Animal Profile

Sugar Cones is at risk due to behavior concerns. She arrived at MACC as a stray with a limited history and was seeking attention on intake. Her finder reported that she has destructive tendencies in a home setting. During her stay in the care center Sugar has been observed to be highly dog reactive. On leash she will fixate, hard stare and become tense when spotting other dogs. In the kennel room Sugar Cones will lunge towards them and kennel fight intensely. One instance when Sugar was returning to kennel she begins to spin towards the handler with an open mouth. She begins to jump up high and begins to lunge towards the handler while barking, her teeth can be heard clamping. Handler uses defensive handling to muscle her into kennel. Once in kennel Sugar slammed onto the kennel door and began to bite the leash intensely. Medically, she apparently has Otitis Chronic.

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. 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 Sugar Cones is at risk due to behavior concerns. She arrived at MACC as a stray with a limited history and was seeking attention on intake. Her finder reported that she has destructive tendencies in a home setting. During her stay in the care center Sugar has been observed to be highly dog reactive. On leash she will fixate, hard stare and become tense when spotting other dogs. In the kennel room Sugar Cones will lunge towards them and kennel fight intensely. One instance when Sugar was returning to kennel she begins to spin towards the handler with an open mouth. She begins to jump up high and begins to lunge towards the handler while barking, her teeth can be heard clamping. Handler uses defensive handling to muscle her into kennel. Once in kennel Sugar slammed onto the kennel door and began to bite the leash intensely. Medically, she apparently has Otitis Chronic. Sugar Cones arrived at MACC as a stray with a limited history. During her stay in the care center Sugar has been observed to be highly dog reactive. In the kennel room Sugar Cones will lunge towards the other dogs. While on leash Sugar will stop and stare at other dogs with a tense body. One instance when Sugar was returning to kennel she begins to spin towards the handler with an open mouth. Sugar then begins to lunge towards the handlers while barking, her teeth can be heard clamping. The handler had to use defensiuce handing and muscle her into kennel. Once in kennel Sugar slammed onto the kennel door and began to bite the leash intensely. Due to the detailed behaviors we recommend an experienced adult only, single pet home that takes no trips to the dog park.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 58 lbs

Medical Notes

6/26/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 4-7y Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: Stray dog found and given to current owner. Surrendering due to destructive behavior reported Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Wagging tail and initially seeking attention. Shies away form head petting, but allows for placement of muzzle and all handling. Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Evidence of Neglect seen-no Evidence of Trauma seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears AU lichenified and stenotic canals with erythema, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: muzzle in place for exam but appears to have adult dentition with moderate staining PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: female intact, no apparent scar or tattoo 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 otitis externa Prognosis: good Plan: intake tasks OHE new home ears cleaned simplera AU SURGERY: Okay for surgery

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, Limited history (with finder 1 week)

Housetrained:: Partially

Other Notes:: The finder surrendered Sugar Cones due to destructive behavior. Sugar cone will bite furniture, shoes, and is partially house-trained.

Date of assessment:: 6/30/2025

Summary:: Sugar Cones has been observed to spin towards to handler with an open mouth when they are being returned to kennel. Due to the high risk for redirection Sugar Cones is note a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 6/29/25: Sugar Cones is at the front of kennel with dilated pupils and barking as handler approaches the kennel. She is leashed and removed from kennel as she moderately kennel fights out the room. She is walked to the yard for a walk. Whenever handlers hand is raised above the waist, she flinches intensely, almost pressing her body into the ground and squints her eyes. Handler refrains from doing the same or similar motion. She remains uninterested in handler in the yard and keeps her distance. When returning her to kennel she intensely kennel fights as she is brought in the room. Once in front of her kennel she turns towards handler and begins to attempt and jump towards handler with an open mouth whilst barking, her teeth can be heard clamping down. Handler has to use defensive handling and vocalizes for "Help." Handler straight arms and keeps body away as the behavior continues and escalates in intensity. Handler has to use a lot of muscle and throws the leash in with Sugar Cones. The minute the door is slammed Sugar Cones slams on the kennel door and immediately begins to intensely chew the leash. When a hook is used to attempt and remove the leash, she bites and holds momentarily. Eventually the leash is able to be removed and interaction is ended. 6/28/25: Sugar Cones is standing at the front of her kennel as handler approaches. She is able to be leashed while being distracted with treats. Once leashed, she bolts out of kennel and tries to lunge for the two dogs next to her kennel on the way out. She is then taken out for a walk. On the walk, she would pull ahead and had no interest in treats. She would stop and stare at dogs and people that were across the street with a tense body. She is able to be redirected with a squeaky sound but had no interest in the toy. On the way back to her kennel, she begins to pull hard and tries to pull towards the dogs in kennel. She stops right in front of her kennel and barks at the dog next to her and then jumps in. Once the handler tries to close to door, she quickly turns and flips around while the handler takes off their leash. She began to jump up high and flip in kennel as the handler locks the door and walks away.

Date of initial:: 6/26/2025

Summary:: Wagging tail and initially seeking attention

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Sugar Cones 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),Single-pet home,Recommend no dog parks,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to risk of redirection we recommend an adult only home. Single pet Home/ No Dog Parks: Due to risk for redirection we recommend a single pet home with 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: : Destructive behavior,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting

Potential challenges comments:: Destructive Behavior: Sugar Cones' finder stated that they have destructive behaviors in the home. she was observed to bite the furniture and shoes. We are unaware of what, if any, attempts were made to remedy this behavior but we suggest to future adopters that Sugar will need to be provided with physical and mental stimulation and with a variety of appropriate and engaging chew toys so they can engage in necessary chewing behavior without damage to human objects. Please see handout on Destructive Behavior. On Leash Reactivity: Sugar Cones has been observed to spin towards the handler with an open mouth after reacting to other dogs while in the kennel room. Sugar 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. Sugar has been observed to intensely bite the leash after being returned to kennel. We recommend walking them with a toy to dissuade them from grabbing the leash. Positive reinforcement, force-free training is advised to teach them to focus on you rather than grabbing the leash. Please see handout on Leash Manners.