Animal Profile

Rio is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Rio was surrendered due to reported aggressive behavior in the home. His previous owner states that he will growl towards strangers, bikes, small animals, and dogs while on leash. Rio also has a bite history that broke skin but did not require medical attention. While in care, Rio has been observed to escalate to snapping multiple times when handlers interact. Medically, Rio has dental disease.

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 Rio is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Rio was surrendered due to reported aggressive behavior in the home. His previous owner states that he will growl towards strangers, bikes, small animals, and dogs while on leash. Rio also has a bite history that broke skin but did not require medical attention. While in care, Rio has been observed to escalate to snapping multiple times when handlers interact. Medically, Rio has dental disease. Rio was surrendered to the care center due to reported aggressive behavior in the home. While in care Rio has been observed to have a tense body, tucked tail, and escalates to charging and snapping at handlers when they approach. His previous owner states that Rio has a bite history to a person and is reactive while on leash. It is reported that he will growl at stimuli. Due to the detailed behavior we recommend an experienced adult only, single pet home with no trips to the dog park.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 38 lbs

Medical Notes

3/16/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 4 years based on the condition of teeth and eyes Microchip noted on Intake? Negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR H pink 1 sec Observed Behavior - Hard barking; tense; not interested with treats; high FAS; snaps and means it Evidence of Cruelty seen - No Evidence of Trauma seen – No Evidence of Neglect- No Objective P = 60hr (sedated) R = 25rr (sedated) BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: grade 1/4 dental disease PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, no apparent murmur, CRT<2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI testes x 2 MSI: before sedation ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: before sedation mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: 1/4 dental disease, otherwise Apparently healthy Prognosis: Good Plan: Dog sedation: Using 0.7 mLs dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) and 0.7 mLs butorphanol (10mg/ml) IM Reversed with Antisedan-0.7 mLs behavior assessment Trazodone- 100mg (5 to 10 mg/kg po q 12 hrs) sig: 1 tab PO q 12 hrs Intake procedures SURGERY: Okay for surgery

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 4. Orange

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

At pickup, a control pole was required to load Rio into the truck.

Date of Intake: 3/15/2026

Spay/Neuter Status: Not Applicable

Basic Information:: Rio is an approximately 6-year-old medium mixed breed dog that was surrendered by his owner for increased aggression towards the family over the course of the last year. Rio joined the family as a puppy in 2020, but his behavior started to change when the primary caretaker moved out two years ago and has escalated in the past year.

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 1 teen

How is this dog around strangers?: Rio is not friendly with strangers.

How is this dog around children?: Rio has not lived with small children.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Rio does not do well with other dogs. After the family had Rio for 9 months, they had another dog join the home. Rio did not acclimate to the other dog and because on his behavior, the family decided it was best for him to be a solo dog and rehomed the new dog.

How is this dog around cats?: Rio has not lived with cats.

Resource guarding:: Not reported.

Bite history:: Prior owner reports that Rio had one bite incident in 2021 -- a person unknown to Rio was visiting and the person holding Rio's leash let go. The bite broke skin but did not require medical attention.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Very high

Other Notes:: Rio's prior owner reports that he can be mouthy/takes treats rough, has general anxiety, pulls hard on a leash, is fearful of loud noises and anxious when left alone. During walks, he is reactive to everything and will growl at strangers, bikes/skateboards/scooters, etc., small animals, and dogs of all sizes. He growls when he is held/restrained, disturbed while resting/sleeping, startled, his feet/paws are touched, or his collar is grabbed/touched.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: No reported medical concerns and no recent vet visits.

For a New Family to Know: Rio's prior family describes him as very active, playful and vocal, but he can also be an independent, lazy/couch potato that prefers contact on his own terms. He spent most of his time in the bedroom. Rio used to allow his prior owners to bathe him, but this stopped a few months ago when he started to become more reactive with the family. He is reported to pull moderately/hard on his leash during walks. Rio used to be walked for 30 minutes twice a day, but this decreased to once a day and then to a few times a week. He is wee-wee pad trained. Rio was crate trained as a puppy but did not like it so he has not been in a crate in years. He hasn't been in a car since he was a puppy but enjoyed it in the past. He knows the cue lay down. The prior owner's favorite thing about Rio is that he is playful and sweet when he wants his tummy rubbed. He loves chew toys and ate Kibbles & Bits dry food.

Date of intake:: 3/15/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 1 teen

Behavior toward strangers:: Rio is not friendly

Behavior toward children:: No experience

Behavior toward dogs:: Rio becomes aggressive

Behavior toward cats:: No experience

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: Prior owner reports that Rio had one bite incident in 2021 -- a person unknown to Rio was visiting and the person holding Rio's leash let go. The bite broke skin but did not require medical attention.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Very High

Other Notes:: Behavior toward dogs: Rio's previous owner states that he does not do well with other dogs. After the family had Rio for 9 months, they had another dog join the home. Rio did not acclimate to the other dog and because of his behavior, the family decided it was best for him to be a solo dog and rehomed the new dog. Rio's prior owner reports that he can be mouthy/takes treats rough, has general anxiety, pulls hard on a leash, is fearful of loud noises and anxious when left alone. During walks, he is reactive to everything and will growl at strangers, bikes/skateboards/scooters, etc., small animals, and dogs of all sizes. He growls when he is held/restrained, disturbed while resting/sleeping, startled, his feet/paws are touched, or his collar is grabbed/touched. Rio was surrendered due to increasing aggression towards family members.

Date of assessment:: 3/18/2026

Summary:: Rio was surrendered due to reported aggressive behavior in the home. While in care Rio has been observed to have a tense body, tucked tail, and escalates to charging and snapping at handlers. Due to the high level of fear, stress, and anxiety, Rio is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 3/17/26: Rio is sitting at the back of his kennel. The handler offers him treats then high value treats and he takes neither. He comes forwards when the door is opened. Once the leash is presented, he backs up to the middle of the kennel and lip licks. The handler lets him sniff the leash and baby talks. The handler tries to drape the leash over his head twice, and on the second attempt Rio suddenly charges forwards, snapping at the handler. The handler slams the door shut quickly before Rio reaches them and abandons the interaction.

Date of intake:: 3/15/2026

Summary:: Control pole was required

Date of initial:: 3/16/2026

Summary:: Hard barking; tense, snaps

ENERGY LEVEL:: Rio 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 addition 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 Rio.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior and reported aggressive behavior in his previous home, we recommend an audlt only home. Single Pet Home/ No Dog Parks: Due to reported aggressive behavior we recommend a single pet home with 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: : Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Strength/leash pulling,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Mouthiness: Rio's previous owner states that he takes treats with pressure. We recommend giving treats with a flat hand and to use force-free, reward-based training methods to teach Rio to take treats with a softer mouth. Please see handout on Mouthiness. Handling Sensitivity: Rio's previous owner states that he will growl when held/restrained, his paws are touched, and when his collar is grabbed. Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Rio to be more comfortable with this. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity. Fearful Defensive: Rio's previous owner states that he is fearful of loud noises and will growl when disturbed while sleeping, and startled. Rio has been observed to have a tense body, tucked tail and escalates to charging and snapping at handlers. It is important to move slowly with Rio, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow them to initiate interactions with new people. They should never be forced to greet or to interact if they are not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression. Bite History (Human): Please see bite history above for more details. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression. Anxiety: Rio's previous owner states that he has general anxiety. If Rio displays anxious behavior in their future home, we recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and giving them other things to focus on to alleviate their anxiety. Positive reinforcement, force-free training should be used. Please see handout on Generalized Anxiety. On Leash Reactivity: Rio's previous owner states that he is reactive to many different stimuli and will growl at strangers, bikes, small animals, and dogs. Rio will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than dogs and other stimuli. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration.