Animal Profile

Spears is at risk due to behavioral reasons. During his stay he has been observed to have a low threshold for arousal and be highly kennel reactive. Spears has been observed to jump up on handlers and begin growling after playing. During one instance when a handler attempted to place a leash on him, Spears began to jump up and bite the leash and in another one, in the kennel room, Spears is noted to nip the handler after reacting to the other dogs. While on the street Spears will fixate on other dogs with a forwards stiff body, and furrowed brow. Medically Spears has chronic otitis and is underweight.

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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 Spears is at risk due to behavioral reasons. During his stay he has been observed to have a low threshold for arousal and be highly kennel reactive. Spears has been observed to jump up on handlers and begin growling after playing. During one instance when a handler attempted to place a leash on him, Spears began to jump up and bite the leash and in another one, in the kennel room, Spears is noted to nip the handler after reacting to the other dogs. While on the street Spears will fixate on other dogs with a forwards stiff body, and furrowed brow. Medically Spears has chronic otitis and is underweight. Looking for a loyal companion who's playful, adorable, and always ready for an adventure? Say hello to Spears! At 6 years young, Spears is the perfect mix of mature and fun-loving. He's past the puppy stage, but still full of energy and charm. Spears thrives on daily exercise-whether it's a walk around the neighborhood, a game of fetch, or just some quality playtime in the yard. His friendly personality and cute antics are sure to make you smile every day. He's also looking for a home where he can spend time bonding with his people. Spears is adjusting to new surroundings and will benefit from regular interaction and a bit of patience as he settles into his new life. But once he does, you'll have a devoted buddy for life. If you're ready to give Spears the love and attention he deserves, fill out our pre-screener above!

My medical notes are...

Weight: 45 lbs

Medical Notes

6/26/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 5-8y Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: Stray dog found tied to fence. Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Wiggly and seeking attention. Allows all handling for exam and tasks. Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Evidence of Neglect seen-no Evidence of Trauma seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 3/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears AU cropped, AU inflammation and lichenified skin, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: muzzle in place for exam PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: male intact, 2 scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: normal external Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment underweight chronic otitis externa Prognosis: good Plan: intake tasks neuter new home ears cleaned 1 tube simplera AU TID feeding SURGERY: Okay for surgery

7/1/2025

Pre-surgical exam, anesthesia, and surgery performed by offsite vet. Medical record uploaded to Vet Documents. Green linear tattoo placed lateral to incision. Start 1 tab of carprofen 100mg sid po x2 days as pain management As per outside vet: Skin: Moderate, diffuse erythema. Allergic dermatitis

7/2/2025

SO: neutered yesterday BAR eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4, no apparent bleeding or dc noted from surgical wound neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: healing P: CTM while in care

7/5/2025

SO: BAR, comes to kennel door seeking attention. Reported coughing on symptoms board eent: eyes clear, clear mucoid nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, repeated coughing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: CIRDC P: 200mg doxycycline PO SID x10d

7/8/2025

Staff note low threshold for arousal. Intense kennel reactivity. A: Increasing arousal in shelter P: Advise placement Trazodone 100mg 1 1/2 tablets po bid while in shelter Clonidine 0.2mg 1 tablet po bid while in shelter

7/14/2025

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

7/19/2025

ACS staff noted 'clicking' sound to hips when walking (video in vet docs) S: BAR, loose wiggly body, jumps on staff socially O: EEN- eyes clear, dried nasal planum, no active nasal discharge H/L- Eupneic, no coughing/sneezing or audible congestion MSK/i- Ambulatory x4, normal ROM in all joints while awake, when sedated no appreciable luxation noted, some crepitus palpated in stifles bilaterally, hindlegs palpate symmetrically, no evidence of muscle atrophy Neuro- alert/appropriate A: Possible luxation vs. osteoarthritis P: Sedate using 0.6 ml Dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) + 0.6 ml Butorphanol (10mg/ml) IM Hindleg/pelvic radiographs: - no appreciable luxation or fracture - femoral head appears to have appropriate acetabular coverage bilaterally - some osteophyte formation of tibia x2 Short walks only Rx: Gabapentin 300 mg PO BID indefinitely 0.6 ml antisedan IM

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 1. Green

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 6/25/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 6/29/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: None Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Distracted Call over: No approach Sociability comments: Sniffing and exploring around the room, jumps up on handler, takes treats with pressure Soft handling: Accepts contact Exuberant handling: Accepts contact Comments: Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler readily Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily, jumped up Toy Toy comments: No interest, No reaction

Summary:: 7/2/25: Spears greets another dog at the gate with a tense body.

Summary (7):: 07/19/25: Spears is neutral bodied standing at front of kennel. He takes treats from handler through kennel door. He is easily leashed, walks out of kennel with light pulling. On elevator he jumps up toward handler exuberantly, is put into a sit and takes treats. On side walk Spears maintains neutral body, checks in with handler when verbally cued. Spears passes by several MOP of various ages and does not show any interest. When returning to MACC Spears is social with staff, re-enters kennel without issue. Spears takes treats through kennel door. 07/12/25: Spears is neutral bodied standing in front of kennel, takes treats from handler. Spears initially drops his head away from leash, but handler is able to leash Spears after several attempts. Spears walks out of kennel room with light pressure, once on elevator visually check in with handler, takes treats. On sidewalk Spears walks with loose leash. When MOP is exits a car, Spears begins to visually fixate low growl with forward, stiff body, furrowed brow. Spears is coaxed away with light leash pressure, and verbal coaxing. During rest of walk Spears walks with loose leash, check in with handler when verbally cued, takes treats. Spears re-enters MACC and kennel safely and without issue; takes treats through kennel door. 7/8/25: Spears is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral body as handler approaches. He is easily leashed and removed from kennel. He maintains a neutral body throughout walk and is uninterested in both treats and the squeaker toy the handler offered. He does not attempt to kennel fight upon removal or returning. 07/08/25: ACS is reporting Spears' kennel fighting is intensifying and has "nipped" an ACS staff member, no broken skin. 7/5/25: Spears is reported that while on a drag lead in the yard, he jumps up and puts his front legs onto the handler’s leg and begins to growl and bark at the drag leash that was in their hand. The handler was using the spare dragleash to play with Spears. He chases after the leash when the handler tosses it and was not able to be redirected when treats were tossed. He begins to jump and bite at the handler’s slip leash when releashing him and was not able to be redirected with a ball until after a few tries. 6/29/25: Spears is standing in his kennel as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed with ease and is taken downstairs for a walk. On the walk, he would walk ahead of the handler with neutral body frame and stare at people that were close by. He had no reactions to dogs. He is then taken to the behavior room for his assessment. In the room, he would explore around with panting and would jump up on the handlers for treats. Please see behavior assessment notes for more details. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues.

Date of intake:: 6/25/2025

Summary:: Loose body, wagging tail, panting and barking

Date of initial:: 6/26/2025

Summary:: Wiggly and seeking attention. Allows all handling for exam and tasks

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Spears so we cannot be certain of their behavior in a home environment. However, they will need daily mental and physical activity to stay 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.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No young children (under 13): Due to a low threshold for arousal and the risk for redirection we recommend an adult only home. No Dog Parks: Due to kennel reactivity and the risk for redirection we recommend 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: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Basic Manners: Spears has been observed to jump up on handlers.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. Mouthiness: Spears has been observed to take treats with pressure. We recommend giving treats with a flat hand and to use force-free, reward-based training methods to teach Spears to take treats with a softer mouth. Please see handout on Mouthiness. On Leash Reactivity: Spears has been observed to be highly kennel reactive. After reacting to the dogs Spears turned towards the handler and nipped them. This did not cause any broken skin. Spears 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. Arousal/ Leash Biting: Spears has been observed to quickly become over aroused, jumping up on handlers legs and growling. After the handler attempts to leash Spears jumps up and begins to bite the leash. Positive reinforcement, force-free training should be used to teach Spears to remain calm when people and other exciting things are around. Spears should be rewarded with treats when calm. If they escalate to jumping or biting the leash, people should immediately walk away from and separate themselves from Spears. Please see handout on Arousal. Please see handout on Leash Manners.