Gerald
Hello, my name is Gerald. My animal id is #230027. I am a desexed male brown brindle dog at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 1 years 1 months 1 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a returns on 7/5/2025, with the surrender reason stated as person circumstance- no time for animal.
Gerald is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Gerald has not been acclimating well to the shelter environment, pancaking on walks, kennel fighting trying to grab other dogs paws and becoming aroused on walks attempting to mouths staff clothing and limbs, making it difficult to walk him safely. Medically, Gerald is apparently healthy.
You may know me from such films as...
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. Gerald is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Gerald has not been acclimating well to the shelter environment, pancaking on walks, kennel fighting trying to grab other dogs paws and becoming aroused on walks attempting to mouths staff clothing and limbs, making it difficult to walk him safely. Medically, Gerald 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! I love getting pets and - you guessed it - snuggles! I'm ready to learn! I need a patient person who has the time to work on training with me. Not only do I pull at heart strings, but I also pull on leash! I will need someone to help me with my leash manners. I would do best in a home without very tiny humans, although I could be open to older human children once I meet them.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 65 lbs
6/23/2025
[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~ 1 year Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Stray Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Bright, excitable, accepts pets, sits on command, food motivated, very sweet, handling and exam are well tolerated. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective P = 100 bmp R = Eupneic BCS = 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Clean adult dentition, pink mm. PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Intact male, both testes wnl. 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 Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake exam and tasks SURGERY: Okay for surgery
6/25/2025
Pre-surgical exam, anesthesia, and surgery performed by an offsite vet. Medical record uploaded to Vet Documents. Green linear tattoo placed lateral to incision. GIVE: 1.5 tablet of Rimadyl 100 mg by mouth for 2 days starting the day after surgery. Healthy, Spay/Neuter - ACCEPTED
6/28/2025
Reported to pancake and have high fear/anxiety when entering kennel; advise starting psychopharm to reduce FAS in shelter. -trazodone 250mg PO q12h indefinitely
7/8/2025
[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1-2yrs based on dentition/conformation Is this an orphan kitten? no Microchip noted on intake? scans positive History: Return Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - loose and wiggly, sits on cue, rolls over for belly rubs, very treat-motivated Is there evidence of Cruelty? no Is there evidence of Neglect? no Is there evidence of Trauma? no Objective P = 120 R = panting, eupneic BCS 6/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, 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: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MN MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat, papules in axillary regions and interdigital cyst on RFL between digits 4 & 5 CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: externally normal Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Approx. 2yr MN canine 1. Dermatitis in axillary regions and interdigital cyst RFL (r/o secondary pyoderma with underlying allergies/atopy) Hx of anxiety in kennel and in home Prognosis: good Plan: update intake tasks Cleaned interdigital space with chlorhex Scheduled for medicated bath Start simplicef 5mg/kg PO SID x 14 days- recheck in 10 days Continue trazadone 250mg PO BID indefinitely SURGERY: neutered
7/9/2025
Progress Exam – CIRDC signs noted on rounds, coughing reported S/O: QAR, coughing, no s/v/d noted, no appetite concerns reported, no food in kennel EENT: Eyes clear, mild mucoserous nasal discharge noted H/L: Eupneic, normal respiratory rate/effort CNS: Mentation appropriate Assessment: CIRDC Plan: Move to iso Placed monitoring log Start doxycycline 10 mg/kg PO SID x 10 days Recheck CIRDC day 10 CTM while at QACC
7/18/2025
recheck skin, last day of cefpo S/O BAR, A+A, C+, no overt lesions, very mild erythema present in inguinal region, no papules appreciated A/P Dermatitis - appears resolved aTT Okay to finish abx CTM and recheck as scheduled
7/18/2025
Progress exam: CIRDC day 10 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. AS:1 noted on log Objective: EYES: Clear, no discharge LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC appears resolved PLAN: Per standing orders -CIRDC signage removed from kennel -CTM on daily rounds while in QACC
7/27/2025
Beh notes pancaking on walks, mouthiness, growling/lunging, baring teeth at other dogs, currently on traz, adding in clonidine 0.02mg/kg PO BID indef in care (0.6mg)
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 1. Green
Upon intake Gerald was loose and friendly with staff. He allowed staff to pet him, collar him, and scan for m/c. He walked easily back to his crate, and happily followed his toy in.
Spay/Neuter Status: Neutered
Basic Information:: Gerald is a aprox. 1-year-old, large, male, neutered, dog. He was returned to the shelter after his adopted family could no longer care for him.
Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 2 children
How is this dog around strangers?: He is tolerant, friendly, outgoing, and playful with strangers.
How is this dog around children?: He is tolerant, friendly, outgoing, and playful with children. He has previously lived with two children, ages 9 and 14.
How is this dog around other dogs?: He is tolerant, friendly, outgoing, and playful with familiar and unfamiliar dogs. He has previously lived with one small dog.
How is this dog around cats?: No experience.
Resource guarding:: No reported resource guarding.
Bite history:: No bite history.
Housetrained:: Partially
Energy level/descriptors:: High
Other Notes:: He is reported to have separation anxiety. He is not bothered when held, when woken from sleep, when pushed off furniture, when his paws are touched, or when his collar is grabbed. He is fearful when startled.
Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No
For a New Family to Know: He is a social, affectionate, active, and playful dog. He spends most of his time where people are. He loves water, and allowed his previous family to bathe him, brush him, and trim his nails. He pulls moderately on leash. In his previous home he would go on five 20-minute walks a day. He has never been crate trained. He loves car rides. He knows, "sit". He has a huge heart, and stunning personality. He loves pupperonies.
Date of intake:: 7/5/2025
Spay/Neuter status:: Yes
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (1 week)
Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 2 children (9 & 14 years old), 1 small dog
Behavior toward strangers:: tolerant, friendly, outgoing, and playful
Behavior toward children:: tolerant, friendly, outgoing, and playful with resident children
Behavior toward dogs:: tolerant, friendly, outgoing, and playful
Behavior toward cats:: unknown
Resource guarding:: none reported
Bite history:: none reported
Housetrained:: Partially
Energy level/descriptors:: Wade was reported to have a high energy level.
Other Notes:: 7/5/25: Wade is reported to have separation anxiety. He is not bothered when held, when woken from sleep, when pushed off furniture, when his paws are touched, or when his collar is grabbed. He is fearful when startled. He loves water, and allowed his previous family to bathe him, brush him, and trim his nails. He pulls moderately on the leash. In his previous home, he would go on five 20-minute walks a day. 6/21/25: Original Stay; surrendered as a stray, history unknown.
Date of assessment:: 6/24/2025
Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Hard pull Reactivity to humans: N/A Reactivity to dogs: N/A Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Social-seeks attention, leans in for pets Call over: Readily approaches- takes treats gently, seeks attention Sociability comments: Jumps on the handler easily, refocused Handling Soft handling: Allowed- distracted, looks back Exuberant handling: Allowed- leans into touch, lip licks Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow- hard pull distracted Arousal comments: Knock: Approaches- socially jumps on the handler Knock Comments: Toy: Grips walks away Toy comments: 6/23: Assessment not conducted due to lack of vaccinations and/or medical exam. 6/22: Assessment not conducted due to lack of vaccinations and/or medical exam.
Summary:: According to Gerald's previous owner(s), He is tolerant, friendly, outgoing, and playful with familiar and unfamiliar dogs. He has previously lived with one small dog. 07/25/25: Gerald is introduced at the gate to a greeter male. Gerald will hard pull to the gate and both dogs will scent one another at the gate. Gerald will display a tense face before he walks away and begins rubbing himself along the gate and rolling on the turf. Gerald will quickly roll back on to all fours and spin back towards the gate. Gerald will scent the greeter male who remains present and quickly escalates from lip quivers to growling then snarling before he begins air snapping at the gate. Both dogs are immediately separated but Gerald will refuse to walk away, planting himself in a firm down as he fixates on the greeter male. Eventually he will walk with the handler but once out of the pen he will gain sight of the greeter male and attempt to halt again still fixating. The interaction is concluded. 07/07/25 Gerald is introduced at the gate to a novel male dog while off leash at the care center. Gerald will approach the gate with a soft frame as does the novel male dog. As the scent each other through the gate, Gerald becomes looser displaying a wagging tail. The novel male dog is disinterested, walking away, panting heavily unable to focus. Gerald will rub his body against the gate line, rolling around on the ground as the novel male dog maintains his distance from the gate. The novel male dog is returned to kennel, while Gerald waits for another male dog to greet, however, that male dog is under the weather. The interaction comes to an end and Gerald must be revisited with a new male to greet at a later date. 07/06/25 Gerald is introduced at the gate to a novel female dog while off leash at the care center. Gerald will approach the gate with a soft, neutral frame and a wagging tail. The novel female dog will approach the gate, mirroring Gerald posture, giving him muzzle licks through the gate. Gerald remains self-present, attempting to solicit her attention, as she displaces, scenting away from the gate. The novel female dog appears conflicted as she disengages from the gate, displaying paw raises and reluctant to return while Gerald remains neutral, maintaining his wagging tail and soft posture. Gerald will remain self-present for the remainder of the time, while the novel female dog avoids reapproaching the gate. Gerald is returned to kennel, concluding the interaction.
Summary (1):: Due to Gerald's Behavior entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 06/27/25: When off leash at the care center, Gerald is introduced to a novel female. When approaching the gate Wade will display low hackles and begin whining as the novel female chooses not to approach, practicing avoidance. The novel female will displacement scent as Wade begins hyper salivating. Gerald's frustration will increase as he paws the gate and his whining turns to barking. The novel female retreats and displacement scents, not returning to the gate. Both dogs are separated, Concluding the interaction.
Summary (6):: 7/26/25: Gerald is observed to pancake on his walk, but is coaxed with treats back into the building, and continues to walk once inside. 7/25/25: Gerald is at the front of his kennel with a loose body when the handler approaches, and is easily clipped to his harness. Leaving the kennel room, Gerald tries to lunge and grab a dogs paw under the kennel door he is passing and continues to walk out of the room when the handler walks him out quickly. Gerald on the walk to outside becomes jumpy with the handler, jumping on the handler incessantly and begins to start to mouth the handlers shirt, belt and hand with mild-moderate pressure. Gerald is coaxed with treats away from the handler and enters the yard ( See dog-dog for more details). Gerald will pancake at times outside, and will be refocused with treats where he will take with a hard mouth. Gerald is placed into kennel without issue and his leashes are removed, as the handler does that Gerald does lean his head into petting and paw at the handler. 7/20: Multiple times throughout the day, Gerald was seen and heard growling, lunging,and baring teeth at other dogs that walked either in/out of the behavior office or when passing his crate in/out of the room. When in close proximity, he begins baring teeth and muzzle punching the crate bars. 07/12/25: Gerald was walking with an ACS back into the building. He was walking nicely by their side and the ACS tripped over their own foot. Staff member tumbled forward and Gerald went forward with the movement. Gerald stood up on staff member when they were on their knees with a loose, light wiggle, but overall stood relatively calm next to them and was easily guided back on all fours. Staff member stood up and Gerald just stood their waiting until they were ready to continue forward. Gerald was returned to his crate with no issues. 7/8/25: Gerald was resting quietly in crate as handler approached. He was leashed with ease and brought to the live room to be fitted with a harness. Gerald was loose bodied as he engaged with LATTE puzzles and enrichment. He favored a cheese lick mat. Gerald was highly social and climbed up on the couch when handler sat down. He tolerated all handling while handlers 1 and 2 adjusted his harness to size. Upon exiting the room Gerald pancaked in the hallway. He was easily lured back to crate with a trail of treats.
Summary (7):: 7/7/25: Gerald is laying down in his crate as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed with ease and pulls hard on the way to the yard for play group. When entering the yard, he begs to baulk to the ground due to the handler needing him to go to another pen. 06/27/25 (playgroup): Gerald is sitting in the middle of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. He begins jumping up onto kennel door and is easily redirected with tossed treats. Gerald pulls hard to the yard for playgroup (see Dog-to-Dog Summary for further details). Gerald spends time scenting around the yard and will approach when called. On the walk back into the building, Gerald plants himself multiple times and shows no interest in treats or toys. Once in the hallway he plants again, and handler uses a high-pitched voice and moderate leash pressure to run him to kennel. Once in front of kennel, Gerald balks and again, does not show interest in treats or toys. Handler muscles him into kennel and he begins jumping up onto the kennel door as it is closed. 6/25: As a handler is walking out of the elevator, they see a medical handler with Gerald. He is pancaked in the middle of the hallway, refusing to walk back. The medical handler makes a trail of treats, but Gerald does not take them. The handler attempts to assist, but Gerald does not take their treats either. The handler walks a little further down and bends to try and coax Gerald toward them, but he does not move. The handler suggested that the medical handler reset and try another path toward his kennel. When the medical handler turns to move in a different direction, Gerald pops up and follows. 6/24(assessment; late entry): Gerald is at the front of his kennel with a soft body. He is easily leashed and pulls hard as he is walked to the behavior office for his handling assessment. In the office, he greets the assessor with a wiggling body, leaning in to petting as the handler prepares a collar and frag leash for him. Gerald readily takes treats as the dollar is fitted. Once his assessment is complete, he is walked back to his kennel. Gerald balks and then pancakes on the door to the room. He does not take treats nor respond to coaxing or toys. He will try to pull back out of the room. The handler has to use directional leash pressure to get him back into the room and then muscle him back into the kennel. -
Date of intake:: 7/5/2025
Summary:: Loose, social, allowed petting, and intake tasks, wlked into crate without issue
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 3
Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Single-pet home,Recommend no dog parks
Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the high level of jumping and the possibility of knocking over a small child, reported fearfulness when startled, and separation anxiety, we recommend he goes to an adult-only home. Single-pet home/ecommend no dog parks: Due to the concerning reactivity displayed towards other dogs during his stay in care, we recommend that Gerald not attend dog parks and be the only dog in the home at this time.
Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Fearful,Separation anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Strength/leash pulling
Potential challenges comments:: Basic manners/poor impulse control/Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition: Wade jumps 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. Fearful: Wade has been reported to become fearful when startled. During his previous stay in the Care Center he would pancake, balk, and refuse to return to the kennel despite the staff's attempt to lure him and coax him with treats and a slow approach. Please hand out during the decompression period. Separation anxiety: Wade's previous adopter reported separation anxiety when left alone in the home, but did not detail how this behavior manifested in the home. It is unknown if any attempts were made to work with Wade on this concern. It is recommended that future adopters have a plan in place to work with Wade on his separation anxiety including enrichment, puzzle toys, etc. along with a reward-based force-free methodology. Please see handout On separation anxiety On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Gerald is noted to kennel fight and try and grab other dogs paws as he is exiting his room. Gerald will need training to look at you rather than other dogs. Strength/leash pulling: Use a front-clip harness to give you better control during walks. Teach him loose-leash walking by stopping or changing direction whenever he pulls, rewarding him with treats and praise when he walks calmly beside you. Please see handout on Strength/leash pulling.