Animal Profile

Nova is at risk due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Nova has been intensely fearful, refusing to walk, thrashing on leash, and attempting to bite staff when approached for handling. Nova is reported to have bitten three times by her previous owner, on the feet and ankle. All three bites broke skin, and no medical attention was sought. Nova is reported to be a universal resource guarder who will bark, growl, snap, and bite when she has a valuable item in her possession, or when she is restrained or when her paws are touched. Nova's owners describe her as an otherwise playful and independent dog, who loves car rides and belly rubs when comfortable. Medically, Nova is overweight but apparently 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. 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 Nova is at risk due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Nova has been intensely fearful, refusing to walk, thrashing on leash, and attempting to bite staff when approached for handling. Nova is reported to have bitten three times by her previous owner, on the feet and ankle. All three bites broke skin, and no medical attention was sought. Nova is reported to be a universal resource guarder who will bark, growl, snap, and bite when she has a valuable item in her possession, or when she is restrained or when her paws are touched. Nova's owners describe her as an otherwise playful and independent dog, who loves car rides and belly rubs when comfortable. Medically, Nova is overweight but apparently healthy. Nova was surrendered to the care center by her previous owners due to her behavior in the home. They describe her as a playful, independent dog who is crate trained and loves car rides and belly rubs, though prefers contact on her own terms. Nova has bitten three times, twice in a single incident when approached while in possession with a toy, and once when her tail was stepped on. The bites broke skin and no medical attention was sought. Nova's previous owners report that she is a universal resource guarder and will bark, growl, and snap when approached with a valuable item, and when restrained or when her paws are touched. At the care center she has been intensely fearful, thrashing on leash on attempting to bite staff when handled. Due to all noted concerns displayed in a home environment and at the care center, the behavior department recommends Nova be placed with a New Hope placement partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home, any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 20.6 lbs

Medical Notes

10/20/2026

[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2yrs based on dentition/conformation Microchip noted on Intake? scans positive History: owner surrender; recent behavior changes that led to bite incidents Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - tail tucked, shaking, freezes, muzzled for exam and tolerated all tasks/handling. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? no Objective: P = 150 R = 24 BCS 6/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: limited due to muzzle; clean incisors PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: FS; tattoo present, no vulvar dc or MGTs MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat with mild seborrhea over dorsum, overgrown nails CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: externally normal Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment: Approx. 2yr FS canine Overweight Overgrown nails High FAS Prognosis: good Plan: intake tasks nail trim during intake Trazadone 8mg/kg PO BID indefinitely SURGERY: already spayed

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake Nova was in a pop-up crate and intensely fearful. When Nova was tilted out of her pop-up crate, she refused to walk. She would thrash and try to bite staff when approached with a belly band. A clamp was eventually used in order to give Nova vaccines, and to place her in pre-exam.

Date of Intake: 10/18/2026

Basic Information:: Nova is a aprox. 4-year-old, small, female, dog. She came to ACC via owner surrender.

Previously lived with:: 4 adults, 2 children

How is this dog around strangers?: She barks, growls, lunges, and snaps at strangers.

How is this dog around children?: She barks and growls at children. She has previously lived with two children, ages 1 and 3.

How is this dog around other dogs?: She has no experience with other dogs.

How is this dog around cats?: She has no experience with cats.

Resource guarding:: She is a universal resource guarder. She guards items in her possession by barking, growling, snaping, and biting.

Bite history:: There is a bite history. Nova has bitten three times since March, two of which have broken skin. Client stated that Nova is a universal guarder, and has bitten her mother's toes twice when she was approached while a toy was in her possession. One of these bites broken skin (three weeks ago), the other did not (in early summer). Client stated in August she stepped on Nova's tail, and Nova bit her ankle and broke skin. No medical attention was sought in either incident. Client stated that Nova will sometimes growl before biting, but not always.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: She uses the bathroom outside and inside in designated areas. While on walks she reacts to strangers and other animals by barking, growling, and showing teeth. She barks, growls, lunges, snaps, and bites when held/restrained and when her paws are touched. She barks, growls, and snaps when startled. She barks and growls when woken from sleep. There have been no attempts to push/pull her from furniture or to touch/grab her collar.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: She is an playful, independent dog. She prefers contact on her own terms. She spends most of her time where people are, in the living room, and in her crate. She did not allow her previous family to bathe her, brush her, or trim her nails. She did not go on regular walks in her previous home. She is crate trained, and does well for up to two hours in a wire crate. She loves car rides. She knows, "sit". She is very playful, and loves belly rubs. Her favorite treats are bacon bites.

Date of intake:: 10/18/2026

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

Previously lived with:: 4 adults, 2 children

Behavior toward strangers:: Barks, growls, lunges, and snaps at strangers.

Behavior toward children:: Barks and growls at children. She has previously lived with two children, ages 1 and 3.

Behavior toward dogs:: No experience with other dogs.

Behavior toward cats:: No experience with cats

Resource guarding:: Nova is a universal resource guarder. She guards items in her possession by barking, growling, snaping, and biting.

Bite history:: There is a bite history. Nova has bitten three times since March, two of which have broken skin. Client stated that Nova is a universal guarder, and has bitten her parent's toes twice when she was approached while a toy was in her possession. One of these bites broken skin (three weeks ago), the other did not (in early summer). Client stated in August she stepped on Nova's tail, and Nova bit her ankle and broke skin. No medical attention was sought in either incident. Client stated that Nova will sometimes growl before biting, but not always.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: She uses the bathroom outside and inside in designated areas. While on walks she reacts to strangers and other animals by barking, growling, and showing teeth. She barks, growls, lunges, snaps, and bites when held/restrained and when her paws are touched. She barks, growls, and snaps when startled. She barks and growls when woken from sleep. There have been no attempts to push/pull her from furniture or to touch/grab her collar. She is a playful, independent dog. She prefers contact on her own terms. She spends most of her time where people are, in the living room, and in her crate. She did not allow her previous family to bathe her, brush her, or trim her nails. She did not go on regular walks in her previous home. She is crate trained, and does well for up to two hours in a wire crate. She loves car rides. She knows, "sit". She is very playful, and loves belly rubs. Her favorite treats are bacon bites.

Date of assessment:: 10/20/2026

Summary:: Nova was surrendered to the care center due to her bite history. Owners Reported she has bitten 3 times since march, two of which have broken skin. Owners reported that Nova is a universal guarder and is noted to growl at the owner, the owner's elderly parent, and the children in the home . They stated that Nova's triggers are not always clear. The most recent bite Nova bit and broke skin three weeks ago. The owners parent approached Nova while a toy was in her possession and Nova bit her on the toes twice. The other bite happen when the owner stepped on Nova's tail; Nova bit their ankle and broke skin. No medical attention was sought in either incident. The owner stated that Nova will sometimes growl before biting, but not always. Upon intake Nova was in a pop-up crate and intensely fearful. When Nova was tilted out of her pop-up crate, she refused to walk. She would thrash and try to bite staff when approached with a belly band. Due to her multiple bite history and behavior in care, she is not a safe candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 10/22/26 (KSV): Nova is lying at the back of the kennel with a tense body when the handler approaches, and whale eyes as the handler crouches down and speaks to her softly. Nova remains pressed to the back of the kennel throughout the interaction. When the handler shifts their weight or moves she begins to lip curl. The interaction is ended to minimize further stress.

Date of intake:: 10/18/2026

Summary:: Intensely fearful, refused to walk, thrashed amd attempted to bite

Date of initial:: 10/20/2026

Summary:: Tail tucked, shaking, freezes, muzzled for exam

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Nova's bite history, we recommend an adult only home. No cats: Nova's previous owners report that she reacts to other animals by barking, growling, and showing teeth. For this reason we recommend a home with no cats. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to Nova's bite history, we recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

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 | Bite history (human) | Multiple bite history- risk of future aggression: Nova's previous owners report that Nova is a universal resource guarder and is noted to growl at the owner, the owner's elderly parent, and the children in the home when approached with items in her possession. When approached while in possession of a toy, Nova bit the owner's parents toes twice; these bites broke skin and no medical attention was sought. We recommend that Nova be left alone with valuable items, and guidance from a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended to aid in safely managing/modifying this behavior in a new home environment. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression | Handling/touch sensitivity | Bite history (human): Nova was reported to have bitten her previous owner on the ankle when they stepped on her tail; the bite broke skin and no medical attention was sought. The owner stated that Nova will sometimes growl before biting, but not always. Her previous owner also reported that Nova barks, growls, lunges, snaps, and bites when held/restrained and when her paws are touched. At the care center, Nova has shown intensely fearful behavior, refusing to walk, thrashing on leash, and attempting to bite staff when approached with a belly band. We recommend a slow approach and only force-free, reward-based training methods for Nova. More aversive techniques are likely to increase fear, increase the risk of aggression, and decrease her quality of life. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression.