Animal Profile


Swiss Miss

Hello, my name is Swiss Miss. My animal id is #223040. I am a male brown brindle dog at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 5 years 4 months 1 weeks old.

I came into the shelter as a agency on 3/24/2025.

Swiss Miss is at risk due to behavior concerns. He arrived at the care centers as a stray with little known history. During his intake exam he was reported to be friendly but was tense bodied and hesitant for his exam. Throughout his stay he has become very social with some handlers, regularly heavily leaning in for pets, rubbing his whole body their shins, and even rolling over in kennel to show belly and soliciting pets with his paw. He is very engaged and receptive during his training sessions, and is also food motivated. Recently, Swiss Miss has been reported to be jumping up very high and has begun to leash bite intensely without being easily redirected using both treats and squeakers. On walks, he has also been reported to be reactive to dogs, usually becoming tense, staring, barking, and sometimes lunging. He can usually be redirected with treats or the verbal cue 'Watch.' Medically, he apparently has dental disease.

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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. Swiss Miss is at risk due to behavior concerns. He arrived at the care centers as a stray with little known history. During his intake exam he was reported to be friendly but was tense bodied and hesitant for his exam. Throughout his stay he has become very social with some handlers, regularly heavily leaning in for pets, rubbing his whole body their shins, and even rolling over in kennel to show belly and soliciting pets with his paw. He is very engaged and receptive during his training sessions, and is also food motivated. Recently, Swiss Miss has been reported to be jumping up very high and has begun to leash bite intensely without being easily redirected using both treats and squeakers. On walks, he has also been reported to be reactive to dogs, usually becoming tense, staring, barking, and sometimes lunging. He can usually be redirected with treats or the verbal cue 'Watch.' Medically, he apparently has dental disease. Swiss Miss is a bright and engaged pup enrolled in our Shelter Scholars program, where he's working on managing on-leash reactivity through a thoughtful combination of training techniques. Using cues like Watch Me and Look at That, along with hand targets, desensitization, and counterconditioning, he's learning to stay calm and connected even around distractions. In addition to his reactivity work, Swiss Miss is also consistently practicing loose-leash walking, building the foundation for enjoyable, stress-free outings. He's being set up for success in his foster or forever home, where his training can continue and he can blossom into a confident and well-mannered companion. My #BoroughBreak Buddy Writes: Swiss Miss is a good boy with a lot of energy. He likes to play fetch and likes people. We even ran into one of his friends on our outing! He is reactive towards other dogs and would probably do best in an environment without other dogs around. 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 would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. 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.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 53 lbs

3/25/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3 to 7 years Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Stray Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Tense body for exam Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective P = 120 R = WNL BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear. Ears clean. No nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Mild tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Male intact MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: WNL externally Assessment Dental disease stage 1-2/4 Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks SURGERY: ok for surgery

4/5/2025

Sneezing repeatedly with mucus nasal dc A: CIRD likely P: 250mg doxycycline PO SID x10d

4/8/2025

anxious behavior being displayed, heavy panting, whining, and pacing. Hope to alleviate some of the FAS: Trazodone- 100mg (5 to 10 mg/kg po q 12 hrs) Sig: 2 tabs po q 12 hrs

4/13/2025

On treatment for cirdc. Sitting up in kennel. Wags tail as I speak to him. EEN: Sniffling. Clear nasal discharge RESP: Eupneic A: Possible hyporexia CIRDC improved but not resolved. Plan recheck in am

4/14/2025

Hx: last day of CIRDC medications; reported to have episode of wheezing while on a walk BAR eating some eent- no nasal discharge HL- coughing msi- amb x 4 neuro- nsf A) CIRDC improved P) watch out for wheezing coughing monitor appetite SQ fluids- 500 ml LRS

4/16/2025

S/O: BAR, no reported c/s/v/d. PInk mm. Eating well. Eupneic. No ocular or nasal discharge. No coughing or sneezing observed. A: CIRDC - resolved P: No additional treatments needed *CTM on rounds

5/19/2025

BAR. No diarrhea in kennel.

6/5/2025

Request increase in psychopharm due to high FAS - patient now has happy tail On Trazodone 200mg/kg BID (8mg/kg) P. Increase Trazodone to 10mg/kg - 250mg PO BID Watch for side effects Add Gabapentin 300mg PO BID

6/6/2025

Noted to have happy tail Patient is BAR, nervous when approaching tail Tail tip is ulcerated, red, not actively bleeding, mild discharge - serous to purulent. P. Attempted clean with chlorhex Carprofen 50mg PO BID x 3 days Clavamox 375mg PO SID x 7 days Prioritize placement

6/30/2025

requesting Clonidine for dog reactivity and mild kennel fighting Starting Clonidine 0.45mg PO BID indefinitely

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Date of intake:: 3/24/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, No known history

Date of assessment:: 3/25/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Hard Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: Inconclusive- Did not see any Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Moderately social Call over: Approaches with coaxing Sociability comments: Sniffing around the room, checks in with handler Soft handling: Seeks contact Exuberant handling: Seeks contact Comments: Jumps up while seeking contact, leans into handler Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler exuberantly Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily, leans into handler Toy Toy comments: Grips light, engages with toy exuberantly

Summary:: 3/27/25: Swiss Miss greets another dog at the gate with tense body, growling and barking while jumping on the fence.

Summary (2):: 7/31/25: Swiss Miss is laying on his side, head against the kennel door. Handler kneels down to offer enrichment and he lifts his head slightly and presses it further against the door seeking pets. Handler scratches the back of his head between the kennel bars. He attempts to come closer but the door is in the way.

Summary (3):: 7/31/25: Swiss Miss is play bowing slowly in kennel with a soft body as handler approaches. He is easily leashed without a lure and removed from kennel. He does not kennel fight but he does stand on his hind legs pulling very hard and vocalizing. He is taken to the park for an extra enrichment walk, prior to his training session. On leash he was all over the place. He was not as engaged and receptive to training or his cues, he was aloof for the most part of the walk. He was heavily panting throughout the walk. He walked past another dog at a distance and had no reaction. Swiss Miss is taken to the PAC interaction room for a training session. He is engaged briefly, for about 10 minutes or less, handler continued reinforcing 'Watch' cue, and proceeded to introduce a part of the relaxation protocol: "take a breath" training. After a couple of successful attempts, training session is ended due to Swiss Miss being past the threshold for effective training. Handler sat down on the bench while he continued panting and pacing in the room, at one point he sits, accepts pets, and eventually lies down. He is returned to kennel without issue. 7/28/25: ACS report that Swiss Miss is difficult to leash, he is biting and tugging the leash into kennel and he is not receptive to toys, squeakie sounds, or treats. Spray cheese was able to distract him long enough for handlers to get a leash on him. 7/24/25: It is reported that when handlers go to leash him Swiss Miss is biting the leash while in kennel and is now continuing to bite the leash while exiting the kennel room. 7/23/25 (Trainer): Swiss Miss is jumping up and down and barking as handler approaches. He begins to spin in kennel as the lock is being unlocked. He briefly and lightly mouths the leash, as he is removed from the room he hops out on his back feet. Handler takes Swiss Miss to the park for extra enrichment. He walks alongside handler if not slightly ahead of handler for the majority of the walk, the 'heel' cue is used to recall him, it is effective for the most part. At the park, he is put on a long leash and handler continues to reinforce recall with the "Come" cue. Swiss Miss stops another dog and rushes the fence with a tense body but disengages without being prompted and returns to handler. Handler begins a game of trade and Swiss Miss remains engaged and receptive. He is given some water before returning back to the care centers. He keeps a loose body, ears are floppy and turned back, and he is panting as he is returned to the care centers. He immediately lays down in his kennel when returned and given some frozen enrichment.

Summary (4):: 7/20/25: It was reported on the whiteboard that Swiss Miss is leash biting. 7/16/25: Swiss Miss is standing on his hind legs, pawing at the kennel doors, whilst barking and heavily panting, as handler approaches. He has a very loose and wiggly body. He is leashed using treats a lure and removed from kennel. He is taken for a long street walk. He is receptive to the 'Heel' cue, which handler utilizes as his pulling intensified throughout walk. He is offered water throughout and is easily recalled. As he re-enters the care center there is a dog lunging and hard barking at him, he begins to react towards him. Handler uses treats and leash pressure to redirect him. He is returned to kennel without issue. 7/10/25: It is reported that Swiss Miss is jumping up and biting the leash. This behavior is not able to be easily redirected. 7/6/25: It is reported that Swiss Miss is jumping up and biting the leash when handlers attempt to leash him. The handler has to use treats to guide his head through the leash. 6/29/35 (Trainer Note): Swiss Miss is at the front of kennel standing on his hind legs, paws on the glass door, barking, and had a loose and wiggly body as handler approaches. He is easily leashed and clipped to his harness as he is removed from the room. Swiss Miss is taken to the park for a brief training session. He engages in a game of 'trade' with two tennis balls and he is receptive. He readily chases after the ball, brings it back, drops it both unprompted and with the 'Drop' verbal cue, and second ball is tossed. A dog and a MOP walk past, about 30 feet away, Swiss Miss orients himself towards them, perks his ears up, but after a couple seconds returns his gaze back to handler without being prompted. He is heavily rewarded, this is repeated a couple more times as the dog walks past. Swiss Miss remains engaged with handler and the game of trade. He is offered water and a wet towel is placed on his head as he lays down at the end of the session. He is returned to the care centers without issue and given additional in kennel enrichment.

Summary (5):: 6/22/25 (Trainer Note): Swiss Miss is barking and standing on his hind legs, pawing at the kennel door with a loose and wiggly body as handler approaches. He is easily leashed and removed from kennel. When taken to the street, he displays similar behavior to that noted in EN 6/15/25. However, when spotting a pigeon, he remained calm by handlers' side and was heavily rewarded. When taken to the yard, he had no interest in the neighboring dogs or pigeons. He was rewarded each and every time he lacked a reaction from a trigger, and handler engaged in a game of trade with two tennis balls. He was highly receptive and engaged. At one point, Swiss Miss is heavily panting and decides to engage with the LATTE items laid out on the yoga mat. When he wants to re-engage with play, he approaches handler with the ball in his mouth, and when handler approaches the yoga mat, he immediately drops the ball and begins to engage with the enrichment. Swiss Miss is taken to his kennel without issue. 6/15/25 (Trainer Note): Swiss Miss is standing on his hind legs at the front of kennel with a loose body as handler approaches. He is easily leashed and removed from kennel. He is taken to the street for a training session. Swiss Miss relieves himself and briefly sniffs around. For the majority of the walk he is walking along side handler, if not, slightly ahead, and will be either looking up at handler or be checking in. He is rewarded and is also receptive to the verbal cue 'heel.' When spotting another dog down the block, Swiss Miss orients himself towards it, will become stiff, but after a couple seconds, and without being prompted, he returns his gaze back to handler and is heavily rewarded. This occurs 2 more times. When walking past a flock of pigeons he lunges towards them but is easily recalled with a 'heel' cue and is rewarded. He is returned to kennel without issue. 6/9/25 (late entry)- Swiss miss is at the front of his kennel with a loose and wiggly body, he is easily leashed and when in the hallway he pulls towards the pop up crates. Handler tosses treats ahead and he follows those to eat. He is taken for a street walk. He walks on a loose leash next to handler or slightly ahead, he does check ins with handler and is rewarded. He takes treats gently from their hand, he allows handler to pet his head, neck and back. He has no reaction to any stimuli. He has a moderate pull towards spots to sniff. He is easily clipped and returned to kennel without issue.

Summary (6):: 6/5/25: Swiss Miss is observed to be heavily panting before his walks. His kennel and the kennel walls are coated in feces and blood. It is also splattered on the floor outside his kennel. 5/19/25 (Trainer Note): Swiss Miss is laying down on his kuranda bed in the back of his kennel with a neutral body as handler approaches. He quickly stands up and comes forward with a very loose and wiggly body. He is easily leashed and removed from kennel. He briefly kennel fights at the end of the room. Swiss Miss is taken to the park for a training session and walk. He walks alongside handler, regularly checking in, and maintains a soft body as he trots along. When there's tension on the leash, handler will cue for a 'Heel' and Swiss Miss is receptive every attempt. At the park, Swiss Miss is put on a 70 foot leash. A game of trade is started, he is engaged and receptive. When walking back to shelter, two small dogs begin reacting, Swiss Miss is tense, pulls towards them but within a couple seconds is easily redirected using treats. He shakes off and the walk continues. When spotting other dogs, he had the same reaction. He is returned to kennel without issue. 5/11/25: Swiss Miss is jumping at his kennel door once handler arrives. A treat lure is used to leash him which is successful. As he exits the kennel, he begins to bark and lunge towards the passing kennels. Once out in the hallway a treat scatter is thrown, then Swiss Miss is clipped to his harness. He would begin to pull hard out towards the driveway and the street. Once exiting, he spots a dog from afar and begins to vocalize loudly & lunge forward. This behavior wasn’t able to be redirected using squeakers or treats. Once handler is able to break line of sight with the dog, Swiss Miss begins to sniff around with a soft body and loose leash. Occasionally, a treat is shown to Swiss Miss and he would go in a sit position which then rewarded with a treat. Swiss Miss would continually sniff around to relieve himself with no further distractions. He is then walked back to the shelter, clipped and returned with no further issue. 5/06/25 (Trainer Note): Swiss Miss is sitting at the front of kennel with a loose and wiggly body. He is easily leashed, clipped to his harness, and removed from kennel. He is taken to the street for a walk and training session. He maintains a loose and wiggly body throughout his walk. At first he is moderately pulling, but handler continues 'Heel' training from previous sessions. After a couple attempts, Swiss Miss is walking along side handler, regularly checking in for a reward. Swiss Miss spots several dogs on the walk, he will tense up, ears postured forward, and stares. Without being prompted, Swiss Miss returns his gaze back to hander, he is rewarded. This occurred several times, Swiss Miss returning his gaze back to handler every time. Handler re-introduced the "Watch" verbal cue. He is engaged and receptive. Swiss Miss is returned to his kennel without issue.

Summary (7):: 4/23/2025: Swiss Miss is whining and pacing around his crate when I arrive to office in the AM. I approach crate and he is heavily panting. He is released from crate and is very difficult to harness as he is continuously pacing around the office heavily panting and picking up dog food scraps from the floor. It takes a long time to hook the harness underneath his chest. He is finally harnessed and taken out. He pulls hard towards a wall and immediately relieves himself. He shifts between pulling hard in front of and walking right beside handler. He hard stares at 2 small dogs in the distance but continues walking. When we return to MACC, there is a large dog at the front door. I ask that client to move aside. There is now about 15-20 feet between Swiss Miss and the other large dog. As we approach the door, Swiss Miss sees the other dog and immediately begins hard barking, lunging, and pulling very hard towards the dog on his two hind legs. Handler is unable to attempt to use treats or squeaky toy due to having to use intense muscle and leash pressure to keep Swiss Miss under control. Once he is muscled into the building, he lunges with a tense body at a man in the lobby. He heavily pants and paces around before being returned to pop-up crate with no further issues. 04/22/25 (Trainer Note): Swiss Miss is laying down at the front of his pop up crate, pressing up his snout and paws at the front. Handler has to use body to brace the door as he is leashed. Swiss Miss pushes the crate door wide open and is jumping up on handler in a social manner. He is receptive to the 'Sit' cue and is rewarded. He is taken to the yard for a training session. Swiss Miss is a little more aloof than usual, it takes him a bit longer to engage with training but he remains loose and wiggly. When spotting another dog in the neighboring pen he charges the fence with a stiff body and high flagging tail, is hard barking, and growling. Handler has to use muscle and leash to pull him away. Handler begins the desensitization and counter conditioning training. Near the fence, but not near enough where Swiss Miss is reacting, Swiss is cued into a 'Sit' when he looks away from handler (more so specifically at the trigger - the dog) and then either disengages or looks at handler he is heavily rewarded. This is repeated and continued, handler closing the distance a bit with every trial. The training session is moved into the PAC interaction room and the same process was repeated. Similar results occurred. Swiss Miss was successful for some but not all the trials. Based on the PDS method, handler would 'Stick' with this level, meaning, not decreasing distance but remain the same or increase it. Handler also introduces hand targeting as a form of management for his on leash reactivity. He is engaged and receptive for the most part, but quickly loses interest after a couple of trials. Swiss Miss is returned to his crate without issue. *Previous notes available in GAN.*

Date of intake:: 3/24/2025

Summary:: Reported to be friendly, fearful upon arrival, allowed all handling

Date of initial:: 3/25/2025

Summary:: Tense body for exam

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Swiss Miss so we cannot be certain of their behavior in a home environment. However, they will need daily mental and physical activity to stay engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 3

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Recommend no dog parks

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior and on leash reactivity we recommend a home with no children. No Dog Parks: Due to vocalizing and lunging towards dogs we recommend no trips to the dog park.

Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Fearful,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting

Potential challenges comments:: Basic Manners: Swiss Miss has been observed to jump up and seek contact with handlers. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Sit" and "Off" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach them to control their impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward-based training only is recommended. Please see handout on Basic Manners. Fearful: During intake Swiss Miss was observed to be fearful. It should always be their choice to approach a new person or thing. Swiss would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to their new surroundings. Please see handout on Decompression Period. On Leash Reactivity: Swiss Miss has been observed to pull hard, vocalizes and lunge towards dogs. This behavior is not able to be redirected easily. Swiss will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than other dogs. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration. Leash Biting: Swiss Miss has been observed to jump up and bite the leash in and out of kennel. We recommend walking them with a toy to dissuade them from grabbing the leash. Positive reinforcement, force-free training is advised to teach them to focus on you rather than grabbing the leash. Please see handout on Leash Manners.