Animal Profile
Chicken Little
Hello, my name is Chicken Little. My animal id is #220039. I am a desexed female brindle dog at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 1 years 1 months 3 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a returns on 2/18/2025.
Chicken Little is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Chicken was returned to shelter due to nipping at his previous adopter. Those nips did not break skin or leave any severe marks. During his stay in the care center Chicken has been observed to growl and nip at handlers arms when they are attempting to releash him in the yard. Chicken has also been observed to be panting, pacing, barking, and jumping up in his crate. Medically, Chicken Little 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. Chicken Little is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Chicken was returned to shelter due to nipping at his previous adopter. Those nips did not break skin or leave any severe marks. During his stay in the care center Chicken has been observed to growl and nip at handlers arms when they are attempting to releash him in the yard. Chicken has also been observed to be panting, pacing, barking, and jumping up in his crate. Medically, Chicken Little is apparently healthy. There is an adorable video of me on social media! Click here to experience the cuteness! Meet Chicken Little! Chicken Little is a 1-year-old spayed female with a high-energy spirit and a whole lot of heart. Originally brought to us as a stray by NYC park rangers, she was adopted but sadly returned due to anxiety and challenges adjusting to her home. Despite her nervous beginnings, Chicken Little has shown moments of true affection-wagging her tail, approaching for treats, and even playing exuberantly when comfortable. 🐾 My ideal home Chicken Little will thrive in a calm, structured home with experienced adopters who are patient and willing to work on her training and confidence building. She should be the only pet and placed in an adult-only home where she can settle in slowly and feel safe. A home committed to force-free, reward-based training is a must. 👶 Good with Kids? Chicken Little should go to a child-free or adult-only household. 🐕 Good with other dogs? Chicken Little can be reactive and is best as the only pet. While she has had some polite interactions, she's also displayed guarding behavior and needs a home where she won't be overwhelmed by other animals. 🦮 Leash Manners Chicken Little walks calmly on leash and has shown no reactivity while walking. However, she's still learning basic manners and will benefit from consistent guidance. 🩺 Overall health She is spayed, up-to-date on vaccines, and generally healthy. She has gained weight steadily in our care and has a good body condition. 🧠 Behavior Determination Level 4 - Chicken Little has some behavioral challenges including house soiling, resource guarding, and a history of nipping. With structured training, patience, and decompression time, she has the potential to blossom into a loyal companion. 🎉 One fun fact Despite her name, Chicken Little loves a good game of chase! Once she feels comfortable, she'll happily engage in play and show off her silly, zoomie-loving side. Chicken Little is looking for a fresh start with someone who understands that healing takes time. Could that someone be you?
My medical notes are...
Weight: 42 lbs
2/6/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1y Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: Stray dog found in park, brought in by rangers. Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Wagging tucked tail and seeking attention. Becomes very tense with restraint so muzzle placed as precaution, but continued to allow all handling. Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Evidence of Neglect seen-no Evidence of Trauma seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 3/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: limited exam but appears to have adult dentition with minor tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: female intact, no apparent scar or tattoo 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 underweight Prognosis: good Plan: intake tasks TID feeding OHE new home SURGERY: Okay for surgery
2/8/2025
Diarrhea (FS 6/7) noted in kennel. BAR, eager for treats. A: Diarrhea- r/o FAS vs. DI vs. other P: Feed GI diet for TID feedings Medical feeding- 1/4 cup of sweet potato SID x4d
2/14/2025
Pre-surgical exam, anesthesia, and surgery performed by offsite vet. Medical record uploaded to Vet Documents. Green linear tattoo placed lateral to incision. Start 1 tab of carprofen 75mg sid po x4 days as pain management
2/19/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1 year Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned positive History: Adoption return, adopter noted anxiety Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - loose wiggly body, aloof Evidence of Cruelty seen - No Evidence of Neglect seen- No Evidence of Trauma seen - No Objective- Visual exam only due to being UTD on tasks EENT: Eyes clear, no nasal or ocular discharge noted H/L: Eupneic, no coughing/sneezing noted ABD: Relaxed U/G: Female spayed MSI: Ambulatory x 4, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Apparently healthy Spayed female Prognosis: Good Plan: Update exam New home SURGERY: Already spayed
2/22/2025
Staff noted limping when initially taken out of kennel, then resolves- r/o salt in b/w toes vs. soft tissue inflammation vs. other. Panting/pacing noted while cage side. P: Monitor Rx: Trazodone 150mg PO BID indefinitely Rx: Gabapentin 200mg PO BID indefinitely
3/8/2025
Reported to have gained 7# in the last month. Still appears to be a good BCS, BAR/active. P: Monitor
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
How is this dog around strangers?: Reported to be shy/prefer contact on their own terms. With some time becomes playful. Will hide from visitors.
How is this dog around children?: n/a
How is this dog around other dogs?: Reported to be shy/prefer contact on their own terms. Will hard bark/growl at other dogs.
How is this dog around cats?: n/a
Resource guarding:: reported to be tense/hover over items such as food/treats/toys
Bite history:: previous adopter stated that she was sitting on the sofa with chicken little petting her. While the adopter was petting her, chicken little nipped at her fingers. They proceeded to to say "no we do not bite, be gentle". Their other dog, who was kept separate for the compression time, started to bark. chicken little became tense and then nipped the adopter in the face. chicken little walked away and then turned around and nipped at the adopter's fingers again. The nips/bites did not break skin or leave any severe marks
Housetrained:: No
Energy level/descriptors:: high
Other Notes:: Reported to have general anxiety , fearful of loud noises and have destructive tendencies in the home. Reported to bare teeth when seeing other dogs on walks. Reported to growl/bare teeth when seeing a stranger in the elevator.
Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No
For a New Family to Know: Reported to be social, affectionate, active, playful and sometimes fearful dog. Reported to enjoy spending time around their people. Enjoys spending time in the living room or in the bedroom. Does not allow owners/family to touch paws/trim nails Getting in the car makes her nervous. Knows how to sit for treats!
Date of intake:: 2/6/2025
Spay/Neuter status:: Yes
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Returned
Previously lived with:: Adult, one other dog
Behavior toward strangers:: Shy, hides, prefer contact on her own terms
Behavior toward children:: Unknown
Behavior toward dogs:: Hard bark and growl
Behavior toward cats:: Unknown
Resource guarding:: Tense/hover over items such as food/treats/toys
Bite history:: Previous adopter stated that she was sitting on the sofa with Chicken Little petting her. While the adopter was petting her, Chicken Little nipped at her fingers. They proceeded to to say "no we do not bite, be gentle". Their other dog, who was kept separate for the compression time, started to bark. Chicken Little became tense and then nipped the adopter in the face. Chicken Little walked away and then turned around and nipped at the adopter's fingers again. The nips/bites did not break skin or leave any severe marks
Housetrained:: No
Energy level/descriptors:: Chicken Little is reported to have high energy
Other Notes:: Chicken Little bared her teeth at a stranger in the elevator. 2/6/25: Stray, First stay Chicken Little was fearful and lack basic manners.
Date of assessment:: 2/9/2025
Summary:: First handling assessment Leash Walking Strength and pulling: None Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Highly Social Call over: Approaches Readily Sociability comments: Requires coaxing for collaring Handling Soft handling: Fearful Exuberant handling: Fearful Handling comments: tense and turns when petting Arousal Jog: Engages in play Arousal comments: Jumps playfully while following handler Knock Knock Comments: Approaches exuberantly Toy Toy comments: No response
Summary:: 2/19/25: Chicken Little greets another dog at the gate with soft body and wagging tail. Off leash, she stands tall while remaining soft. She is tolerant of the other dog pawing at her. When the other dog is lured away, she follows him quickly.
Summary (7):: 3/24/25: Chicken Little is standing in her crate as handler approaches. She begins to slowly spin around in the crate with a lose wiggly body as handler unlocked the door. She is able to be leashed with ease and slowly taken downstairs for a walk. On the walk, she would walk slowly next to the handler with a stiff body and low tucked tail. When loud cars and sudden sounds would happen, she would pull hard ahead and stop walking behind the handler. Once she was comfortable walking again, she would continue to walk slowly with a tense body and tucked tail. On the way back to kennel she would pull ahead with her head and body low the ground. She is able to walk into her crate with no issues. 3/23/25: Chicken Little is observed to pace bath and forth in kennel while whining. 3/20/25: It is reported that Chicken will growl and nip handlers arms when they are attempting to releash him in the yard. 3/19/25: Chicken Little is observed to be jumping up and down in his crate while barking at people walking past. 3/11/25: Chicken Little is observed to be panting and pacing back and forth along her pop up crate. The hallway was quiet. 2/19/25: Chicken Little is sitting in her kennel soft body. She is leashed using a treat as a lure. She is walked on the street where she turns to handler frequently, gently placing her legs on handlers torso and accepting petting. She is lured down with treats. She remains soft bodied throughout walk and checks in frequently with handler. She is easily returned to kennel. Previous stay at ACC: 2/9/25: Chicken Little is at the front of the kennel when handler approaches. She is loose and wiggly and easily leashed. When taken to the street she does not pull and does not react to people or dogs. Chicken thoroughly sniffs her environment and is highly treat motivated. Treats are tossed into kennel and she readily enters the kennel.
Date of intake:: 2/19/2025
Summary:: Loose, wiggly body
Date of initial:: 2/18/2025
Summary:: Waggy tail
ENERGY LEVEL:: Chicken Little is described as high energy. They will need daily We recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for them.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 4
Recommendations:: No children (under 13)
Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the Behaviors observed in the adopter's home, Chicken Little should go to a home with older children.
Potential challenges: : House soiling,Resource guarding,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,Bite history (human)
Potential challenges comments:: House soiling: Chicken Little is noted not to be house trained. Positive reinforcment should be used to help manage this behavior. Please see the handout on House Soiling. Resource guarding: Chicken Little was reported to guard food and treats, by being tense and hover. Positive reinforcment should be used to teach the trade game. Please see the handout on Resource Guarding. Basic Manners/ Poor Impulse Control: Chicken Little has been observed in the care center to struggle with impulse control, she will jump on handlers frequently as well as onto desks. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Leave it", "Sit/Stay", "Down" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach her to control her impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward based training only is recommended. Please see handout on Basic Manners and Impulse Control. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Chicken Little was reported to bare her teeth at someone in the elevator. Positive reinforcment should be used to to help Chicken Little associate new people with things she likes such as treats and toys. Please see handout on Decompression Period. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression Bite history (human)/Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression: Chicken Little was reported by her previous adopter to have nipped her on multiple occasions, and did nip the adopter once on the face. None broke skin did. Please see the handout on Bite History.