Animal Profile

Venus is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Her previous owner reported that she lunges and growls at strangers, resource guards, and once bit and held onto a cat that approached her food. In the Care Centers, Venus is fearful but has displayed some social behaviors when offered treats. Medically, Venus has allergies but is otherwise 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. 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 Venus is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Her previous owner reported that she lunges and growls at strangers, resource guards, and once bit and held onto a cat that approached her food. In the Care Centers, Venus is fearful but has displayed some social behaviors when offered treats. Medically, Venus has allergies but is otherwise healthy. Venus arrived at MACC as an owner surrender. Her previous owner describes her as a very active dog that loves going on car rides. During her stay in the care center Venus has allowed all handling. Venus has a bite in her history towards another animal. Venus' previous owner states that she will guard food away from other animals. Due to the detailed behaviors we recommend an experienced adult only home with no cats.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 66 lbs

Medical Notes

12/5/2024

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1-2 years old, c/w owner reports Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender due to bite incident in the home Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - initially had loose wiggly body, then flailed with muzzle and became very tense. Began vocalizing after exam and some tasks were completed. Continued to bark and whine and vocalize until placed back in kennel. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = P = WNL R = WNL BCS: 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears have yellow waxy debris AU + erythematous AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, muzzle on. PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact female, no OHE scar or tattoo noted MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, patchy hair coat on dorsal neck and back. CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Otitis externa AU Allergies Intact female Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort Observe DOH hold Rx: Trazodone 300mg PO BID indefinitely Rx: Gabapentin 500mg PO BID indefinitely SURGERY: Okay for surgery, clean ears at time of surgery +/- apply medication MC AND HWT AT TIME OF SX!

12/7/2024

SO: Reported having diarrhea with blood BAR, standing with handler wagging tail eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: hematochezia-r/o infectious v diet change v stress v other P: attempt to get stool sample for parvo SNAP +/- OPG if possible Does not allow placement of muzzle for SNAP test plan sedation to allow for handling -complete intake tasks -Parvo SNAP -cbc/chem in house

12/11/2024

Sedated using 0.7ml dexmedetomidine 500mcg/ml and 0.7ml butorphanol 10mg/ml IM Provided adequate sedation Parvo SNAP test negative cbc/chem in house unremarkable, although issues with machine and certain clips did not run completed intake tasks 0.7ml antisedan IM monitor for continued occurrence

12/13/2024

Observed coughing in kennel, dried nasal planum. Eating treats readily. A: CIRDC Eating P: Doxycycline 300mg PO SID x10d Monitor

12/15/2024

On 12/15/2024 at approximately 8:45AM, I examined Venus 216062. She has appropriate mentation at this time with no neurologic signs present, and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at ACC.

12/22/2024

Hx: has had CIRDC BAR H eating eent- no nasal discharge; no coughing or sneezing or congestion msi- amb x 4 A) No CIRDC-like signs P) Move out of ISO Placement/homing

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of Intake: 12/5/2024

Spay/Neuter Status: Unknown

Basic Information:: Venus is a 2-year-old tan merle large mix breed surrender reason: bite incident with resident cat

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, 1 child(7-8)

How is this dog around strangers?: Noted to lunge, hard bark and growl, tolerant, yet playful.

How is this dog around children?: tolerant, playful, friendly and outgoing

How is this dog around other dogs?: familiar dog on leash: hard barks, tolerant and playful unfamiliar dogs on leash: shy on contact unfamiliar dogs off leash: shy on contact

How is this dog around cats?: not well with cats as long as food is involved

Resource guarding:: food

Bite history:: At around 1 pm this afternoon, the former owner was giving her dog, Venus and her 2 cats food bits, they were all centered near her, as she was placing the food on the ground. One of her cats became curious of Venus' food bits and began sniffing the food at the same time as Venus was also doing so. Once Venus was attempting to eat the food, Faith had turned her back, she immediately heard the cat crying out loud in pain and saw Venus biting on the cat's head, injuring the cat's eyelid and piercing her teeth at the skin, causing breakage and bleeding. Venus was tedious with the cat's head but was stomping her paw on the cats neck and not releasing. The cat was able to flee itself away from Venus grip and the Owner was able to grab Venus's collar to attempt her from hurrying to chase the cat. Owner was able to separate the animals, placing Venus in her crate and her cat was hiding under the bed in her room. Her cat suffered an injury to her eye, that is pultruding and discharging eye fluids and blood, she stated that the eye is closed and her cat cannot currently open its eye. She had not sought out Vet assistance for the cat. Venus is currently not up to date with vaccines.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: very high

Other Notes:: jumps up often, sometimes jumps up and bites the leash. fearful of loud noises. will bark when strangers approach, bikes, skateboards, children and other large dogs is not bothered when disturbed or while sleeping. feet/paws being touched, pushed or pulled off furniture and when collar is grabbed. barks and growls when startled

For a New Family to Know: socially affectionate dog, very active and playful. can be very vocal. loves to be in the bedroom and living room area. allows for the family and owner to bathe/trim nails enjoys going outside 2-4 times a day for about 25mins. They do pull mild to moderately and has been crate trained. loves going on car rides. knows sit, stay and paw. loves children, and is protective of her home. likes to eat chicken, beef and loves to snack on bones

Date of intake:: 12/5/2024

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, 1 child(7-8)

Behavior toward strangers:: Venus will lunge, hard bark, and growl. Can be tolerant

Behavior toward children:: Venus is tolerant, friendly, and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Venus will hard bark towards familiar dogs on leash, shy towards unfamiliar dogs on and off leash

Behavior toward cats:: Venus will resource guard food from cats

Resource guarding:: Venus is reported to resource guard food.

Bite history:: At around 1 pm on December 5th Venus' owner was giving Venus and their two cats food bits. All the animals were centered near them, as they were placing the food on the ground. One of their cats became curious of Venus' food and began sniffing the food at the same time as Venus was also doing so. Once Venus was attempting to eat the food, Venus' owner turned their back. They immediately heard the cat crying out. The owner saw Venus biting on the cat's head, injuring the cat's eyelid. This bite was a bite and hold that broke skin and caused bleeding. The cat was able to free itself from Venus' grip and the owner was able to separate the animals. The cat suffered injury to her eye.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Very High

Other Notes:: Venus' previous owner describes her as a very active and playful dog that loves going on car rides. Venus may know the cues sit, stay and paw.

Date of assessment:: 12/11/2024

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Did not conduct due to DOH hold Reactivity to humans: Reactivity to dogs: Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Highly social Call over: Approaches readily Sociability comments: Receptive to treats Soft handling: Seeks contact Exuberant handling: Accepts contact Comments: Leans into soft handling Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler readily Knock Knock comments: No approach, distracted Toy Toy comments: Sniffs, No reaction

Summary (7):: 1/6/24: While on a walk with an ACS, the handler knelt down to pick up Venus' poo. Venus then went to bite the handlers hand (this bite did not break skin), then snapping towards their face. Another handler went to assist, Venus began to hard bark and lunge towards the second hander. Handlers were able to return Venus to kennel without further issue. 1/4/25: It was reported by staff members that Venus pulls and vocalizes towards other dogs even when the dog is no longer in sight. 12/15/24: Venus is sitting at the front of her kennel with a neutral body as handler approaches. She is slightly head shy but was easily lured with a treat. She is brought to the driveway and then the yard perimeter for a walk. She remains soft bodied and is very treat motivated. She regularly checks in with handler and politely sits awaiting her treat. She is brought to the behavior room for an assessment where she remains soft bodied. She is brought back to her kennel without issue. 12/6/24: Venus is standing at the front of the kennel with a soft body. She is easily leashed and removed from kennel. She remains soft bodied throughout walk and will turn toward handler for treats. She easily returns to kennel.

Date of intake:: 12/5/2024

Summary:: Jumped up on handler, Allowed all handling

Date of initial:: 12/5/2024

Summary:: Initially had loose wiggly body, then flailed with muzzle and became very tense

ENERGY LEVEL:: Venus 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 Venus.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to on leash reactivity and fearful behavior we recommend a home with no children. No Cats: Due to bite history towards cats we recommend a home with no cats. 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,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting,Bite history (other animal)

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Venus has been noted to guard food away from other animals. We recommend Venus be fed separately. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Venus' mouth, and any time something is removed they should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Basic Manners: Venus' previous owner states that she will jump up onto handlers often. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Sit" and "Off" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach them to control their impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward-based training only is recommended. Please see handout on Basic Manners. Fearful Defensive: Venus' previous owner states that she is fearful of loud noises and that she will hard bark and growl when startled. During her medical exam Venus was observed to vocalize and bark towards handlers. 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. Venus 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. Bite History (other animal): Please see bite history above for more details. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression. On Leash Reactivity: Venus' previous owner states that she will bark towards people, bikes, skateboard, and other dogs. Venus 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. Leash Biting: Venus' previous owner states that she will sometimes jump up and bite the leash. We recommend walking them with a toy to dissuade them from grabbing the leash. Positive reinforcement, force-free training is advised to teach them to focus on you rather than grabbing the leash. Please see handout on Leash Manners.