30/10/2024
*** ** TWYLA has been placed with Linus & Friends! TY!! Please honor pledges at www.linusandfriends.org/donate. Thank you! ***
Date of Intake: 23-Oct-2024
TWYLA is a gorgeous, sweet, playful but shy girl who is looking for a quiet, peaceful home where she can decompress. She may be frightened at first before showing you how affectionate she really is, so slow introductions to new people and places will suit her best. Twyla knows many cues, sheâs a good listener, and is open to learning even more! She loves a great game of fetch and is sure to flourish once she is feels more comfortable in your home. Please watch her movie, then message our group page and we will assist you through the application process to foster or adopt beautiful Twyla.
TWYLA 211916, 4.5 years old, 33 lbs., female, spayed
Staten Island ACC, medium mixed breed, black
Owner surrender reason: date of intake: 23-Oct-2024, behavior issues
Behavior Assessment Rating: New Hope only
Place with a New Hope rescue
No children under 13
Medical Behavior: tense but allowed all handling
** MY MOVIE **
TWYLA 211916, Little, shy girl https://youtu.be/k-wZgz7PP0U
AT RISK MEMO:
Twyla is at risk for behavior reasons. Twyla is highly fearful of new people. She has escalated to biting in the past. Twyla gives clear warning when uncomfortable. She will require a proper decompression period in an adult-only, experienced home. Medically, she has been treated for otitis externa but is otherwise healthy.
Twyla is looking for a patient, understanding home. While she's initially fearful and can feel threatened by unfamiliar people or situations (she has escalated to biting in the past), Twyla is reported to be affectionate once she's comfortable. Twyla is a smart pup and knows several cues, making her both obedient and eager to please. One of her absolute favorite activities is playing fetchâshe is said to play fetch with anything! Twyla would thrive best in an adult-only home with experienced dog handlers who can provide her with a calm environment and help her build confidence.
INTAKE NOTESâDate of Intake: 23-Oct-2024
OWNER SURRENDER NOTESâBASIC INFORMATION
Twyla is a medium, spayed female, black, dog who was purchased and lived with her owner for 4 years. Around strangers, she was shy. But she lived with 3 children ages 6, 12 and 14 with whom she was playful and outgoing, as she was with familiar dogs. Twyla hard barks or growls at unfamiliar dogs and has no experience with cats. She is fully house trained, (crate trained for 6 hours), going to the bathroom outside. She had access to a yard and also went for short walks during which she pulled only mild to moderately. When outside on walks she barks and growls at strangers that approached family members. She isnât bothered by much but gets anxious when left alone, and barks or growls when restrained. Twyla lets her family bathe and brush her and knows several cues. Overall she is a social and affectionate girl who prefers contact on her own terms. Her ownerâs favorite thing was how calm and affectionate Twyla is with familiar people. Twylaâs favorite activity is playing fetch. She was fed dry Science brand food. Twyla has previously bitten a person. Please see âbite history.â
BEHAVIOR NOTES:
Date of intake: 23-Oct-2024
Spay/neuter status: yes
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home): 4.5 years
Owner Surrender
Previously lived with:
Adults, Children (6,12,14)
Behavior toward strangers:
Hard barks and/or growls, Shy/Contact on their terms
Behavior toward children:
Friendly & Outgoing, Playful, Tolerant
Behavior toward dogs:
Familiar dogs: Friendly & Outgoing, Playful, Tolerant Unfamiliar dogs: Hard barks and/or growls
Behavior toward cats:
Cats: No experience Other Animals: Tolerant
Resource guarding:
None reported
Bite history:
Twyla has 3 bite incidents.
1) 10.05.2024, a friend came into the home and did not heed the owner's warnings and decided to approach Twyla and ignore her warnings and decided to attempt to interact with her face to face & Twyla reacted by biting the person in the face which did result in broken skin.
2) 3 months ago, Twyla bit owner's adult son's friend's hand when he entered the home.
3) Not a lot of information was given being that the incident occurred when she was still a puppy.
Housetrained:
Yes
Energy level/descriptors:
Medium
Other Notes:
Goes potty on: "Outside on walks (grass, cement, dirt, etc.)"
Accident frequency: Never
Behavior concerns: "General anxiety (paces, whines, unable to settle)", Anxious when left alone
Reacts to on walks: Strangers that approach you/family members
Reaction type: Growling/Hard barking
How this dog reacts when...
- Held/restrained: Barks/Growls
- Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Isn't bothered
- Startled: Isn't bothered
- Pushed/pulled off furniture: Isn't bothered
- Paws are touched: Isn't bothered
- Collar grabbed/touched: Isn't bothered
SHELTER ASSESSMENT SUMMARIES: Date of Assessment: 27-Oct-2024
Summary:
Twyla has had 3 previous bite incidents and is highly fearful in care. She is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.
PLAYGROUP SUMMARIES: DOG TO DOG:
ENRICHMENT NOTES:
Summary (1):: Twyla is described as social and affectionate. She prefers contact on her own terms and can be a couch potato. She spends most of her time where the people are or in her own crate. She allows the owner to bathe and brush her. She is crate trained and does well up to 6 hours. She is nervous getting into the car, but once inside she does fine. She knows the cues down (lay down), go rest (go to crate), come, ready (sit), followed by go (fetch). Her owner's favorite thing about her is she is calm and affectionate with things and people which she is familiar with. Her favorite activity is playing fetch.
Summary (7):: 10/28: On approach, Twyla considers hiding in the corner from the handler but when coaxed forward she stays in the center of her kennel. She is easily leashed and walks out on her own. She is brought on a walk up the block. She begins to pull away from barking dogs and is taken on an alternate route to avoid the noise. She allows to be clipped and returns without issue.
10/27: Twyla backs into the corner, facing the wall and growls. She remains still as the lead is secured over her and walks out on her own. She is brought on a walk and has a neutral body, walking nicely on leash. When she hears the dogs barking from outside, she panics and attempts to flee. She is coaxed along and jumps into her kennel on her own. She is seen snuggled up in her bed post walk.
10/25: Twyla is at the back of her kennel as staff approaches. She has tense posture, shaking slightly, and wide eyes. Staff speaks to her in soft tones and slowly attempts to rope her. Twyla evades the leash, backing away into the corner of her kennel and turning her head, evading contact. Once she is finally roped, Twyla walks cautiously out to the yard with staff, stopping often. She is kept on leash and walks around, sniffing. Twyla's body language remains tense and staff does not attempt to pet her at this time. Upon return, Twyla goes directly into her kennel and cowers slightly in the corner, ducking her head low. Treats are offered, but she does not eat them immediately. Music is turned on in the room as enrichment and Twyla is left to decompress and not cause further FAS.
INTAKE BEHAVIOR:
Date of Intake: 23-Oct-2024
MEDICAL BEHAVIOR:
Date of Initial: 23-Oct-2024
Summary: very tense but allowed all handling
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: New Hope Only
Recommendations:
No children (under 13)
Place with a New Hope partner
Recommendations comments:
No children (under 13): Due to multiple bite incidents, we recommend an adult only home.
Place with a New Hope partner: Due to all noted concerns displayed in a home environment, the behavior department recommends Twyla be placed with a New Hope placement partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow Twyla to acclimate comfortably to her new environment; force-free, reward-based training only is advised when introducing Twyla to new and unfamiliar situations. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended for guidance to safely manage/modify any behavior Twyla presents with outside of the care centers.
Potential challenges:
Handling/touch sensitivity
Fearful/potential for defensive aggression
Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression
Anxiety
Potential challenges comments:
Handling/touch sensitivity: Twyla has bitten before when an unfamiliar person attempted to pet her before she was comfortable. She will bark and growl when being held or restrained. All interactions should be at her own pace. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity.
Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Twyla is fearful of new people and places. She gives clear warning when uncomfortable but if ignored, she will escalate to biting. She requires a slow, considerate approach with someone familiar with dog body language. It is important to move slowly with Twyla, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow Twyla to initiate interactions with new people. She should never be forced to greet or to interact if she is not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful Potential for Defensive Aggression.
Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression: Twyla has 3 previous bite incidents. Because this is a learned behavior, she is likely to repeat this if she is in a situation which she is not comfortable. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression.
Anxiety: Her owner described her as an anxious dog, but did not give details on how the anxiety manifested. If Twyla displays anxious behavior in her future home, we recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and giving her other things to focus on to alleviate her anxiety. Please see handout on Generalized Anxiety.
MEDICAL EXAM NOTES:
23-Oct-2024 DVM Intake
Medical Notes: 1:55 PM
DVM Intake Exam
Estimated age: 4 years
Microchip noted on Intake? scan negative
History: owner surrender
Subjective:
Observed Behavior - very tense but allowed handling
Is there evidence of Cruelty? no
Is there evidence of Neglect? no
Is there evidence of Trauma? no
Objective
BCS 6/9
EENT: Eyes clear, AU- erythema and brown debris, no nasal or ocular discharge noted
Oral Exam: muzzled, no oral exam
PLN: No enlargements noted
H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic
ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated
U/G: Female spayed
MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, f***s stuck to fur at perineal area
CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities
Assessment
otitis externa
Prognosis: good
Plan:
applied claro AU
clipped and cleaned hindend
* TO FOSTER / ADOPT *
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 âdirect adoptâ where you must go to the shelter âin personâ 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.
https://nycacc.app/browse/211916
https://nycaccpets.shelterbuddy.com/animal/animalDetails.asp?searchTypeId=4&animalType=3%2C16&datelostfoundmonth=10&datelostfoundday=28&datelostfoundyear=2024&tpage=17&find%2Dsubmitbtn=Find+Animals&pagesize=16&task=view&searchType=4&animalid=179723
