Animal Profile

Braxton is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center and during intake, Braxton has displayed intense fearful behavior, including growling, baring his teeth, thrashing, and was control poled out of the police car. Braxton continues to struggle to acclimate to the shelter environment despite efforts to minimize stress and allow him time to decompress, remaining extremely shutdown in care. Medically, Braxton is Otitis, Mild dental disease, Superficial lesions to hind paws.

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 Braxton is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center and during intake, Braxton has displayed intense fearful behavior, including growling, baring his teeth, thrashing, and was control poled out of the police car. Braxton continues to struggle to acclimate to the shelter environment despite efforts to minimize stress and allow him time to decompress, remaining extremely shutdown in care. Medically, Braxton is Otitis, Mild dental disease, Superficial lesions to hind paws. Braxton was surrendered into care as a stray, so his past behavior in a home environment is unknown. Braxton has not acclimated well to the shelter environment and is not allowing for handling to be removed from the kennel. During his intake, Braxton began growling and baring teeth when staff attempted to remove him from the police car. Due to his behavior, a control pole was used to bring him into the building safely. Since his intake, Braxton has not allowed handlers to remove him from the kennel for walks or interaction. When leashed, he begins thrashing and flailing on his own accord; no pressure is applied by handlers. Due to noted concerns, we recommend that he be placed in an adult-only home through 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.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 50.8 lbs

Medical Notes

7/30/2026

DVM Intake Exam History: Agency Estimated age: Approx 3-6 years Microchip noted on Intake? Positive Subjective: QAR, no c/s/v/d noted Observed behavior: Quiet in kennel, double leashed and walks out of kennel, some thrashing on neck lead, some growling. Sedated for exam and intake tasks. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? - no Objective P = wnl R = wnl BCS = 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, no ocular discharge, no nasal discharge noted, ears - moderate orange brown waxy discharge AS, moderate moist reddish brown discharge AD Oral Exam: mm pink and moist, CRT <2; mild tartar, stage I-II PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NMA, SSP; Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Intact male, two scrotal testicles MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat - fur on face/head has white dusting diffusely as if dog sprayed with something, does not come off easily. Small <1cm superficial wounds at medial aspect of hind paws at medial plantar surface + interdigitally CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally normal Assessment: Otitis AD>AS Mild dental disease White paint? on face/head Superficial lesions to hind paws Prognosis: Fair to good Plan: Sedated with dex/torb 0.5 ml IM of each for exam/intake. Given 1/2 antisedan reversal in kennel, smooth recovery. Cleaned ears Simplera applied AU Cleaned paw lesions with chlorhex Start trazodone 9 mg/kg PO BID for FAS in shelter CTM while at QACC SURGERY: Okay for surgery

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 4. Orange

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Basic Information:: Braxton is a MMB male dog who was surrendered to ACC by his family of four years due to moving

Previously lived with:: Adults, Other Dogs

How is this dog around strangers?: Alert barks

How is this dog around children?: Alert barks, Friendly & Outgoing

How is this dog around other dogs?: Familiar dogs: Playful Unfamiliar dogs - on leash: Friendly & Outgoing Unfamiliar dogs - off leash: Friendly & Outgoing

How is this dog around cats?: Cats: No experience Other Animals: Friendly & Outgoing

Resource guarding:: Considers toys and food items of value; his family never attempted to touch or take the items from his possession

Bite history:: No history

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High (often playful/busy)

Other Notes:: Knows to relieve himself outside during walks and has never had an indoor accident He can be anxious when left alone but has no other reported behavior concerns How this dog reacts when... - Held/restrained: Isn't bothered - Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Isn't bothered - Startled: Isn't bothered - Pushed/pulled off furniture: Isn't bothered - Paws are touched: Isn't bothered - Collar grabbed/touched: Isn't bothered

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: No known allergies or medical concerns Last vet check: 3/23/2025

For a New Family to Know: He is described as a loving, social, affectionate, and lazy couch potato who can also be very active and playful. He spends most of his time where his people are, allows his family to bathe, brush, and trim his nails, and he knows the cues "sit", "lay down", "paw", "high five", "wait", and "cuddles". He has never been crated and pulls vert little on his leash during his 10-25min long walks he goes on 3-4 times a day. He loves car rides, playing fetch and tug of war, and he is not picky with treats but prefers eating Blue Chew brand food of wet and dry varieties

Date of intake:: 7/29/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray; history unknown

Date of assessment:: 8/3/2026

Summary:: Braxton has not acclimated well to the shelter environment and is not allowing for minimal handling. During his intake, Braxton escalated to growling and baring teeth while loose in the police car. Due to his behaviors, he had to be control-poled to be brought into the building safely. When attempting to leash him to be removed from the kennel after being given a few days to decompress, Braxton began thrashing and flailing once leashed. Handlers did not apply any pressure, but Braxton used his front paws and began pulling down on the lead, applying pressure himself. He began growling when handlers used a hook to remove the lead to end the attempt out of concerns for his stress levels. Due to these concerns, a handling assessment is not able to be conducted.

Summary (7):: 8/2/26: An attempt was made to remove Braxton from kennel. The handler will open the door and Braxton will begin to growl softly with a lowered head and whale eye. The handler drapes the leash over his neck but the moment the leash is on him he will begin to thrash despite there not being any pressure on the leash. He will grab at it with his pas and pull it down causing it to tighten so the hander will move the leash further into the kennel to loosen it. He will then stop thrashing but continue to growl and approach the front of the kennel. The handler will then attempt to use the hook to remove the leash. He fixates on it and growls so a second handler tosses cheese in front of him. He is interested in the food so that is used to lure Braxton out of the leash instead of using the hook to remove it. His kennel is secured and he will continue to growl as the handler exits the room. 8/1/26 (KSV): Braxton is asleep curled up in the center of his kennel. He will open his eyes and look up at the handler as they slide in some treats. He looks at the treats and then puts his head back down while looking out through the door as the handler walks away. 7/31/26: Braxton is reported to not want to cross over for cleaning due to how fearful he is.

Date of intake:: 7/29/2026

Summary:: growling, baring teeth, control poled

Date of initial:: 7/30/2026

Summary:: double leashed and walks out of kennel, some thrashing on neck lead, some growling. Sedated for exam

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Braxton's potential for defensive escalations and handling sensitivity, we feel that an adult-only home would be most beneficial at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Braxton has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and has allowed only minimal handling since intake. 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: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity | Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: During his intake, Braxton was growling and baring teeth at staff when attempting to remove him from the police car; he was then control poled. When attempting to remove him from the kennel, Braxton began thrashing and using his front paws to pull down on the lead. He began growling when handlers used a hook to remove the lead. Please see handouts on Handling/touch sensitivity and Fearful/potential for defensive aggression.