Animal Profile

Checkers is currently at risk due to behavior reasons. Initially, Checkers was hard barking and muzzle punching the kennel door when approached by handlers. He has since warmed up to select staff, greeting with soft body and allowing for leashing. However, he will show teeth when handlers extend their hand offering a treat. He is reactive to dogs which was reported by the finder as well prior to arriving at the care center. He will growl, lunge and hard bark with tense body towards dogs and birds. Medically, he is overweight and has mild arthritic changes to right elbow found on x-rays.

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 Checkers is currently at risk due to behavior reasons. Initially, Checkers was hard barking and muzzle punching the kennel door when approached by handlers. He has since warmed up to select staff, greeting with soft body and allowing for leashing. However, he will show teeth when handlers extend their hand offering a treat. He is reactive to dogs which was reported by the finder as well prior to arriving at the care center. He will growl, lunge and hard bark with tense body towards dogs and birds. Medically, he is overweight and has mild arthritic changes to right elbow found on x-rays.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 67 lbs

Medical Notes

6/15/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 4-8 years based on the condition of teeth and eyes Microchip noted on Intake? Negative History: Stray Subjective: BAR H pink 1 sec Observed Behavior - Hard barking; tense Evidence of Cruelty seen - No Evidence of Trauma seen – No Evidence of Neglect- No Objective P = 80hr (sedated) R = 25rr (sedated) BCS 6-7/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, left ear- pinna scarring (old hematoma), no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: moderate tartar on molars and pre-molars PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, no apparent murmur, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI with 2 down MSI: before sedation ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat, overweight CNS: before sedation mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment overweight slightly scarred left pinna Prognosis: Good to fair Plan: Dog sedation: Using 1.1 ml dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) and 1.1 ml butorphanol (10mg/ml) IM Reversed with Antisedan-1.1 ml IM behavior assessment Trazodone- 100mg (5 to 10 mg/kg po q 12 hrs) sig: 2 1/2 tab po q 12 hrs Clonidine (with trazodone and/or gaba)- 0.3mg tabs (0.01-0.05 mg/kg) SIG: 2 tabs q 12 to 24 hrs Intake procedures SURGERY: Okay for surgery

6/21/2025

SO: Yesterday behavior team noted Checkers seemed wobbly and fell when coming out of kennel. This morning came out of kennel with assistance but still seemed unable to focus. Circling when passing feces and some blood noted in feces. BAR, seen out for walk and was panting and mentation seemed a little off, but was able to walk back to kennel. Taken out again for hands on exam. Allows placement of muzzle and some handling for orthopedic exam, but then snapped when attempting to look at eyes eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated abd: SNP, no obvious masses msi: ambulatory x4, but RF limb stiff while walking, no pain swelling or crepitus noted, occasionally drags toes on RF neuro: mentation alert and appropriate, proprioceptive deficits not noted A: RF lameness altered mentation P: canceling AM behavior meds and canceling trazodone in case contributing to altered mentation sedated for radiographs of R shoulder/neck, chest and abdomen 0.7ml dexmedetomidine 500mcg/ml and 0.7ml butorphanol 10mg/ml IM Shoulder/neck Suspect bridging lesion between C4 and C5 RF limb mild arthritic changes to R elbow Abdomen no significant abnormalities noted Thorax no signs of pneumonia

6/21/2025

CBC/chem/T4 in house all wnl P: discontinued trazodone 600ml LRS sc once consider carprofen trial if stiffness continues

6/22/2025

appears stable, eating, standing at front of kennel

Upon intake Checkers it was reported barking and lunging towards other dos. When counselor approached the dog, Checkers hard bark, hair was raised and lunging. During Checkers, vaccinations Checkers lunge towards the handler. While counselor went to Checkers kennel to put the kennel card away he was attempting to get at another dog next to him, biting on kennel dogs. No handling at this time.

Date of intake:: 6/14/2025

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, No known history

Date of assessment:: 6/16/2025

Summary:: Checkers has been observed to be fearful during his stay in the care center. Noted to hard bark and lunge towards handlers during intake and while in kennel. Due to high levels of fear and stress observed Checkers is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (6):: 6/21/25: Checkers is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed with ease and he is slowly taken out of kennel. He has a wobbly body and had to use a koranda bed to be able to step out his kennel safely without falling. He then walks slowly to the yard with a wobbly body. He was unable to walk up the steps, so the handler takes him to the driveway. He begins to spin in circles and bump into the walls. In the driveway, he would continue to walk slowly behind the handler and would constantly spin around as he relieved himself. He has no reactions to dogs or people. He is able to be slowly taken back to his kennel and step onto the koranda bed to go inside with ease. 6/20/25: Checkers is standing at the back of his kennel as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed with ease and is taken to the yard for a walk. On the walk, he would sniff a lot to mark his territory and would pull ahead. He would stop and become tense each time the handler tried to take their phone out for a video. He would stop behind the handler when he did not want to walk back to his kennel. He was not interested in treats or toys. He is able to walk back into his kennel after the handler applies leash pressure. 6/19/25: Checkers is barking at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He begins to back away as the handler unlocks the door and tries to leash him. He is able to be leashed while being distracted with treats. He then pulls on the way to yard. Once in the yard, he instantly relieves himself due to being house broken. He would walk around in the middle pen with a neutral body frame and would become tense and try to approach the dogs that would pass by the gate. He was able to take treats and had no interest in toys. He is then taken back to his kennel with no issues. 6/18/25: Checkers is laying in his kennel facing the back. Handler approaches and speaks softly as they unlock the kennel door. He stands soft body, wagging tail. He dodges the leash initially but handler is able to secure the leash rather quickly. Once out of the kennel, he pulls hard towards the other dogs kennels. In the hall, he slides around, landing on his belly, feet unable to gain traction in the hall. Once in the yard, he relieves himself multiple times. He is tense, growls, barks and pulls towards other dog in the yard. He lunges towards pigeons that fly away. His leash is clipped while distracted. He pulls hard while growling towards the other dogs in their kennels. He begins to scratch when just outside his kennel and will not go in even when treats are tossed. Handler attempts to muscle him in but he slides his front legs under the kennel. Handler leaves the room and resets walking back to his kennel and muscling him in.

Summary (7):: 6/17/25: It is reported that Checkers showed teeth when handler extended their hand to offer a treat. 6/17/25: Checkers is laying at the back of his kennel sleeping when the handler approaches. The handler speaks in a soft tone and Checkers does not wake up. The handler uses a squeaky sound and he readily approaches the front. Handler offers treat and he is not receptive. The handler attempts to leash him and he moves his head away. The handler attempts a second time and they are successful. Checkers is taken to the yard where he relieves himself immediately. The handler has to coax Checkers up the stairs and he is walked around the parameter of the yard. Checkers is aloof to his surroundings and does not engage with stimuli other than marking multiple times. When returning to kennel Checkers pulls mildly towards the other dogs in the kennel room. However he then begins to try and scratch himself while walking, so he unable to continue to pull. When in front of his kennel Checkers sits in front of his kennel and continues to scratch. Handler tosses treats into kennel he is not receptive. Handler uses a squeaky sound and is able to coax Checkers into kennel. 6/15/25: Checkers is standing at the front of his kennel with a tense body as handler approaches. He begins hard barking and muzzle punching at the door. He continues to hard bark as the handler tosses treats inside and he doesn't eat them or show interest. The handler then squeaks a toy and he instantly stops barking and begins to become loose while trying to grab the toy. He is then able to be leashed and he is taken outside to the yard. In the yard, he instantly relieves himself multiple times and stops to sniff a lot to mark his territory. He shows no interest in the handler until they tossed a toy and he chases after it and carries it in his mouth. He has no interest in treats and drops the toy. He lunges with a tense body and let's out a loud bark towards a bird that flew away. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. 6/15/25: As the handler walks by Checkers is observed to charge the front of the kennel and muzzled punch the door. 6/14/25- When a K9 behavior was walking past Checkers while he was in kennel, he was barking at them. When handler held their hand to the kennel door Checkers started to hard bark and muzzle punch the door, baring teeth. Handler presented a treat Checkers muzzle punched the door then stopped to smell the treat. Handler tossed in and ended interaction.

Date of intake:: 6/14/2025

Summary:: Hard barking and lunging towards handlers

Date of initial:: 6/15/2025

Summary:: Hard barking; tense

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Checkers so we cannot be certain of their behavior in a home environment. However, they will need daily mental and physical activity to stay engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior we recommend an adult only home.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Checkers has been observed to be tense and hard bark and lunge towards handlers. It is important to move slowly with Checkers, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow them to initiate interactions with new people. They should never be forced to greet or to interact if they are not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression.