Animal Profile

Benji Boo is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Benji was brought to MACC following a bite incident. The finder stated that Benji will resource guard his food. The finder grabbed Benji's harness while he was eating, and Benji bit them on the hand. His finder noted Benji Boo to be reactive to dogs which we have seen in care as well. Benji Boo was described as social and affectionate by his finder. With handlers Benji is receptive to chicken and has slowly warmed up to staff. Medically, Benji 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 Benji Boo is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Benji was brought to MACC following a bite incident. The finder stated that Benji will resource guard his food. The finder grabbed Benji's harness while he was eating, and Benji bit them on the hand. His finder noted Benji Boo to be reactive to dogs which we have seen in care as well. Benji Boo was described as social and affectionate by his finder. With handlers Benji is receptive to chicken and has slowly warmed up to staff. Medically, Benji is apparently healthy. Benji Boo arrived at MACC following a bite incident. The finder stated that he will become tense, hover, growl, and hard bark when food, treats, and toys are in his possession. During one instance, the finder reached to grab Benji's harness. Benji turned his head and bit the finder's left hand. He is also reported to lunge towards unfamiliar dogs while on leash. Due to the detailed behavior, we recommend an experienced adult only home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 24 lbs

Medical Notes

5/19/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age:1 year based on the condition of teeth and eyes Microchip noted on Intake? Negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR H pink 1 sec Observed Behavior - very high energy. Muzzled straight away - very wiggly and hard to get his attention. Evidence of Cruelty seen - No Objective P = 120hr R = 40rr BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: NSF was only able to examine incisors and canines from a far as he was panting PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT <2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI testes x 2 MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat. Quarter-sized area of alopecia on R hip CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment Apparently healthy Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake procedures SURGERY: Okay for surgery

5/27/2026

SO: Due for release from rabies observation BAR, comes to kennel door hard barking 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, no neurological deficits appreciated at this time A: no clinical signs of rabies appreciated P: Patient has appropriate mentation at this time (no neurologic signs present) and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at MACC.

5/28/2026

SO: QAR in kennel eent: eyes clear, foaming nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: CIRDC P: 100mg doxycycline PO SID x10d

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Basic Information:: Benji is an approx. 1-year-old SMB brindle, male dog who was surrendered due to behavior concerns. The owner had Benji since he was 3 years old.

Previously lived with:: 2 Adults, 1 child (ages 34, 34, and 1 years old)

How is this dog around strangers?: Friendly & Outgoing, Playful

How is this dog around children?: Playful, Lunges

How is this dog around other dogs?: Familiar dogs: Playful Unfamiliar dogs - on leash: Lunges Unfamiliar dogs - off leash: Playful

How is this dog around cats?: Benji is tolerant and playful.

Resource guarding:: Valuable items: Food, Treats (bones, rawhides, etc.), Toys Reaction: Has a tense body or hovers over them, Growls or hard barks

Bite history:: Benji bit for the first time on 5/17. The owner gave Benji a food bowl. At one point, owner reached to grab Benji's harness, however, Benji immediately turned his head and bit the owner's left hand.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Benji rarely has accidents inside and will use the bathroom outside. He is known to be mouthy, take treats rough, jumps up often, anxious when left alone, and bark a lot. Benji is very observent on walks to moving objects, strangers, and small animals. He will greet strangers on walks but will get defensive if he feels threatened. Benji is not bothered when he is held/restrained, disturbed while sleeping, startled, pushed off furniture, paws touched, or collar grabbed.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: Veterinarian: Banfield Animal hospital in Florida we recently moved to VA Last vet check: 8/16/2025

For a New Family to Know: Benji is described as social, affectionate, very active, playful, and vocal. He spends most time in living room or where people are. He goes to the groomers and enjoys bath time. Benji was walked 3-4 times per day for 10-15 min. He would pull mild to moderately. He is known to good in a crate for up to 7 hours. Benji loves car rides but may get nervous getting insde. He knows commands like sit, stay, bed, up, down, food, water, stop. The previous owner stated that Benji has a playful personality and loves to be chased. He is known to enjoy affection, cuddling, and spending quality time with people. Owner reported that he would eat anything and was fed wet and dry food.

Date of intake:: 5/18/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, (with finder 1 week)

Previously lived with:: 2 Adults, 1 child (ages 34, 34, and 1 years old)

Behavior toward strangers:: Benji is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward children:: Benji will lunge, can be playful

Behavior toward dogs:: Benji is playful with familiar dogs, lunges towards unfamiliar dogs

Behavior toward cats:: Benji is tolerant and playful

Resource guarding:: Valuable items: Food, Treats (bones, rawhides, etc.), Toys Reaction: Has a tense body or hovers over them, Growls or hard barks

Bite history:: Benji bit on 5/17. The finder gave Benji a food bowl. At one point, the finder reached to grab Benji's harness; however, Benji immediately turned his head and bit the finder's left hand. This bite was a bite and release between the index finger and thumb. The bite had two puncture wounds that did bleed. The wounds were treated at home.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Benji rarely has accidents inside and will use the bathroom outside. He is known to be mouthy, take treats roughly, jumps up often, anxious when left alone, and bark a lot. Benji is very observant on walks to moving objects, strangers, and small animals. He will greet strangers on walks but will get defensive if he feels threatened. Benji is not bothered when he is held/restrained, disturbed while sleeping, startled, pushed off furniture, paws touched, or collar grabbed. Benji's finder states that he was chasing the cat in the home nonstop, and that the resident dog was afraid of Benji due to his resource guarding. Benji's finder describes her as social and affectionate.

Date of assessment:: 5/24/2026

Summary:: Benji Boo arrived at MACC following a bite incident. The finder reached to grab Benji's harness when he was in the possession of food. Benji turned his head and bit the finder's left hand. He is also reported to lunge towards unfamiliar dogs while on leash. Due to the bite incident, Benji is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 5/25/26: Benji is reported to attempt to bite other dogs through the fence when seeing them in the yard. When being returned to kennel Benji will turn and attempt to bite the handlers fingers. 5/20/26: Benji Boo approaches the front of his kennel with a neutral body; the handler drops a treat into his kennel ad he eats it. Then they drop a few more, and as Benji eats them, the handler leashes him with a pre-clipped leash, and then brings him out. The handler brings Benji to the yard; here, he relieves himself and constantly looks over the other pen where a dog is present, and with a neutral body. The handler walks Benji around the perimeter, where he relieves himself again. They then bring him into the office. Benji jumps and places his front paws on the handler a few times as they are seated. After a few minutes in the office, the handler brings Benji back into the room; he begins pulling towards a neighboring dog as they react to him first, but the handler is able to return Benji and remove their leash. 5/18/26: Benji Boo is standing at the front of his kennel. He is offered chicken and sniffs then takes it. The leash is introduced and he remains neutral in body. He is fed more chicken while being leashed, and is lead out of the room to the yard. In the yard he sniffs around and relieves himself. At one point he does persistently try to sniff the handler's ankles and fixates there, so he is pulled back by leash repeatedly. He is lead back inside and returns to kennel with ease.

Date of intake:: 5/18/2026

Summary:: Barking and lunging at other dogs, allowed pick up

Date of initial:: 5/19/2026

Summary:: High energy, wiggly body

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Benji Boo 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 addition to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),No cats,Single-pet home,Recommend no dog parks,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the bite history and resource guarding we recommend an adult only home. No Cats: Due to chasing the cat persistently in the finder's home, we recommend a home with no cats. Single pet home/ No Dog Parks: Due to resource guarding in the home and lunging towards unfamiliar dogs we recommend a single pet home with no trips to the dog parks. 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,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding/ Bite History (Human): Please see bite history above for more details. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression. Please see handout for Resource Guarding. Basic Manners: Benji's finder states that he jumps up 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. Mouthiness: Benji's finder states that he is mouthy and will take treats roughly. We recommend never playing with bare hands, always with a toy, and ending play or attention whenever Benji puts teeth on skin. They should be rewarded with attention and treats when they stop and/or when they are seeking attention in alternate ways. Please see handout on Mouthiness. On Leash Reactivity: Benji's finder states that he will lunge towards dogs while on leash. Benji 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.