Fozzy

Fozzy ACCT-A-169471 is an approximately 4-year-old male who came in as a stray on 7/19. Adopted on 7/24 then hastily returned on 7/27 due to foreseen issues with separation anxiety, Fozzy is eagerly hoping for a dedicated, patient, compassionate forever family who can meet him where he is -- and help him grow into self-confidence at his own pace. Behavioral notes: Per his adopter's surrender notes on 7/27, they indicated that Fozzy had "Separation Anxiety/Destruction. Ripped door frame off a wall and broke a brand new crate to get to me. Whines and howls for hours on end." They also noted that he is "excellent" on leash; initially shy but eventually welcoming toward children; and doesn't like cats. Per volunteer 7/21-- Fozzy was laying down in his kennel and easily leashed. Looked to handler for direction. Warmed up more once outside. Non-reactive to seeing dogs at a distance. Took treats gently. Did well at the photoshoot. Easily returned to kennel. Behavioral eval: KNOWN HISTORY: -Stray, APO pick up KENNEL PRESENTATION: -Fozzy was on the front side of his kennel when I approached. He looked up with scared, semi hard eyes, and ran to the other side when I opened the door. I lowered the divider and went around. When Fozzy saw me his eyes were a little harder, and he pushed himself into a back corner, trying to hide. He began avoiding eye contact and lowering his head away from me, scared. I was able to lasso him easily, and he didn't dodge at all. Once secured he came to the door but pancaked. I crouched down and sat with him for a few minutes, and eventually he got the bravery to step out on his own! LEASH SKILLS: -Fearful walking through the kennel building. Pancaked at one point due to dogs reacting in their kennels near him. I was able to get him to keep moving with some baby talk and getting a light jog going. HANDLING: -When we got to the room I wanted to give Fozzy some space to relax, but he followed me to my chair and put his two front paws in my lap right away. I gave him some light, slow pets on his chest and he accepted them. He was a little unsure at first, and would tense up ever so slightly with pets, but after a few minutes he was much more neutral and did not stiffen up at all with touch. WHen he jumped down he tried to hide under the chair I was sitting on, but he was too big and the chair moved and made a sound, which terrified poor Fozzy. He scrambled across the room in fear, but allowed me to grab his leash and give him some comforting pets to help him calm down. He allowed all handling but was sensitive around his feet. He would pull them back suddenly and lip lick when I touched them but did not escalate. Poor Fozzy spent the rest of our time "hiding behind a chair and resting his head sadly on the chair. We brought another dog in to see if that would help him open up. He stayed pinned to the floor for the first several minutes while the other dog was in the room, but when he saw me petting and loving on the other dog he took interest. He gave some nice, gentle sniffs with some tail wags, but didn't really open up completely. WHen it was time to return to kennel Fozzy was scared to go through the door initially, but with some baby talk and leash pressure he ran out the door and jogged right back into kennel with no issue. PLAY: -Too stressed TOYS: -Too stressed Medical notes: As of 7/20, intake exam is pending. Additional notes from shelter friends: Per staff on 7/20: On his way back to kennel with a staff member, Fozzy slipped out of his leash and dashed back the way he came, toward the doorway leading to the play yards. Exit-seeking but only finding a corner, he placed his paws up on a box and froze, resisting treats, gentle talk, and gentle leash pressure for several minutes. Per the staff member later on, they managed to get Fozzy walking after ramping up the leash pressure a bit; no issues getting him back in kennel - once he realized he was back in his own spot, he hopped right in. Videos: Shy Power Girl meets shy Fozzy https://youtube.com/shorts/Yr_8ZsirbgQ?feature=share