Animal Profile

Trooper is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Trooper came to our shelter as a stray. During his stay in our care Trooper has become more kennel reactive, he will pull hard towards other dogs while pushing off the wall and hard barking. It has been observed Trooper will growl at various staff when uncomfortable. Trooper has been observed to bite the leash while in kennel this behavior is not able to be redirected easily using treats. He had one incident when a handler was exiting the room Trooper quickly and without warning turn and jump towards handler biting and releasing their wrist. There was no broken skin but left bruising. It has been observed that when Trooper is out of kennel he is treat motivated. Medically, Trooper has shown lameness at times of his right-hind leg, x-rays show possible hip displaysia. This would need further exploration for confirmation. Trooper is also currently underweight.

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 Trooper is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Trooper came to our shelter as a stray. During his stay in our care Trooper has become more kennel reactive, he will pull hard towards other dogs while pushing off the wall and hard barking. It has been observed Trooper will growl at various staff when uncomfortable. Trooper has been observed to bite the leash while in kennel this behavior is not able to be redirected easily using treats. He had one incident when a handler was exiting the room Trooper quickly and without warning turn and jump towards handler biting and releasing their wrist. There was no broken skin but left bruising. It has been observed that when Trooper is out of kennel he is treat motivated. Medically, Trooper has shown lameness at times of his right-hind leg, x-rays show possible hip displaysia. This would need further exploration for confirmation. Trooper is also currently underweight. What my friends at ACC say about me: My history is a mystery and my friends here do not know much about me yet! It is unknown if I have ever lived with other animals or children. I am looking for a home with a patient person. I have medical needs that staff will address with you when you meet me. I would appreciate slow introductions to new people and places to help me feel safe. I would do best in a home without very tiny humans, although I could be open to older human children once I meet them. It could be with you! Click here to learn more about the adoption process!

My medical notes are...

Weight: 53 lbs

Medical Notes

5/24/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 6-8 years based on dentition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Acquired by agency Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - panting, aloof for exam, noted to be periodically limping on RHL so opted to sedate for diagnostics and perform tasks. When restraining for sedation growled but did not escalate. Sedated using 0.7 ml Dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) + 0.7 ml Butorphanol (10mg/ml) IM. Adequate sedation reached. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = P = 120 bpm R = WNL BCS: 3/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, moderate tartar (PDDZ 2/4) PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact male, 2 scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, but periodically non-weight bearing on RHL, some muscle wasting bilaterally, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Moderate dental disease RHL lameness- r/o prior fx vs. soft tissue injury vs. other Intact male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Radiographs: no apparent fractures, head of femurs appear to be slightly smooth in appearance, possible hip displaysia. CBC/CHM/TT4 Rx: Gabapentin 400mg PO BID indefinitely Rx: Carprofen 100mg PO SID x7d (may need long term) Short walks only Await sort TID feedings 0.7 ml antisedan IM SURGERY: Temporary waiver due to being underweight

5/24/2025

CBC HCT 31.5% (37.3-61.7) Hgb 11.8 g/dL (13.1-20.5) WBC 13.8 K/uL - mild basophilia 0.14 K/uL - otherwise WNL CHM Glucose 100 mg/dL SDMA 4 ug/dL Creatinine 0.9 mg/dL BUN 23 mg/dL Lytes WNL ALT 218 U/L ALP WNL TT4 WNL A: Mild anemia- r/o pre-regenerative vs. non-regenerative Elevated ALT- r/o trauma vs. other P: CWCT

5/24/2025

Reported vomited and noted to have some foreign material in vomitus. On review of radiograph some bone density material noted at caudal edge of stomach on lateral view of pelvis Monitor for further vomiting. Consider repeating radiographs if continues

5/25/2025

Pet is standing at kennel door. BAR. No vomit in cage. RESP: Eupneic A: Stable Plan CTM for vomiting.

5/27/2025

Pet standing at kennel door and barking. Staff note he vomited yesterday. No vomit in cage today. Staff also note he is highly dog and kennel reactive. He is intensely kennel fighting upon leaving and returning. EEN: No ocular or nasal discharge RESp: Eupneic A: Intermittent vomiting history of lameness Increased arousal in shelter. r/o viral vs occult f.b. (bone fragment noted in stomach on rads) vs reaction to medications. Prognosis: Fair Plan Discontinue gabapentin and rimadyl Clonidine 0.3mg 1 tablet po bid while in shelter consider repeat rads if vomiting persists.

6/6/2025

Noted by staff to be coughing Patient is BAR and kennel front Occasional soft cough mild serous nasal discharge A. Mild CIRDC P. Move to Iso Doxycycline 10mg/kg PO SID x 10 days: 2.5 tabs PO SID

6/9/2025

QAR eating.

6/15/2025

No CIRDC symptoms

6/18/2025

Reported stressed in kennel and leash biting, and kennel fighting Adding trazodone 200mg PO BID indefinitely

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 5/24/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray (No Known History)

Bite history:: 06/21/25: While exiting kennel with Trooper, a member of K9 behavior is present to observe Trooper quickly and without warning turn and jump toward his handler biting and releasing their wrist. Trooper turns again and attempts to jump upward again but is straight armed away by handler. K9 behavior member quickly double leashes Trooper and he is brought back to kennel.

Date of assessment:: 5/25/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Moderate Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Pulls moderately, no signs of reactivity, stares at handler at times and demand barks for treats Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Moderately social Call over: Approaches readily Sociability comments: Explores the room and accepts treats intermittently from handlers, accepts with hard pressure Soft handling: Accepts contact Exuberant handling: Tolerates contact Comments: Accepts initial contact, lip licks and head whips when touching legs Arousal Jog comments: Fixates on handler for treats, baulks and pulls toward handler as assessor attempts to conduct jogging portion of assessment Knock Knock comments: No response Toy Toy comments: No response

Summary:: 5/29/25: Trooper greets another dog at the gate with a soft body and soft wagging tail. Off leash, greets the other dog with soft body then seeks handler attention.

Summary (7):: 06/21/25: While exiting kennel with Trooper, a member of K9 behavior is present to observe Trooper quickly and without warning turn and jump toward his handler biting and releasing their wrist. Trooper turns again and attempts to jump upward again but is straight armed away by handler. K9 behavior member quickly double leashes Trooper and he is brought back to kennel. Trooper tugs on the leashes while in kennel and is distracted with treats while handlers use a hook to remove the leashes. Later, previously mentioned K9 behavior member returns to move Trooper to a different kennel. Handler distracts Trooper using a long rope toy which he begins biting and tugging, while doing so handler tethers a leash over the rope toy and successfully leashes him. He exits kennel and is quickly brought to his new kennel. He enters without issue and a hook is again used to remove his leash. Interaction is ended shortly after. 5/30/25: Trooper is reported to be leash biting and nipping at the lead. He is not interested in taking treats. 5/29/25: Trooper is observed to mouth the leash when attempting to leash. 5/27/25: Trooper is observed to pull hard towards the other dogs in the kennel room. 5/26/25: CR reported Trooper to intensely kennel fight as he is removed from the room. 5/25/25: Trooper is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He begins to demand bark as the handler unlocks the door. He is able to be leashed with ease and then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, he had no reactions to dogs or people and would pull moderately. He would take treats ruff. He would bark at the handler to demand for treats. He is then taken to the behavior room for his assessment. In the room, he would explore around and approach the handlers for treats. Please see behavior assessment notes for more details. He is taken back to his kennel with no issues.

Date of intake:: 5/24/2025

Summary:: Loose and wiggly upon approach, accepts treats and allows leashing, hesitant going into kennel

Date of initial:: 5/24/2025

Summary:: Panting, aloof, sedated not for behavior reasons, growls when restrained

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Trooper so we cannot be certain of his behavior in a home environment. However, he will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to leash biting, fearful behavior and on leash reactivity we recommend an adult only home. 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,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Mouthiness/Poor Bite Inhibition: When interacting with Trooper, he is highly treat motivated. When handing him treats he will take them with hard pressure. This is a behavior that should be extinguished through training alternate behaviors and lack of reward (ex. walking away whenever Patrick's teeth make contact with skin). Please see handout on Mouthiness. Handling/Touch Sensitivity: During Troopers medical exams, when attempting to restrain him for sedation he was noted to growl at medical staff. It is important to always go slow and give Trooper the option to walk away from any social interaction. Trooper should never be forced to approach anything that he is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Trooper’s choice to approach a new person or thing. Trooper may do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to his new surroundings. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity. Fearful/Potential for Defensive Aggression: While in care, Trooper was reported to growl at staff when uncomfortable. It is important to move slowly with Trooper, 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. On Leash Reactivity: Trooper has been observed to be kennel reactive. He will pull hard towards other dogs while pushing off the wall and hard barking. Trooper will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than other dogs. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration. Leash Biting: Trooper has been observed to bite the leash while in kennel this behavior is not able to be redirected easily using treats. 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.