Animal Profile

Boots is at risk due to behavior concerns. He arrived at the care centers as a stray with little known history. He was described as friendly and outgoing during his intake. However, he has not acclimated well and has displayed low threshold for arousal and handling sensitivities. During his medical exam he escalated to growling and thrashing. As well as during regular handling while on walks he has lunged at staff, intensely leash biting, and escalated to mounting without being able to be redirected easily. Medically, Boots has alopecia, dermatitis, and a wound being treated.

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 Boots is at risk due to behavior concerns. He arrived at the care centers as a stray with little known history. He was described as friendly and outgoing during his intake. However, he has not acclimated well and has displayed low threshold for arousal and handling sensitivities. During his medical exam he escalated to growling and thrashing. As well as during regular handling while on walks he has lunged at staff, intensely leash biting, and escalated to mounting without being able to be redirected easily. Medically, Boots has alopecia, dermatitis, and a wound being treated. Boots was brought in as a stray, so his behavior in a home environment is unknown. In the Care Centers, Boots had two incidents involving lunging at staff members. In one incident, he mounted a staff member, while in the other, he lunged toward the staff member's face. Boots does enjoy taking treats from staff, which may be useful when building positive associations and reinforcing desired behaviors. Boots should be placed in an adult-only home with an adopter who is comfortable managing his behavior using positive reinforcement.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 59 lbs

Medical Notes

8/23/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: approx 1-3 years based on dentition and conformation Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: agency- stray Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - high energy, able to perform exam and some tasks with food as distraction, when tried to look at LFL p reared up and started to growl, trashing on leash Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? N Objective: T = np P = wnl R = wnl BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: limited view d/t behavior, mild wear and staining PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI, two scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, multifocal regions of well demarcated alopecia especially along the left trunk, over the tail head region, just behind head, and several to right side of trunk, some scabbing, no overt lesions, scant bleeding noted from LF digit 5, scabbing and scant serosang dc from the right edge of the pinna, mild periocular alopecia and erythema CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: Dermatitis and alopecia r/o contact vs underlying allergy- skin scrape neg aTT, electing to give nexgard as precaution Wound - r/o second to high FAS in kennel - p wouldn't allow for touching of paws, no apparent swelling or lameness aTT Prognosis: good Plan: intake exam and tasks skin scrape NEG nexgard cepfo 10mg/kg PO SID x 8 days (250mg) traz~ 7.5mg/kg PO BID TFN (200mg) carpro 4.4mg/kg PO SID (125mg) recheck in 7 days for skin, scheduled for paw to be further examined at time of surgery, p escalated at end of exam and wouldn't allow for examination of paw SURGERY: Okay for surgery: Y

8/26/2026

No NPO'd today, already ate. Cancel neuter

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake Boots was very friendly and outgoing with counselors allowing all handling such as scanning for microchip, collaring and walking back to medical. He was then vaccinated and placed into his kennel. All done without any concerns.

Date of Intake: 8/22/2026

Date of intake:: 8/22/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 8/27/2026

Summary:: Boot was reported to lunge on two different occasions. Due to these behaviors, Boots will not receive a handling assessment.

Summary (7):: 08/26/26: Boots is jumping up and down at the front of kennel as handler approaches. Handler tosses treats to the back of kennel and Boots follows to consume them. A treat is used as a lure to leash him. He attempts to kennel fight coming out of the room. Handler walked him out of the care centers to the street. He remains neutral bodied throughout the walk, but when spotting another dog he becomes tense as he fixates on them. He is not easily redirected but handler continues tossing him treats. While handler was walking him on the street, Boots turns toward handler and lunges up towards their face and handler has to stiff arm him. He is returned to the care centers. As handler attempts to put him back, he baulks in front of his kennel. Handler applies leash pressure to pull him over the threshold. As soon as he goes into the kennel he whips around, lunging at the kennel door, and biting handlers leash. He begins to leash bite intensely and handler lets go of the leash. A hook is used to remove it from kennel. 08/26/26: ACS reported that while they were picking up Boot's poop on the street, Boots lunged at them and proceeded to mount their leg. He was unable to be redirected using treats, but a squeaker was successful. He proceeded to leash bite intensely.

Date of intake:: 8/22/2026

Summary:: Friendly and outgoing

Date of initial:: 8/23/2026

Summary:: high energy, growled and thrashed when injured paw was looked at

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Boots 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 the behaviors observed in the Care Centers, Boots should go to a home with older children. Place with a New Hope partner: Boots should go to a New Hope Partner that can manage his behavior.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity: Boots reared up, growled and thrashed when his injured paw was examined during the medical exam. Positive reinforcement training should be utilized to help Chase feel comfortable with certain handling, such as grooming and medical handling. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. Low threshold for arousal: Boot was reported to lunge and mount staff while on walks. Positive reinforcment should be used to teach Boots impulse control. Please see the handout on Arousal.