04/04/2025
*** PLACED WITH RESCUE ***
GRIFFIN is just an 8 month old puppy given up when the landlord said he didn’t want a dog around and he felt the neighbors were harming him. Nothing more was shared about the “harming him” part, but he seems to not have let this phase him one bit. Instead, this sweet boy is waggy, social, high energy & ready to learn! He never guards his stuff, he’s housetrained, is friendly w/strangers, playful w/kids, loves baths, playing w/toys & knows “sit” & “paw.” Because he is a puppy he could benefit from learning calming commands like “down” and “place” so he can redirect some of that joyful enthusiasm (or sometimes anxiety) in a positive way and remain calm in situations of high distraction. But he has always been loose and waggy when greeting friends at his kennel door, eager for some play time and walks. But now he is spinning in his kennel, and shelter stress is taking its toll. He should be out running and playing in a yard of his own, not sitting 24 hours a day in a box. Please consider helping him live by fostering or adopting Griffin. If you are an experienced foster or adopter, MESSAGE OUR PAGE for assistance. His life is just beginning – it simply cannot end…
What my friends at ACC say about me:
I will need daily physical activity to keep me healthy and happy!
I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe.
I need a home where there are no other dogs.
I would do best in a home with only adult humans.
I'm ready to learn! I need a patient person who has the time to work on training with me.
I love to be loved, but on my own terms! Let's brush up on some canine body language together!
I would prefer someone who can be home with me most of the time.
GRIFFIN, ID # 222241, @ 8 Mos. Old, 70 lbs., Male
Manhattan ACC, Large Mixed Breed, Black/Brown
Owner Surrender Reason: 3/14/25 – Landlord won’t allow
Behavior Assessment Rating: New Hope Only
Recommendations:
No children (under 13)
Single-pet home
Recommend no dog parks
Place with a New Hope partner
Medical Behavior Rating: 2. BLUE
AT RISK MEMO:
Griffin arrived at MACC as an owner surrender, they describe him as a dog that loves playing with toys. During his stay in the care center Griffin has been observed to be reactive to dogs. Noted to fixate on them during walks. While in the kennel room Griffin is also observed to pull hard and stare towards the other dogs in the kennel room. During one instance Griffin began to bark and mouth the handlers shoe with hard pressure. Shortly after Griffin escalated to thrashing and alligator rolling. Medically, he is apparently healthy.
Griffin arrived at MACC as an owner surrender, they describe him as a dog that loves playing with toys. During his stay in the care center Griffin has been observed to be reactive to dogs. Noted to fixate on them during walks. While in the kennel room Griffin is also observed to pull hard and stare towards the other dogs in the kennel room. During one instance Griffin began to bark and mouth the handlers shoe with hard pressure. Shortly after Griffin escalated to thrashing and alligator rolling. Due to the detailed behaviors we recommend an experienced adult only home.
INTAKE NOTES – Date of Intake: 3/27/25
n/a
OWNER SURRENDER NOTES – BASIC INFORMATION:
Griffin is an approx 8 month old German Shepherd that was surrendered due to owner not being able to keep in the home. The landlord did not want a dog around and thought neighbors were harming dog. Griffin lived with 1 adults. He is playful, curious and tolerant of strangers. Griffin is playful with children. He hard barks and lunges at other dogs. He has no experience with cats. Griffin has no resource guarding issues. Griffin has no bite history. He is housetrained. His energy level is high.
Other Notes:
Griffin is mouthy, takes treats roughly, is fearful of loud noises, pulls very hard on he leash, and is anxious when left alone.
Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No
For a New Family to Know:
Griffin is social and affectionate. He can be very playful as well. He likes to be alone and he liked to be in the living room. as being alone. Griffin likes bath time and water, allows his family to trim his nails, knows basic commands such as sit and paw. He loves to play with toys and loves food.
BEHAVIOR NOTES
Date of intake:: 3/14/2025
Spay/Neuter status:: No
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender
Previously lived with:: 1 Adult
Behavior toward strangers:: Griffin is playful, curious and tolerant
Behavior toward children:: Griffin is playful
Behavior toward dogs:: Griffin will hard barks, lunges
Behavior toward cats:: No History
Resource guarding:: None Reported
Bite history:: None reported
Housetrained:: Yes
Energy level/descriptors:: Described as High Energy
Other Notes:: Griffin has shown fearful tendencies while in care, lip licking and lowering his ears and body posture as well as showing fearfulness of loud noises. His previous owners describe him as curious and playful, sometimes mouthy and takes treats hard. He will hard bark and lunge when seeing other dogs. Griffin's previous owners state that he is mouthy, takes treats roughly, fearful of loud noises, pulls very hard on he leash, anxious when left alone.Griffin is said to love playing with toys and enjoys bath time and playing in water. He knows basic commands such as sit and paw.
SHELTER ASSESSMENT SUMMARIES - Date of Assessment: 3/18/2025
Leash Walking
Strength and pulling: Hard
Reactivity to humans: None
Reactivity to dogs: Moderate
Leash walking comments: Hard barks towards dogs
Sociability
Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Distracted
Call over: Approaches with coaxing
Sociability comments: Sniffing around the room, jumping up on handler
Handling
Soft handling: Tolerates contact
Exuberant handling: Tolerates contact
Comments:
Arousal
Jog comments: Follows handler readily
Knock
Knock comments: Approaches handler readily, became anxious and spun a circle when they left.
Toy
Toy comments: Grips light, relinquishes
PLAYGROUP NOTES – DOG TO DOG SUMMARY
Summary:: 3/19/25: Griffin lunges forward and jumps on the gate while hard barking when attempting to greet another dog.
ENRICHMENTNOTES
4/2/25: When handler approaches Griffin’s kennel, he is observed to be spinning continuously & begins to jump up on the kennel door once the leash is shown. He was then easily leashed and taken out of his kennel. Once out, he begins to jump on the handler and then barks at kennels in passing. Griffin will pull hard down the hallway & out towards the garage. When walking through the driveway door, Griffin begins to bark and mouths the handlers shoe with hard pressure, was a quick bite and release with no broken skin. Handler then calls for someone from K9 Behavior to help double leash Griffin for safety measures. The second handler is able to put a second rope on Griffin and he immediately begins to jump onto the second handler. Shortly after, he starts to thrash intensely and alligator roll. This behavior continues along the walk back into the driveway, which he then begins to pull hard towards the second handler. He will continually head-whip towards the first handler. He is then muscled into his kennel, and a hook is used to remove the leashes. The interaction is then shortly ended.
3/20/25: ACS report that Griffin will jump up on them after reacting/barking to a dog.
3/19/25: Griffin is lying down in his kennel when handler approaches. He jumps up and approaches the front with a loose body and wagging tail. When attempting to leash him, Griffin jumps up and down pawing and mouthing the leash. After a few attempts to leash he is leashed and pulls hard out of the room. He is taken to the backyard for a gate greet. After the interaction is he walked to the back of the backyard where he relieves himself. He jumps on the handler in a social manner his body loose and his tail wagging, he would then go back to sniffing around the yard. He was then walked around the perimeter of the yard and returned to kennel, when the leash is removed he mouths handler's hand and leash.
3/18/25: (AM) After sometime he is brought back to his kennel where he pulls hard and stares at the passing kennels and enters his kennel with no issue.
3/18/25- Griffin is at the front of his kennel with a neutral body when handler approaches, when handler goes to leash he dodges the leash and backs away. He then jumps up on the door barking, using his paws to move the leash away and is mouthy with handler's hand. Handler attempts to use a treat lure and he shows no interest. Handler had to leash over his head and was finally leashed. He was taken for a street walk where he pulls hard and zig zags sniffing different spots. When he sees a dog across the street, he stiffens and hard barks at them. Handler kept walking and he followed, he didn't respond to treats when redirecting. When handler called to him, he ignored then would randomly jump on handler with a neutral body. He had no reaction to people passing him. He was taken his assessment where he was take treats gently but was aloof with handlers. He was easily collared and jump on handlers pawing at them. Handlers threw treats and he would jump down to go eat them. He started to whine after some time in the room when he wasn't getting attention. He was easily releashed and pulled hard returning to kennel. He went in easily without issue.
3/16/25: Griffin is at the front of his kennel as handlers approach. He is offered treats but ignores them, he still allows leashing and walks alongside handler while exiting the room. Griffin walks up the stairs quickly into the yard and pulls moderately, he briefly fixates on some dogs already outside so handler uses a squeaker in an attempt to redirect him, initially he ignores the squeaker but after a bit he turns to handler. Treats are tossed throughout the walk which Griffin ignores, he then begins turning towards handler and paces left and right in front of them while open mouth panting. Griffin is difficult to redirect when displaying this behavior so handlers begin walking him back to kennel. He frantically walks back into kennel and is returned without further issue.
03/15/25: Griffin is sitting at the back of his kennel as handler approaches. He is offered treat at the front of the kennel, Griffin approaches and sniffs the treats but does not accept them. He is presented the leash and sniffs it before handler unlocks door and leashes Griffin. He is hesitant to exit kennel so handler stands to the side and allows him to leave on his own. He slowly creeps out the kennel after a few minutes and walks out to the yard for his walk. Griffin walks with a low body posture and ears pinned down. He sniffs and licks the ground frequently and initially ignores a dog he passes. Griffin flinches when he hears loud or sudden noises, he does not accept treats when outside and is generally aloof during his walk aside from being somewhat responsive to a squeaker. He sees a second dog while inside one of the play yards and stares at them but is distracted by a squeaker again. When returning to the building Griffin pancakes and begins pulling away from the small staircase leading back to the building, handler stands a few steps down from him and allows him to go down the stairs on his own. He attempts to slink down the stairs three times each time getting down a stair or two before quickly moving back up to the top and attempting to pull away from the stairs. Handler remains in place and continues waiting for Griffin who eventually makes it all the way down the stairs, he is walked back to kennel and returns without issue. A hook is used to remove his leash which he shows no reactivity to (CUT OFF)
INTAKE BEHAVIOR:
Date of intake:: 3/14/2025
Summary:: Approaches handlers, barks and lunges at dogs passing, double leashed into kennel
MEDICAL BEHAVIOR:
Date of initial: 3/15/2025
Summary: Readily accepts treats, muzzled as precaution, allows handling
ENERGY LEVEL:
Griffin is described as active and enthusiastic. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for Griffin.
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only
Recommendations:
No children (under 13)
Single-pet home
Recommend no dog parks
Place with a New Hope partner
Recommendations comments:
No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior and poor impulse control we recommend an adult only home.
Single Pet Home/ No Dog Parks: Due to hard barking and lunging towards dogs we recommend a single pet home with no trips to the dog park.
We recommend placement with a New Hope rescue partner who is able to provide an experienced, adult-only foster home. Force-free, reward based training and/or consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended.
Potential challenges:
Basic manners/poor impulse control
Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition
Fearful
Separation anxiety
On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration
Strength/leash pulling
Potential challenges comments:
Basic Manners: Griffin has been observed to jump up on handler. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Sit" and "Off" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach them to control their impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward-based training only is recommended. Please see handout on Basic Manners.
Mouthiness: Griffin's previous owner states that he is mouthy and will take treats roughly. Griffin has also been observed to mouth a handlers foot/shoe with hard pressure. We recommend never playing with bare hands, always with a toy, and ending play or attention whenever Griffing puts teeth on skin. They should be rewarded with attention and treats when they stop and/or when they are seeking attention in alternate ways. Please see handout on Mouthiness.
Fearful: Griffin has been observed to be fearful during his stay in the care center noted to be lip licking with a low body. His previous owner states that he is fearful of loud noises. Griffin has also been observed to escalate to alligator rolling and thrashing while on leash. They should never be forced to approach anything that they are uncomfortable with or submit to petting or handling. It should always be their choice to approach a new person or thing. Griffing would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to their new surroundings. Please see handout on Decompression Period.
Separation Anxiety: Griffin's previous owner states that he will become anxious when left alone. We recommend that potential adopters feel comfortable with separation anxiety behaviors and be prepared to manage and positively modify them should they appear in a home environment. They would do best in a home where a person is home for a large part of the day or with a plan so they are not alone for long periods of time. Please see handout on Separation Anxiety.
On Leash Reactivity: Griffin's previous owner states that he will hard bark and lunge towards dogs. During his stay in the care center Griffin has been observed to hard bark towards dogs while on leash. Griffing will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than other dogs. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration.
Leash Pulling: Griffin is a very large, strong dog with the capability to pull over an average adopter. Their adopter must be prepared and able to handle a dog of this size and strength. It is recommended that they be walked on a front clip harness or head halter, which will help diminish their strength through leverage, and that they be trained using positive reinforcement, reward based training to not pull on leash. Please see handout on Leash Manners.
MEDICAL EXAM NOTES
3/15/2025
DVM Intake Exam
Estimated age: 8-12mos
Is this an orphan kitten? No
Is the kitten eating on own? N/A
Is the kitten suckling? N/A
Microchip noted on Intake? Negative
History: owner surrender
Subjective: Dog is BARH
Observed Behavior - readily accepts treats, muzzled as precaution, allows handling
Is there evidence of Cruelty? No
Is there evidence of Neglect? No
Is there evidence of Trauma? No
Objective
T = N/A
P = 120
R = Sniff
BCS 5/9
EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted
Oral Exam: Healthy adult dentition
PLN: No enlargements noted
H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic
ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated
U/G: Male intact, two scrotal testicles
MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, hair coat covered in f***s, otherwise healthy
CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities
Re**al: NE
Wood's Lamp Exam: NE
Assessment
Approx 8-12 month old intact male large mixed breed
Apparently healthy
Prognosis:
Good
Plan:
Completed intake tasks
HWT at neuter
SURGERY:
Okay for surgery
3/16/2025
Staff note intense kennel fighting and stress returning to kennel.
Plan
Trazodone 100mg 2.5 tablets po bid indefinitely
3/18/2025
Staff reports dog reactivity
r/o stress in shelter and increased arousal
P:
Clonidine 0.2 mg 2 tablets po bid while in shelter
3/23/2025
Hx: noted during rounds to have nasal congestion and mucoid nasal discharge; not eating well
QAR
eent- mucoid nasal discharge; no coughing on presentation
hl-eupneic
msi- amb x 4
A)
CIRDC
P)
Doxycycline- 8-10 mg/kg (300mg)
sig: 1 tab po q 24 hrs x 10 d's
SQ Fluids- 1L q 24 hrs
B Vits- 1000microg/ml
Sig: 1ml sq q 1-2 weeks
4/1/2025
Hx: has had CIRDC
BAR H eating
eent- no nasal discharge; no coughing or sneezing or congestion
msi- amb x 4
A)
No CIRDC-like signs
P)
Placement/homing
* TO FOSTER / ADOPT *
If you would like to foster or adopt:
To foster or adopt a NYC ACC dog please PRIVATE MESSAGE our page at https://www.facebook.com/NYCDogsLivesmatter or email us at NYCDogsLivesMatter@gmail.com 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 adopt@nycacc.org
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
