07/06/2023
Denali was placed with Happy Go Lucky Mastiff Rescue!
Please honor your pledges or donate: https://www.happygoluckymastiffrescue.com/donate
Teach your dog “drop it / leave it” would you, keep your food off the counters in easy reach, and put your trash container in a closet! How ridiculous can people be? Denali is a wonderful boy, friendly, outgoing, relaxed, playful and welcoming of everyone he meets. He adores dog parks, loves his peers, and has a sterling resume of skills. In short, a perfect dog! Denali was a adopted out of the ACC back in February to an inexperienced family, and now he’s back at the shelter and on the list to die because his clueless family kept leaving human food within reach of him and never taught him that valuable “drop it” command. Instead, when he captured a food treasure for himself, they would go after him and try to wrestle it out of his mouth. Honestly, we can’t make this up. Denali should not have to lose his life because they failed him. Denali is a young boy, and his breed are sharp as whips, eager to learn, and love to be kept active and engaged. He loves food, so teaching him simple commands, as well as “calming” commands like Down and Place would have been easy. Instead, they tossed him away like the garbage they kept open and available in their home. Let’s get Denali to safety. He will need an experienced family this time, one that will give him the structured home and further training he needs to succeed. If you are that person, hurry and MESSAGE OUR PAGE for assistance saving this good boy’s life!
DENALI, ID # 163418, 2 Yrs. Old, 56 lbs., Neutered Male
Manhattan ACC, Medium Mixed Breed (Husky), Black / White
Owner Surrender Reason: Gets aggressive if he is in possession of human food
Shelter Assessment Rating: New Hope Only
No Children (under Age 13)
Medical Behavior Rating: 2. Blue
AT RISK MEMO:
Denali is on the emergency placement list due to behavioral reasons. Denali has a multiple bite history in his previous home. The bite occurred when the owners attempted to retrieve food items he stole. Medically, he is apparently healthy. Denali was surrendered to ACC due to behavior reasons. He was involved in two bite incidents. Both were over human food, where Denali stole food from the trash and off the counter. When retrieving the food items, Denali bit, breaking skin in one of the incidents and not in the other. His previous owners report that resource guarding of this nature only occurs over human food items and not with his own food or treats. Denali is reported to be friendly with strangers and other dogs. The owners also note that he can be destructive when left home alone. At the care center, Denali is anxious, barking frequently in kennel but easily walked by staff. We recommend that Denali go to an experienced, adult-only household that can manage his behavior challenges.
INTAKE NOTES – DATE OF INTAKE: 23-Jun-2023
Upon intake, Denali was friendly and outgoing. He approached me with a loose, relaxed body, perked ears, and open, relaxed mouth. He would jump towards me with a soft body. Allowed me to scan for a mc with ease, mc positive. K9 behavior assisted in getting Denali into his kennel.
OWNER SURRENDER NOTES – BASIC INFORMATION
Denali is an approximately 1 and a half year old neutered male large mixed breed dog. He lived with adults. Denali is friendly and outgoing around strangers. He plays exuberantly, somewhat rough, and obsessively with adults. Denali is noted to be very mouthy during play. He applies light pressure and never breaks skin during play. Denali has not spent time around children. Denali has spent time with many other dogs, particularly at dog parks. Denali is relaxed, playful, respectful, and very tolerant around other dogs. He plays gently and exuberantly with dogs. Denali will chase cats but has not spent significant time around them. Denali will resource guard human food. When he has human food, Denali will run and hide with a tense body, often in a corner. When approached while he has human food, Denali will growl, snap, and display piloerection. He is not bothered when his food/bowl is touched while eating, when someone takes a bone/rawhide/treat away, and when someone takes a toy/other object away from him. Denali is not housetrained. His energy level is very high.
Other Notes:
Denali is hard to control, anxious when left alone, destroys stuff indoors, destroys stuff outdoors, and barks too much. Denali is also food aggressive with human food, but does not have any issues related to resource guarding his own food. It is unknown how Denali reacts during storms/fireworks. Denali is friendly when brushed, when his nails are trimmed, and when an unfamiliar person approached his owner or a family member. Denali isn't bothered when pushed/pulled off of furniture. Denali is friendly, unbothered, and afraid when disturbed while sleeping/resting. Denali is afraid when given a bath. Denali is afraid and will bark when held/restrained. Denali will bark when an unfamiliar person approaches his house/yard.
Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No
For a New Family to Know:
Denali is a friendly, affectionate, playful, confident, pushy, excitable, and anxious dog with a very high energy level. Denali loves going to the dog park. When you're home, Denali will follow you around and be in the same room as you. Denali likes to play with balls, squeaky toys, frisbees, and bone/chew toys. Denali likes to play fetch, chase, wrestling, and tug. Denali has been kept mostly indoors and sleeps inside. Denali eats both wet and dry "Taste of the wild" dog food. He eats 3 cups 2x day. Denali is mostly housetrained and will have accidents a few times per month. Denali usually goes potty on grass and gravel/dirt. Denali is well-behaved when left alone in the house. Denali is well-behaved when left alone in the yard. Denali has been crate trained but doesn't do well. Denali knows how to sit and shake/give paw. Denali is used to brisk walks on leash, playing in the yard, and off-leash dog parks for exercise. Denali particularly likes off-leash dog parks. Denali pulls very hard on leash. When off leash, Denali keeps his distance and is hard to catch.
BEHAVIOR NOTES
Date of intake:: 6/23/2023
Spay/Neuter status:: Yes
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender
Previously lived with:: Adults
Behavior toward strangers:: Friendly and outgoing
Behavior toward dogs:: Playful
Behavior toward cats:: Chases cats
Resource guarding:: Denali will growl and snap if food in his possession is touched or taken.
Housetrained:: No
Other Notes:: *Reported to destroy household items.
Bite history:
Denali's owner told me that Denali is highly food aggressive, but only resource guards human food. Denali's owner said that Denali persistently tries to steal human food off of tables/counters/out of trash cans/etc, and that if he is able to get a piece of human food he will run to a corner and display piloerection, growl, and snap at anyone who approaches him while he has the food. Denali does not react at all when his own food, treats, or toys are taken away.
There have been two times where Denali has bitten someone in a food-related incident. The first was in April, when Denali got a piece of fish from the counter and ran away with it. Denali was reported to be allergic to fish, so his owner pursued Denali to try to get it away from him. Denali began to growl and snap at his owner, and ended up biting him on his left forearm. Denali immediately released and the wounds bled minimally.
The second incident was on 6/22, but it didn't draw any blood. Denali's owner had rehomed Denali to a friend, and the friend told Denali's owner that Denali got a hold of a piece of food from the trash. A member of the household tried to get the food away from Denali, and Denali began to growl and snap at them. Denali ended up making contact with the person's arm, but no skin was broken, just bruised and swollen a little bit.
PREVIOUS STAY - 2/8/23
Owner surrender, first stay in the care center
Previously lived with: Adults, children
Behavior towards strangers: Friendly, outgoing
Behavior towards dogs: Unknown
Behavior towards cats: Unknown
Resource Guarding: Growls when food or toys are taken
Bite History: None reported
Energy level: High
Described as friendly, affectionate, playful and excitable
SHELTER ASSESSMENT SUMMARIES – Date of assessment:: 2/9/2023
Leash Walking
Strength and pulling: Light
Reactivity to humans: None
Reactivity to dogs: None
Leash walking comments:
Sociability
Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Distracted
Call over: Approaches with coaxing
Sociability comments: Keeps to self, wanders room
Soft handling: Accepts contact
Exuberant handling: Fearful
Comments: Shoulder rubbing, a bit displaced, becomes tense, whips away when pet on back and legs
Arousal
Jog: Follows (neutral)
Arousal comments: None
Knock: No response
Knock comments: None
Toy: Minimal
Toy comments: Neutral body, sniffs toy
PLAYGROUP NOTES – DOG TO DOG SUMMARY
Summary:: 2/9/23, on-leash: Denali greets the helper dog with neutral body language.
ENRICHMENT NOTES
6/24/23 Denali is at the front of his kennel, loose, he is easily leashed and walked out. Denali is taken to the play yard where he relieves himself right away. He begins to jump up onto handler loosely, handler refocuses him with treats and practices some basic cues ("sits"). When another dog walks out into the yard, Denali begins whining, barking and lunging towards them. After some time, he is clipped and returned to kennel without issue.
ENRICHMENT NOTES (PRIOR STAY)
2/22/23: Denali is at the front of the kennel with a loose body and wagging tail. He is easily leashed and removed from kennel. When he reaches the top of the stairs to go down, he begins to back away while whining. He will move forward for treats but backs away when pressure is applied to the leash. Handler takes him downstairs in the elevator instead. On the street, he fixates on squirrels and pigeons. He bounces around handler when called and takes treats gently from them. In the park, he explores his surroundings and is not reactive to dogs or other stimuli. When he is returned to the building, he does not go up the stairs, he flails and whines. After trying with chicken, handler goes up the elevator and Shadow is placed into kennel without issue.
2/12/23: Denali is at the front of the kennel with a loose body when approached. He is easily leashed and taken to the yard where he relieves himself. Shadow is aloof throughout the interaction so no petting was attempted. He is brought back inside and placed in his kennel without issue.
INTAKE BEHAVIOR - Date of intake:: 2/8/2023
Summary:: Social, jumping up, allowed handling
ENERGY LEVEL:: HIGH
Denali will need daily mental and physical activity stay engaged and exercised.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only
Recommendations::
No children (under 13)
Recommend no dog parks
Place with a New Hope partner
Recommendations comments:
No children: Due to discomfort with handling, a home with no children is recommended.
Place with a New Hope partner: Denali is reported to have resource guarding concerns in his two previous homes. In the most recent home, it was reported that Denali has a multiple bit history. Due to this, we feel as though he would be best set up to succeed if placed with an experienced rescue partner; force-free, reward based training only.
Potential challenges:
House soiling
Resource guarding
Destructive behavior
Handling/touch sensitivity
Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression
Anxiety
On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration
Potential challenges comments::
HOUSE SOILING: Denali is reported to have accidents in the home. See handout on House Soiling.
DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR: Denali may be destructive of household items. See handout on Destructive Behavior.
Resource Guarding: Denali is reported to snap and growl when approached while in possession or food/toys reported by his two previous owners. Additionally, Denali has bitten twice as a result of resource guarding. Please see handout on Resource Guarding as well as Bite History.
Handling/touch sensitivity: Denali has been observed to get stiff, whale-eyed, and uncomfortable with certain petting on his back, hind, or legs. See handout on Touch Sensitivity.
Anxiety: Denali at times has appeared anxious and displaced, pacing, remaining aloof, and not engaging much with handlers or environment. See handout on Generalized Anxiety.
On Leash Reactivity: Denali has been observed to lunge, growl and bark at dogs while on leash at times. Please see handout on Leash Reactivity.
MEDICAL EXAM NOTES
2/9/2023
[DVM Intake]
DVM Intake Exam
Estimated age: 1 year 10 months
Microchip noted on Intake? No
History: Owner surrender
Subjective: BARH
Observed Behavior - Leans in to being pet; when stop petting he solicits more pets. No growling. Eats treats eagerly. Allows all tasks and handling.
Evidence of Cruelty seen - No
Evidence of Trauma seen - No
Objective
P = 116
R = 28
BCS 3/9
EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted
Oral Exam: neg oral
PLN: No enlargements noted
H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic
ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated
U/G: MI, 2 scrotal testicles
MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, unkempt hair coat
CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities
Re**al: external WNL
Assessment
~ 1.5 yo MI LBD
1. underweight
Prognosis: Good
Plan:
Intake tasks
Added "third feeding" instructions to cage
R/c weight in 1 week
SURGERY:
Okay for surgery
2/14/2023
PRE SURGICAL EXAM:
S: BAR, barking and pulling away from human attention
O:
EENT: No ocular or nasal discharge, ears clean
Oral Exam: not performed due to patient behavior
H/L: NSR/NMA, eupneic with no crackles or wheezes ausculted
Abd: Soft and non-painful on palpation
U/G: Intact male, normal external genitalia
MSI: Ambulatory x 4, slightly underweight, shedding hair coat
Mentation: WNL
A: Healthy intact male
P: Proceed with neuter today
2/14/2023
SURGERY REPORT:
Was this dog a cryptorchid?
NO
Pre scrotal Incision
Spermatic Cord Ligation with: 2-0 PDS Miller's knot
Sub Q closure: 2-0 PDS continuous
Skin closure? 2-0 PDS intradermal
Green Linear Tattoo Placed near Midline
Surgeon: 2110
2/15/2023
Hx: post op
BAR H
eent- no nasal or ocular discharge
hl- eupneic
abd- relaxed
ug- mc
msi- amb x 4; incision is CDI
neuro- nsf
A)
1 day post op neuter- healing
P)
placement
2/16/2023
As per animal behavior profile dog is allergic to fish.
2/18/2023
Hx: Reported having diarrhea on symptoms board. Recently neutered and just finishing carprofen today
SO:
BAR, comes to kennel door when offered treat
eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent
eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated
ambulatory x4
mentation alert and appropriate
A:
diarrhea reported
P:
monitor for continued occurrence, but will likely be self limiting
6/26/2023
DVM Intake Exam
Estimated age: 2-3 years based on the condition of teeth and eyes
Microchip noted on Intake?
Positive
History:
Owner surrender
Subjective:
BAR H pink 1 sec
Observed Behavior -
Body tense; panting
Evidence of Cruelty seen -
No
Evidence of Trauma seen –
No
Evidence of Neglect-
No
Objective
P = 120hr
R = panting
BCS 6/9
EENT: no nasal or ocular discharge noted
Oral Exam: limited
PLN: No enlargements noted
H/L: eupneic
ABD: tense
U/G: MC
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:
Appropriate intake procedures
** TO FOSTER / ADOPT **
If you would like to foster or adopt a NYC ACC 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
