NIKO – A1051515

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NIKO – A1051515

***SAFER: EXPERIENCED, NO YOUNG CHILDREN***

NEUTERED MALE, WHITE / TAN, PIT BULL MIX, 8 yrs
OWNER SUR – EVALUATE, NO HOLD Reason CHILDCONFL
Intake condition EXAM REQ Intake Date 10/13/2015, From NY 11102, DueOut Date 10/13/2015,

Medical Behavior Evaluation YELLOW
Medical Summary scan negaitve ears- wnl flea comb negaitve- treated with activyl neutered tense, nervous during exam GERIATRIC HEALTHY
Weight 43.0

A volunteer writes:  Having lived with a family for his entire, Niko is keenly feeling his abandonment.  His family included 3 children ages 3,4, and 5, as well as a Husky/German Shepherd mix with whom he played nicely.  Not a fan of cats Niko will pull towards them when seen on the street.   Niko was surrendered to our care when he reacted to one of the young children attempting to put his paws in their mouth.  We’re told he’s housetrained, walked 2-3 times per day, loves balls and squeaky toys, knows ‘sit’, ‘down’, ‘stay’ and ‘give paw’ and will guard his food.   My first Niko sighting was of him sitting next to a staffer on the bench giving kisses.   Awwwwww.  I approached softly, as I was told he’s shy but he immediately gave in to some petting and nudged my hand to continue when I stopped.  Niko has been well taken care of, his coat is clean and groomed, his weight perfect for his size, and he’s low key and affectionate.   A pesky pigeon kept flying into our pen and Niko jumped to give chase; Pigeon-1, Niko-0. Demonstrating both his good leash manners and housetraining skills my new friend and I enjoyed an easy stroll to the park where we stopped to take more pictures, Niko not minding being tethered and making soft eye contact.  In group with a female dog who was trying to engage him in play, Niko stayed soft and easy but didn’t engage his first time. Niko is looking for a quiet, respectful adult only home in which he can relax, give and get kisses, and feel love on his own timetable. We’ve all fallen in love with Niko, his bravery, his fortitude, and his quietly affectionate manner.    You will too; come meet him and see for yourself.

A Staff member writes : Niko is ready to fill your empty nest! He is in search of someone to spoil him all day long. Today outside in the yard I watched as he walked up to the enrichment facilitator and placed his face into her hand, she was petting him and he smiled. He was content, appreciative of the gentle attention and finally feeling relaxed.  All he was really looking for was someone to make him the center of attention. He thanked her with a kiss on the cheek. How sweet is that!?!

Basic Information

Niko was brought in as an owner’s surrender due to child conflict. Owner has had Niko since he was just two weeks old after receiving him form a friend. When asked two things he likes most about Niko owner chose how playful and loyal he is.

Personality & behavior

Niko is described as playful, confident, and affectionate with a mid-high activity level. Niko lived with children ages 5, 4, and 3. Client says Niko sometimes gets nervous around small children and will sometimes snap at them if too uncomfortable. Niko lived with a husky German shepherd mix, and client says the two were very playful and affectionate with each other. Owner says Niko usually lunges at cats when he sees them in passing. Niko gets walked 2-3 times per day, and is said to be trained to use the bathroom outside, and never has accidents. According to owner Niko has bitten his son in the past. Incident was a few months ago, and owner says His son was attempting to place Niko’s paws in his mouth. Owner says Niko maintains a stiff body, and growls when food bowl is touched while eating. Niko is friendly when told to get off of furniture and listens immediately. Niko attempts to run out of the bath when being bathed, and will usually sit still and deal with nail trims. Owner nays Niko doesn’t like being restrained and will attempt to move his body out of hold. Niko becomes alert when someone unfamiliar approaches, but will usually sniff them and relax.

For a New Family to Know

Niko understands commands sit, down, stay, and give paw. Owner says Niko enjoys toy balls and squeaky toys. Niko usually stays in his favorite spots when owner is home. Niko is said to be well behaved when left alone at home and in the yard. Niko becomes nervous when hearing fireworks and will usually hide. Niko was fed both wet and dry food in a variety of brands. Niko slept in the living room, and owner says he is unbothered if disturbed while sleeping.

BEHAVIOR

Niko is fearful of the shelter environment he walks with a low and fearful body language. He was fearful and repeatedly attempted to get away from the handler during the assessment.  Niko became fearful while playing tag and tries to exit the room. He became stiff and uncomfortable during paw handling the behavior team used Flank squeeze instead of paw squeeze.(he still a bit nervous but unresponsive to the touch). During the resources he was not interested in food, toys or rawhide.

Niko was surrender to us. His previous owner described him as playful, confident, and affectionate with a mid-high activity level. Niko lived with children ages 5, 4, and 3. Client says Niko sometimes gets nervous around small children and will sometimes snap at them if too uncomfortable. Niko lived with a husky German shepherd mix, and client says the two were very playful and affectionate with each other. Owner says Niko usually lunges at cats when he sees them in passing. Owner says Niko maintains a stiff body, and growls when food bowl is touched while eating”. because of his owner profile and the behavior assessment the behavior department concluded that he may do best with an experienced adopter without children who can follow up on this behavior.

Look: 2. Dog’s eyes are averted. His body posture is stiff and fearful; his tail is low and not moving. He allows head to be held loosely in Assessor’s cupped hands.

Sensitivity: 2. Dog accepts the touch, his eyes are averted, shy body language,  mouth closed, lip long, ears likely back, may lip lick.

Tag: 3. Dog repeatedly turns quickly away when touched, and repeatedly tries to exit, Dog may be crouching ,tail is tucked, mouth closed, body stiff

Squeeze 1: 3. Dog closes mouth, becomes stiff.

Flank squeeze 1: 2. Dog does not respond at all. Fearful body language

Food 1. No interest.

Toy 1. No interest.

Rawhide 1. No interest.

GROUP BEHAVIOR

When off leash with other dogs Niko greets politely. He is tolerant of an exuberant female and does not engage in play when solicited.

10/17 update: Niko greets well and will briefly solicit and engage in play. He will offer correction when mounted.

 

For more information on adopting from the NYC AC&C, or to find a rescue to assist, please read the following:http://information.urgentpodr.org/adoption-info-and-list-of-rescues/

If you are local to the Tri-State, New England, and the general Northeast United States area, and you are SERIOUS about adopting or fostering one of the animals at NYC ACC, please read our MUST READ section for instructions, or email [email protected]

 

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