Niko ACCT-A-175011 is currently considered urgent and at risk of euthanasia due to length of stay and lack of placement for incoming dogs. Niko must have confirmed placement with a RESCUE PARTNER or ADOPTER by Wednesday, October 9th at 10 A.M. Should Niko's medical or behavioral status change, his urgency and timeline for placement may also change.
Meet Niko, a 4-year-old male dog who tragically lost his family on September 16th due to homelessness. His family had him since he was a puppy and were heartbroken to surrender him. Niko's world turned upside down, and while he's been understandably nervous, this brave boy is beginning to come out of his shell.
Initially shy, Niko has shown incredible progress, building trust with volunteers and staff. He's a handsome, sweet boy who loves butt scratches and will even put his paws in your lap for extra snuggles. Niko knows his basic commands like "sit" and "paw" and takes treats gently-his pawing gesture is one of his favorite ways to connect. He also enjoys chasing a ball around and would benefit from a loving home where he can continue to build his confidence.
Though Niko arrived at the shelter scared and unsure, he's steadily learning to feel safe again. He is housebroken, as confirmed by his habits when outside, and walks nicely on a leash, though he might pull a little as he zigzags from curiosity. Despite his anxiety, especially around strangers or sudden movements, he is incredibly affectionate once he feels comfortable, often leaning in for pets and cuddles.
Niko has some skin issues, including missing fur on his back and tail, likely due to stress, but a little TLC will help him feel better. He's also shown good manners around other dogs, though he prefers calm and gentle introductions. Niko needs a slow, patient approach, but with time, he'll show you his silly, loving side.
This sweet boy is ready to leave his stressful shelter days behind and find a home where he can feel secure, loved, and finally relax. Could you be the one to give Niko the second chance he deserves?
Videos:
Niko loves butt scratches: https://youtube.com/shorts/SCMksPzjsdE?si=1EpNYA8AOP1rtS3t
Niko sits and gives his paw: https://youtube.com/shorts/s7jLwO4-VuE?si=dSW24nO0oUbRZB8U
Achilles and Niko meet:
https://youtube.com/shorts/Ur1y9hQH5Ws?feature=share
Niko Outside:
https://youtube.com/shorts/AH2h1AnXjfc?feature=share
Niko and welcome center dogs: https://youtube.com/shorts/VsWNkuIIflk?feature=share
Behavior Notes:
Per volunteer 10/2: Niko is a very handsome boy, who might have been shy before, but is being brave. I had no issue leashing him or walking out. We passed another dog in the hallway and he was very good, he had no reaction. He immediately peed once we exited the bldg and since he is an owner surrender, I am sure he is housetrained. He's not a bad walker, a little pulling with some zig zagging.
In the yard, he walked around smelling, then chased a ball for me and once I sat down, he came right over for butt scratches, and when I stopped, he put his paws up on my lap for some snuggles.
He does a nice sit and simultaneously offers his paw, such a sweet gesture. And he takes treats nicely. I'm not sure if he was also taught the beg cue but it looks like it was kind of an automatic response when I asked him to sit.
He's missing a bunch of fur on the back, especially his tail, and has dry skin. A good bath will do wonders to make him feel better, but he was happy just to be outside.
I had no issues returning him to his kennel.
Per staff 9/21/24: Niko got out for some one on one time today! In kennel he was laying on his bed, but looked up with semi soft eyes when he saw me. He came tot he door on his own with semi soft eyes and some low wags! He was easy to leash and came right out once secured. Once in the room Niko was so much more loose and comfortable than the last time I had him out! He sniffed around the room with easy mid level wags and rubbed against my leg for some pets. He looked like he had to go potty, so I took him outside for a short walk. He walked nicely and got all his potties out! After he went poop he almost did some silly after poop zoomies, but was too nervous to fully zoom. We went back into the office and Niko bounced around like a silly boy! I offered him some treats and he showed me his favorite trick, "paw"! He knows "sit" and "paw" and will give you his paw to hold without even getting a treat. Niko was SOO cuddly with me today! He rubbed against my legs so hard and hopped up into my lap. He leaned in hard and accepted all over pets and love. He even tried to roll over on his back for belly rubs while half on my lap, half on the floor! Niko started whining and crying in my lap, and seemed like what he really wanted was to get his whole body into my lap, but he was just too big for me and my chair! I wanted to see if he just remembered and liked me since I've been interacting with him a lot the past few days, so I found a staff member he hasn't met yet and asked them to try to say hi to him. He greeted them with low wags and allowed a head touch, but did flinch a little. Before today he would tense up, give whale eye and hard eyes, and shy away from touch from strangers, so it seems like he is improving all around! When it was time to return to kennel Niko climbed right in without any issue. Overall, Niko seems to be adjusting to his new circumstances. He's still nervous and needs a slow approach, but once you get through to him he's a cuddly, loving boy!
Per staff 9/19/24: Niko arrived at the shelter on 9/16, surrendered due to homelessness. He was with his family (three adults, three children, two other dogs) for about four years. During his stay at the shelter, he's displayed elevated levels of fear, anxiety, and stress as he acclimates to the sudden change in his environment. However, with the help of some new friends, he's learning to freshly appreciate social time and booty scritches. If you can take this nervous dude into your care, he'd love to meet you.
Per staff 9/19/24: Niko got out for some one on one time today! He was much more relaxed in kennel this evening. He pawed at the door as I approached and once he sniffed me, gave some mid level wags and looked up with semi soft eyes. He was patient for leashing and came right out once secured. We hung out in the office for a bit, and Niko was a lot more social. He was still nervous at first, but allowed some body pets. Once I gave him some pepperoni he relaxed a lot and actually began to solicit attention. Niko took treats gently and showed me his favorite tricks: "sit", "paw" and "lay"! After some treats Niko pushed his head under my hands with soft eyes and leaned in into my legs for some pets. He leaned in extra for his booty scratches, but that's where his skin is worst. When I wasn't giving him enough attention he would put his head in my lap, look up with big soft eyes, and whine at me until I gave him more pets. He would also paw at me and climb into my lap, trying to solicit more attention and love. Niko is doing much better and seems to be adjusting to his new circumstances. When it was time to go back he returned to kennel without an issue as well!
Per staff 9/19/24: Took Niko on a walk to get some new photos. Found him standing at the front of his kennel, sniffing around and looking up at me with wide but soft eyes. Found him eager to come out and leashed without issue. Walked very well throughout. Peed and pooped outside. Kept his posture low; occasional, hesitant, searching eye contact; when crouching down to take pictures, Niko loosened up slightly, wagging his tail, and solicited gentle pets on the head and shoulders by nuzzling my hands. No issues returning to kennel.
Per staff 9/18/24: During his dog meets today Niko was a little hesitant and preferred a calm, slow approach. He was tolerant of the other dog, but they were a little too "in your face" for him to be completely comfortable.
Per staff 9/18/24:
KENNEL PRESENTATION:
Niko had a stiff body, hard eye contact and walked over to the handler very stiff. He was able to be lasso'd and did not move for it, but once secured came right out.
LEASH SKILLS:
Pull minimally - freeze often on leash
HANDLING:
Niko came outside with a neutral tense body, wide eyes, and did some teeth chattering. He is a little nervous around the handlers and would whip around and gave some wide eyes when the handler tried to pet his back side. Considering the condition of his skin we tried not to bother him too much and touch it but wanted to test where we could touch it. We tried to pet his side and he also flinched and gave some hard eye contact. From another handler he allowed her to pet him more after about 5 minutes and even nuzzled in a little before stiffening up. It took another 5-8 minutes before he took treats very nicely and gave the handler his paw and did some very nice wags. With plenty of hot dogs, patience and baby voice he allowed handling without reacting and even wagged his tail for us.
PLAY
Did not attempt
TOYS:
No interest
Per staff 9/17/24: unable to remove from kennel scared
Per staff 9/16/24: Unable to complete intake due to behavior. Whale eyeing ACAs, very tense, and thrashed when muzzled. Scheduled for Trazodone.
Per staff 9/16/24: Per owner, Niko will bark at other dogs when he's in the yard. He has previously shared a home with two other male dogs, they were all unaltered so would get into fights sometimes.
Per owner 9/16/24: Great with people not too good with other dogs. Lived with 3 adults and 3 children. Fully housebroken. Medium energy, enjoys some activity. Loves squeaky toys.
Medical Notes:
URI 9/23/24:
This dog has been observed to have shelter acquired upper respiratory infection (URI), or a "doggy cold". They have been started on medication, and will be monitored for resolution of the respiratory infection.
Intake 9/18/24:
Eyes -clear
Ears -chronically inflamed, with a large amount of yeasty smelling debris, stenosis of the canals, lichenification of the tissue in the canal and the pinna.
Nose - clear, dry on the top
Mouth/Teeth/Gums -moderate dental tartar, some gum recession on incisors, canines, gums p/m
Coat & Skin -Severe FAD, lichenification especially on hind end, skin is loose and sagging. Noted scabs, chronic lesions around hips, painful to touch. Live fleas seen.
Urogenital - male, intact w/2
Gait/Mobility -no lameness noted
Attitude: BAR, very fearful, food motivated but stressed with handling. Tolerated vaccines and ear medication with muzzle placed and gentle restraint.
Due to being significantly overcapacity with dogs and cats and higher than usual intake, extensions are unlikely to be granted. If you are interested in an animal please contact ACCT Philly immediately.
Due to limited space, timestamps may also be proceeded with early so it is imperative to let us know if you are considering adopting or tagging a dog or cat.
ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week. Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt for details.
If you are a rescue interested in pulling this animal, please email our lifesaving team, or visit here if you are not currently a rescue partner: https://acctphilly.org/acct-philly-love-local-partnership-program/
Confirmed placement is considered confirmation of an actual rescue pull. Possible placement, interested parties, and other "TBD" statuses are not considered confirmed and do not indicate an animal is no longer urgent
All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly's Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313
