Cruisin

Cruisin is an adoptable male German Shepherd looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. He is fully grown and large in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 5 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Cruisin, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 8/28/2026 08/28/26 16:31 Canine is becoming increasingly difficult to manage safely while in care. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 9/2/26 to ensure the dog has access to appropriate behavioral support in a different environment. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/3/26 or sooner if warranted. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 8/26/2026 Dog was lying in front half of kennel on approach. Would not come forward with verbal coaxing. Offered treats, would slowly come forward for treats on ground, would not take treats from hand. Presented leash, would lower head, tuck tail under body, curl lips & pin ears back while walking back towards divider. Leaned into kennel to cast leash, would bite leash, pull back then drop leash. Handler would offer treats being tossed near dog then would cast leash again. Dog would growl while biting towards leash, unable to catch leash in mouth. While handler would reset leash, dog would stand in middle of kennel with body weight shifted evenly, low growling with ears pinned back & curling lips. Offered more treats, would not be interested in treats near body & would not relax body posture. Handler would cast leash one more time, dog would lunge forward then quickly retreat back while keeping ears pinned & growling with pupils starting to dilate. Ended attempt to leash due to safety & FAS. 8/25/2026 Dog was on outer portion of kennel; looking in through divider; verbally coaxed; not interested; tossed treats; came forward; closed divider; opened kennel door; presented leash; dog moved towards back; handler scattered treats at front; dog came forward; handler was able to place large loop over; leashed; pulled back; exited; walked well; soft; tail wagging. In yard, dog briefly explored; approached handler; stood next to handler; allowed for petting; leaned into handler; offered treats; took treats gently; continued to explore; frequently checked in with handler. Handler pet lower end; dog flipped head back; ears back; lip licking; side eyeing; dog explored; handler touched lower a few more times; same reaction each time. Handler sat in chair; dog approached; sat at handler's feet; rested head on lap; allowed for petting all over head. Walked to yard gate; dog followed; handler pet lower end again for a longer period; turned head back; lip licking; tail tucked; side eyeing; handler entered catch pen; dog continued to follow; picked leash up; walked well back to kennel; entered kennel; avoiding leash removal; lured back to front with treats; allowed handler to remove leash. 8/24/2026 When retrieving for meet and great, neighboring kennel guillotines were closed off and the dog was coaxed into the outter portion of the kennel with his guillotine closed. When pulling from kennel, dog is avoidant of the leash, Second handler attempted to over the head loop leashing a 2 times with hot dogs in front of kennel to distract, but dog appears to be weary of leash presence. Primary handler was able to have the dog walk throught the loop with hot dogs after 2 attempts. Once leash on dog, the dog walked out of the kennel well. Walked next to handler to the meet and great room with no pulling and ignoring other dogs while walking past kennels. Dog walked into meet and great room, with no concerns. Dog walked up to potential adopter to sniff initially. Second handler offered the potential adopter hot dogs to give to the dog. The dog gently took treats from second handler with open palm. Dog then approached the potential adopter for hot dog treats and took them gently. Dog then solicited attention to potential adopter by leaning into them for pets. Dog allowed petting by potential adopter. Potential adopter then arose from chair to see if dog would sit for treats. Dog did not sit for treats, but took treats gently from the potential adopter. The potential adopter then sat back down and the dog sat down to continue taking treats. Potential Adopter the went to pet the dog, when he whipped his head around and air snapped at the potential adopter. No contact made from air snap. Primary handler stepped on the leash to secure the dog, and asked the potential adopter to step out of room due to the dogs behavior. Handler then radioed main desk for assistance. Primary handler was able to pick up leash and walked dog back to kennel. Dog walked closely to the handler all the way back to his kennel. Returned dog to the back of kennel and removed leash by hand while dog eating hot dogs off the floor. 8/20/2026 Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Timid, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Closed G and leashed from outside. Walked well to yard. Came to handler, allowed pets. Shy but affiliative. Engaged at looked at handler. Took dog to M & G, then walked him back to his kennel. He walked very close to handler's legs. On return, laid on ground while removing leash. 8/11/2026 Solicited attentions, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Easily leashed from inside, cleaning outside. Walked well to yard, Came to handler, allowed pets, very affiliative w/handler, leaned in for pets. Sweet gentle boy. 7/30/2026 Solicited attentions, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Calm, Timid, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Entered from outside when approached. Closed guil. and stepped in to leash. Sl pull to yard. Exp, came to handler, allowed all pets and was very affiliative and engaged. Calm demeanor, leaned in for pets. Walked well back, easy return, backed away for leash removal.Clip lead used 7/21/2026 Demand barking as handler was walking towards kennel, settled with soft body and wagging tail once handler fully approached, took treats. Avoidant of leash, retreated to back of kennel, able to coax forward by tossing treats, continued to dodge leash placement, handler placed leash loop on floor, tossed hot dogs in middle, able to leash while dog was eating treats. Moderate pull to yard, zigzagged but no issues directing when needed, showed no interest in kenneled dogs. Explored yard, nose to ground, neutral, panting, eventually approached handler, softened with wagging tail, allowed petting all over, took treats gently, continued exploring but would return to handler soliciting more attention. Followed handler to gate, able to pick up leash, dog would press body against handler's leg while walking back, easy return, pulled back as handler removed leash by hand, ate more treats tossed in kennel. *Potential adopters should be counseled on slow introductions and proper decompression time to allow dog to adjust to new home. 7/18/2026 Solicited attentions, Playful, Moderate to pull from kennel, Moderate to return to kennel, Played with toys, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Avoided leash, coaxed on with treats. Pulled on leash to yard. In yard, explored, eliminated twice, ran & played with tennis ball, approached for pets, accepted all pets. Jumps up with excited. Took treats gently. On return, avoided leash removal, used treats. 7/8/2026 Solicited attentions, Takes treats nicely, Calm, Sit, Very treat motivated, timid in kennel at first but was able to loop leash using treat, then walked well all the way to play yard and seemed comfortable with leash on. Played independently in yard and would follow me around right at my heel everywhere! 6/27/2026 Solicited attentions, Moderate to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Avoided leash but looped using chicken. Easy to walk to yard. In yard, explored & approached for pets. Leaned in for pets & chicken. Accepted pets all over. Put paws on my lap for more. Sweet sweet boy. Easy to return but avoided unleashing. Used chicken to unleash. 6/27/2026 Solicited attentions, Moderate to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Avoided leash but used chicken to loop. Easy to walk to yard. In yard, explored & approached for pets. Accepted all pets. Sweet sweet boy. Paws on lap too. Easy to walk to kennel, entered by himself. Avoided leash removal, used chicken to remove. 6/17/2026 Solicited attentions, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Stop and go, Calm, Timid, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Very sweet boy, takes treats nicely, explored yard and then stuck by handler for petting; ignored multiple dogs walking by the yard 6/8/2026 Moderate to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Timid, Sit, Retreat to front on approach, closed divider, step in w/ large loop, not aggressive, loose leash walk to sick yd; came in for pets & allowed all, snuggled in for hugs; took treats gently & sat for them; not interested in play, sniffed yd but stayed near handler; easy return 6/2/2026 Solicited attentions, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Grabby at treats, Easy/Loose Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Once gate cracked, pup went to back of kennel. Stepped in with wide loop for easy leash. Loves treats. 5/24/2026 Solicited attentions, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Timid, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Did not come forward on approach, easy leash from back, no pull, not reactive; came in for pets, explored yard, not frightened by reactive dogs; took treats nicely; loose leash on walk, leans in, would circle around handler; easy return 5/19/2026 Greeted handler at front of kennel with soft body, wagging tail, accepted treats gently. Began jumping on kennel door when leash was presented, head shy with leash placement but came forward when handler knelt down and offered treat, soft bodied and allowed petting while allowing handler to place leash. Exited with easy leash pull, head lowered, some tucked tail, zig zag walking pattern otherwise no issues walking to yard, startled by reactive dogs in passing. In yard dog followed handler to bench with tail neutral and soft body, accepted petting all over, head shy at first when being petted but settled quickly, leans in for pets. Grabby with treats offered, would place front paws on handlers lap while handler sat on bench and would accept pets with soft body, slow loose tail wag, would muzzle treat pouch but allowed handler to direct dog away with no issues. Would explore around yard with neutral body, loose tail, sniffed and marked around yard, solicited attentions with staff member walking by yard, jumped onto fenceline to accept pets from staff member allowing petting, returned to handler when called over and solicited attentions with handler. Picked up leash and walked back to kennel with no issues, zig zag walking pattern but easy leash pull. Walked into kennel on own, allowed handler to remove leash by hand. 5/15/2026 dog was laying in front of the door of address. I approached and the dog began low growling. I used the leash to allow the dog to smell. I was able to get a leash on the dog and it walked somewhat on the leash, as I got closer to the truck the dog began to thrash. I used a catchpole to secure the dog on truck safely. 5/15/2026 used control device and pet taxi for intake, allowed all handling and petting, light restraint for vaccines, timid, soft body, solicits attention, accepts treats gently, switch to slip leash and used pet taxi to transport to kennel, go slow on approach, orange due to field behavior Name: Cruisin Animal ID: A5164957 Breed: BLACK/BROWN GERM SHEPHERD Sex: Neutered Age: 4Y 3M Weight: 64.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing B - 055 Intake Date: 5/15/2026 Deadline Date: 9/2/2026