Polo

Polo ACCT-A-169456 is a 5-year-old male who came in as an owner surrender on 7/28 due to the owner not having enough time to take care of him. The owner described Polo as "love kids well with some cats and he has a lot of play in him. crate trained, high energy, very active, barks at strangers, likes children, plays with cats, wants to play with dogs. Videos: Lazlo and Polo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b6F8eoOVnwo Behavioral notes: Per volunteer 7/31: When I opened his kennel door, Polo was hesitant to approach me. He was interested and did lower his head and move forward enough that I was able to loop him. Once that was done, he stepped out with a nice walking pace. We walked past several people and he was fine. He is skinny, but has no visible skin issues. He did a lot of smelling and seems housetrained. In the yard, he wandered around exploring, and absorbing all the scents. He had no interest in the toys or the balls I tossed or my cheap treats, but he was interested in the dog meet taking place outside the yard. He enjoyed drinking from the pool several times. He was a little nervous about the wind in the canopy, but still came under it for pets. However, he didn't stay long. I had no issue returning him to his kennel. Per staff 7/29: "Adult only home preferred due to some hard eye contact with hind end handling. Lived with a 9 year old previously but unsure how he'll do with a stranger child, 12+ Per staff during 7/29 behavior evaluation: KENNEL PRESENTATION: Polo was standing near the door when I approached. He looked up with big, sad eyes, and sniffed me through the door. He was patient for leashing and kept his head low. He came right out once secured and IMMEDIATELY peed, so I think he's house trained! His kennel was spotless, and he peed like he had been holding it! LEASH SKILLS: Pulls minimally HANDLING: Polo sniffed around the room but stayed close to me for the first few minutes. He came and stood at my knees where I sat, and looked up with big sad eyes. He allowed some pets but was a little nervous, and gave some semi hard eye contact at first. Once he realize I was going to give him pets and love, he mostly avoided eye contact and leaned into me. I could feel that he was very lightly trembling as he laid in my lap, so I know he's scared. He's really affectionate, and wanted my hands on him at all times. If I stopped giving him attention he would jump up in my lap and push into me. He wouldn't take treats at first, so we just cuddled for several minutes. After a while he started taking treats too, but he can be pretty snatchy so watch your fingers! He trotted around happily when I stood up, wagging his tail and panting lightly. I noticed that he was a lot more uncomfortable with hind end handling, and he appears to have a limp or slightly off back gait, so his hips may be in pain. He would freeze up, his eyes would get hard, and his mouth would start to tighten up when I would pet his butt. With play his eye contact got pretty intense, and he would freeze up on me at times. He's super affectionate, but he doesn't seem to trust me enough to be completely loose and wiggly. He allowed all handling, but got hard eye contact and did some lip licks when petting his hind and lifting his feet. He continuously jumped on me and pushed his head under my hand for more pets, soliciting a lot, so I believe with time, treats, and patience, he would warm up a lot and relax with hind end handling. PLAY: Engages in play but would randomly freeze up and eye contact got pretty hard. Did not engage in too much play due to this. TOYS: Some interest but more interested in the handler than toys. Per staff 7/28: "Seemed shy and nervous walking through intake lobby - tail down, ears back, head down. Did not solicit attention from people in the lobby or handlers. May need some time to adjust. Medical notes: Per staff during 7/28 intake exam: Polo was noted to have some yellowing and tartar buildup but was otherwise in good general health. He was noted to be "bright, alert, responsive, friendly, allowed handling like a pro and didn't mind getting his facial area examined at all. 10/10 good boy