Animal Profile

Fenix is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the prior home, Fenix was reported to have increased anxiety and a history of multiple minor bite incidents over the past two years, primarily when startled or being picked up. The bites were described as brief nip-and-release incidents that caused minor injuries. Fenix also has escalated to trying to bite at staff and allows minimal handling. Fenix's previous owners state there favorite thing is he likes to lay and cuddle on your lap Medically, Fenix is dental disease but otherwise healthy at this time.

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 Fenix is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the prior home, Fenix was reported to have increased anxiety and a history of multiple minor bite incidents over the past two years, primarily when startled or being picked up. The bites were described as brief nip-and-release incidents that caused minor injuries. Fenix also has escalated to trying to bite at staff and allows minimal handling. Fenix's previous owners state there favorite thing is he likes to lay and cuddle on your lap Medically, Fenix is dental disease but otherwise healthy at this time. Fenix was surrendered due to behavior concerns in the previous home. Fenix's previous family reported that he is not picky with food, likes to lie and cuddle in laps, and prefers to be in rooms where there are people when it's quiet. He is reported to have multiple bites in the previous home as a result of being startled or picked up. During his stay in care, Fenix has been fearful and difficult to remove from the kennel. Due to the concerns reported in the previous home, the behavior department recommends that Fenix be placed with a New Hope placement partner who can provide an experienced adult-only foster home that can provide him with a period of decompression and allow Fenix to acclimate comfortably to his new environment; force-free, reward-based training only is advised.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 15.8 lbs

Medical Notes

10/16/2026

DVM Intake Exam History: Owner surrender Estimated age: Reported 6 years Microchip noted on Intake? Positive Subjective: BAR, no c/s/v/d noted Observed behavior: Growling, snapping, lunging when approached. Sedated for intake exam/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 clean Oral Exam: mm pink and moist, CRT <2; moderate to heavy tartar, gingivitis, gingival recession. PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NMA, SSP; Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Male intact, two scrotal testicles MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally normal Assessment: Dental disease Prognosis: Good Plan: Sedated with dex/torb 0.15 ml IM of each; full antisedan reversal, smooth recovery. Start trazodone 7.5 mg/kg PO BID Start clonidine 0.03 mg/kg PO BID Recommend dental procedure with placement CTM while at QACC SURGERY: Okay for surgery

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 5. Red

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake Fenix had a stiff body the whole time but would attempt to jump into staff's lap to be held/pet. He was tolerant of all handling but was not collared due to conflicting body language.

Date of Intake: 10/13/2026

Basic Information:: 6-year-old male dog, lived with previous owner for 6 years.

Previously lived with:: adults

How is this dog around strangers?: friendly and social

How is this dog around children?: hies at first, prefers contact on his own terms. when comfortable he is friendly with calm children.

How is this dog around other dogs?: no experience, sometimes barks at them while on walks.

How is this dog around cats?: no experience.

Resource guarding:: no resource guarding

Bite history:: The owner stated he had about 4 bite incidents within the past 2 years and before the 2 years the dog never showed any signs of aggression. Fenix has been reported to have high anxiety and has shown signs like barking all night and biting when startled/being picked up. The bites have been described as a nip and release and barely break skin on the hand. The last incident was 2 weeks ago towards the client's 14-year-old niece; she was picking Fenix up to hold and pet (stated to do this all the time and he would not react), he then nipped her hand causing a small scratch. All the other incidents have been described to be similar situations; another happening a year ago was when they were taking him out of the car. Fenix has been reported to allow being picked up most of the time but may randomly/rarely nip at the hand as per bite incident details. The owner also stated that they have been giving him trazadone starting 2 weeks ago to help with his anxiety and since then Fenix has been calm and behaved.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: low

Other Notes:: barks at bikes and skateboards. has high general anxiety, loud noises and being left alone. known to not do well at the groomers.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: can use both wee wee pads and go outside while on walks. knows "sit, stay, and go to bed". not picky with food, eats dry and wet as well as most treats. likes to lay and cuddle on your lap, prefers to be in rooms where there are people but quiet.

Date of intake:: 10/13/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner surrender (6 years)

Previously lived with:: adults

Behavior toward strangers:: Friendly and social

Behavior toward children:: hies at first, prefers contact on his own terms; can be friendly once warmed up

Behavior toward dogs:: unknown; sometimes barks at them on walks

Behavior toward cats:: unknown

Resource guarding:: none reported

Bite history:: The owner stated that Fenix has had about 4 bite incidents within the past 2 years. Before this, he did not show any concerning behaviors. Fenix has been reported to have high anxiety and has shown signs like barking all night and biting when startled/being picked up. The bites have been described as a nip-and-release and barely broke the skin on the hand. The last incident was 2 weeks before his surrender towards the owner's 14-year-old niece; she was picking Fenix up to hold and pet (stated to do this all the time and he would not react), and he then nipped her hand, causing a small scratch. All the other incidents have been described as similar situations. Another incident a year ago was when they were taking him out of the car. Fenix has been reported to allow being picked up most of the time but may randomly/rarely nip at the hand, as per bite incident details. The owner also stated that they have been giving him behavioral medication starting 2 weeks before to help with his anxiety, and since then Fenix has been calm and behaved.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Fenix is reported to have a low energy level.

Other Notes:: Barks at bikes and skateboards. Has high general anxiety, loud noises and being left alone. known to not do well at the groomers.

Date of assessment:: 10/15/2026

Summary:: Fenix has not allowed removal from his kennel. Due to his behavior in care and his history of multiple bites, he is not an appropriate candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 10/14/2026: Fenix is needed to be removed for cleaning and when being leashed, will lunge, snap and bite at the leash and the handler makes several attempts due to him coming close to the handlers hands. He is eventually leashed and his bedding is quickly replaced before being put back into his kennel. On leash, he stood in the corner and thrashed a bit, but then settled once in one spot.

Date of intake:: 10/13/2026

Summary:: stiff body, attempts to jump into staff lap to be held/pet, tolerant of handling but not collared

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Fenix's reported behavior concerns in the previous home and the reported behaviors with children, we recommmend for him to be placed in an adult-only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Fenix's bite history is significant. Though the bites have not typically caused serious injury, they indicate a high level of stress for Fenix when he is in these situations that escalate to biting. This is a behavior that has been rehearsed over a period of time and will require careful environmental management and likely significant lifestyle adaptations to prevent injury to his future humans and to increase Fenix's quality of life. We highly recommend consultation with a veterinary behaviorist and/or highly qualified behavior modification trainer.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity | Bite History (human) | Fearful | Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression: Fenix is reported to have 4 bite incidents in the previous home within the past 2 years. His bites have been due to being startled or picked up. The bites have been described as a nip-and-release and barely break the skin on the hand. His owner did state that being picked up was something that happened often. He is also reported to not do well at the groomers. During his intake, Fenix was stiff-bodied and conflicted with staff. In the kennel, he is difficult to remove from the kennel due to his handling sensitivity. Please see handouts on Handling/touch sensitivity, Decompression period, and Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression. Anxiety: Fenix is reported to display high levels of anxiety in his previous home, and he was being given medication for it. He reportedly would bark all night. If it does appear in a future home, we recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and giving him other things to focus on to alleviate his anxiety. Positive reinforcement and force-free training only should be used. Please see the handout on generalized anxiety. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Fenix is reported to bark at bikes and skateboards on walks. Please see the handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration.