Animal Profile

Dante is at risk due to behavioral concerns in the care center environment. During the intake exam, Dante’s has also exhibited hard barking, growling, thrashing, and lunging after being sedated Dante continued to be reactive to handlers. Dante has become difficult to redirect reactions to other dogs, including lunging and fixation, and has begun biting the leash during kennel re-entry. Dante is noted to appear social with familiar handlers and allows petting. Medically, Dante has CIRDC and Dermatitis.

You may know me from such films as...

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 Dante is at risk due to behavioral concerns in the care center environment. During the intake exam, Dante's has also exhibited hard barking, growling, thrashing, and lunging after being sedated Dante continued to be reactive to handlers. Dante has become difficult to redirect reactions to other dogs, including lunging and fixation, and has begun biting the leash during kennel re-entry. Dante is noted to appear social with familiar handlers and allows petting. Medically, Dante has CIRDC and Dermatitis. Dante arrived at MACC as a stray with no known history. During intake Dante was noted to be thrashing in the crate and growling towards handlers. During his medical exam, Dante was observed to quickly escalate to hard barking, growling, thrashing on leash, and lunging at handlers. Due to the detailed behavior, we recommend an experienced adult only home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 56 lbs

Medical Notes

5/24/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2 to 4 years Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Brought in by agency Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Hard barking, lunging at door. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = 120 sedated R = WNL BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Clean adult incisors visible through muzzle PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Male intact MSI: Erythema ventral neck. Few mm superficial puncture wound present left flank just caudal to ribs. No dart present and underlying muscles not penetrated. Small amount of blood on fur over right shoulder and left lateral thigh where pet received injections of sedative. Ambulatory x 4 before sedation, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: WNL externally Assessment: Dermatitis ventral neck (hot spot) r/o contact reaction (possibly from collar?) vs other High arousal and defensive aggression in shelter Prognosis: Good Plan: Sedated with Dexdomitor 0.5mg/ml 0.9 ml + ketamine 100mg/ml 0.4ml IM + Butorphanol 10mg/ml 0.9 ml IM Pet groggy but still reactive and growling Admin Ketamine 100mg/ml 0.3ml IM Intake tasks Clipped and cleaned ventral neck with chlorhexidine Trazodone 100mg 2 tablets po bid while in shelter Clonidine 0.3 mg 1 tablet po bid while in shelter Gabapentin 300mg 3 tablets po bid while in shelter SURGERY: Okay for surgery

6/5/2026

Coughing on walk with ACS staff S: BAR, but coughing repeatedly O: EEN- eyes clear, clear nasal discharge H/L- eupneic, coughing on walk MSK/i- ambulatory x4, healthy haircoat Neuro- alert/appropriate A: CIRDC P: Doxycycline 275mg PO SID x10d Recheck at end of course

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 5. Red

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 5/24/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 5/28/2026

Summary:: Dante was noted to growl during his intake. During his medical exam Dante was noted to quickly escalate to hard barking, growling, thrashing on leash and lunging towards handlers. Due to the quick escalation in behavior Dante is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary:: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 06/04/26 Dante is introduced to a novel female. He lunges forward before the female is even in the bull pen. Once the female is at the gate, he approaches with a forward frame, high-flagged tail and remains tense throughout.

Summary (5):: 6/11/26: It is noted on the whiteboard that Dante is chewing on the kennel walls. Additionally he is dog reactive, with treats not working to redirect.

Summary (6):: 6/10/26: Dante is reported to turn around and bite the leash when he enters his kennel after a walk. He is observed to be kennel reactive.

Summary (7):: 6/8/26: Reported via whiteboard that Dante started leash biting after being put back in kennel. 6/03/26: Dante is at the front of his kennel with neutral body when handler approaches. He starts jumping on the kennel door when handler attempts to unlock it. Handler uses a spray cheese and is able to put the leash on and take Dante out of the room. In the hallways Dante attempts to pull towards dogs in pop-up crates with tense body. After he gets outside Dante continues walking with mild pulling ahead of the handler. When he sees another dog, his body gets tense and hackles up; he starts puling hard towards them and he is not redirectable with treats or squeaker, so handler have to pull him away and change the direction. With handler Dante is social, allows petting and sometime takes treats. During returning Dante pulls hard towards the room but handler is able to pre-clip the leash and bring him back into the kennel with no issues. 5/25/26: Dante is at the front of the kennel with a slightly tense body and high set tail. The secondary handler feeds treats while the primary handler attempts to leash Dante. Dante dodges the leash a few times and shakes his head whenever the leash touches him. After a few attempts Dante is able to be leashed. In the kennel room, Dante attempts to pull towards the other dogs in the kennel room, the handler keeps him on a short leash and close to the wall. Dante is then taken to the yard where he sniffs around and darts towards pigeons. When seeing another dog, Dante becomes tense with a forward body and follows them against the fence line. At times, Dante will begin to sniff the handlers intensely. The handler then straight arms him away to maintain distance. The handler is able to clip their leash and return Dante to kennel with no further issue. 5/24/26: It is reported that during his medical exam, Dante was hard barking, growling, thrashing on leash and lunging towards handlers. Even after being sedated Dante continued to be reactive to handlers.

Date of intake:: 5/24/2026

Summary:: Thrashing in crate and growling

Date of initial:: 5/24/2026

Summary:: Hard barking, lunging at door. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Dante 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 addition to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the fearful behavior observed while in care, we recommend an adult-only home. No cats: We recommend Dante is placed in a home without small animals due to darting at pigeons. We recommend placement with a New Hope rescue partner who is able to provide an experienced, adult-only foster home. Force-free, reward-based training and/or consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended. Recommend No Dog Parks: Due to the concerning behaviors that Dante has shown during playgroup (see DOG-DOG SUMMARY), we feel that Dante should not visit dog parks. 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 Dante associate dogs with things he enjoys like toys or treats.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Dante has been observed to quickly escalate to hard barking, growling, thrashing on leash, and lunging at handlers. It is important to move slowly with Dante, 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. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration:When he sees another dog, his body gets tense and hackles up; he starts puling hard towards them and he is not redirectable with treats or squeaker, so handler have to pull him away and change the direction. He is noted to also chase after pigeons. Management should include increased distance from triggers, controlled walking environments, and redirection to help reduce reactive behaviors. Please see the handout On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration. Leash-biting: Dante is noted to leash bite when going back into kennel.Training should focus on reinforcing calm leash behavior, improving engagement with the handler, and providing appropriate outlets for excess energy. Please see the handout on Leash-biting.