02/14/2025
*** BEAR was placed with AmsterDog Rescue. Please honor your pledge at www.amsterdog.org/donate ***
Date of Intake: 5-Feb-2025
BEAR is a beautiful young Shepherdy type boy who was surrendered because the only family he has ever known is moving without him. He is a shy sweetheart who misses his home, his yard, and the 3 small dogs in the family whom he loved. Bear needs some extra help from you to decompress and get used to his new life. At the shelter he panics and shakes all alone in his kennel. A slow, patient approach from you will help him feel safe and allow Bear to rebuild his confidence. He has never learned how to walk on a leash, so some gentle, positive reinforcement training from you will be needed to help Bear with this. If you can respect his space and have experience, please consider applying for this good boy today. He has never bitten and does not resource guard. He will need some help meeting other dogs since he has been reactive to unfamiliar dogs in his previous home. A quiet, calm environment, and a loving owner can help him get used to other dogs and really come out of his shell. Please help this dear soul out today. Private message our page ASAP if you are experienced and children in your household are ages 13 and up. We will be happy to assist you throughout the application process, and can’t wait to hear from you. If Bear is not the right fit for your family, please share him everywhere and often, to find him a new family who will adore him, before it’s too late for this youngster.
AT RISK MEMO:
Bear is at risk for behavior reasons. Bear is highly fearful in the care center and allows for very minimal handling. He is avoidant, often seen shaking in fear in kennel. When taken out, he runs at the end of the leash and panics. He needs a very slow considerate approach. Medically, he is apparently healthy.
Bear is a 2-year-old dog who is struggling in the care center. He is highly fearful, often cowering, trembling, and seeking an exit when staff attempt to remove him from his kennel. This environment has been overwhelming for him, and he is in need of a calm and understanding home where he can feel safe. In his previous home, Bear lived with three small dogs and enjoyed their company. However, he is reactive on leash to unfamiliar dogs, so he will need slow and careful introductions when meeting new canine friends. He wasn't accustomed to regular walks and was primarily let out in the yard, so he may need patience and encouragement when learning to walk on a leash. Bear's favorite pastime is window-watching-he loves observing the world from a cozy spot. He also knows "sit," "down," and "paw," showing he has some basic training. He prefers contact on his own terms and is very fearful when meeting new people, doing best with slow, gentle introductions. Bear is looking for an adopter who will give him the time and space he needs to build trust. With a patient and loving approach, he has the potential to blossom into a loyal and devoted companion. If you have a quiet home and a heart full of love for a shy but sweet soul, Bear may be the perfect match for you.
BEAR 219301, 2 years old, 67 lbs., male
Staten Island ACC, German Shepherd Cross, brown/black
Owner surrender reason: Date of Intake: 5-Feb-2025, moving
Behavior Assessment Rating: New Hope only
No children (under 13)
Place with a New Hope partner
Medical Behavior: very tense
INTAKE NOTES—Date of Intake: 5-Feb-2025
N/A
OWNER SURRENDER NOTES—BASIC INFORMATION
BEAR is a handsome, 2 year old boy who is being surrendered because his family is moving without him. He has lived with his owner his whole life, after being purchased by a breeder. His previous owner tells us that Bear lived with adults and 3 small dogs whom the owner has already rehomed. He was friendly with these dogs, but hard barks at unfamiliar dogs as he does with strangers. He is friendly with children and has no experience with other animals.
Bear does not resource guard and has never bitten. He is partially house trained, going outside or in designated areas of the home. He did not go on walks but was let out in the yard. When on a leash he pulls hard. Bear is very energetic and jumps up lots. He isn’t bothered by much but is too uncomfortable being groomed or having his paws touched. Most of the time he prefers contact on his own terms. He knows a few cues and gets nervous on car rides. He was fed Beneful dry food. Bear’s favorite activity is looking out the window and chasing birds and squirrels in the yard.
BEHAVIOR NOTES:
Date of Intake: 5-Feb-2025
Spay/neuter status: No
Means of surrender: Length of time in previous home: owner surrender—2 years
Previously lived with:
Adults, Other Dogs (3 small dogs)
Behavior toward strangers:
Hard barks and/or growls
Behavior toward children:
Friendly & Outgoing
Behavior toward dogs:
Familiar dogs: Friendly & Outgoing Unfamiliar dogs: Hard barks and/or growls
Behavior toward cats:
No experience
Resource guarding:
None reported
Bite history:
No bite history
Housetrained:
Partially
Energy level/descriptors:
High
Other Notes:
Behavior concerns: Jumps up often or non-stop
Reacts to on walks: Strangers that approach you/family members, Strangers that approach the home/yard
Reaction type: Growling/Hard barking
How this dog reacts when...
- Held/restrained: Isn't bothered
- Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Isn't bothered
- Startled: Barks/Growls
- Pushed/pulled off furniture: Isn't bothered
- Paws are touched: Fearful
- Collar grabbed/touched: Isn't bothered
SHELTER ASSESSMENT SUMMARIES: Date of Assessment: 9-Feb-2025
Summary: Due to a high level of fear, Bear is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.
PLAYGROUP SUMMARIES—DOG TO DOG:
Summary: Bear lived with small dogs in his previous home. He is reported to react on leash to unfamiliar dogs. As of 2/9/25, a gate greet has not been conducted.
ENRICHMENT NOTES:
2/10/25: Bear is laying in the corner of his kennel. When staff attempt to coax his forward, he moves to the other side of his kennel and lays down on his bed. Staff member attempts to lasso him and he has no reaction to the leash. On the next try, she secures the slip lead over his head, and he remains pressed against the wall. He is coaxed out of kennel and once in the hall he runs to the end of the leash. He is brought into the yard and continues to attempt to run from his handler. He attempts to hide behind the bench and pulls it behind him. He is frantic at the end of the leash moving quickly and another lead cannot be secured. Handlers decide to return into the building. He balks before going into kennel his slip lead still attached. He hides in the back of his kennel remaining quiet and looking towards staff member. After failed attempts to remove the lead with a hook, he eventually comes forwards and is tolerant of her removing the leash with the hook.
2/9/25: Bear is laying in the corner of his kennel, shaking. Staff attempts to coax him to move using his food & various treats. He ignores remaining in the corner of his kennel. The staff member crouches down to attempt and coax him forward using a baby voice & patting at the floor. He looks at her with airplane ears and remains in place. An additional blocker is added to help decompress. PM: Bear is laying in the corner of his kennel; on approach he spins and attempts to climb the wall. A lead is presented and slipped into his kennel. He spins again and seeks an exit. Staff attempt to coax him forward with squeakers and a toy. One staff crouches outside of his kennel and pats the floor. He slinks over to the other side of his kennel, standing in the center. His transfer door is closed, and staff attempt to leash him from the other side. He retreats onto his bed, shaking in fear. He begins to climb the walls and attempt to remove him from kennel are stopped. He remains perched on his kuranda bed, trembling as they clean up the other side.
2.6.25 When approached initially Bear was snapping at staff member before the kennel was opened. After giving him time, a different staff approached. Bear had a tense body and was somewhat rope evasive, moving away from the rope. He did not growl or snap at staff. Once roped Bear was taken outside and to a yard, where he was kept on leash. In the yard Bear had a fearful body and tried to pull away from the staff. He would wander the yard on leash but still appeared fearful. He was not clipped when returned to his kennel but allowed a bar to retrieve the leash.
INTAKE BEHAVIOR:
Date of Intake: 5-Feb-2025
Summary: N/A
MEDICAL BEHAVIOR:
Date of initial: 5-Feb-2025
Summary: very tense
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: New Hope Only
Recommendations:
No children (under 13)
Place with a New Hope partner
Recommendations comments:
No children (under 13): Due to a high level of fear, we recommend an adult only home.
Place with a New Hope partner: Bear has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and has allowed only minimal handling since intake. We recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.
Potential challenges:
House soiling
Fearful/potential for defensive aggression
Anxiety
Handling/touch sensitivity
Potential challenges comments:
House soiling: Bear is noted to have accidents in the house and will likely need guidance with house training. We recommend positive reinforcement, reward-based training only. Please see handout on House Soiling.
Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Bear gives clear warnings when he is uncomfortable and does seem to choose to avoid or retreat when given the opportunity, 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 Bear, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow Bear to initiate interactions with new people. He should never be forced to greet or to interact if he is not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful Potential for Defensive Aggression.
Anxiety: Bear appears anxious in the care center. The shelter is a stressful environment, so we do not know if this will occur outside of the care center. If it does appear in a future home, we recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and giving him other things to focus on to alleviate his anxiety. Positive reinforcement, force-free training only should be used. Please see handout on Generalized Anxiety.
Handling/touch sensitivity: Bear would not allow his owner to bathe him. He was fearful and comfortable with this type of handling. It is important for any foster or adopter to be aware of this handling sensitivity. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity.
MEDICAL EXAM NOTES:
5-Feb-2025 DVM Intake
Medical Notes: 4:40 PM
DVM Intake Exam
Estimated age: 2 years
Microchip noted on Intake? scan negative
History: owner surrender
Subjective:
Observed Behavior - very tense
Is there evidence of Cruelty? no
Is there evidence of Neglect? no
Is there evidence of Trauma? no
Objective
BCS 4-5/9
EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted
Oral Exam: muzzled, limited oral exam, minimal dental calculus seen
PLN: No enlargements noted
H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic
ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated
U/G: Mi, 2 descended testicles
MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat
CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities
Assessment
appears healthy
Prognosis: good
Plan:
start trazodone and gabapentin for FAS
SURGERY:
Okay for surgery
VET 991385
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* TO FOSTER OR ADOPT *
Dogs Lives Matter - Saving NYC DogsACC dog please PRIVATE MESSAGE our page at https://www.facebook.com/NYCDogsLivesmatter or email us at [email protected] so we can assist and guide you through the process.
PLEASE NOTE: To foster or adopt a NYC ACC dog you need to live within a prescribed range of New York City. States include: NY, NJ, PA, CT, RI, DE, MD, MA, NH, VT, ME or Northern VA. If you are outside of this range, you have the option to “direct adopt” where you must go to the shelter “in person” to complete the adoption process. We can guide you through that process.
NYC ACC RATING SYSTEM
Level 1
Dogs with Level 1 determinations are suitable for the majority of homes.
Level 2
Dogs with Level 2 determinations will be suitable for adopters with some previous dog experience.
Level 3
Dogs with Level 3 determinations will need to go to homes with experienced adopters.
Level 4
Dogs with Level 4 determinations will need to go to homes with experienced adopters. It is suggested adopters have prior experience with the behaviors described.
New Hope Rescue Only
Dogs with this rating need to be pulled by a New Hope Partner Rescue. Contact our page or email us for assistance.
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