Animal Profile

Max With The Brows (Max WTB) is at risk due to behavioral concerns. He arrived at the Care Center as an owner surrender. His previous owner notes that he is social with familiar people and understands basic commands such as 'sit' and 'stay'. Max WTB has not acclimated well to life in the care center. Max WTB has been fearful of handlers, reported to growl at times when approached by unfamiliar staff. With time and a slow approach, Max WTB has warmed up to select staff, is more easily leashed for walks and has allowed contact. Despite some improvement in sociability, Max WTB is often difficult to return to kennel, requiring the assistance of a secondary handler. Medically, Max WTB is noted to be overweight but is otherwise 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 Max With The Brows (Max WTB) is at risk due to behavioral concerns. He arrived at the Care Center as an owner surrender. His previous owner notes that he is social with familiar people and understands basic commands such as 'sit' and 'stay'. Max WTB has not acclimated well to life in the care center. Max WTB has been fearful of handlers, reported to growl at times when approached by unfamiliar staff. With time and a slow approach, Max WTB has warmed up to select staff, is more easily leashed for walks and has allowed contact. Despite some improvement in sociability, Max WTB is often difficult to return to kennel, requiring the assistance of a secondary handler. Medically, Max WTB is noted to be overweight but is otherwise apparently healthy. Max is a small mixed-breed pup with a big personality and an even bigger heart. He's the kind of dog who can keep up with your active side-whether it's walks around the neighborhood or playtime with his favorite plushies and balls-and then happily wind down beside you in the living room after a day well spent. This sweet boy is wonderfully social and loves being around his people. You'll often find him hanging out in the heart of the home-the living room or kitchen-just keeping you company. He's also quite the little spa enthusiast: Max enjoys baths and brushing time, soaking up the attention like a true gentleman. (Nail trims? Not his favorite, but hey, we all have our quirks!) Max is already a smart cookie-he knows how to sit and stay-and he's always eager to please. He's also got a fun and healthy side: this pup enjoys snacking on fruits and vegetables along with his regular meals.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 33 lbs

Medical Notes

3/29/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3 to 6 years Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender. Staff note lunging and baring teeth at them. Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Came forward, smelled leash and then sat down while being leashed. Walked quietly to Intake room. Ate readily, allowed pets and tolerated muzzle. Tense body for exam. Thrashed for restraint for blood draw. Returned to kennel quietly. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = 160 sedated R = WNL BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, black debris AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted. Oral Exam: Clean adult teeth PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Male intact MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, unkempt hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: WNL externally Wood's Lamp Exam: Negative Assessment: Overweight Shelter stress lessened after move to bottom kenne. Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks Trazodone 100mg 1 1/4 tablets po bid while in shelter. SURGERY: Already neutered

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Basic Information:: Max is a 1-year-old neutered dog who was surrendered due to the dog belonging to the client's friend who dropped the dog off to them and never came back for Max. The client could no longer care for him due to work and travel.

Previously lived with:: adults

How is this dog around strangers?: No experience reported

How is this dog around children?: Reported to be friendly, outgoing and playful, tolerant .

How is this dog around other dogs?: Reported to be friendly, outgoing and playful.

How is this dog around cats?: No experience

Resource guarding:: No

Bite history:: No

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Restrained: Unbothered Startled when sleeping: Unbothered Startled: Unbothered Pull/pushed off furniture: Unbothered Touch paws: Unbothered Grab collar: Unbothered

For a New Family to Know: Max is described as a social, active, playful and calm dog. Max spends his time in the living room and in the kitchen. He enjoys baths, to be brushed but does not allow to have their nails trimmed. Max enjoys going on walks. He knows how to sit and stay. He is described as a lovable dog and loves to play with plushies and balls and eats fruits and vegetables!

Date of intake:: 3/28/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

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

Previously lived with:: Adults

Behavior toward strangers:: No experience

Behavior toward children:: Max is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Max is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward cats:: No experience

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Restrained: Unbothered Startled when sleeping: Unbothered Startled: Unbothered Pull/pushed off furniture: Unbothered Touch paws: Unbothered Grab collar: Unbothered

Date of assessment:: 3/31/2026

Summary:: Max has been observed to be fearful while in care. Noted to bare teeth and growl when handlers approach him and balk when being returned to kennel. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety Max is not a candidate for a handling assesmsnt at this time.

Summary (6):: 4/1/26: Max WTB is standing at the front of his kennel with a loose body and wagging tail. He is eager to leave kennel and easily leashed. He is taken to the yard where he is social with the handler and allows petting. He does not take treats. He is lead back to his kennel where he balks and cannot be muscled in--his front paws can be placed in the kennel but he will still back out of it. In the end, a leash sling is used to get him into kennel. 3/30/26: Max is standing at the front of his kennel with a loose body and medium high slow wagging tail. He does not take treats or high value treats. He is easily leashed and lead to the yard. He walks around with a neutral body. Another dog fixates on him barking, and he tenses slightly and walks away. He allows his leash to be clipped slowly. He is lead back to his kennel where he plants and refuses to go in. A sling is used to get him in and he tries to push out of the kennel once in. The door is shut and he is offered another treat which he does not take

Summary (7):: 3/29/26 (PM): When a handler approached to walk Max he began to growl at them. The interaction was ended due to high FAS. 3/29/26: Max is standing in the middle of the kennel when the handler approaches. He has a tense body and whale eye. The handler offers multi types of treats and chicken. Max is unreceptive. The handler attempts to lasso Max and he retreats further to the back of the kennel and lip licks. The handler is eventually able to lasso him. The handler uses bite gloves and a towel to pick him up. He is taken to the yard where he walks readily but flinches whenever the leash touches him. Max shows whale eye and lip licks when the handler goes to clip their leash. The handler is able to clip his leash and he is taken to a bottom kennel. Max balks in front of the kennel and the handler has to muscle him into kennel. 3/29/26: It is reported that when an ACS approached Max with a leash (they were staff at the time), he began growling with a tense body and bared teeth. The handler was able to lasso Max and pull him to the front to quickly remove him from kennel. When Max is returning to kennel he becomes tense with a low body and whale eye when the handler picks him up. 3/28/26: Max w Brows is reported to growl when handlers are attempting to pick him up from top kennel. Movement to a lower kennel is requested.

Date of intake:: 3/29/2026

Summary:: Allowed all handling, fearful but allowed pick up

Date of initial:: 3/29/2026

Summary:: Tense body for exam. Thrashed for restraint for blood draw

ENERGY LEVEL:: Max is described as medium energy. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them engaged and exercised. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for them.

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 a home with no chidlren. 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: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Max has been observed to growl and bare teeth towards handlers when they attempt to leash and walk him. When returning to kennel Max has been reported to balk and needs to be belly banded into kennel. It is important to move slowly with Max, 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.