Animal Profile

Nova is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Nova has been observed to be fearful during her stay in care. During intake Nova was observed to alligator roll intensely, biting her tongue and chewing through the leash in the process. In kennel Nove is tense, fearful, and is unreceptive of treats. Medically Nova is apparently healthy.

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This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. Due to the detailed behavior issues, this animal is only available for foster/adoption through one of ACC's New Hope Partners. If you are interested in adopting or fostering, please fill out the pre-screener form. This animal is not directly available for adoption through ACC and is only available by completing the pre-screener form. Adoption inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Nova is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Nova has been observed to be fearful during her stay in care. During intake Nova was observed to alligator roll intensely, biting her tongue and chewing through the leash in the process. In kennel Nove is tense, fearful, and is unreceptive of treats. Medically Nova is apparently healthy. Nova arrived at MACC as an owner surrender. Her previous owner describes her as an active and playful dog. ]n kennel Nova has been observed to be tense and trembling in the back and is not receptive to treats or handlers coaxing. Due to the detailed behaviors we recommend an experienced adult only home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 28.8 lbs

Medical Notes

6/25/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 4-7y Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: Owner surrender. Was reported found stray and pregnant. Had litter of puppies with finder. Finder was able to rehome puppies Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior -Reported alligator rolling and leash biting. Cut mouth when taken to kennel. Uncomfortable with placement of leash in kennel. Elected sedation using 0.4ml dexmedetomidine 500mcg/ml and 0.4ml butorphanol 10mg/ml IM Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Evidence of Neglect seen-no Evidence of Trauma seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: limited by placement of muzzle, but appears to have adult dentition with moderate tartar on upper canines PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: female intact, no discharge from vulva, no apparent scar or tattoo MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: normal external Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment apparently healthy Prognosis: good Plan: intake tasks OHE new home Starting indefinite trazodone for in shelter FAS 100mg trazodone PO BID indefinitely SURGERY: Okay for surgery

6/28/2025

Meds team noted pet not eating medications and hiding under bedding in kennel. P: Prioritize NH placement

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Basic Information:: Nova is a aprox. 2-year-old, medium, female, dog. She was surrendered due to her previous owner moving.

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 3 children, 2 cats

How is this dog around strangers?: She alert barks at strangers.

How is this dog around children?: She is friendly and playful around familiar children. She is tolerant of, and alert barks at unfamiliar children. She has previously lived with three children, ages 13, 10, and 1.

How is this dog around other dogs?: She barks and growls at other dogs.

How is this dog around cats?: She is tolerant around cats. She has previously lived with two cats.

Resource guarding:: She values toys and treats. She guards these things by hovering over them with a tense body.

Bite history:: No bite history.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: She uses the bathroom outside and inside on wee-wee pads. She is reported to bark frequently, particularly at strangers that approach her on walks. She is not bothered when held, when woken from sleep, when startled, when pushed off furniture, or when her collar is grabbed. She is fearful when her paws are touched.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: She is a very active, playful, social, and affectionate dog. She spends most of her time where people are. In her previous home she would go on three 20-minute walks a day. She has never been crate trained, and never been in a car. She knows, "sit". She loves peanut butter treats. She eats Whole Hearted wet and dry food.

Date of intake:: 6/24/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 3 children (13,10,1), 2 cats

Behavior toward strangers:: Nova will alert bark

Behavior toward children:: Nova is friendly and playful

Behavior toward dogs:: Nova will bark and growl towards other dogs

Behavior toward cats:: Nova is tolerant

Resource guarding:: Nova values toys and treats. She guards these things by hovering over them with a tense body.

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Nova is reported to bark frequently, particularly at strangers that approach her on walks. She is not bothered when held, when woken from sleep, when startled, when pushed off furniture, or when her collar is grabbed. She is fearful when her paws are touched. Nova's previous owner describes her as an active and playful dog that spends most of her time where the people are. She may know the cue sit.

Date of assessment:: 6/29/2025

Summary:: During intake Nova was observed to be heavily panting while next to her owner. As the handler began walking with Nova she began to alligator roll while on leash. The behavior continued all through the hallway she had to be double leashed and continued to alligator roll to the kennel. While alligator rolling Nova bit her tongue and was bleeding throughout the hallway. After being placed in kennel it was noted that Nova had chewed through the leash. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety Nova is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 6/29/25: Nova is at the back of the kennel when the handler approaches. The handler speaks in soft tone and tosses a few treats. Nova is unreceptive. Handler tosses a treat that lands near Nova she then tucks her head into the bed she is laying on and attempts to scoot her body into it. Handler ends the interaction. 6/28/25: It is reported on the behavior board that Nova will not move over for cleaning. 6/24/25: (Late entry) During intake it was observed that Nova chewed through the leash as she was alligator rolling.

Date of intake:: 6/24/2025

Summary:: Alligator rolling intensely, chewed through the leash

Date of initial:: 6/25/2025

Summary:: Uncomfortable with placement of leash in kennel. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: Nova is described as active and enthusiastic. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them 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. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for Nova.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to intense fearful behaviors being observed we recommend an adult only home. No Dog Parks: Due to barking and growling towards other dogs we recommend no trips to the dog park. 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.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Nova's previous owner states that she will become tense and hover over toys and treats that are in her possession. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Nova's mouth, and any time something is removed they should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Handling Sensitivity: Nova's previous owner states that she will become fearful when her paws are touched. It is important to avoid touching Nova's paws at this time and to be cautious when touching them in other areas as we do not know where they may have other sensitivities. Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Nova to be more comfortable with this. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity. Fearful/ Leash Biting: During intake Nova was observed to alligator roll intensely and chew through the leash during intake. It is important to always go slow and give Nova the option to walk away from any social interaction. They should never be forced to approach anything that they are uncomfortable with or submit to petting or handling. It should always be their choice to approach a new person or thing. Nova would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to their new surroundings. Please see handout on Decompression Period. On Leash Reactivity: Nova's previous owner states that she will bark at strangers that approach while on leash. Nova will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than other stimuli. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration.