09/20/2024
*** ADOPTED ***
*A $500 stipend is available to the New Hope partner that pulls Hercules!*
He's beautiful inside AND out!
It’s hard not to stand in awe of how beautiful HERCULES is. He’s a study in champagne, with the sweetest smile we’ve ever seen. He’s a big boy too at 79 lbs., and like the Greek God he’s named after, he could be said to be famous for his strength and for his numerous far-ranging adventures. Our Hercules is strong and pulls hard on the leash, and he is also familiar with far ranging adventures. You see, Hercules was found as a stray, and was brought to the shelter by his finder, who spent some time with him and left some glowing notes. The best was when the finder said “Hercules is a sweet and loving teddy bear who likes to snuggle and get belly rubs.” Awww….. Hercules, according to his finder, is perfectly housetrained, is outgoing with strangers and visitors, and loves greenies and beef chews. Nothing seems to bother him except for loud noises, and he simply wants to be loved by an experienced family who will love him back for the rest of his life. If you are that person, and live in a home with older kids (Age 13 and over), won’t you consider giving him a place to go? He’s eager to leave and begin the next chapter (and adventure) in his life. MESSAGE OUR PAGE for assistance.
What my friends at ACC say about me:
I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe.
I would do best in a home with only adult humans.
Not only do I pull at heart strings, but I also pull on leash! I will need someone to help me with my leash manners.
I prefer to call the shots and enjoy coming to you when I'm ready for pets.
HERCULES, ID # 207890, 4.5 Yrs. Old, 79 lbs., Neutered Male
Queens ACC, Medium Mixed Breed, Champagne
Owner Surrender Reason: 8/17/24 – Stray, brought in by finder
Behavior Assessment Rating: LEVEL 3
No Children under Age 13
Recommend no dog parks.
Medical Behavior Rating: 1. GREEN!
AT RISK MEMO:
Hercules is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Hercules in care has been highly stressed in the kennel, panting at the front of his kennel heavily and barking so much that he has lost his voice from the excessive barking. Hercules outside of his kennel initially has difficulty settling on his own, but is a very social dog with staff. As his length of stay progresses, Hercules is now displaying reactivity to other dogs while on walks; during an adoption interaction, Hercules pinned a smaller dog but was quickly separated to prevent further escalation. Medically, Hercules is apparently healthy.
Hercules previous owner says that he goes out for walks on cement, grass, and dirt. Hercules is fearful of loud noises. Hercules is a sweet and loving teddy bear who likes to snuggle and belly rubs. He like greenies and beef chews. He would do best in a quiet envorinment where he can be comfortable and silly once again.
INTAKE NOTES – Date of Intake: 17-Aug-2024
During intake, Hercules was aloof in the waiting room and did not seek attention from staff. When staff offered treats he was excited with wagging tail but then spit out the treat. Hercules was a little fearful after staff placed a slip leash and needed coaxing to walk. His finder had to walk with staff and Hercules to get him moving. Hercules was shaking and had his tail tucked under during the walk to his kennel. Hercules entered the kennel easily.
OWNER SURRENDER NOTES – BASIC INFORMATION:
Hercules is a large mixed breed neutered male dog who was brought in by his finder as a stray. His finder said Hercules is outgoing with strangers and visitors. He is friendly around children but prefers contact on his own terms. Hercules will lunge at unfamiliar dogs on or off leash. It is unknow how He reacts to familiar dogs. It is unknown how he’d behave with cats. It is unknown if Hercules would resource guard. It is unknown if he has a bite history. Hercules is housetrained. His energy level is medium.
Other Notes:
Hercules potties when he goes out for walks on cement, grass, and dirt. He is fearful of loud noises. His finder stated Hercules pulls moderate to hard on leash. Hercules isn't bothered when held or restrained, disturbed while sleeping, is pushed off furniture, if his paws are touched or his collar is grabbed/touched.
Medical Notes: Petsmart at Elmsford
For a New Family to Know:
Hercules is a sweet and loving teddy bear who likes to snuggle and get belly rubs. He likes greenies and beef chews. Hercules pulls hard on the leash and goes on 4 walks at day for 30 minutes at a time.
BEHAVIOR NOTES
Date of intake: 17-Aug-2024
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home): Stray (limited history; spent time in caretakers home)
Behavior toward strangers: Hercules is outgoing with strangers and visitors.
Behavior toward children: Hercules is friendly around children but prefers contact on his own terms
Behavior toward dogs: Hercules will lunge at unfamiliar dogs on or off leash. It is unknow how He reacts to familiar dogs.
Behavior toward cats: unknown
Resource guarding: None Reported
Bite history: None Reported
Housetrained: Yes
Energy level/descriptors: Medium
Other Notes: Goes out for walks on cement, grass, and dirt
Hercules is fearful of loud noises
Moderate to hard pulling while walking on leash
He isn't bothered when held or restrained, disturbed while sleeping, is pushed off furniture or is touched by collar and paws. Hercules is a sweet and loving teddy bear who likes to snuggle and belly rubs. He like greenies and beef chews. Hercules pulls hard on the leash and goes on 4 walks at day for 30 minutes at a time.
SHELTER ASSESSMENT SUMMARIES - Date of Assessment: 19-Aug-2024
Leash Walking
Strength and pulling: loose
Reactivity to humans: None
Reactivity to dogs: Inconclusive- didn't walk pass dogs
Leash walking comments: hx of lunging at other dogs on leash
Sociability
Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Moderately social
Call over: Approaches with coaxing- neutral body, panting
Sociability comments: gently takes treats, allowed petting, timid, tucked tail when entering room, seeking exit, warms up with treats
Handling
Soft handling: Allowed handling- neutral body panting
Exuberant handling: Allowed handling- neutral body panting
Handling comments:
Arousal
Jog: Follows with 2 passes,
Arousal comments: slow movement (bad hips)
Knock: Ignores
Knock Comments: None
Toy: Sniffs walks away
Toy comments: None
PLAYGROUP NOTES – DOG TO DOG SUMMARY
Summary: Due to Hercules entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded.
08/22/24
Hercules is introduced to a novel female greeter while off leash at the care center. Hercules doesn't greet, ignoring the greeter dog and walking away. Hercules will seek attention from the handler before being returned to kennel.
FUN FACTS:
*** Hercules is a sweet and loving teddy bear who likes to snuggle and get belly rubs. ***
ENRICHMENT NOTES
9/3: Hercules is taken for an adoption interaction with potential adopters and their resident small dog. Hercules initially greets the potential adopters and the small dog with a soft body. Hercules will sniff the little dog's ge****ls and remain neutral. While the handler is speaking to the adopters, Hercules pins down the little dog. However, the handler reacts, restraining Hercules and immediately moving him away before anything escalated further.
9/13/24: Hercules is jumping at the from his kennel door before even being approached, barking at the kennel door but very faintly due to losing his voice from barking and panting heavily in between barking. Hercules is easily leashed and brought out of his kennel where he is panting heavily and jumping on the handler repeatedly in a social manner, being refocused with treats but continues to be exuberant. Hercules outside comes into close proximity with other dogs, and stares but does not react further then that. Hercules is engaged in a BAT exercise when he sees other dogs to be rewarded at different distances that he does not react from. Hercules is very engaged, and begins to lean his body in for petting and throughout the walk begins to slowly loosen his body language and pant less. Hercules is taken back to his kennel with no issue.
09/05/24: Hercules is jumping on the glass of the kennel as the handler approaches. He repeatedly attempts to bark, but has lost his voice. He is easily leashed and pulls moderately to the play yards where he is placed on a drag leash. Hercules engages readily with the LATTE enrichment items, maintaining a loose, soft body throughout. He quickly understands orienting to the handler to move to the next item and does so readily. Hercules leans into contact with a soft body. He is easily leashed pulls moderately. As Hercules and the handler walk back towards the care center, another dog is being walked on the opposite side of the fence. Hercules initially shows minimal interest, but lunges as the dog comes within five feet. Hercules is easily redirected and returned to kennel without issue.
09/03/24 While on an interaction with a little dog, Hercules greets the little dog and their owners with a soft, relaxed body. Hercules will sniff the little dogs ge****ls and remain neutral. While the handler is speaking to the owners, Hercules pins down the little dog, however, the handler acts fast, stiff-arming Hercules and immediately moving him away. Hercules is returned to kennel as a result.
9/1/2024: Hercules stood and jumped up on the front of his kennel as handlers approached. He allowed a novel the handler to leash him and pulled hard out of the room. In the behavior room, Hercules allowed staff to attach a drag leash, and was observed panting and pacing the room while sniffing in corners. He briefly engaged with the LATTE enrichment items and followed staff around, gently taking treats from staff. Hercules sat next to staff at the computer and would whine when staff stopped petting him. When it was time to leave, Hercules avoided being leashed and began jumping up at staff. He allowed a familiar staff to leash him and returned to his kennel without incident.
08/19/24: Hercules is standing at the front of kennel with a loose body as handler approaches. He jumps up on kennel door excitedly and is leashed with ease. Hercules walks with a loose leash to the Canine Behavior Office for assessment (see Behavior Assessment for further details). Hercules will initially begin exit seeking but after a few minutes settles. He is social with handlers throughout. Hercules is leashed and returns to kennel safely.
INTAKE BEHAVIOR:
Date of intake: 17-Aug-2024
Summary: Loose, allows handling, fearful walking down hallway.
MEDICAL BEHAVIOR:
Date of Initial: 20-Aug-2024
Summary: Friendly, allowed all handling!
ENERGY LEVEL:
Hercules is described by his previous owners as having a medium energy level. He will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: Level 3
Recommendations:
No children (under 13)
Recommend no dog parks
Recommendations comments:
No children (under 13): Due to Hercules fearfulness and anxiety displayed in care, we recommend he goes to a home without children.
Recommend no dog parks- No dog parks due to him being dog-selective.
Potential challenges:
Fearful
Anxiety
On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration
Strength/leash pulling
Potential challenges comments:
Fearful: Hercules in care is a bit fearful in care. We recommend going slow with him and allowing him to solicit attention and interactions on his own accord. See handout on Decompression Period.
Anxiety: Hercules is anxious in care, panting and seeking exit during interactions. We recommend long walks and puzzle toys to help control his anxiety. See handout on Generalized Anxiety.
On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Hercules is noted to lunge at dogs on leash. Hercules may need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach him to look at you rather than other dogs. We recommend a front clip harness or head halter to help manage this behavior.
Strength/leash pulling: Hercules is a very large, strong dog with the capability to pull over an average adopter. His adopter must be prepared and able to handle a dog of this size and strength. It is recommended that he be walked on a front clip harness or head halter, which help diminish his strength through leverage, and that he be trained using positive reinforcement, reward based training to not pull on leash.
MEDICAL EXAM NOTES
22-Aug-2024
Vet Statement
Medical Notes: 2:55 PM
Beh req meds for kennel stress
Rx trazodone 300mg (approx 8.5mg/kg) PO BID x 14 days
-Beh to check in 14 day to see if meds need adjusting
20-Aug-2024
DVM Intake
Medical Notes: 5:54 PM
[DVM Intake]
DVM Intake Exam
Estimated age: 4y
Microchip noted on Intake? No
History: OS
Subjective: BARH. No csvd
Observed Behavior - Friendly, allowed all handling
Is there evidence of Cruelty? no
Is there evidence of Neglect? no
Is there evidence of Trauma? no
Objective
P = wnl
R = wnl
BCS 6-7/9
EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted
Oral Exam: mild tartar
PLN: No enlargements noted
H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic
ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated
U/G: MN, no discharge
MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat
CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities
Re**al: normal externally
Assessment APH
Prognosis: good
Plan: no tx needed
* 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.
Shelter contact information:
Phone number (212) 788-4000
Email [email protected]
Shelter Addresses:
Queens Shelter: 1906 Flushing Ave., Ridgewood, NY 11385
Manhattan Shelter: 326 East 110 St. New York, NY 10029
Staten Island Shelter: 3139 Veterans Road West Staten Island, NY 10309
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.
