Animal Profile

Laffy Taffy is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Laffy Taffy has not acclimated well to the shelter environment. When attempting to conduct a handling assessment, he approaches handlers with a tense body and does not allow collaring. In the kennel, Laffy Taffy is experiencing a high level of kennel stress. He is throwing his water bowl around the kennel while screeching. On one occasion, when a handler checks on him, Laffy Taffy is seen standing on the water bucket, body tense, and escalated to lunging at the handler while hard barking. He then returns to throwing the bucket around while vocalizing. Medically, Laffy Taffy is apparently healthy.

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 Laffy Taffy is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Laffy Taffy has not acclimated well to the shelter environment. When attempting to conduct a handling assessment, he approaches handlers with a tense body and does not allow collaring. In the kennel, Laffy Taffy is experiencing a high level of kennel stress. He is throwing his water bowl around the kennel while screeching. On one occasion, when a handler checks on him, Laffy Taffy is seen standing on the water bucket, body tense, and escalated to lunging at the handler while hard barking. He then returns to throwing the bucket around while vocalizing. Medically, Laffy Taffy is apparently healthy. Laffy Taffy was brought in as a stray, so his behavior in a home environment is unknown. In the Care Centers, Laffy Taffy has displayed fearful behavior, including maintaining a tense posture when staff interact with him. He has also been observed to lunge from his kennel when staff approach. With slow and patient approaches, Laffy Taffy has shown some social behavior. Laffy Taffy should be placed in an adult-only home through a New Hope Partner who can appropriately manage his behavior using positive reinforcement.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 49.4 lbs

Medical Notes

8/21/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2 years Microchip noted on Intake? Negative History: Agency Subjective: BAR-H, MM pink and moist Observed Behavior - Blue; Able to examine, a little nervous and tense, has difficulty staying still but will do for treats, knows some commands (sit, stay) Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = 120 hr R = pant rr BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Clean dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI (2 testicles descended) MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: Apparently healthy Prognosis: Good Plan: Standard intake tasks for dogs performed SURGERY: Okay for surgery

8/25/2026

DVM Behavior Medication Consultation S/O/A: -Ops staff report P is repeatedly throwing and dragging water bucket around kennel while screeching/vocalizing -Was noted to be a Medical Blue: Able to examine, nervous/tense with difficulty remaining still, but redirectable with treats; knows sit/stay -Concern for significant kennel-associated stress/hyperarousal P: -START trazodone 200 mg PO BID (8.8 mg/kg/dose) -START gabapentin 600 mg PO BID (26.4 mg/kg/dose)

8/31/2026

P was noted to be use head/muzzle to lift the back side of the kennel/metal framing, destroying kennel. Increasing traz to 10mg/kg PO BID TFN (225mg) Add clonidine ~ 0.02mg/kg PO BID TFN (0.4mg) CTM while at QACC

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 8/18/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, No known history

Date of assessment:: 8/26/2026

Summary:: Laffy Taffy was noted to lunge at staff while in kennel and is tense outside his kennel not allowing staff to collar him. Due to these behaviors, Laffy Taffy will not receive a handling assessment.

Summary:: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-dog history recorded. 08/22/26 Laffy Taffy is introduced to a novel female while off leash. He approaches the gate with a forward frame, flagged tail, remaining slightly tense throughout.

Summary (7):: 8/30: Laffy Taffy continues to grab the water bowl to drag it around the kennel while screeching. 8/25/26: Laffy Taffy is observed in kennel, throwing his water bucket around. He was holding onto it with his front paws and pushing and pulling it around the kennel while screeching. When handler looked further into kennel, Laffy Taffy noticed them with his front paws still on the bucket, tensed significantly and then lunged to the door and began hard barking. As the handler moved away, Laffy Taffy quickly returned to pushing and pulling the bucket around. 08/21/26 (Assessment): Laffy Taffy is at the front of the kennel as the handler approaches. He is leashed with ease and pulls hard to the office. In the office, he quickly approaches the other handler with a tense body. He continues to have a tense body which prevents collaring. His assessment is not completed at this time. He pulls hard while returning to kennel, but is otherwise returned without issue.

Date of intake:: 8/18/2026

Summary:: Social but flinch

Date of initial:: 8/21/2026

Summary:: Tense and nervous

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the behaviors observed in the Care Centers, Laffy Taffy should go to a home with older children. Place with a New Hope partner: Laffy Taffy should go to a New Hope Partner that can manage his behavior.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Kennel presence

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression/ Kennel presence: In the Care Centers, Laffy Taffy was observed to lunge at staff when in kennel. Positive reinforcement should be utilized to teach Laffy Taffy to associate new people with things she likes such as treats and toys. Please see the handout out on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression.