Rye

DOGGY DAY OUTING Summary of volunteer notes from outing on 10/20/26: Easy to leash. Very treat motivated and responded "sit", "down" and "roll over". Bit my shoe and had his mouth over my arm as he got gradually excited from the engagement. Hopped in/out of car with no issues. Laid down during car ride with no whining nor pacing.Trotted with mild pulling on leash. Pulled towards people, both big and small dogs, and a duck that he passed. Was easily redirected with verbal encouragement. Pulled mildly at first, but walked on a loose leash for most of the outing.Leaned into pets while sitting with handlers at a picnic table. Became excited, pulled towards a small dog who was barking and continued to be fixated on the dog as they walked away. He began to get mouthy on handler's shoes, hands, and arms, and was not able to be distracted with toys or treats. Handlers continued walking him on leash and had no further issues returning to the shelter or in the yard upon return.

Updated to Blue after several instances of high arousal behavior with biting at shoes and some biting at leash. One instance during a doggy day outing on 10/20/26 after a small dog barked at him, he began to react to the dog then started biting at the volunteer's shoes. Volunteers were able to walk him away and had no further issues. Another instance during a PA meeting on 10/23/26 when the person was interacting with him, first playing "find its" where the PA and volunteer were able to direct his attention elsewhere, then a second time during the same meeting when another dog passed by and he became reactive to the other dog at the fence. He began biting at shoes and took the PAs shoe, then was biting at the leash while being walked away. Upon entering the building, he began to walk well on leash and entered his kennel without issues.B

Background: Brought in stray by finder on 9/17/26. Finder caught the dog with a rope. Staff stated could not initially scan for MC and dog was at first "trying to bite rob but after a piece of donut, the dog opened up and started to be friendly." Given Blue dot on intake. Intake staff noted that dog had very stiff body and whale eye. Could not get dog on the scale even with other staff help. Second time meeting handler for evaluation on 9/23/26.

O: Dog was lying down at the front of the kennel. Soft face, neutral posture. Stood up and easy to leash as he walked out of the kennel. Passed by barking neighbors with no engagement. Walked with mostly loose leash alongside handler in the hallway and yard. Dropped leash in the yard. Two handlers were present in the yard. Dog defecated and urinated. Dog walked and sniffed the perimeter, low untucked tail and lowered body language. Stopped to sniff unfamiliar objects, extended snout and kept weight back while sniffing. Approached both handlers alternately with lowered body language, soft face, low wagging tail. Leaned against pets around head, neck, shoulders, back. Stepped closer after consent check. Became loose and wiggly for a few moments bouncing around handlers. Tolerant of touch all over side, back and legs. Did not take treats. Followed tossed toys (ball and squeaker) but did not pick up. Lowered head and lowered tail with some pacing and yawning with passing train. Walked alongside handler back to kennel. Entered kennel ahead of handler. Soft face and neutral posture as handler removed slip by hand.Observations are consistent with Crew volunteer notes.

A: Environmentally sensitive and overwhelmed. Shows enjoyment with pets. Easy to leash and walks well on leash in the shelter. Possibly house trained (dog eliminates immediately in the yard). Yellow for volunteer handling as dog is environmentally sensitive and overwhelmed. Consider for Green if recommended by volunteers.

P: Make available for adoption. Adopters should be aware that this dog may be fearful and sensitive to environmental stimuli in some situations. This behavior may be shelter-specific and may be completely unrelated to behavior outside of the shelter. Expect behavior to change as the dog gets more comfortable. Adopters should continue to work on basic manners (leash skills, recall, sit) using a patient, reward-based training approach. Unknown how this dog may behave around children.

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: At the gate, dog was calm and non-reactive. Sniffed the male tester through the gate, tail wagging slightly. In the yard, dog walked past the male tester but tester followed. Dog stood tall, some hackles, then started bouncing around. Very forward posture, mouth closed but soft eyes as he bounced skittered around with the testers.B

A: Gentle, Medium Energy, Medium Contact, Neutral-Forward Social Dynamic, no Corrections or Conflict observed, Playgroup Size 2-3.

P: Recommend placement with appropriately matched dogs, or placed as a solo dog with appropriate dog friends.

Sweet? Check. Sensitive? Check. Guaranteed to make you smile? Absolutely.

Rye is a handsome 2-year-old, 64-pound pittie mix with a wonderfully goofy side. He loves chasing tennis balls, showing off his zoomies, and soaking up affection. He also has a very nice sit and takes treats with a soft mouth.

At the shelter, Rye looks to his people for direction and finds comfort in them when something startles him. He can become overstimulated during enthusiastic interactions, so he’ll do best with someone who can recognize when he needs a break and help him settle with calm, gentle guidance.

Despite his sturdy bowling ball physique, Rye is a surprisingly gentle and low-contact player with other dogs. He could enjoy a well-matched canine sibling or be your solo dog with the occasional playdate.

Rye would do best with appropriately matched dogs or as a solo dog with well-matched canine friends. If you’re looking for a sensitive and goofy guy who will look to you for guidance, come meet Rye, the Nice Guy!