Animal Profile
Big Ace
Hello, my name is Big Ace. My animal id is #220523. I am a male white dog at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 7 years 1 months 4 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a owner surrender on 2/24/2025, with the surrender reason stated as person circumstance- new baby.
Big Ace is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Big Ace has not acclimated well to the shelter environment despite best efforts to keep him comfortable. Big Ace in care does not tolerate much handling, flinching when touched, freezing and becomes spooked easily. Medically, Big Ace has a Heart murmur and Dental disease
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. Big Ace is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Big Ace has not acclimated well to the shelter environment despite best efforts to keep him comfortable. Big Ace in care does not tolerate much handling, flinching when touched, freezing and becomes spooked easily. Medically, Big Ace has a Heart murmur and Dental disease Meet Big Ace Surrendered by his former owner due to family changes. Big Ace is a striking 7-year-old large mixed breed dog with a gentle soul and a big heart. After living with a family that included two adults, young children, and another dog, Big Ace was surrendered when his owner could no longer manage his strength and energy level. He's had a lot of transition in his life recently, including a breakup and new babies in the household. While he's been timid in the shelter, he's also shown glimmers of affection and curiosity-especially when offered soft toys or gentle praise. 🏡 My Ideal Home Big Ace is looking for a quiet, adult-only home with someone patient who will give him the time he needs to settle in. He's had a lot of upheaval and needs stability more than anything. He would thrive with a consistent routine, gentle encouragement, and a calm environment that lets him come out of his shell at his own pace. 👶 Good with Kids? No children under 13, please. In his previous home, Ace was tolerant with kids but could become fearful and overwhelmed. In the shelter, he has shown signs of discomfort around unfamiliar people and quick movements. 🐕 Good with Other Dogs? According to his former owner, Big Ace was respectful toward the resident dog. In the shelter, he's been polite when meeting other dogs but cautious. If you have another pup, we recommend a slow, supervised introduction. 🦮 Leash Manners Ace is learning to walk more confidently on leash and can walk with a loose lead when he feels safe. He may startle or flinch with sudden movements, so slow, calm walks are best for now. 🩺 Overall Health Ace is not yet neutered due to a temporary waiver issued after a minor arrhythmia was observed under sedation. His heart has sounded normal since, and he's otherwise in good health. His adopter should plan to follow up with their vet before scheduling surgery. 🧠 Behavior Determination: Level 4 Big Ace is a fearful dog who may escalate to higher-level warnings if he feels cornered or overwhelmed. He's not aggressive-he simply needs space and trust-building time. His future family should be familiar with canine body language and committed to using only force-free, reward-based training methods. 🎉 One Fun Fact Even when he's nervous, Ace can't resist a good plush toy. During enrichment time, he carefully picked one up and trotted away with it like it was his prized possession.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 64.5 lbs
2/24/2025
The staff veterinarians are issuing a TEMPORARY waiver from the spay/neuter requirements of the City of NY due to arrhythmia pending bloodwork. Follow up care at your regular veterinarian is recommended to ensure continued treatment through to the resolution of the issue. At the time of a full recovery you may choose to have your veterinarian perform the spay/neuter surgery, or make provisions to return the pet to ACC for sterilization.
2/24/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: dentition and conformation consistent w o reported age of 7 years Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: o surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - skittish, sedated as precaution Is there evidence of Cruelty? N Is there evidence of Neglect? N Is there evidence of Trauma? N Objective T = np P = 144 R = 24 BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, moderate dark brown ceruminous debris AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: moderate wear and staining to dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: 2/6 L systolic HM, prolonged sinus arrythmia, tachycardia, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI, two scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment Heart murmur 2/6 Heart arrythmia- note: p was tachycardic after initial sedation w pronounced arrythmia, resolved over the next 10 minutes Dental dz approx 1/4 Prognosis: fair pending BW Plan: intake exam and tasks sedated for intake w 0.6mL dex (0.5mg/mL), 0.6mL torb (10mg/mL) IM, reversed w equal vol antisedan CBC/CHEM/T4/pro BNP to lab- check for results tomorrow P would benefit from echo/cardiac work up with adoption or placement SURGERY: Okay for surgery: N Temporary waiver due to arrythmia
2/25/2025
Bloodwork results, brief recheck S/O: BAR, good appetite No c/s/v/d noted EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge LUNGS: Eupneic CNS: Appropriate mentation CBC: wnl CHEM: nsf T4: wnl Cardio proBNP not ordered (listed in plan) A: Heart murmur, arrhythmia Dental disease P: Added on cardio proBNP Re-auscult to recheck HM and arrhythmia CTM while at QACC
2/26/2025
Issue List: - h/o heart murmur and arrhythmia while sedated Q-BAR H EENT: no nasal or ocular discharge noted H/L: eupneic; no murmur or arrhythmia detected on presentation PLN: WNL ABD: relaxed U/G: MI MSI: Ambulatory x 4, normal hair coat CNS: Mentation quiet - no signs of neurologic abnormalities A) h/o cardiac changes but not present on re-check r/o secondary to sedation vs other P) Continue monitoring pending ProBNP Recommend neutering in house (higher risk because of history)
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow
During intake dog was tense and needed a few minutes to warm to staff. Once dog was comfortable with staff, he jumped up in a social manner and took treats from hand. Staff was not able to scan for MC due to tense body language.
Basic Information:: Ace is a black and white 7 yr old LMB dog that was surrendered by owner due to new baby in the home and family situations not allowing proper care of the dog.
Previously lived with:: 2 Adults, 2 children, 1 other dog
How is this dog around strangers?: Ace is shy and timid around strangers actively avoiding contact and will need to warm up. He is then tolerant of strangers. When visitors came to the home, he would hard bark/growl unless the person was familiar to him.
How is this dog around children?: Ace has experience living with young children and is known to be tolerant and friendly. He may play a little rough, but he can also be gentle.
How is this dog around other dogs?: Is known to be tolerant. Ace lived with another dog in the home that was much older, and he was respectful.
How is this dog around cats?: no experience
Resource guarding:: none reported
Bite history:: none reported
Housetrained:: Yes
Energy level/descriptors:: high
Other Notes:: enjoys and is unbothered when coat is brushed or is held. Is not bothered while sleeping, startled, or pushed/pulled off furniture. Allows collar and paws to be touched.
Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No
Medical Notes: last Vet visit was in 2021 - clinic unknown. Known to have a sensitive stomach.
For a New Family to Know: Big Ace is a social and playful large dog who loves car rides. He will be where people are or is other parts of the home where he is allowed. he goes to the groomers and is walked twice a day for about 15minutes. He will pull moderately to hard when outside and is excited. He uses a crate but does not do too well wanting to come out when people are around. Ace knows ques like sit, off the bed, come, and down. He likes stuffed toys and twist sticks as a treat.
Date of intake:: 2/24/2025
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender
Previously lived with:: 2 Adults, 2 children, 1 other dog
Behavior toward strangers:: shy, timid, actively avoids, needs time to warm up , has hard barkied and growled at visitors
Behavior toward children:: tolerant, social, can play rough at times
Behavior toward dogs:: respectful of resident dog
Behavior toward cats:: unknown
Resource guarding:: none reported
Bite history:: none reported
Housetrained:: Yes
Energy level/descriptors:: Big Ace is reported to have a high energy level.
Other Notes:: Big Ace enjoys and is unbothered when coat is brushed or is held, Is not bothered while sleeping, startled, or pushed/pulled off furniture. Allows collar and paws to be touched. He will pull moderately to hard when outside and is excited. He uses a crate but does not do too well wanting to come out when people are around.
Date of assessment:: 3/11/2025
Summary:: 03/11/25: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Loose Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Timid warms up, Flitches pancakes with raised hands Call over: Readily approaches- treats are tossed, soft body Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: Allows- leans in, wags tail Exuberant handling: Allows- leans in ,wags tail Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow- neutral body, wags tail Arousal comments: Knock: Approaches- neutral body Knock Comments: Toy: Sniffs, neutral body Toy comments: 2/26/25: Another attempt to conduct a handling assessment with Big Ace is attempted. He enters the behavior office, still with a tense body but does begin to wander the office. Big Ace backs away and begins head whipping when attempts are made to place a collar on him. He backs away and attempts to put as much distance between them as possible. Due to his fearfulness and discomfort a handling assessment was not completed. 2/25/25: Big Ace enters the behavior office for his handling assessment with a tense body. When he sees the assessor, he fixates and stares hard at them., not breaking his stare. He ignores attempts to redirect with the use of treats or squeakers. The handlers attempt to dress him with a collar but he head whips and backs away from them. Due to his discomfort, a handling assessment was not conducted.
Summary:: According to Big Ace's previous owner(s), Big Ace has been described as respectful of resident dog. 02/27/25: When off leash at the Care Center Big Ace is introduced to a novel female dog. At the gate Big Ace approaches displacement scenting while drooling. Big Ace and the novel female scent one another. The novel female returns to displacement scenting. The novel female creates distance, walking away and taking no further interest. Big Ace remains present at the gate. Due to the novel females disinterest the interaction was ended and a face to face greet was not conducted.
Summary (6):: 4/17/25: Big Ace is at the front of his kennel with a neutral body, allows to be leashed and is brought into the behavior office with no issue. Big Ace upon entering the behavior office will walk up to handlers to sniff them, but remains aloof, walking away and when a staff members attempts to touch his back area he flinches hard, making his back ripple and freezes. Big Ace is walked away from the staff members and remains aloof in the room, sniffing his surroundings and walking around. Big Ace is brought back to his kennel due to his uncomfortability with no issue 04/12/25: Big Ace is at the front of his kennel and will greet the handler with a neutral frame while being leashed. Big Ace will be brought to the live room for enrichment, where he will encounter duck-scented toys lying on a duck-scented towel, a three-leaf clover rubber snuffle mat with hidden treats inside, and a brown paper bag filled with miscellaneous items. Big Ace will display fearfulness while the handler collars him and will become frightened by any sudden movements. He walks over to the scented ducks with a low tail, crouching down and keeping close to the ground, displaying fear as he crept over to them, then backs off and runs away. However, he returns, grabs a stuffed toy in his mouth, and runs off to play with it. Big Ace will engage with the snuffle mat and will pick up the brown paper bag, but does not realize there are treats inside and drops it on the floor. He will then walk over to the door, seeking the exit as people pass by. Big Ace will be brought back to his kennel safely with no issues.
Summary (7):: 03/11/25 (assessment): Big Ace is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. He is leashed with ease and walks to the Canine Behavior Office for assessment (see Behavior Assessment for further details). Big Ace is collared, clipped to a drag lead, and free to explore the space. He approaches handlers with a neutral frame and will lean in to contact. As one handler raises their hands as they are talking, Big Ace will flinch and pancake. Handler speaks to him with a soft tone, and he loosens. After assessment, Big Ace is leashed and returns to kennel safely. 2/26/25: Big Ace stood at front of kennel and made direct eye contact with handler. Big Ace maintained hard eye contact and another staff member's attempts to refocus him with a squeaker was only momentarily distracting. Big Ace was leashed without issue and walked to the BA room for his assessment. Big Ace entered the room with a tense frame before softening slightly and approaching handler 2 to sniff them. Handler 1 took him outside for a relief walk and he appeared to be housetrained. After this he trotted back inside and and appeared more relaxed but backed away from attempts to collar. His assessment was not conducted at this time and he was returned to kennel without issue. 02/25/25: Big Ace is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. He is avoidant of leashing and will back away whenever it makes contact with him. Handler slowly drops the lead over his head, and he walks with a tense frame to the Canine Behavior Office. Upon entering the room, Big Ace will fixate on the other handler in the room, displaying a tense square frame. Handler 1 guides him away and he will briefly scent along the side of the room before turning to fixate on second handler again. He hard stares and does not break contact. Due to his discomfort, a handling assessment is not completed at this time. Big Ace is returned to kennel safely.
Date of intake:: 2/24/2025
Summary:: tense, needed time to warm up, jumps up, took treats
Date of initial:: 2/24/2025
Summary:: skittish, sedated as precaution
ENERGY LEVEL:: Big Ace is described as a high-energy dog by his previous owner. He will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in addition to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend only force-free, reward-based training techniques for Big Ace.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 4
Recommendations:: No children (under 13)
Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the fearfulness and potential to escalate to higher level warnings noted in his previous home and similar behaviors displayed in care, we recommend an adult only home at this time.
Potential challenges: : Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression
Potential challenges comments:: Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition- During the assessment treats are tossed due to him taking treats roughly. Teaching him to take treats gently by rewarding calm behavior and using a clicker or marker word can help. Please see handout on Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Big Ace is reported to have escalated to hard barking and growling in his previous home. Although if given the chance, he is reported to actively avoid strangers but if prevented from moving away there is a potential to escalate to higher-level warning behaviors and possible fear-based aggression. It is important to move slowly with Big Ace, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow him to initiate interactions with new people. Big Ace should never be forced to greet or interact if he is not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression.