach handler to solicit attention. He accepts petting with a loose frame. After his session in the yard, Rocky Road is leashed and returned to kennel safely. - 12/2/24 Rocky Road is standing against his kennel door as the handler approaches. As the handler opens the door slightly, Rocky Road steps back and stands with a neutral body avoiding the leash. The handler attempts to lasso him with no success and instead kneels down at the open door. Rocky Road immediately comes to the door and is able to be leashed. Walking to the play yard, Rocky Road is weary of the handler, trying to quickly walk ahead of the handler and continuously looking back at them with wide eyes. After play group, he is returned to his kennel with no issues. 12/01/24 (staff report): It is reported that Rocky Road briefly thrashed coming out of kennel after being leashed. He recovered quickly and continued on his walk. 11/29/24: Rocky Road is at the front of his kennel, a bit head shy of the leash but will slowly be leashed with treats. Rocky Road is taken out for a dog-dog interaction, where on the way to the yard is hyper vigilant of the handler. (See Dog-Dog summary for more details) Rocky Road is easily leashed after his interaction, and is walked back to his kennel with no issue.

Summary:: barked at staff stop when squeaked toy/treats is used very friendly outgoing

Date of initial:: 11/27/2024

Summary:: Vocal, pacing, lip licking. Did well for handling and physical examination with muzzle on for medic

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 3

Recommendations:: No children (under 13)

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13)- We recommend Rockyland is placed in a home with children over 13.

Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Separation anxiety,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Strength/leash pulling,Kennel presence

Potential challenges comments:: Basic manners/poor impulse control- In the finder home and in care it is reported that Rockyoad will jump up non-stop, indicating a need for training to improve his impulse control and basic manners. Consistent training to teach him to sit or stay when greeting people, using positive reinforcement and redirection, will help manage this behavior. Please see the handout on Basic manners/poor impulse control Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition- During assessment Rockyroad takes treats roughly and mouths handler hand, showing a lack of proper bite inhibition. Training should focus on offering treats with an open hand and using commands like "gentle" or "easy." Rewarding him for taking treats softly and providing chew toys can help improve his bite inhibition. Please see the handout on Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition. separation anxiety/Anxiety- In the prior home Rockyroad is reported to have generalized anxiety and is anxious when left alone. Managing his anxiety will require creating a calm environment, providing enrichment activities, and using stress-reducing techniques like puzzle toys and regular exercise. Please see handout on generalized anxiety and separation anxiety. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration- When staying with his finder it was reported that Rockyroad is known to bark when strangers enter, but he quickly warms up and becomes tolerant, friendly, outgoing, and playful. Similarly, he may bark initially when meeting unfamiliar dogs, whether on or off leash, but he soon becomes friendly, outgoing, and playful. Around familiar dogs, he is consistently friendly, outgoing, playful, and tolerant. Please see the handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration. Strength/leash pulling- In the finder home RockyRoad is reported to pull hard on the lead while on walks. We recommend he wear a front clip harness. Please the handout on Strength/leash pulling. Kennel presence- RockyRoad is reported to screech and jump in front of his kennel.