About STEVE

Knowing he was first brought to the shelter in May, I aggrieve STEVE (#A1936032) and how long he has been kenneled. He was adopted for a short while, but returned to the East Valley Animal Shelter, Van Nuys, CA, due to 'his roughness when leashing.' Indeed, 4-year-old STEVE is stocky, at a weight of 105 pounds, and shelter staff has noted that he tends to bite at the leash, but he obeys correction when told to stop. There are numerous notes concerning STEVE's behavior while in the shelter, made by employees who have interacted with him. Here are a few: 'ENGAGEMENT TRAINING Per Volunteer Date of Interaction: 8/27/2020 Animals: STEVE (#A1936032) Use caution- bites leash when first existing kennel but corrects with whistle or shaker. Very easy to handle in yard despite his size. Affectionate. Takes treats easily. Knows sit and paw. Bit at leash when leading back to kennel but corrected easily with shaker. Used a treat to distract him when I took the leash off. Never redirected at my hands.' 'ENGAGEMENT TRAINING Date of Interaction: 8/22/2020 Animals: STEVE (#A1936032) Steve was easy in and out , he is a big dog but was very easy to walk to the yard he has a very calm demeanor and was very friendly' 'BEHAVIORAL Date of Interaction: 7/25/2020 Animals: STEVE (#A1936032) This is the first time I took him out. Through the front of his cage. He was very excited when he came out . He jumped up and grabbed the leash . I corrected him with the sonic whistle And he tried one more time and I said no firmly and he stopped. Usually I take him out through his cubby. I recommend doing this. Took him to the yard and let him be mosey and sniff for awhile and then played fetch with him. He is social with people and wants you to follow you over the yard. Out for 35 minutes. He got excited when I put the leash on him to take him back again. He went to grab leash and I said no calmly and he stopped. He walked back to his kennel a little more excited than normal but easily. Nice dog.' 'BEHAVIORAL, GOOD BEHAV (Mon, Jun 1, 2020 4:14 PM) 06\01\20 When I tried to open the door to his kennel, it looked like he was going to dash out. He seemed eager to go to the yard. I leashed him through the kennel door open above the handle. He pulls very hard. Once in the yard, he immediatll urinated and defecated. In the yard he really enjoyed playing fetch, but he would not give the ball so I kept tossing a new one prompting him to leave the one in his mouth behind. After about 15 minutes he settled down and sat next to me. Easy to releash. When I brought him back to the kennel, I had a new ACT hold his leash while I replaced his e-collar. He tolerated that well and did not react to the dog barking at him in the neighboring kernnel before I rekenneled him.' 'BEHAVIORAL, GOOD BEHAV (Fri, May 22, 2020 9:29 AM) i took steve out for a walk today and he did great. i walked up to his kennel and he was happy to see me. we walked through the kennels and he wasnt reactive at all with the other dogs. i brought him in to receiving and he met some other act's and got some treats. i took him to the yard to give him some love and he was very silly. he rubbed his body on me asking for affection. when it was time to back in his kennel he was hesitant to go back in, but eventually went in on his own. he did bite my leash, but he let go when i gave him a vocal correction.' 'BEHAVIORAL, BAD BEHAV (Thu, May 14, 2020 9:03 AM) KENNEL PRESENTATION PER EMPOLYEE [sic] 05/14/20 When i walked up to the kennel Steve began to growl and become vocal towards me, tried to baby talk and his eyes became dilated and ears went back. He bgan to charge towards me as in snapping behind the kennel and once i went towards him he would back away. go slow when taking out steve' '05/11/20 Played in one half of the play yard for 30 minutes separated from another dog by center fence. Activities offered include: fetch, chase, and cuddles Easy to leash - Easy to get to and from kennels' So, STEVE may need a bit of leash training! Who knows his history and if he had any training on a leash prior to entering the shelter. But, look at his double-jointed ears! You don't see that too often. Please help STEVE get a reprieve from the shelter. Share, far and wide, so this post might reach someone who is an experienced big-dog handler and will have the patience to work with STEVE and provide him with love and a comfy indoor bed, forevermore. Call the shelter at 818-756-9323 for more information and to schedule an appointment to meet/adopt/rescue STEVE

Los Angeles County
Van Nuys, California 91405