Animal Profile

Abel is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Abel was surrendered to the Care Centers following two bite incidents in his previous home. He was also reported to resource guard his toys and growl and bark when his paws were touched. In the Care Centers, Abel has displayed fearful behaviors, escalating to baring his teeth when staff attempted to remove him from his kennel for a medical exam. However, he has shown a willingness to accept treats when approached slowly. Despite these concerns, his previous owner described him as social with strangers and children. Medically, Abel has dental disease and otitis externa.

Let's get to know each other a bit more...

This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. This pet is available only through ACC New Hope partners. To adopt or foster, please complete the pre-screener form below. Inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Abel is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Abel was surrendered to the Care Centers following two bite incidents in his previous home. He was also reported to resource guard his toys and growl and bark when his paws were touched. In the Care Centers, Abel has displayed fearful behaviors, escalating to baring his teeth when staff attempted to remove him from his kennel for a medical exam. However, he has shown a willingness to accept treats when approached slowly. Despite these concerns, his previous owner described him as social with strangers and children. Medically, Abel has dental disease and otitis externa. Abel was brought to ACC as an owner surrender following a bite incident. In his previous home, Abel has been described as an easygoing couch potato and is happiest when he's lounging by your side and soaking up all the love and cuddles you have to offer. When he's ready to stretch his legs, Abel enjoys going for walks and playing with a good, tough rope toy. He's also a great passenger who loves car rides! Abel knows cues like sit, stay, down, and off, and he's comfortable spending time in his crate.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 69.8 lbs

Medical Notes

10/6/2026

[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 5-6yrs based on dentition/conformation Microchip noted on intake? scans negative History: DOHB Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - comes to front of kennel with ears pinned back and tail tucked, will lip curl and growl when attempting to place leash. Sedated for exam and tasks Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? no Objective: P = 80 (sedated) R = 18 BCS 6/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears bilateral crusting with AD erythematous, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition with mild diffuse staining, fractured left maxillary canine PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI; 2 testicles descended MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat, overgrown nails on all 4 limbs, bilateral healing sores on lateral hocks CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: externally normal Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment: Approx. 6yr MI canine Otitis AD overgrown nails Fractured left maxillary canine overconditioned High FAS Prognosis: good Plan: sedated with dexdomitor 10mcg/kg + torb 0.2mg/kg IM estimated for 60# and achieved deep sedation Intake tasks Nail trim Ear cleaning + applied simplera AD Reversed with equal volume antesedan Rec dental with extraction of fractured canine once placed Start trazadone 7mg/kg PO BID indefinitely SURGERY: Okay for surgery

10/12/2026

On 10/12/26 at approximately 8:00 am, I examined Abel 267157. He has appropriate mentation at this time with no neurologic signs present, and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at ACC

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Basic Information:: Name: Abel Age: 3-6 years old Color: White with gray Sex: Male Altered: No Size: Medium Surrender Reason: Abel bit the owner's son and daughter once each. This was the first time this ever happened. We have two younger children and don’t want to risk him thinking he could bite them. Length of time owned: 6 years Where the previous owner got this dog: Purchased

Previously lived with:: 3 adult (39,38 and 18) 3 children (15,9 and 7)

How is this dog around strangers?: Friendly & Outgoing

How is this dog around children?: Friendly & Outgoing, Playful

How is this dog around other dogs?: Unfamiliar dogs - on leash: Playful Unfamiliar dogs - off leash: Playful

How is this dog around cats?: Cats: Tolerant Other Animals: No experience

Resource guarding:: Valuable items: Toys Reaction: Has a tense body or hovers over them

Bite history:: The owner did not fill this part out on the canine profile; however, this information was reported: Abel bit his son on the left and bit his daughter on the left hand and thigh. It is unknown how and why the incident occurred.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High (often playful/busy)

Other Notes:: Goes potty on: Outside on walks (grass, cement, dirt, etc.), Wee-wee pads Accident frequency: Never Additional info: Not reported Behavior concerns: None, my dog is the best! Additional info: Not reported Reacts to on walks: None of the above Reaction type: Not reported Additional info: Not reported How this dog reacts when... - Held/restrained: Fearful - Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Isn't bothered - Startled: Isn't bothered - Pushed/pulled off furniture: Isn't bothered - Paws are touched: Fearful, Barks/Growls - Collar grabbed/touched: Isn't bothered

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Description of this dog most of the time: Lazy/Couch potato Where the dog spent most time: Living room, Bedroom, Where people are Additional info: Not reported For grooming, this dog: Goes to the groomer, Loves bath time/water, Allows owner/family to bathe and brush Additional info: Not reported Walks on leash rating: 3 - Mild to moderate pulling Walk Frequency: 1-2 times per day Walk length of time: 30min Crate trained: Yes, does well, se porta bien Hours in crate: 6 Type of crate: Metal During car rides, this dog: Loves car rides! Additional info: Not reported This dog knows the following cues: Sit, stay, down, off walk, ball Previous owner's favorite things about the dog: Love to give hugs and cuddles. This dog's favorite activities/toys/food/snacks: A good tough rope, no treats and going on walks Type of food the dog eats: Dry Food Brand of food: Kirkland adult dog food, chicken and rice with vegetables, with home-cooked white rice and broiled chicken.

Date of intake:: 10/2/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender

Previously lived with:: 3 adult (39,38 and 18) 3 children (15,9 and 7)

Behavior toward strangers:: Friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward children:: Friendly, outgoing, playful

Behavior toward dogs:: Playful

Behavior toward cats:: Toelrant

Resource guarding:: Will tense and hover around toys

Bite history:: Abel bit the two resident children in the home. He bit one on the left hand and the other on the left hand and thigh. The bites broke the skin but did not need stitches; they only left a scratch on one child and a puncture on another. It is unknown what triggered the bite.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Abel is described to be high energy.

Other Notes:: Goes potty on: Outside on walks (grass, cement, dirt, etc.), Wee-wee pads Accident frequency: Never Additional info: Not reported Behavior concerns: None, my dog is the best! Additional info: Not reported Reacts to on walks: None of the above Reaction type: Not reported Additional info: Not reported How this dog reacts when... - Held/restrained: Fearful - Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Isn't bothered - Startled: Isn't bothered - Pushed/pulled off furniture: Isn't bothered - Paws are touched: Fearful, Barks/Growls - Collar grabbed/touched: Isn't bothered

Date of assessment:: 10/15/2026

Summary:: Due to Abel's bite history and the unknown trigger, Abel will not receive a handling assessment.

Summary (7):: 10/15/26: Abel is siting at the front of his kennel with a tense body as he hard stares at the handler as they slowly approach his kennel. He continues to hard stare at the handler with a tense body and begins to slip lick and huff. When the handler tosses treats inside, he quickly eats all the treats while hunched forward with a tense body. He then remains having a tense body while hunched forward as he hard stares at the handler. He would continue to quickly run after and eat the treats as the handler slides them inside. He then hovers over the treats when the handler starts to toss the treats above. When they were a little closer to the kennel, he then begins to growl. When the handler steps away, he then quickly eats the treats again and then continues to hard stare at the handler again as they walk away and end the interaction. 10/5 (KSV): Abel slowly comes to the front of the kennel when he hears other dogs in the room barking. He remains at the front but begins trembling. He licks his lips and takes a step back. The handler softly greets him while slowly taking a knee. Abel comes forward again, sniffing at their offered squeaky toy but does not take it. The handler notices he has eaten his dinner and offers him a few treats. Abel does not take them from the hadnler so they slide a few under the kennel door. He sniffs them for several seconds before slowly eating them one by one. He side-eyes the hadnler as he eats. Once done, he turns fully to face the handler again, staring as they take his picture. Once done, the handler ends the interaction to prevent further stress.

Date of intake:: 10/2/2026

Summary:: Fearful but allowed handling

Date of initial:: 10/5/2026

Summary:: Pinned back ears, lip curl and growl

ENERGY LEVEL:: Abel is described as high energy. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them engaged and exercised. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for them.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to his bite history, Abel should not go to a home with children. Place with a New Hope partner: Abel should go to a New Hope Partner who can manage his behavior.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Abel was reported to become tense and to hover when someone approaches his toys. Nothing should be removed from his possession, and positive reinforcement should be used to teach him the trade game. Please see the handout on Resource Guarding. Handling/touch sensitivity: Abel will bark and growl if his paws are touched. Positive reinforcement training should be utilized to help Abel feel comfortable with certain handling, such as grooming and medical handling. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: In the Care Centers, Abel was noted to bare his teeth and growl when attempts to remove him from his kennel for his exam. Positive reinforcement should be utilized to teach Abel to associate new people with things he likes such as treats and toys. Please see the handout out on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression/Bite history (human): Abel has bitten two resident children in his home. The triggers for his bite is unknown. Please see the handout on Bite History.