King Tubby

Background: Owner surrender on 9/6/26. Given Yellow dot on intake. Intake staff noted dog was nice with people but very dog reactive. First time meeting handler for handling evaluation on 9/10/26.

O: Dog was standing with front paws on the bars of the kennel. Got down and took treats offered low. Sat when asked. Easy to leash as he pushed his way out of the kennel. Heavy pulling down the hallway and through the parking lot. Stopped walking and turned to handler when spoken to. Responded to verbal cue with hand signal for sit. Took treats very eagerly with teeth but good bite inhibition. Dropped leash in a small yard. Dog urinated and marked in several places. Approached handler and jumped up making moderate body contact. Sat immediately when asked, took treat then walked away to look toward human activity outside the yard. Somewhat stiff movements, low piloerection between the shoulder blades, high head and pricked ears scanning anywhere noises where heard. When handler called his name, he would immediately approach, sat when asked. Foraged for tossed treats (tossed to avoid hand to mouth contact as dog was initially very highly aroused and grabby). After about 5 minutes, with some treat foraging, find it exercises, dog was more relaxed, looser body language and soft face, able to take treats with a soft mouth and less teeth. Hander sat on bench. Dog approached and put front feet on bench beside handler. Was soft and accepting of all over touch. Pet all over head, neck, chest, back, legs. Used massaging pets to keep arousal level lower. Dog leaned into all pets. Followed tossed balls and squeaker toys but did not pick up. Another dog and volunteer walked at a distance in the parking lot. This dog began whining and pacing. Entered the adjoining yard to create a visual barrier between this dog and the second dog. This dog paced, whined, and pulled hard on leash with forward pricked ears, tall posture and some piloerection between the shoulder blades. Turned attention to handler when name was called and took followed tossed treats. Pulled hard towards other dog and handler as we walked back to the building in the opposite direction. Followed handler when called and pulled moderately back to kennel. Did not interact with neighboring dogs in ward on the way back to the kennel. No issues returning to kennel and removing leash by hand.Dog was muzzled for dog-dog evaluation. High energy but very tolerant of all necessary handling. Handling and muzzling was most successful when handlers moved slowly with firm, but gentle touch.

A: Affiliative young dog. High Energy. Appears to have some training (knows sit and is very attentive to handler's voice, turning his attention to handler when spoken to. Can pull very hard on leash. Reactive to dogs on leash (high arousal, pacing, whining, hard pulling towards other dogs). Treat motivated. Takes treats with a hard mouth. Shows enjoyment with pets. Possibly house trained (holds it in kennel). Yellow for volunteer handling d/t high arousal behaviors including jumping up with moderate contact, hard mouth when taking treats, and is leash reactive to dogs. Otherwise dog is very social and tolerant of handling.

P: Make available for adoption. Observed high arousal jumpy/hard mouthing when taking treats may make a home with young children less suitable; however, owner reported that dog did live with successfully children under 12. Recommend adopters continue to work on basic manners (leash skills, recall, sit) using a patient, reward-based training approach. Avoid high-arousal play initially if dog escalates easily. Recommend volunteers work with him to manage high arousal jumping and mouthing by offering treats low, engaging dog with lower arousal enrichment treat-finding games or toys, and avoiding activities that appear to trigger high arousal.

Previous notes that indicate this dog chased and caught a small dog in a shared yard are incorrect and referred to a second foster dog who was residing in the home and subsequently adopted by the foster. However, this dog has killed a kitten in his home. Adopter should be advised to exercise caution around small dogs and other small animals and not to take dog into dog parks or off leash areas with small dogs.

S: Dog-dog evaluation with a male and female tester dog. Tester dogs selected due to their ability to politely greet and not escalate conflict.

O: Dog was muzzled prior to approaching the gate due to in-shelter observed reactivity. At the gate, dog was jumping up, barking and pawing at the gate. Gate was opened and dog allowed to enter on-leash. Dog pulled hard towards the testers and lunged/muzzle punched the female tester. Dog had very tall body language when pulled back. Allowed to approach again, head held high, tail wagging rapidly. No more lunging/muzzle punching observed as he excitedly sniffed both testers. Dog appeared very stimulated and excited to sniff and be near the testers.

A: Learning Dog Skills, High Energy, High Contact, Forward Social Dynamic, Gives Corrections, Requires Steering and Brakes, Playgroup Size 2-3.

P: Recommend placement with appropriately matched dogs, or placed as a solo dog with appropriate dog friends. Disclose that the dog was muzzled. Dog may be able to be placed with a Rockstar dog that is very comfortable with forward dog greetings. Dog would likely be most successful as a solo dog.B

Foster reports: Cubby has chased and caught a small dog that shares our yard. He latched on and it was difficult to get him to let go but he didn't do any damage. The small dog ran and did not defend itself so he might have reacted differently if the dog had corrected him. He also chases squirrels. Adopter should be advised to exercise caution around small dogs/animals and not to take dog into dog parks or off leash areas with small dogs.UPDATE 10/11/26: As reported on the OAS Community Board https://www.community.oaklandanimalservices.org/smfv2/index.php?topic=81377.msg382458#msg382458B , this dog's former foster reported this note regarding an interaction with a small dog does not apply to this dog. The note refers to a second foster dog in the home who is now owned by the foster.

Foster reports dog is energetic, cuddly with both her and resident dog. Allows all handling. Dog is not used to walking on a leash and will sometimes lie down during a walk. Will need continued age-appropriate socialization and rewards based training.B

King Tubby – Enthusiastic, Affectionate, and Playful

King Tubby is a 3-year-old, 59-pound American Pit Bull Terrier mix with a fun-loving personality and plenty of enthusiasm.

• Enthusiastic Explorer: King Tubby loves to gallop around the yard and investigate his surroundings. He’s curious and enjoys checking out what’s happening outside.
• Smart & Treat Motivated: He becomes especially attentive when yummy treats are involved. He knows “sit” and “down” and can be lured into a slow-motion “spin” and even a crawl. He’s still polishing his “wait” and treat-catching skills.
• Affectionate: King Tubby is a wiggly, affectionate guy who enjoys leaning into his person, jumping into a lap for a quick cuddle, and snuggling beside his person on a bench. Butt scratches are a particular favorite!
• Playful: He shows brief interest in toys, enjoys a few rounds of “fetch”, and can happily entertain himself for short periods.

King Tubby will do best with appropriately matched dogs or as a solo dog with well-matched canine friends. He would likely be most successful as a solo dog.