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Marco Polo

Hello, my name is Marco Polo. My animal id is #244539. I am a male brown dog at the Manhattan Animal Care Center. The shelter thinks I am about 5 years 2 weeks old.

I came into the shelter as a stray on 12/29/2025.

Sorry, this pet is for new hope partners only.

Pre-Screener Form

Marco Polo is at risk due to behavioral reasons. While in care Marco has been obsvered to be mouthy. In multiple instances Marco has bite the handler on the handler when they were attempting to leash him. This has not caused broken skin but during one instance he has left the handler's finger red. Marco has also been obsvered to hard bark at other dogs while on leash. Medically, Marco receiving treatment for CIRDC and is emaciated.

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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 Marco Polo is at risk due to behavioral reasons. While in care Marco has been obsvered to be mouthy. In multiple instances Marco has bite the handler on the handler when they were attempting to leash him. This has not caused broken skin but during one instance he has left the handler's finger red. Marco has also been obsvered to hard bark at other dogs while on leash. Medically, Marco receiving treatment for CIRDC and is emaciated. Marco Polo arrived at MACC as a stray with a limited history. While in care Marco has been obsvered to be mouthy. During multiple instances he bit the handler on the hand when they were attempting to leash him. This did not cause broken skin but during one instance left the area red. Due to the detailed behavior we recommend an experienced adult only home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 40 lbs

12/29/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 5 yo Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: stray Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - wanting to leave to look for owner, easy to handle, calm energy, scared, no hyper, gave him a sweater Is there evidence of Cruelty? NO Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? NO Objective BCS: 3/9 visible, ribs, spine EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: dental staining, minimal tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: intact male MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: emaciated, otherwise healthy Prognosis: fair Plan: TID feed SURGERY: Okay for surgery

1/8/2026

Clear nasal discharge and sniffling noted while cage side, but takes treats offered A: CIRDC P: Rx: Doxycycline 200mg PO SID x10d

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Mouthy, destructive tendencies Reactive to large dogs on walks and small dogs Held/restrained: Unknown Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Unknown Startled: Unknown Pushed/pull off furniture: Isn't bothered Feet/paws are touched: Unknown Collar grabbed/touched: Isn't bothered

Basic Information:: Marco Polo is male MMB who was found outside, and previous client could not keep dog in apartment complex.

Previously lived with:: 2 adults 1 child (12)

How is this dog around strangers?: Not able to report.

How is this dog around children?: Reported to be friendly, outgoing and will hide initially.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Familiar dogs: No experience Unfamiliar dogs-on leash: Hard barks/growls Unfamiliar dogs-off leash: No experience

How is this dog around cats?: No experience

Resource guarding:: Unknown/never attempted to touch

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Partially and uses wee-wee pads and goes on outside walks.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Described to be social, affectionate, quiet and aloof/mellow. They spend their time where the people are, living room and in their crate. Knows how to sit on command. Does not have a walking schedule. Reported as calm and friendly.

Date of intake:: 12/29/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, with history (with finder for a month)

Previously lived with:: 2 adults 1 child (12)

Behavior toward strangers:: Unknown

Behavior toward children:: Hide at first but will warm up

Behavior toward dogs:: Hard barks and growls

Behavior toward cats:: Unknown

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Marco Polo is described to have medium energy level

Other Notes:: Uses wee wee pads in the home. Finder stated during his intake that Marco Polo is destructive. Described to be social, affectionate, quiet and aloof/mellow. They spend their time where the people are, living room and in their crate. Knows how to sit on command. Does not have a walking schedule. Reported as calm and friendly.

Date of assessment:: 1/5/2026

Summary:: During his stay in the care center Marco Polo was obsvered to bite the handlers on the finger when when they attempted to leash him. This did not break skin but did leave the area red. Due to this mouthy behavior Marco is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 1/14/26: Staff reported when attempting to leash Marco Polo with a treat lure, he grabs their hand twice. Handler approaches the kennel and Marco is at the front with a loose body. He growls as handler is preparing the leash and unlocking the kennel. Handler uses treats to leash him, he takes the treats and quickly snaps up at the leash. Handler is able to leash him and he is taken out of the kennel. Marco Polo walks with a loose leash to street. He stops and sniffs his surroundings. Marco relieves himself and is walked back to the shelter. He looks to dogs with a neutral body and walks past them. After his walk, Marco is walked back to the shelter and is returned to kennel without issue. 1/6/25: Marco Polo is at the front of his kennel with a loose body. The handler lures Marco with a leash as they leash him. Once he is leashed, the handler brings him out the room. On the street, Marco walks ahead with little to no leash tension. He shows slight interest in passersby. He also allows pets from the handler. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and returns Marco Polo to kennel with ease. 1/5/26: Marco Polo is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He begins jumping at the door as the handler unlocks it. He then jumps up and mouths at the handler's hand as they attempt to leash him. He is then able to be leashed while roughly taking treats from the handler's hand. He is then taken outside for a walk. Along the way, he is able to interreact with a few VS team members as the handler helps assist with an emergency. When the handler returns, he approaches them with a loose and wiggly body and is comfortable taking treats. He is then taken outside to the yard. In the yard, he has a loose body and is comfortable siting to receive treats. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. 1/4/26: ACS report that Marco Polo bit them on the finger when went to leash him. This did not break skin but did leave the area red.

Date of intake:: 12/29/2025

Summary:: Tense but allowed handling

Date of initial:: 12/29/2025

Summary:: Allowed handling, fearful

ENERGY LEVEL:: Marco Polo is described as medium energy. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them engaged and exercised. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for them.

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 mouthy behavior we recommend an adult only home. No Dog Parks: Due to hard 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: : House soiling,Destructive behavior,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: House soiling: Marco Polo was reported to use wee wee pad in the finder's home due to not having a walking schedule. Please see the handout on House Soiling. Destructive behavior: Marco Polo is described to have destructive tendencies in the home when left alone. He should get daily enrichment. Please see the handout on Destructive Behavior. Mouthiness: Marco Polo has been obsvered to be mouthy. Noted to catch the handlers hand when they are attempting to leash him. We recommend never playing with bare hands, always with a toy, and ending play or attention whenever Marco puts teeth on skin. They should be rewarded with attention and treats when they stop and/or when they are seeking attention in alternate ways. Please see handout on Mouthiness. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Marco Polo is reported to hard bark at other dogs while on leash. Positive reinforcement should be used to teach Marco Polo to check in with his adopter when he sees his triggers. Please see the handouts on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration.