Animal Profile
Sparky
Hello, my name is Sparky. My animal id is #23108. I am a male white dog at the . The shelter thinks I am about 6 years 1 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 3/17/2018, with the surrender reason stated as person health - allergies.
Reserved
Someone has already placed a deposit on me. I'm no longer available.
Sparky is at risk for behavior reasons. Sparky growls and snaps when approached. His previous owner reports that he does have guarding tendencies. Sparky has considerable matting and appears to not be eating well at the care center, but appears to otherwise be a healthy dog.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 13 lbs
3/17/2018
[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 6yo Microchip noted on Intake? neg Microchip Number (If Applicable): History : o/s Subjective: BARH. Caution. Tries to bite when approached, especially face. Unable to place muzzle. Defecated while being restrained. Limited PE Observed Behavior - Evidence of Cruelty seen - n Evidence of Trauma seen - n Objective T = P = wnl R = wnl BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: not assessed PLN: not assessed H/L: NSR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: not assessed U/G: MI, 2 testicles MSI: Ambulatory x 4, poor dirty unkempt hair coat, matting through out CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: normal externally Assessment: intact male hair coat matting Prognosis: good Plan: plan for neuter body shave at the time of neuter SURGERY: Okay for surgery
3/20/2018
Caretaker noted drooling, possible nasal drip. -P lifts lip and growls when approached. -No evidence of drooling or nasal discharge on visual examination. no sneezing or coughing observed continue to monitor for possible nausea, anorexia, respiratory disease.
3/22/2018
SO recheck possible drooling, nasal discharge reported on 3/20. Normal on 3/21 and 3/22. eating well, active and alert. Approached kennel and P sniffed my hand. A health pet severely matted. P no tx needed grooming, when placed
3/25/2018
S/O -BAR, appears friendly and energetic -persistent soft sneezing, mild serous nasal discharge -appears eupnic A 1. CIRDC P -no HC -move to isolation -doxycycline 100 mg PO SID x 14 days -cerenia 16 mg PO SID x 4 days
3/25/2018
[Spay/Neuter Waiver - Upper Respiratory Illness] Your newly adopted animal is in treatment for an upper respiratory illness. The veterinarian is temporarily waiving this animal from the spay/neuter requirements of the City of NY until such time as the illness has resolved and the pet has sufficiently recovered. At that time, this animal must come into compliance with the spay/neuter requirements.
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 5. Red
Upon intake Sparky did not allow any handling. When first approached he was barking, growling and snapping at the counselor. When attempting to leash Sparky attempted to lunge at the counselors hands. Staff member came to attempt to remove his leash and Sparky attempted to lunge and snap at the staff member. He then began jumping up at the leash and alligator rolling. Counselor waited for Sparky to become more relaxed and was able to remove his leash however he did not allow any further handling.
Date of Intake: 3/17/2018
Spay/Neuter Status: Unknown
Basic Information:: Sparky is a roughly 6 year old male dog whom was gotten from a relative and kept in the same home for 6 years. Unfortunately due to allergies he was unable to be kept.
Previously lived with:: 2 adults
How is this dog around strangers?: Around strangers Sparky is described as reactive and will bark and growl at them. He will eventually warm up and will play exuberantly.
How is this dog around children?: He has not been socialized with dogs so this behavior is unknown.
How is this dog around other dogs?: He is described as reactive towards dogs and will not play.
How is this dog around cats?: He has not been socialized with cats so this behavior is unknown.
Resource guarding:: Sparky is described to have resource guarding with his food, treats and toys, he will bark, growl and snap when attempting to touch.
Bite history:: He has no known bite histories.
Housetrained:: No
Energy level/descriptors:: high energy level
Other Notes:: Sparky is described to use the bathroom indoors and barks a lot. He becomes nervous with loud storms and fireworks, will bark when unfamiliar people approach his home or owner and will growl and snap when attempting to touch his food or toys, give him a bath, brush him or trim his nails.
Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No
For a New Family to Know: Sparky is described as playful, shy, pushy and independent. He enjoys playing fetch with balls, ate Beneful dry food 2 times a day and will occasionally use the bathroom on the wee wee pads but often on the floor. When left alone he will use the bathroom and bark, has never been crate trained, was being walked once a day, pulls hard on leash and has never been walked off leash.
Date of intake:: 3/17/2018
Spay/Neuter status:: No
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (In home for 6 years)
Previously lived with:: Adults
Behavior toward strangers:: Reactive, will bark and growl at them
Behavior toward dogs:: Reactive, will not play
Resource guarding:: Yes, Sparky will bark, growl, and snap if his food, treats, or toys are touched.
Bite history:: None reported
Housetrained:: No
Energy level/descriptors:: Sparky is described as playful, shy, pushy and independent with a high level of activitiy.
Other Notes:: Sparky will bark, growl, and snap if he is brushed, bathed, or his nails are trimmed.
Date of assessment:: 3/19/2018
Summary:: In the assessment room, Sparky snapped when an attempt to collar him was made. For this reason, a handling assessment was not preformed.
Summary (1):: 3/19-20: When introduced off leash to dogs Sparky keeps mostly to self.
Date of intake:: 3/17/2018
Summary:: Sparky was snapping, barking, and growling and did not allow handling.
Date of initial:: 3/17/2018
Summary:: Sparky snapped when approached.
ENERGY LEVEL:: Sparky's previous owner described him as having a high level of activity. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: NEW HOPE ONLY
Behavior Asilomar: TM - Treatable-Manageable
Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner
Recommendations comments:: No children: Due to how uncomfortable Sparky is currently with touch and novel stimuli, as well as his behavior in his previous home, we feel that an adult-only home would be most beneficial at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to all noted concerns displayed in a home environment, as well as Sparky having allowed minimal handling at the care center, the behavior department recommends he 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 Sparky to acclimate comfortably to her new environment; force-free, reward based training only is advised when introducing Sparky to new and unfamiliar situations. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended for guidance to safely manage/modify any behavior Sparky presents with outside of the care centers.
Potential challenges: : House soiling,Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration
Potential challenges comments:: House soiling: Sparky is noted to have accidents in the house, and will likely need guidance with house training. We recommend positive reinforcement, reward-based training only. Resource guarding: Sparky is reported to bark, growl, and snap if his food, treats, or toys are touched. We recommend that Sparky be left along while eating, and that food guarding behavior modification steps (available at ASPCApro.org) be utilized if this behavior is problematic in his future home. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Sparky's mouth, and any time something is removed he should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. He should be taught the "drop" cue and trade-up games. Handling/touch sensitivity: Sparky is reported to bark, growl, and snapped when brushed or bathed. Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Sparky to be more comfortable with this. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Sparky is to bark and growl at new people. At the care center, he has allowed minimal handling, growling and snapping. Guidance from a professional trainer/behaviorist is recommended to assess behavior after decompression in a new home environment. Force-free, reward based training is advised when introducing or exposing Sparky to new and unfamiliar situations. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Sparky is reported to be reactive to to dogs that he sees. Sparky may need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach him to look at you rather than other dogs. We recommend a front clip harness or head halter to help manage this behavior.