Animal Profile

Navy Blue is at risk due to behavior concerns. In the Care Centers, Navy Blue presents as highly fearful. When staff attempt to pet or interact with him, he becomes tense and exhibits hard staring. On one occasion, he was observed lunging at staff while in his kennel. Navy Blue has displayed some social behavior when no physical contact is attempted. Medically, Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex.

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 Navy Blue is at risk due to behavior concerns. In the Care Centers, Navy Blue presents as highly fearful. When staff attempt to pet or interact with him, he becomes tense and exhibits hard staring. On one occasion, he was observed lunging at staff while in his kennel. Navy Blue has displayed some social behavior when no physical contact is attempted. Medically, Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex. Navy blue came into the care center as an owner surrender due to his owner developing allegies towards him and not having time to take care of him anymore. In the prior home he is noted with his owners to be social, affectionate, active, playful, quiet dog. He spends most of his time in the living room, in the backyard, and in his crate. Navy Blue has not adjusted well to the care center environment. While in his kennel, he has been observed baring teeth, growling, and lunging toward handlers, indicating kennel-related stress and defensive behavior.During his medical exam, Navy Blue avoided eye contact and displayed growling and teeth-baring behavior while in the kennel. Once removed from the kennel, his demeanor softened and he began to lean in for petting; however, after brief contact, he growled and snapped at the handler. With familiar handlers he is noted to a handler with a loose, wiggly body and was easily leashed. In a calmer setting he engaged socially, explored his environment with a neutral body posture, and accepted treats gently before being returned to his kennel. Due to these behaviors, Navy Blue is available for rescue through one of our new hope partners. He would benefit from a low-stress, structured environment with experienced handlers who can utilize slow introductions, consent-based handling, and continued behavior modification to help build trust and reduce defensive responses.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 58.4 lbs

Medical Notes

1/27/2026

[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 9yrs based on dentition/conformation Microchip noted on intake? scans negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - avoiding eye contact, growling and showing teeth in kennel, once out of kennel starting to lean in for pets but then growled and snapped once petted Is there evidence of Cruelty? no Is there evidence of Neglect? no Is there evidence of Trauma? no Objective- sedated for exam P = 70 (sedated) R = 24 BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears mild crusty debris AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: adult dentition with diffuse staining PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI; 2 down MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, thick scar tissue on right tarsus, left lateral tarsus, right carpus, very thickened elbow calluses, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: externally normal Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Approx. 9yr MI canine Thick calluses and scar tissue on elbows, tarsi and carpi (r/o secondary to laying on hard surfaces vs previous injury) High FAS Prognosis: good Plan: sedated with dexdomitor 10mcg/kg + torb 0.2mg/kg IM Intake tasks ear cleaning Reverse with equal volume antesedan Start trazadone 8mg/kg PO BID indefinitely Gabapentin 15mg/kg PO BID indefinitely SURGERY: Permanent waiver due to age

1/27/2026

It is the policy of ACC not to perform surgery on any animal over the age of 8-10 years due to the higher risks incurred in a shelter setting. The veterinarian is hereby issuing a permanent spay/neuter waiver, from the spay/neuter requirements of the City of NY due to the estimated age of this animal. ACC does recommend you consult with your veterinarian to determine if surgical sterilization is appropriate.

1/30/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC signs noted on rounds Subjective: BAR, no S/V/D. Coughing & huffing present with occasional terminal retching Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -Move to iso, monitor log placed on kennel -Start doxycycline PO SID x10 days -CTM, recheck in 3 days

2/6/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC day 7 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. Coughing & AS: 3 noted on log. Drooling noted Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: mild mucoserous discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -Start medical feedings PO BID x5days (per 1438 cancel behavior meds at this time to prioritize antibiotics) -CTM, recheck as scheduled

2/7/2026

ACS brought Navy Blue by medical this morning because he was bleeding from his LH paw and had a wound on RHL. S/O: BAR, active, no c/s/v/d noted MSI: Ambulatory x 4 with no notable lameness, circular raised wound at right tarsus mildly bleeding - approx 2-3cm diameter; LH paw middle digits appear to be bleeding from nails A: Wound right tarsus - ro decubital ulcer vs other Suspect broken nails LHL P: Behavior precludes hands-on examination of wounds Okay to monitor, both should heal without intervention and with proper husbandry CTM while at QACC

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake Blue barked at staff, but allowed them to place a slip leash over his head and scan him for a microchip. Staff did not place ACC collar due to FAS. Blue walked easily back to medical, and was encouraged to enter his kennel.

Basic Information:: Navy Blue is a aprox. 9-year-old, large, male, dog. He came to ACC via owner surrender.

Previously lived with:: 1 adult, 1 child, 1 dog

How is this dog around strangers?: He barks at strangers.

How is this dog around children?: He is friendly, outgoing, and playful with children. He has previously lived with a 15-year-old child.

How is this dog around other dogs?: He is playful, friendly, and outgoing with other dogs. He has previously lived with one large dog.

How is this dog around cats?: No expereince.

Resource guarding:: No reported resource guarding.

Bite history:: No bite history.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: He is reported to escape the house/yard. While on walks he reacts to strangers that approach by barking, growling, and lunging. He barks/growls when held/restrained. He is fearful when his paws are touched, or when his collar is grabbed. He is not bothered when woken from sleep, when startled, and when pushed off furniture.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: He is a social, affectionate, active, playful, quiet dog. He spends most of his time in the living room, in the backyard, and in his crate. He did not allow his previous family trim his nails. In his previous home he did not go on scheduled walks, but had access to a yard. He is crate trained.

Date of intake:: 1/26/2026

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

Previously lived with:: 1 adult, 1 child, 1 dog

Behavior toward strangers:: He barks at strangers.

Behavior toward children:: friendly, outgoing, and playful with children. He has previously lived with a 15-year-old child.

Behavior toward dogs:: playful, friendly, and outgoing with other dogs. He has previously lived with one large dog.

Behavior toward cats:: No expereince.

Resource guarding:: No known reported history of Resource guarding.

Bite history:: No known reported history of a bite history.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Navy Blue is noted to have a high energy level in the prior home.

Other Notes:: He is reported to escape the house/yard. While on walks he reacts to strangers that approach by barking, growling, and lunging. He barks/growls when held/restrained. He is fearful when his paws are touched, or when his collar is grabbed. He is not bothered when woken from sleep, when startled, and when pushed off furniture. He is a social, affectionate, active, playful, quiet dog. He spends most of his time in the living room, in the backyard, and in his crate. He did not allow his previous family trim his nails. In his previous home he did not go on scheduled walks, but had access to a yard. He is crate trained.

Date of assessment:: 1/30/2026

Summary:: 1/30/26: Navy Blue is taken to the behavior office for a handling assessment. Navy Blue displays a neutral body, and treats are tossed, which he takes. Navy Blue allows the familiar handler to pet him, but he will grow tense, which the handler stops petting. When attempted to collar, he will grow tense and hard stare on the handler. Due to Navy Blue this a handling assessment will not be condcuted at this time. 1/27/26: A handling assessment was not condcuted due to him just receving his medical exam and displayed denfensive behavior and sedated for his exam. He is given more time to decompress.

Summary (7):: 2/4/26: Navy Blue is at the back of her kennel laying down when approaches, gets up and is easily leashed to be brought to the the behavior office. Navy Blue is a bit aloof during the interaction, engaging with a snuffle mat and approaching staff for treats. Navy Blue will go between the mat and the handlers, and when clipped to go back will head whip and close his mouth towards the handler, lip licking a bit before being walked to the door. Navy Blue is brought back to kennel where he refuses to enter the kennel room, having to be coaxed with treats into his kennel. 1/30/26: Navy Blue greeted handler at front of kennel with a loose and wiggly body. He was easily leashed and escorted to behavior room. In room he would engage socially with handler, take treats gently when offered. He sniffed and investigated his surroundings while exploring the room all while keeping a neutral body. He relived him self several times. He was returned to kennel with no issue. 1/27/26: Navy Blue is reported to bare teeth in kennel and lunge at handlers when leashing attempts are made

Date of intake:: 1/26/2026

Summary:: barked at staff, but allowed them to place a slip leash over his head and scan him for a microchip.

Date of initial:: 1/27/2026

Summary:: avoiding eye contact, growling and showing teeth in kennel, once out of kennel starting to lean in f

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): We reccomend Navy Blue is placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Navy blue came into the care center as an owner surrender due to his owner developing allegies towards him and not having time to take care of him anymore. In the prior home he is noted with his owners to be social, affectionate, active, playful, quiet dog. He spends most of his time in the living room, in the backyard, and in his crate. Navy Blue has not adjusted well to the care center environment. While in his kennel, he has been observed baring teeth, growling, and lunging toward handlers, indicating kennel-related stress and defensive behavior.During his medical exam, Navy Blue avoided eye contact and displayed growling and teeth-baring behavior while in the kennel. Once removed from the kennel, his demeanor softened and he began to lean in for petting; however, after brief contact, he growled and snapped at the handler. With familiar handlers he is noted to a handler with a loose, wiggly body and was easily leashed. In a calmer setting he engaged socially, explored his environment with a neutral body posture, and accepted treats gently before being returned to his kennel. Due to these behaviors, Navy Blue is available for rescue through one of our new hope partners. He would benefit from a low-stress, structured environment with experienced handlers who can utilize slow introductions, consent-based handling, and continued behavior modification to help build trust and reduce defensive responses.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Low threshold for arousal/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression/Handling/touch sensitivity: In the prior home Navy Blue is noted to barks/growls when held/restrained. He is fearful when his paws are touched, or when his collar is grabbed. During his medical exam he is noted to avoid eye contact, growling and showing teeth in kennel, once out of kennel starting to lean in for pets but then growled and snapped once petted.Training should prioritize slow, choice-based handling, desensitization to body and collar handling, and reinforcing voluntary engagement to increase his comfort and reduce defensive reactions. Please see the handout on Low threshold for arousal/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression/Handling/touch sensitivity. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: In the prior home he is noted while on walks he reacts to strangers that approach by barking, growling, and lunging. Training should focus on increasing distance from triggers, reinforcing alternative focus behaviors, and gradually counter-conditioning his response to unfamiliar people to reduce reactivity. Please see the handout On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration.