Animal Profile

Milo Man is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Milo Man has shown fearful and defensive behavior around leashing and handling, including retreating into his crate, stiffening, whale eye, paw lifting, growling, flinching, lunging, and snapping toward handlers. His defensive behavior escalated during attempts to clip onto his harness and use a slip lead, making it unsafe for the handler to handle him safely. When he was removed from kennel for cleaning, he is very social with staff but is struggling to acclimate. His previous family reports Milo Man is very outgoing, enjoys attention, was mostly kept indoors so has limited experience on a leash but does enjoy car rides. Medically, Milo Man 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 Milo Man is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Milo Man has shown fearful and defensive behavior around leashing and handling, including retreating into his crate, stiffening, whale eye, paw lifting, growling, flinching, lunging, and snapping toward handlers. His defensive behavior escalated during attempts to clip onto his harness and use a slip lead, making it unsafe for the handler to handle him safely. When he was removed from kennel for cleaning, he is very social with staff but is struggling to acclimate. His previous family reports Milo Man is very outgoing, enjoys attention, was mostly kept indoors so has limited experience on a leash but does enjoy car rides. Medically, Milo Man is apparently healthy. Milo Man was surrendered to the care center by his previous owners due to their personal circumstances. Milo Man's previous owners describe him as an active, playful, and outgoing dog who brought them a lot of joy and loves being petted and receiving attention, playing with balls, and running around. Milo Man has not acclimated well to the care center environment; while he has been social and affiliative with staff in calmer environments, he has shown increasingly defensive behavior around being leashed, including growling, lunging, and snapping, that makes it difficult to safely remove him from kennel and handle him. Due to these concerns, we recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 43 lbs

Medical Notes

11/1/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: approx 2-5 years based on dentition and conformation Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: os Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - staff reported p lunge when trying to take out of pop up kennel, able to bring into pre exam without issue, d/t conformation use gate for tasks Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? N Objective: T = np P = wnl R = wnl BCS 4.5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted, stenotic nares Oral Exam: limited view d/t behavior, visible dentition with mild wear/staining PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic, RUAS ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI, two scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: BOAS Prognosis: fair Plan: intake exam and tasks CBC/CHEM - check for results tomorrow seek placement awaiting sort SURGERY: Okay for surgery: N Permanent waiver due to BOAS

11/1/2026

[Spay/Neuter Waiver - Permanent] Your newly adopted pet has been diagnosed with (BOAS ) and the staff veterinarians are issuing a PERMANENT waiver from the spay/neuter requirements of the City of NY. ACC does not have the facility to safely sterilize your pet with his/her current condition. However, your veterinarian will provide consultation on whether this procedure can or should be performed under their supervision. Follow up care at your regular veterinarian is recommended to ensure continued treatment and proper oversight of your pet's health. All costs for follow up care and subsequent surgery is at the expense of the adopter.

11/2/2026

CBC: sl monocytosis (0.742) CHEM sl hypochloremia (107) A/P blood work nsf CTM while at QACC and seek placement. P would benefit from surgical consultation to correct stenotic nares, suspected soft palate resection with placement or adopts d/t extend of BOAS clinical signs

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake, owner had brought Milo in a small cat carrier and was sticking his head out of the carrier. Owner was given slip lead so Milo would be safely secured. Owner started pulling on Milo to remove him from the bag and place the lead but Milo began to balk in carrier. When owner put on the lead and tried pulling him out that way, he began to thrash. Owner described Milo as an "indoor dog" reporting that he is not outside often and is only used to harnesses. A harness was found and given to owner so he can put onto Milo. He allowed staff to clip him and started walking easily. Milo was social, playful, and jumpy in a social manner with staff.

Basic Information:: Name: Milo Age: 1-3 years old Color: Gray Sex: Male Altered: No Size: Medium Surrender Reason: Financial hardship Length of time owned: 1-2 years Where the previous owner got this dog: Friend or family

Previously lived with:: adults

How is this dog around strangers?: Friendly & Outgoing

How is this dog around children?: Friendly & Outgoing

How is this dog around other dogs?: Familiar dogs: Hides at first Unfamiliar dogs - on leash: No experience Unfamiliar dogs - off leash: Playful

How is this dog around cats?: Cats: No experience Other Animals: No experience

Resource guarding:: Valuable items: Toys Reaction: None

Bite history:: No history

Housetrained:: No

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Goes potty on: Wee-wee pads Accident frequency: Few times a week Behavior concerns: None, my dog is the best! Reacts to on walks: Children Reaction type: Growling/Hard barking How this dog reacts when... - Held/restrained: Lunges, Isn't bothered - Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Isn't bothered - Startled: Isn't bothered - Pushed/pulled off furniture: Isn't bothered - Paws are touched: Isn't bothered - Collar grabbed/touched: Unknown/Have not attempted, Isn't bothered

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: Yes

Medical Notes: Medical info: Stomach lining issues. Allergies: Unsure Allergy info: Not reported Veterinarian: Last vet check: 7/14/2026

For a New Family to Know: Milo is very active, playful, and outgoing dog. He enjoys spending time in the bedroom but also loves having the freedom to walk around the house and do his own thing. He loves bath time and water. He walks well on a leash with very little pulling, although he does not have a set walking schedule and usually goes for walks around the block. He is not a fan of being crated and prefers to have space to roam freely, but he can stay in a crate when necessary. His owner typically uses a small cage for him when cleaning the floors. He enjoys car rides, likes looking out the window, and sometimes falls asleep in the car, although he may occasionally vomit during the ride. He loves being petted, receiving attention, and playing with people. His previous owner describes him as a sweet, loving, and protective dog who gets excited when his family comes home from work and runs to them for affection. He is a happy dog who loves being around people and is sure to bring joy to his future family. He enjoys eating dog biscuits and apples, playing with balls, and running around. He eats both wet and dry food, including chicken and rice wet food and Diamond brand dry food.

Date of intake:: 10/31/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner surrender (1-2 years)

Previously lived with:: Adults

Behavior toward strangers:: Friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward children:: Friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Hides at first with familiar dogs, playful with unfamiliar dogs off-leash

Behavior toward cats:: No experience

Resource guarding:: Valuable items: Toys Reaction: Unknown/Never attempted to touch or take items

Bite history:: No bite history

Housetrained:: No

Energy level/descriptors:: His previous owners describe Milo Man as medium energy.

Other Notes:: Milo Man's previous owners report that he: Goes potty on: Wee-wee pads Accident frequency: Few times a week Reacts to on walks: Children Reaction type: Growling/Hard barking How this dog reacts when... - Held/restrained: Lunges, Isn't bothered - Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Isn't bothered - Startled: Isn't bothered - Pushed/pulled off furniture: Isn't bothered - Paws are touched: Isn't bothered - Collar grabbed/touched: Unknown/Have not attempted, Isn't bothered

Date of assessment:: 11/6/2026

Summary:: Milo Man has shown fearful and defensive behavior around leashing and handling. When handlers have attempted to leash him, using both a slip lead and trying to clip his harness, he has been observed to retreat, stiffen, and growl, and has escalated to lunging and snapping at handlers, making it unsafe for handlers to remove him from his kennel. For these reasons, a handling assessment is not conducted.

Summary (7):: 11/03/26: Milo Man is sitting in the back right corner of his kennel with a tense body as handler approaches. He begins to lip lick as the door is unlocked. Handler tosses high value treats but he does not come forward. With the use of baby voice he slowly comes to the front, lifting his paw and lip licking. Handler offers more high value treats through the kennel bars, he sniffs them but does not consume the chicken. Handler presents the leash and Milo Man immediately luges, muzzle punches, and attempts biting handler hand/leash. Handler removes the leash from sight and is able to give him chicken through the bars. Handler attempts to present the leash again while using the high value treats as a distraction, but Milo Man displays the same behavior as soon as the leash is presented again. Handler tosses treats into the crate and ends interaction. 11/3/26: Milo Man is at the front of his kennel, initially displaying loose, wiggly body language. When the handler presents a drag leash, Milo Man begins backing into his crate, raising a paw, growling, and stiffening while displaying whale eye. He remains still as the handler attempts to coax him toward the side of his crate with treats to redirect his attention away from the leash. Due to his harness-walks-only designation, the handler reaches into the crate to clip onto his harness. Milo Man flinches, lunges, and snaps toward the handler's hand, prompting the handler to immediately back away due to the close proximity of their hand and face. When the handler attempts to use a slip lead, Milo Man again lunges toward the handler, requiring the crate door to be closed. Due to his escalating defensive behavior during leashing attempts, another staff member is requested to take over handling. 11/2/26: Milo Man is at the front of his kennel with a tense body but will become wiggly and loose as soon as the handler speaks to him in a high pitched voice. He will come up to the front and is given some treats and chicken which he will eat as the handler clips the back of his harness. He is then coaxed out of kennel with a sheet on the ground in front of the door. He will readily step onto it and will then walk out of kennel. Once he reaches the edge of the sheet, he will pause but the handler uses mild pressure on the leash and will encourage him to continue moving. He will then walk to the office where he is clipped to a drag leash and will spend the time in the room going from handler to handler soliciting pets. He is then returned to his kennel where he is secured safely.

Date of intake:: 10/31/2026

Summary:: Balked and thrashed on leaving crate, then social, playful and jumpy

Date of initial:: 11/1/2026

Summary:: Able to bring to exam without issue, due to conformation use gate for tasks

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Milo Man's defensive escalations around handling, we recommend an adult only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Milo Man has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and has shown increasingly defensive behavior around leashing and handling. We recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

Potential challenges: : House soiling,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: House soiling: Milo Man's previous owners report that he would have accidents a couple of times a week. He will likely need guidance with house training. We recommend positive reinforcement, reward-based training only. Accidents should never be punished as this will likely make the problem worse. Please see handout on House Soiling. Handling/touch sensitivity | Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: During his time in care, Milo Man has shown fearful behavior around being leashed, escalating to growling, lunging and snapping at handlers attempting to remove his from his kennel. His previous owners also report that he growls and barks at children on walks. His signs of discomfort must be respected; he should never be forced to interact, he should always be given the opportunity to walk away from situations or people she finds uncomfortable. We recommend a slow approach and we recommend ONLY force-free, reward-based training methods for Milo Man. More aversive techniques are likely to increase fear, increase the risk of aggression, and decrease his quality of life. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression.