Animal Profile

Chico is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Chico arrived at the Care Center as a stray. Upon arrival Chico was noted to be fearful and defensive; observed to be head shy, and growl when being leashed. Unfortunately, Chico has not acclimated well to the shelter environment and continues to be highly fearful. During his handling assessment Chico was noted to be tense during contact and retreat from handlers; he was treat receptive however. Chico was also noted to bite the assess-a-hand when in possession of a toy during the assessment. Chico has shown some improvements in sociability. Recently Chico has been noted to approach staff with a loose wiggly body when being leashed for walks, and allow contact with select staff. Medically, Chico is apparently healthy.

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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 Chico is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Chico arrived at the Care Center as a stray. Upon arrival Chico was noted to be fearful and defensive; observed to be head shy, and growl when being leashed. Unfortunately, Chico has not acclimated well to the shelter environment and continues to be highly fearful. During his handling assessment Chico was noted to be tense during contact and retreat from handlers; he was treat receptive however. Chico was also noted to bite the assess-a-hand when in possession of a toy during the assessment. Chico has shown some improvements in sociability. Recently Chico has been noted to approach staff with a loose wiggly body when being leashed for walks, and allow contact with select staff. Medically, Chico is apparently healthy. Chico arrived at MACC as a stray with no known history. Chico is reported to thrash and buck while on leash. When brought into the assessment room suddenly growled and charged at the handler. During his medical exam Chico was observed to persistantly attempt to flee from handlers. Due to the detailed behavior, we recommend an experienced adult only home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 18.6 lbs

Medical Notes

4/25/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2-3 years Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Stray/agency Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - whale eyes, stress yawning, needed ample time to warm up -- offered several high value treats and ate well, when placed on exam table flailed with any attempts at restraint, placed back on floor and attempted to place muzzle and flailed, opted for carrying and placing towel on face, did well for most tasks and did not escalate but persistently tried to flee/flail from handler. At conclusion of exam/tasks, approached handler and allows slow petting. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: T = P = WNL R = WNL BCS: 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, fairly clean-- limited exam 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, 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: Apparently healthy Intact male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort/ behavior assessment Rx: Trazodone 50mg PO BID indefinitely SURGERY: Okay for surgery, in house. HWT at sx!

5/6/2026

SO: Reported reverse sneezing on symptoms baord BAR, comes to stand by kennel door when approached eent: eyes clear, serous nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, 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: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 4/24/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Other Notes:: *Previous assessments can be given upon request*

Date of assessment:: 5/4/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Mild Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: Mild Leash walking comments: Hard stared at other dogs Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Fearful Call over: Approaches with coaxing Sociability comments: Highly fearful, head whipping, retreating from handlers, receptive to treats Soft handling: Fearful Exuberant handling: Fearful Comments: Tense body, head whips Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler readily Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily Toy Toy comments: Bares teeth, bit the hand twice

Summary:: 5/6/26: Chico greets another dog at the gate with a loose and wiggly body. He then bark and growl towards the other dog.

Summary (7):: 5/10/26: Chico is standing at the front of the kennel vocalizing (whining). He is easily leashed and jumps out of his kennel. He relieves himself on the way to the yard and once outside. He sniffs around and frequently shakes off, seemingly sensitive to the leash. He walks with a neutral body. He begins to seek exit and pulls moderately back to the building and kennel. He gets in his kennel willingly. 5/5/26: Chico is asleep in his bed at the back of the kennel. When the handler unlocks the kennel, he gets up and walks forwards. He is easily leashed and walks to the street. He shakes off a few times. He relieves himself. He walks ahead of the handler with a neutral body. He is lead back to the kennel room and reenters his kennel willingly. 5/4/26: Chico greeted handler with a loose and wiggly body at front of kennel. He was easily leashed and pulled from kennel and taken to back yard. Once in the play yard Chico started to vocalize and go to exit. Handler offered treats but Chico was uninterested. Chico did allow pets on head, back of neck, back and sides. He was returned to kennel with no issue. 4/26/26 (Assessment): Chico was at front of kennel when handler approached. He dodged away from the leash loop several times before he was leashed and pulled from kennel. As he started walking he started thrashing and bucking so handler decided to skip the walk part of the assessment and escorted him to the behavior office. When assessor tried to collar him he barked and lunged at assessor trying to bite. He was returned to kennel and handler used hook to remove leash.

Date of intake:: 4/24/2026

Summary:: Head why, growling when leashing, and thrashing

Date of initial:: 4/25/2026

Summary:: Whale eyes, stress yawning, persistently trying to flee from handler

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Chico 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),Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior 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: : Resource guarding,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: During his assessment, Chico was observed to bare teeth and bite the assess-a-hand twice. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Chico's mouth, and any time something is removed they should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Fearful Defensive: Chico is observed to be highly fearful. During his medical exam Chico was observed to persistently try to flee from the handler. During his assessment, Chico was observed to charge at the handler. It is important to move slowly with Chico, 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. On Leash Reactivity: Chico has been observed to hard stare towards other dogs while on leash. Chico 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.