Onix
Hello, my name is Onix. My animal id is #241803. I am a desexed male gray dog at the Queens Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 2 years 7 months old.
I came into the shelter as a agency on 5/28/2026.
Sorry, this pet is for new hope partners only.
Pre-Screener FormOnix is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Onix in the care center has showed arousal concerns and handling sensitivity. When touched, Onix will head whip, tense and begins to pant heavily. During his assessment, Onix began to become aroused and jump onto the handler, mouthing there clothing having an interrupter be used to get him to stop. Medically, Onix is apparently healthy.
Onix is at risk due to behavioral concerns. During his multiple stays in care, Onix has shown arousal concerns, handling sensitivity, and kennel stress. When touched, Onix has a head whipped with a tense body, and would pant heavily. During his previous assessment, Onix began to become aroused and jump onto the handler, mouthing their clothing, and an interrupter was used to get him to stop. During a walk, he became aroused after a moped sped by and bit a handler on their hand, leaving red teeth marks around the base of their thumb; the bite did not break skin or draw blood. In his kennel, Onix wails for an extended period of time during his multiple stays. He readily accepts treats, is easy to remove from the kennel, and readily engages with relaxation games. Medically, Onix is overweight.
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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. This pet is available only through ACC New Hope partners. To adopt or foster, please complete the pre-screener form below. Inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Onix is at risk due to behavioral concerns. During his multiple stays in care, Onix has shown arousal concerns, handling sensitivity, and kennel stress. When touched, Onix has a head whipped with a tense body, and would pant heavily. During his previous assessment, Onix began to become aroused and jump onto the handler, mouthing their clothing, and an interrupter was used to get him to stop. During a walk, he became aroused after a moped sped by and bit a handler on their hand, leaving red teeth marks around the base of their thumb; the bite did not break skin or draw blood. In his kennel, Onix wails for an extended period of time during his multiple stays. He readily accepts treats, is easy to remove from the kennel, and readily engages with relaxation games. Medically, Onix is overweight. Onix came into the care center as a stray during his prior stay in care he is described by his prior owners as an affectionate and friendly dog who is very active and playful. He spends most of his time in the living room of his home where he enjoys playing with plushies and chew toys. He is accustomed to going on 1-2 walks a day during which he pulls on his leash. He allows his family to bathe, brush, and trim his nails and loves going for a car ride. He knows the cues sit, paw, and stay in both English and Spanish and is not picky with food or treats. In the care cneter Onix allows leashing and is able to move through the care center, he displays clear stress signals including avoidance, head whipping, and discomfort with touch, particularly during more hands-on interactions. Onix has displayed high levels of anxiety and is noted to jump on handlers and leash bite. Onix s would benefit from a New Hope placement that can provide a calm, predictable environment and low-pressure handling. Onix is available for rescue through one of our new hope partners.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 79.2 lbs
11/17/2025
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~2yo based on dentition, condition Microchip noted on Intake? scan neg History: found stray Subjective: BARH, appears to be housebroken - did not eliminate in kennel and was very anxious to go on walk to eliminate outside room. Once he did, he calmed down some Observed Behavior - After returning from eliminating he had high tail wag, investigated room, panting, whining. A little flinchy when attempting to touch. Placed muzzle for precaution, immediately attempted to remove, but able to examine with mild restraint. Patient removed own muzzle immediately after exam completed Is there evidence of Cruelty? n Is there evidence of Neglect? n Is there evidence of Trauma? n Objective BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears very erythematous but clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Minimal due to muzzle but observed while panting - appears adult dentition, mostly white and clean PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Male intact, two testicles 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 Wood's Lamp Exam: NP Assessment ~2yo MI large breed dog Apparently healthy High energy Appears to be house broken Prognosis: good Plan: Routine intake procedures SURGERY: Okay for surgery
11/18/2025
Behavior team reports fearfulness, whining and pacing, head whipping when attempting to collar. Start trazodone 9 mg/kg PO BID.
11/22/2025
Progress exam: Coughing noted on rounds board Subjective: BAR, no S/V/D. Soft coughing present Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -Move to iso, ppe sign & monitor log placed on kennel -Start doxycycline 10mg/kg PO q24h x10days -CTM, recheck in 3 days
1/4/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2 years Microchip noted on Intake? Positive History: Owner Surrender. This animal was previously in care and was reclaimed approximately two weeks ago. BAR MM pink, moist, CRT <2 sec Observed Behavior - Blue; Able to examine, nervous, took treats, body tense, needed to move very slow Evidence of Cruelty seen - No Evidence of Trauma seen – No Evidence of Neglect- No Objective: P = 110 hr R = 40 rr (panting) BCS 5/9 Wt = 72 lbs EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: NSF PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, no apparent murmur, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI (2 testicles descended) MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: Apparently healthy Prognosis: Good Plan: Limited intake needed, consisting of physical exam and body weight only. Continue Trazodone as previously prescribed for management of fear, anxiety, and stress. SURGERY: Okay for surgery
1/6/2026
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. Notes: Heartworm Test Negative
1/7/2026
][Post Surgical Exam] Attitude/demeanor: BAR Appetite: eating well C/S/V/D: none Incision site: no swelling, bruising, or bleeding; sutures appear intact Pain level: appears comfortable Licking, chewing, or biting surgical site noted: no Additional notes: NONE
1/27/2026
Continued anxious behavior noted - jumping on handlers and grabbing treat pouches/clothing. Increase trazodone to 10 mg/kg PO BID and start clonidine 0.025 mg/kg PO BID.
5/28/2026
DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2-4 y/o Microchip noted on Intake? scanned positive History: Agency Subjective: BARH Observed Behavior -Interested in being pet, but did not appreciate medical handling/restraint Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? NO Objective: P = WNL R = WNL BCS =7/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: mild dental staining on canines and mild tartar on maxillary premolars PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: neutered male - previously neutered in shelter MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat, diffuse urticaria on back and scale and mild erythema in inguinal region CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: not performed Assessment: Overweight Approximately 2.5yo neutered LMB Diffuse urticaria with mild erythema and scale (ddx: secondary to stress vs. allergic reaction (environmental vs. food) vs. other) Mild dental staining Prognosis: Good Plan: OK to proceed with all intake items Continue on previously prescribed medications: -Trazodone 100mg: 3.5 tabs PO BID -Clonidine 0.2mg: 4 tabs PO BID Administered Benadryl 25mg: 3 tabs PO q12h x 2 days *Brief check tomorrow to assess urticaria SURGERY: n/a
5/29/2026
Recheck urticaria noted at intake yesterday S/O: BAR, no c/s/v/d noted EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge LUNGS: Eupneic MSI: Mild urticaria along sides and rump, no obvious pruritis A: Urticaria, overweight P: No change in plan, CTM on rounds and recheck in 2-3 days
6/2/2026
Recheck urticaria S/O: BAR, no c/s/v/d noted EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge LUNGS: Eupneic MSI: Mild urticaria along sides and rump, moderate erythema with hypotrichosis of muzzle A: Urticaria, overweight P: EXTEND Diphenhydramine 75mg PO BID x7d --> 6/9 ADD Apoquel 16mg PO SID x7d --> 6/9 DVM recheck 6/9
6/9/2026
Recheck urticaria/erythema BAR, at front of kennel EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge H/L: Eupneic MSI: No urticaria, no erythema around muzzle A: Urticaria - apparently resolved Plan: Ok to d/c diphenhydramine and apoquel as planned CTM skin while in care
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
Upon intake dog was very friendly and outgoing. He greeted staff with a wagging tail and a wiggly body. Staff was easily able to scan for MC, pet, leash, and walk with no complications. He was not collared due to activity level.
Date of Intake: 1/3/2026
Basic Information:: LMB gray male dog who was surrendered to ACC by his family due to them not having time for him anymore.
Previously lived with:: adults, children (6, 12, 15)
How is this dog around strangers?: Friendly, playful, and outgoing.
How is this dog around children?: Friendly, playful, and tolerant.
How is this dog around other dogs?: No experience with familiar dogs. On-leash he appears friendly and excited but has not had much interaction.
How is this dog around cats?: No experience.
Resource guarding:: Considers toys items of value but the client never attempted to approach or take the items from him.
Bite history:: No history.
Housetrained:: Yes
Energy level/descriptors:: High
Other Notes:: Accustomed to relieving himself outdoors and rarely have accidents in the home. He has never been disturbed while sleeping, startled, or moved from furniture. He is unbothered when held or restrained, when his paws are touched, or when his collar is grabbed.
Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No
Medical Notes: Last vet check was t ACC on 11/04/2025.
For a New Family to Know: He is described as an affectionate and friendly dog who is very active and playful. He spends most of his time in the living room of his home where he enjoys playing with plushies and chew toys. He is accustomed to going on 1-2 walks a day during which he pulls on his leash. He allows his family to bathe, brush, and trim his nails and loves going for a car ride. He knows the cues sit, paw, and stay in both English and Spanish and is not picky with food or treats.
Date of intake:: 5/28/2026
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray(Limited History)
Other Notes:: 2/2/26: Onix bit a staff member as a result of becoming aroused on a walk. Onix would track the handler's hand movements as they take treats out of their pouch. While scenting one patch of snow, a moped drives by. The handler did not see the moped due to it coming from behind the handler. Onix bolts to the end of the lead towards the moped. The handler attempts to redirect him with treats, and he begins jumping up on the handler. As the handler is reaching into their pouch, Onix jumps up and grabs their left hand around their thumb, leaving red teeth marks at the base of their thumb. He eats the treats that were thrown before choosing to continue to walk. 01/3/26: Owner surrender during 1st stay. Previously lived with: adults, children (6, 12, 15) How is this dog around strangers? Friendly, playful, and outgoing. How is this dog around children? Friendly, playful, and tolerant. How is this dog around other dogs? No experience with familiar dogs. On-leash he appears friendly and excited but has not had much interaction. How is this dog around cats? No experience. Resource guarding: Considers toys items of value but the client never attempted to approach or take the items from him. Bite history: No history. Housetrained: Yes Energy level/descriptors: High Other Notes: Accustomed to relieving himself outdoors and rarely have accidents in the home. He has never been disturbed while sleeping, startled, or moved from furniture. He is unbothered when held or restrained, when his paws are touched, or when his collar is grabbed. Has this dog ever had any medical issues? No Medical Notes Last vet check was t ACC on 11/04/2025. For a New Family to Know He is described as an affectionate and friendly dog who is very active and playful. He spends most of his time in the living room of his home where he enjoys playing with plushies and chew toys. He is accustomed to going on 1-2 walks a day during which he pulls on his leash. He allows his family to bathe, brush, and trim his nails and loves going for a car ride. He knows the cues sit, paw, and stay in both English and Spanish and is not picky
Date of assessment:: 6/3/2026
Summary:: 06/03/26: A handling assessment will not be conducted at this time due to history from prior stay. 1/8/26: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Hard Reactivity to humans: N/a Reactivity to dogs: N/a Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Anxious- flushed face, red dilated eyes heavy panting, unable to settle Call over: Readily approaches- heavy open mouth panting, jumps on handlers, begins to pace and whine in the room Sociability comments: takes treats roughly treats have to be tossed Handling Soft handling: Tolerant-lip licks, open mouth panting Exuberant handling: Tolerant- open mouth panting, begins to headwhip Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow- begins to jump up on the handler and the lead, air corrector is used, which regains his focuse Arousal comments: Knock: No response Knock Comments: Toy: Body block tense body over dummy toy Toy comments: ***11/19/25: previous assessment upon request.*** 11/18: Onix is taken to the behavior office for a handling assessment, which he begins to hard pull in the room. Once in the room he flinches, paces, and whines. When attempting to collar, he headwhips and backs away. He does take treats offered to him. He is taken back into his kennel and given more time to decompress.
Summary:: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 5/31/26: Onix is introduced to a novel female dog on leash through a barrier. Onix is highly aroused with a wide strained expression when approaching the gate. Onix will whine, and walk away pacing around the yard panting heavily with visible saliva marks on his face. Onix due to his anxiety/arousal is brought back to kennel and will be revisited. 11/19/25 Onix is introduced to an unfamiliar female dog while off leash at the care center.Onix approaches the gate with a still frame and a high stiff curled tail. He walks ways to displace, sniffing along the gate line and marking the gate. He walks away from the gate line, paw raising from a distance remaining avoidant of the gate. Onix is returned to kennel, concluding the interaction.
Summary (5):: 06/16/26 (Trainer Note): Onix is sitting at the front of the kennel as the handler approaches. He is easily leashed and walks slowly behind the handler to the canine training room. He allows the handler to attach a drag leash. Onix initially wanders around the room, checking it thoroughly for any treats left on the ground. He jumps readily up onto the mat. The handler works with him on building duration and he is able to hold his position as the handler backs away and pauses for varying amounts of time. He is easily leashed and walks slowly back to kennel. 06/09/26 (Trainer Note): Onix is sitting at the front of the kennel as the handler approaches. He is easily leashed and pulls moderately to the canine training room. Onix interacts with the handler with a loose body and allows the handler to attach a drag leash. The handler works with him on jumping up onto the mat and he does so readily after a few repetitions. The handler then works with him on building duration and he is able to hold his position for a few seconds at a time. Onix is easily leashed and returned to kennel without issue.
Summary (6):: 6/9: A handler hears screeching for several minutes as they are cleaning a kennel. When they go to find the source, they see Onix standing in his kennel, head thrown back as he vocalizes. The hadnler calls to him and he stops, comes to the front with a loose body, readily accepting treats. They leave the room to get clean bedding for the kennel they are cleaning, and can hear Onix resuming his wailing. They grab a toy to offer it to him once back in the room. Onix shows no interest in the toy. 05/31/26 (PG): Onix is at the front of the kennel as the handler approaches. He is leashed easily and brought outside to the yard. On the way, he pulls hard. After his interaction, Onix pulls hard to his kennel. He is returned to his kennel without issue. **Notes from previous stays at ACC.** 2/2: (1) ACS reports and has been observed by multiple staff to scream, vocalize and hypersalivate in his kennel. GO (2) Onix is sitting on his kuranda bed quietly when a handler approaches. He comes to the front, takes treats, and is easily leashed. Onix and the handler walk outside for a walk. During the walk, Onix would stop to explore scents for a prolonged period, needing a treat trail for a few steps for the handler to coax him along due to the cold. Onix would track the handler's hand movements as they take treats out of their pouch. While scenting one patch of snow, a moped drives by. The handler did not see the moped due to it coming from behind the handler. Onix bolts to the end of the lead towards the moped. The handler attempts to redirect him with treats, and he begins jumping up on the handler. As the handler is reaching into their pouch, Onix jumps up and grabs their left hand around their thumb, leaving red teeth marks at the base of their thumb. He eats the treats that were thrown before choosing to continue to walk. The handler brings Onix back to his kennel and returns him without any further issue. 2/2: ACS reports that Onix sits in his kennel and will wail. Once outside on a walk, he pulls hard for the duration of the walk.
Summary (7):: 1/22/26: Onix is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed with ease while being distracted with treats. He then pulls hard on the way outside for a walk. On the walk, he continues to pull hard ahead and would approach the handler to receive treats. He is then taken to a yard pen. In the pen, he is comfortable approaching the handler and would sit for treats. He would then constantly jump up on the handler to demand for treats that were in their hand. He then pulls hard on the way back to his kennel and enters with no issues. 01/08/26 (Assessment Note): Onix is standing at the front of his kennel and allows the handler to leash him with ease. He is escorted to the assessment room, where he displays high anxiety, including heavy panting and constant pacing. Onix does not tolerate handling and responds to touch with head whipping, lip licking, and bulging eyes. He becomes aroused during the run and attempts to bite the handler’s treat pouch. He does not respond to knocking and hovers over the toy, indicating resource guarding. Onix is returned to his kennel safely without any issues. See Behavioral Assessment for more information. 11/20/25: A handler enters the room and makes their way towards the safety station to check the items, and they hear multiple sets of banging. When checking to see which dogs are banging, they see that Onix is lying down but digging rapidly on his kennel door, along with two others who are banging on their door. He pauses when he notices the handler standing in front of his door, looking up at them. The room is otherwise quiet. 11/19/25 (Assessment): Onix is standing at the front of his kennel and allows the handler to leash him with ease. In the assessment room, he allows the handler to place a drag leash and begins roaming the room freely before the assessment begins. He allows all petting, leans in for touch, does not become aroused when running, does not respond to knocking, and walks away from the toy.
Date of intake:: 1/3/2026
Summary:: very friendly upon intake but his collar was not removed due to his activity level and to avoid over
Date of initial:: 1/4/2026
Summary:: nervous, took treats, body tense, needed to move very slow
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only
Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner
Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): We reccomend Onix be placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Onix came into the care center as a stray during his prior stay in care he is described by his prior owners as an affectionate and friendly dog who is very active and playful. He spends most of his time in the living room of his home where he enjoys playing with plushies and chew toys. He is accustomed to going on 1-2 walks a day during which he pulls on his leash. He allows his family to bathe, brush, and trim his nails and loves going for a car ride. He knows the cues sit, paw, and stay in both English and Spanish and is not picky with food or treats. In the care cneter Onix allows leashing and is able to move through the care center, he displays clear stress signals including avoidance, head whipping, and discomfort with touch, particularly during more hands-on interactions. Onix has displayed high levels of anxiety and is noted to jump on handlers and leash bite. Onix s would benefit from a New Hope placement that can provide a calm, predictable environment and low-pressure handling. Onix is available for rescue through one of our new hope partners.
Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting,Strength/leash pulling,Low threshold for arousal,Bite history (human)
Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Onix is note hover and body block over the dummy toy during his behavioral assessment. Training should focus on teaching “drop it” and “leave it,” using trade-up techniques, and avoiding direct confrontation over valued items. Reinforcing calm behavior during item-handling exercises can help reduce guarding responses.Please see the handout on Resource guarding. Basic manners/poor impulse control: Onix is noted to jump on the handlers often.Recommended strategies include reinforcing calm greetings, practicing “sit” as an alternative behavior, and rewarding four paws on the floor consistently to build better self-control. Please see the handout on Basic manners/poor impulse control. Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition: Onix is noted to take treats roughly. Recommended strategies include teaching gentle treat-taking by offering treats in a closed fist until he uses a softer mouth, reinforcing calm behavior before food delivery, and incorporating impulse-control exercises such as “wait” and “take it”. Please see the handout on Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition. Handling/touch sensitivity: It is noted that Onix will head whip and become uncomfortable when his collar is touched. Gradual desensitization to collar contact, pairing touch with high-value treats, and using cooperative care techniques can help him develop positive associations with being handled. Avoiding sudden grabs is important to prevent escalation. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. Fearful/Anxiety: During Onix medical exam he is noted to After returning from eliminating he had high tail wag, investigated room, panting, whining. A little flinchy when attempting to touch. Placed muzzle for precaution, immediately attempted to remove, but able to examine with mild restraint. Patient removed own muzzle immediately after exam was completed. During his fist at a handling assessment he is noted to head whip when attempts were made to collar him. Once in the room he flinches, paces, and whines. Use gradual desensitization to handling and equipment, pairing each step with high-value rewards. Keep sessions short and positive, avoid sudden movements, and allow Onix to approach voluntarily to build trust. Please see the handout on the decompression period and generalized anxiety. Strength/leash pulling: Onix is noted to hard pull on the lead while on walks.Use a front-clip harness and reward loose-leash walking with frequent treats to encourage better leash manners. Please see the handout on Strength/leash pulling. Low threshold for arousal/Leash-biting: Oniox is noted to jump on handlers to grab onto the lead, he will display a flushed face and dilated having difficulty in settling down. Providing an appropriate alternative, such as a tug toy during transitions, and pausing movement when leash-biting occurs can help reduce the behavior over time. Please see the handout on Leash-biting.
