Animal Profile

Snoopy is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Snoopy's reported behavior concerns in his previous home include snapping, lunging, and multiple biting incidents involving family members, a neighbor, a child, and the other resident dog. He displays high arousal, anxiety, and reactivity, especially toward strangers, other animals, and during handling or restraint. His owner reported that he may bark before escalating, but he was not consistent with this and did not always display warnings. During his intake, Snoopy began leash biting, jumping to chest level while growling, and grabbing staff's clothing. Medically, Snoopy is healthy.

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. Due to the detailed behavior issues, this animal is only available for foster/adoption through one of ACC's New Hope Partners. If you are interested in adopting or fostering, please fill out the pre-screener form. This animal is not directly available for adoption through ACC and is only available by completing the pre-screener form.Adoption inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Snoopy is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Snoopy's reported behavior concerns in his previous home include snapping, lunging, and multiple biting incidents involving family members, a neighbor, a child, and the other resident dog. He displays high arousal, anxiety, and reactivity, especially toward strangers, other animals, and during handling or restraint. His owner reported that he may bark before escalating, but he was not consistent with this and did not always display warnings. During his intake, Snoopy began leash biting, jumping to chest level while growling, and grabbing staff's clothing. Medically, Snoopy is healthy. Snoopy was surrendered due to not having space in the home and his concerning behaviors in the home. Snoopy's previous owner described him as an energetic, playful dog who enjoys being around people, going for car rides, and playing with squeaky toys. While he can be affectionate and playful with familiar people and animals, his behavior has raised concerns-he has a history of snapping, lunging, and multiple bite incidents involving adults, a child, and the other resident large dog. He also shows signs of anxiety, reacts poorly to restraint, and has been reported to bark, growl, and lunge at strangers and unfamiliar dogs during walks. Due to his high energy, reactivity, and bite history, it is recommended that Snoopy be placed through a New Hope rescue partner in an adult-only home where he is the only pet, giving him the best chance to thrive with dedicated force-free reward based only training and management.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 57 lbs

Medical Notes

7/2/2025

DVM Intake Estimated age: 9 months Microchip noted on Intake? No History: Owner surrender Subjective: BARH, no coughing/sneezing/vomiting/diarrhea Observed behavior: Whale eye, shaking, trembling. Refused treats initially but started taking cheese/potted meat after muzzling, exam. Allowed handling while moving slowly Evidence of cruelty seen: No Evidence of trauma seen: No Evidence of neglect seen: No Objective: P: WNL R: WNL BCS: 5/9 OP: Muzzled EENT: Eyes, ears, and nares clear bilaterally, no discharge noted. PLN: Small/soft/symmetrical/nonpainful CV: No murmurs or arrhythmias, pulses strong and synchronous. RESP: Eupneic, no crackles/wheezes GI: Soft, nonpainful, no palpable masses. UG: male intact, two descended testicles, no discharge INT: Good hair coat, no areas of alopecia or pruritus, no ectoparasites or masses noted. MS: Ambulatory x4, no pain on palpation of epaxials NEURO: Mentation appropriate, cranial nerves intact, no deficits noted. Assessment: Clinically healthy Prognosis: Excellent Plan: Routine intake Surgery: Okay for surgery

7/3/2025

Leash biting noted during intake, TDO in shelter. Start clonidine 0.025 mg/kg PO BID and trazodone 7.5 mg/kg PO BID.

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Basic Information:: Snoopy is a aprox. 1-year-old, large, male, dog. He was surrendered by his previous family.

Previously lived with:: 4 adults, 1 7-year-old child, 1 cat, 1 dog

How is this dog around strangers?: He is playful, but has been reported to lunge at strangers.

How is this dog around children?: He is playful, but has been reported to lunge and snap at children. He has previously lived with one 7-year-old child.

How is this dog around other dogs?: He is playful with familiar dogs. He has been reported to snap at familiar dogs. He barks at, and lunges towards unfamiliar dogs.

How is this dog around cats?: He is playful, but has been reported to lunge at cats. He has previously lived with one cat.

Resource guarding:: He values toys. There have been no attempts to take toys from his possession.

Bite history:: There is a bite history.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Very high

Other Notes:: He uses the bathroom outside, but has been reported to have accidents about once a week. He is reported to jump frequently, have general anxiety, and pull hard on leash. While on walks he barks, lunges, and snaps at strangers that approach, and other dogs. He is not bothered when woken from sleep, when startled, when pushed off furniture, or when his paws are touched. He lunges when held/restrained. There have been no attempts to touch/grab his collar.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: He is a very active and playful dog. He spends most of his time where people are. He allowed his previous family to bathe him, brush him, and trim his nails. In his previous home he would go on two 20-minute walks a day. He has never been crate trained. He loves car rides. He knows, "sit", and "paw". He is working on learning "stay". He is very energetic and silly. He loves chew toys, and any toy that squeaks. He eats pedigree wet and dry food.

Date of intake:: 7/1/2025

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

Previously lived with:: 4 adults, 1 child (7-year-old) 1 cat, 1 large dog

Behavior toward strangers:: playful, lunge

Behavior toward children:: playful, lunge and snap

Behavior toward dogs:: playful but snaps with familiar dogs; barks, snaps, lunges at unfamiliar dogs

Behavior toward cats:: playful, lunges

Resource guarding:: No attempts were made to remove items from his possession while in the previous home.

Bite history:: Snoopy is reported to have a multiple bite history; he has bitten family members, his owner, a neighbor, and the resident dog. The previous owner reported that the last bite was at the end of May, and they were the victim. The owner was on the couch/bed with Snoopy, and they told him to get down, and then he bit. It was reported to be a bite and release on their arm that left behind a puncture. Snoopy has also bitten the neighbor. The owner and the neighbor share a walkway; the neighbor was walking up when Snoopy jumped up on her and grabbed the neighbor's sleeve. This was also a bite and release that ended up leaving a scratch on their arm. On another occasion, Snoopy was digging through the trash, and the resident child told him to stop Snoopy jumped at the child, with a bite and release on their cheek that broke skin. The owner was unsure if anything else had occurred as they were not home at the time. With the resident dog, Snoopy has bitten and been bitten by her while playing. None of the bites have broken skin, and they have always been able to separate the dogs. The client stated that the last bite was in June.,

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Snoopy is reported to have a very high energy level.

Other Notes:: Snoopy uses the bathroom outside, but has been reported to have accidents about once a week. He is reported to jump frequently, have general anxiety, and pull hard on leash. While on walks he barks, lunges, and snaps at strangers that approach, and other dogs. He is not bothered when woken from sleep, when startled, when pushed off furniture, or when his paws are touched. He lunges when held/restrained. There have been no attempts to touch/grab his collar. Snoopy allowed his previous family to bathe him, brush him, and trim his nails. In his previous home he would go on two 20-minute walks a day. He has never been crate trained. He loves car rides. He's also been known to grab the leash when walking as well as the sleeve of the person who is holding the leash.

Date of assessment:: 7/5/2025

Summary:: Due to Snoopy's multiple bite history, his reported escalations towards strangers, lack of clear triggers before his escalations, leash biting, and other behavior concerns reported in his previous home in conjunction with his behavior during his intake, the behavior team does not feel that Snoopy is a safe candidate for placement.

Summary (7):: 7/6/25 (KSV): Snoopy stood neutrally at front of kennel as handler approached. He took a piece of beef lung very gently handfed. Snoopy took the treat to his blanket to crunch on. 7/5: Snoopy is curled up in his bedding when a handler approaches. His body was tense as he followed their movements with wide eyes. The handler places sausage pieces in his kennel, and he stretches without moving from his spot to sniff and eat the closest pieces to him. Once done, he turns away from the handler and begins lip licking. 07/03/25 (KSV) Snoopy is at the front of his kennel displaying a soft, neutral frame, sitting softly. He takes treats with a gentle mouth when administered through the bars of the door, remaining soft in frame. Snoopy displays minimal movement remaining still. The handler will drop treats into his kennel before walking away.

Date of intake:: 7/1/2025

Summary:: leash biting, growling, grabbing shirt

Date of initial:: 7/2/2025

Summary:: whale eye, shaking, trembling

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),No cats,Single-pet home,Recommend no dog parks,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Snoopy's multiple behavior concerns reported in his previous home, the behavior team feels that he would be best set up to succeed in an adult-only home at this time. No cats: Due to Snoopy's history of lunging at the resident cat, we recommend that he not be placed in a home with cats or small animals at this time. Single-pet home/Recommend no dog parks: Due to the concerning behaviors that Snoopy's previous owner has reported, including a bite history, we feel that he should not visit dog parks and be the only resident dog. The Behavior Department recommends that he be socialized in a more controlled setting until his behavior towards other dogs can be further addressed. Reward-based, force-free training can be utilized to help Snoopu associate dogs with things he enjoys, like toys or treats. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to all noted concerns displayed in a home environment, the behavior department recommends that Snoopy be placed with a New Hope placement partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow him to acclimate comfortably to his new environment; force-free, reward-based training only is advised when introducing Snoopy to new and unfamiliar situations. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended for guidance to safely manage/modify any behavior that Snoopy presents with outside of the care centers.

Potential challenges: : House soiling,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Handling/touch sensitivity,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting,Strength/leash pulling,Low threshold for arousal,Bite history (human),Bite history (dog)

Potential challenges comments:: House soiling: Snoopy is noted to have accidents in the house and will likely need guidance with house training. We recommend positive reinforcement, and reward-based training only. Please see the handout on House soiling. Basic manners/poor impulse control | Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition: Snoopy is reported to jump up and grab clothing while in his previous home. Please see the handout on Basic manners/poor impulse control & Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition. Handling/touch sensitivity: Snoopy is reported to lunge when held or restrained. Please see handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression | Bite history (human) | Bite history (dog) | Low threshold for arousal: Snoopy is reported to have bitten multiple times in his previous home. The bites were reported to be bites and releases, but were reported to have little to no warning before escalation. This behavior is likely to continue as it has become part of Snoopy's repertoire, and will need careful management to work toward reducing triggers when possible for him and reducing the resulting bites. Please see the handout on Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression & Arousal. Anxiety: Snoopy's owner described him as an anxious dog, but did not give details on how the anxiety manifested. If he displays anxious behavior in his future home, we recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and giving him other things to focus on to alleviate his anxiety. Positive reinforcement, force-free training only should be used. Please handout on Generalized Anxiety. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: While on walks, Snoopy barks, lunges, and snaps at strangers that approach, and other dogs. Please see handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration. Leash biting: Snoopy is reported to jump up and bite the leash and can pull hard while on leash. Similar behaviors have been displayed during his intake with admissions staff. He would jump up to chest level while growling and grabbing their clothes. Please see the handout on arousal and leash manners.