Animal Profile

Garlic Knot is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Garlic Knot displays high arousal and poor impulse control, including jumping, leash biting, mouthing handlers, and persistent pulling, with difficulty stopping these behaviors without constant food redirection. He also engages in mounting behaviors and escalates quickly when reinforcement is not being given persistently. Garlic Knot is highly social, engages with handlers and enrichment, and responds to training when consistent reinforcement is provided but is struggling to maintain his arousal levels on his own. Medically, Garlic Knot has CIRDC and a mass on his right lip commissure.

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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 Garlic Knot is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Garlic Knot displays high arousal and poor impulse control, including jumping, leash biting, mouthing handlers, and persistent pulling, with difficulty stopping these behaviors without constant food redirection. He also engages in mounting behaviors and escalates quickly when reinforcement is not being given persistently. Garlic Knot is highly social, engages with handlers and enrichment, and responds to training when consistent reinforcement is provided but is struggling to maintain his arousal levels on his own. Medically, Garlic Knot has CIRDC and a mass on his right lip commissure. Garlic Knot's came into the care center as a stray; his behavioral history in a home environment is unknown. In the care center, Garlic knot has struggled to adjust to the care center environment. Garlic Knot is noted to leash bite during his walks, becoming mouthy at handlers and has difficulty refocusing. In a calmer environment, he is noted to display a loose wiggly body and will approach a handler for attetion. He is noted to engage with toys and snuffle mats. The behavioral department recommends Garlic Knot be placed with a New Hope placement partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow Garlic Knot to acclimate comfortably to his new environment; force-free, reward-based training only is advised when introducing Garlic Knot to new and unfamiliar situations. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended for guidance to safely manage/modify any behavior Garlic Knot presents with outside of the care centers. A volunteer writes: With cropped ears, a round body and a tan coat, Garlic Knot looks just like a big potato. He is sweet old man, estimated to be 8 years old. Garlic Knot came to us when the police found him wandering around a parking lot alone. Garlic Knot has been stressed at the shelter, having trouble finding outlets for his stress or finding places that offer a bit of comfort. He does like trying new foods, which works for us - we are able to give him a sampling of all the treats available. Garlic Knot is looking for an experienced adopter who can give him the time and space to be able to love again.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 72 lbs

Medical Notes

3/2/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 7-9 years based on the condition of teeth and eyes Microchip noted on Intake? Negative History: Stray/Brought in by police Subjective: BAR H pink 1 sec Observed Behavior - Body relaxed; easily examined Evidence of Cruelty seen - No Evidence of Trauma seen – No Evidence of Neglect- No Objective P = 120hr R = 40rr BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted; right side of face- sq mass effect near right lip commissure Oral Exam: 1/4 dental tartar PLN: right sided submandibular swelling H/L: NSR, no apparent murmur, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI with 2 down; pendulous scrotum MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: right sided submandibular swelling SQ mass near right lip commissure r/o infection vs FB vs mass vs other Prognosis: Fair Plan: Intake procedures Clavamox- 375 mg and 62.5 mg sig: 1 tab each for 7 d's CBC/CHEM/T4- pending SURGERY: Okay for surgery as long as blood results are normal (due to pendulous scrotum would recommend scrotal ablation)

3/4/2026

Recheck, bw results S/O: BAR, active and jumps up at front of kennel, no c/s/v/d noted, no ocular or nasal discharge, eupneic. CBC: WBC 17.7 (H), neutrophils 15.452 (H), lymphocytes 0.938 (L), monocytes 1.204 (H), eosinophils 0.089 (L) CHEM: AST 66 (H) T4: 0.4 (L) A: Senior dog SQ mass near right lip commissure + swelling Neutrophilia, leukocytosis - ro infection vs inflammation Low T4 - ro euthyroid sick vs hypothyroid P: Added on free T4, cTSH Continue clavamox and recheck as scheduled

3/5/2026

Low TT4 on intake bloods, thyroid panel results: free T4 (ng/dL) L (<0.3) free T4 (pmol/L) marked as wnl (but noted to be below ref range at < 3.9 - ref 7.7-47.6) cTSH: wnl A. BW results strongly suggest hypothyroidism P. Start levothyroixine 0.02mg/kg PO BID indef recheck BW in 2 weeks CTM while at QACC and seek placement

3/5/2026

Beh note high FAS, arousal, starting on traz ~ 7.5mg/kg PO BID indef in care (250mg)

3/5/2026

Reviwed Thyroid Panel T4 and fT4 are low but TSH level is normal recommend monitoring and re-check thyroid panel in 2 months if dog is still here dog is older but not clinical for hypothyroidism discontinue L-thyroxine for now

3/9/2026

Hx: right sided facial SQ firm nodules near lip commissure and submandibular area very BAR H pink eating well right facial area still has firm nodules- no difference r/o scar tissue vs growths vs other P) consider nodule excision and histopath vs B-9 neglect

3/20/2026

Patient has been noted to have "blood in kennel" multiple days in a row. On visual exam, patient is BAR, highly energetic, jumping to kennel front, wagging tail. No obvious source of bleeding noted, no wounds on face, no active bleeding from nails, no ocular or nasal discharge. Kennel is clean P. CTM at this time - may have had bleeding nail that will heal on own.

3/21/2026

Staff report two episodes of passing out or collapse on 3/18 and 3/20 S/O: BAR, active and jumping at front of kennel, no c/s/v/d noted, no ocular or nasal discharge, eupneic, ambulatory x 4, appropriate mentation. A: Loss of consciousness/collapse - ro pressure on neck during walks vs vasovagal vs syncopal P: Emailed canine behavior to request harness CTM closely while at QACC, consider diagnostics if problems repeats

3/25/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC signs noted on rounds Subjective: QBAR, no C/S/V/D Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: mild pale green mucoserous discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -Move to iso, signage & monitor log placed on kennel -Start doxycycline PO SID x10 days -CTM, recheck in 3 days

3/28/2026

Progress exam - CIRDC day 3 S/O: BAR, active; eagerly taking treats and food. Continuous soft huffing and puffing cheeks with foamy saliva with occasional terminal retch. Moderate mucoid-muco/purulent nasal discharge. No abdominal distension. A: Excellent appetite CIRDC - continued +/- pneumonia P: Continue doxycycline PO q24h x 10 days course Adding in enrofloxacin 340mg (10mg/kg) PO q24h x 10 days Administered LRS 750ml SQ once Administered Vitamin B12 0.8ml SQ once *Keep in Isolation *Recheck in 2 days to ensure still stable and does not need further supportive care

3/30/2026

recheck CIRDC on enro/doxy S/O BAR, A+A, C+, no s/v/d appreciated EENT: no ocular dc, mild mucoserous nasal dc HL: eupneic, C+ A. CIRDC - under tx, sounds improved from last exam P. CWCTx and recheck as scheduled

4/1/2026

P noted have high arousal by CB staff, leash biting, currently on traz ~ 7.5mg/kg PO BID, adding in clonidine ~ 0.025mg/kg PO BID indef in care (0.8mg), consider increasing traz or clondine if behaviors persist.

4/2/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC day 7 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. AS:3 ate medications Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -CTM, recheck in 3 days

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake he was friendly. Staff did no handling and walked straight to pre-exam kennel without hassle.

Date of Intake: 2/27/2026

Date of intake:: 2/27/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray(Unknown History)

Date of assessment:: 4/2/2026

Summary:: 3/3/26 Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Pulls hard Reactivity to humans: barks, wails Reactivity to dogs: fixates, whines, unable to settle Leash walking comments: written on the board that is beginning to show signs of potentially kennel fighting Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Loose explores room, paces, pants heavily, unable to settle Call over: Approaches handler/ loose Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: Leans in to the handler, pants Exuberant handling: Turns head, lip lick, whale eyes Handling comments: Arousal Jog: immediately begins biting leash when the handler is in position, does not settle on own Arousal comments: Knock: no response Knock Comments: Toy: no response Toy comments: 2/28-3/2: Handling assessment was not able to be conducted due to lack of vaccines and/or medical exam.

Summary:: Due to Garlic Knot entering the facility as a stray, there is no known history of interactions with other dogs prior to intake. 03/05/26: Garlic Knot was introduced to a greeter female dog. At the gate, Garlic Knot approached displaying a slow, swaying tail while barking. Garlic Knot appeared highly aroused and demonstrated difficulty maintaining focus, shifting his attention between the greeter female and the handler. He began hyper-salivating and engaged in displacement scenting. As his frustration increased, the dogs were separated, concluding the interaction.

Summary (6):: 4/2/26: Garlic Knot is at the front of his kennel barking with wide eyes, dilated pupils and heavily panting at the front. Garlic Knot would not allow the handler to harness him due to him persistently trying to grab the leash after he eats the treats. Garlic Knot has to be leashed with a slip lead where he takes treats through the loop and once removed is harness but immediately grabs the leash and begins tug at it. The handler drops the leash as the harness is already clipped, and lets go of the leash going outside. Garlic Knot once outside will turn around and start leash biting intensely, jumping high at shoulder level trying to grab it as the handler tries to follow him and use treats to refocus him. The handler sticks treats to Garlic Knots nose to try and refocus him, and it does briefly before he begins to try and grab the leash, but once he cannot grab it he begins to grab at the handler clothing, grabbing the handlers belt briefly before letting go, grabbing there shirt and jumping towards the handlers chest. Garlic Knot is air canned several times and it does not deter him as the handler tries to bring him back into the building. Garlic Knot once back in the building will stop leash biting, heavily pant and walks back to kennel but once in kennel begins to leash bite intensely again, having to be air horned off the leash and unclipped quickly. 03/31/26: Garlic Knot is jumping up onto the kennel door heavily panting and hypersalivating as handler approaches. Handler tosses treats to distract Garlic Knot from the kennel door and then lures through the lead with a large treat. Once leashed, handler clips their lead to his harness. Garlic Knot pulls hard out to the ramp where he will begin jumping up and biting at the lead. Handler tosses treats to distract. As soon as he eats the treat, he begins jumping up again. Handler tosses treats ahead as they walk to focus Garlic Knot forward. While in the yard, he is kept on leash and handler marks and treats for four feet on the floor. Garlic Knot jumps up and begins mouthing at the handler's treat pouch and shoving his face closer to it to get treats. Handler distracts with tossed treats and as soon as he's finished eating the treat he jumps up to leash bite again, making contact with handler's hand and another treat is tossed. He continues to leash bite while air humping. Handler returns him to kennel safely.

Summary (7):: 3/19/26: Garlic Knot is standing at the front of his kennel barking as handler approaches. He tries to grab the handler's leash as they quickly leash him. Once leashed, he pulls hard while barking on the way to the behavior room. In the room, he has a loose and wiggly body as he approaches the handlers to receive treats and pets. He engages in a snuffle mat. He pulls on the way back to his kennel and enters with no issues. 3/3/26 (assessment): Garlic knot is at the front of his kennel hard barking and jumping onto the kennel door pursing his lips before continuing to hard bark. The handler will unlock the door and Garlic Knot will continue to jump onto the door and hard bark. The handler will then ask the assessor to spot them. Garlic Knot is leashed with treats and will then exit his kennel, quickly turning around towards the handler. The handler will then toss treats and stiff arm before guiding him out of the room. Garlic Knot will pull hard to the behavior office. Throughout the session, Garlic Knot will continuously approach the handler and treats are tossed away. At one point, the handler does not toss a treat and Garlic Knot will place his front paws on the handler's lap and pants into their face. The assessor will squeak a squeaker to get his attention. They give him treats which he will take hard but then will lean into contact briefly. After a while, Garlic Knot will approach the assessor and begin to air mount over their foot. (see assessment for more details) Garlic Knot is called over with treats and his drag leash is replaced with a slip leash. He is then returned to his kennel with no issue. 03/01/26: Garlic Knot is standing at the front of his kennel, jumping on his hind legs and displaying arousal, including heavy panting and possible leash mouthing. He is leashed with ease and when in the hallway he will begin screeching and barking when he's escorted to the live room, once inside a collar and drag leash are placed on him while he engages with a snuffle mat. He eagerly searches until all treats are consumed. Handler then provides a lick mat with cheese, which he engages with eagerly. Treats are also scattered around the room to assess his ability to follow scent. When not actively engaged in enrichment, Garlic Knot walks around the room while heavily panting but maintains a neutral frame. At the end of the session, the handler walks out to bring him back to his kennel and he begins screeching again and will be returned back to his kennel safely without any issues.

Date of intake:: 3/3/2026

Summary:: social, allowed all handling

Date of initial:: 3/2/2026

Summary:: Body relaxed; easily examined

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to how uncomfortable Garlic Knot is currently with touch and novel stimuli, we feel that an adult-only home would be most beneficial at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to Garlic Knot's behavior in the care center, the department recommends Garlic Knot be placed with a New Hope placement partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow Garlic Knot to acclimate comfortably to his new environment; force-free, reward-based training only is advised when introducing Garlic Knot to new and unfamiliar situations. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended for guidance to safely manage/modify any behavior Garlic Knot presents with outside of the care centers.

Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Handling/touch sensitivity,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting,Strength/leash pulling,Kennel presence,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Basic manners/poor impulse control: Garlic Knot jumps up persistently on handlers. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Leave it", "Sit/Stay", "Down" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach him to control his impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward based training only is recommended. Please see handout on Basic manners/poor impulse control. Handling/touch sensitivity: Garlic Knot began whale eyeing and turn his head during the exuberant hanlding portion of his assessment. It is important to always go slow and give garlic not the option to walk away from any social interaction. We see handout on handling /touch sensitivity. Anxiety: Garlic Knot was highly anxious during his assessment. He would pant heavily, pace with a red flushed face and eyes. He was unable to settle on his own or focus. Please see hand out on generalized anxiety. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Garlic Knot has been observed to hard bark, fixate, and whine when he sees other dogs and people on walks. In the hallways, he has also been observed to screech at people or seemingly at nothing. Please see handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration. Leash biting | low threshold for arousal: Garlic Knot immediately began leash btiing when the handler attempted to begin the jog portion of his assessment. He was unable to settle on his own and needed handler intervention. Please see handout on arousal. Strength/leash pulling: Garlic Knot pulls hard on leash and would benefit from a front clip harness or a head halter for walks with proper desensitization. Kennel presence: well in kennel Garlic Knot has been seen screeching, barking, and wailing in his kennel when approached. Please see handout on Kennel presence.