Animal Profile

Baby Blu is at risk due o behavioral concerns. Baby Blue's owner reported that he will lunge, hard bark, and snap at strangers, children, and unfamiliar dogs. He was also reported to exhibit resource-guarding behavior and may snap when restrained. He has bitten once, drawing blood. While in the Care Centers, Baby Blue presented as fearful but generally aloof. With a slow approach Baby Blu has warmed up to select staff and will tolerate limited petting and handling. Medically, Baby Blu is 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 Baby Blu is at risk due o behavioral concerns. Baby Blue's owner reported that he will lunge, hard bark, and snap at strangers, children, and unfamiliar dogs. He was also reported to exhibit resource-guarding behavior and may snap when restrained. He has bitten once, drawing blood. While in the Care Centers, Baby Blue presented as fearful but generally aloof. With a slow approach Baby Blu has warmed up to select staff and will tolerate limited petting and handling. Medically, Baby Blu is healthy. Baby Blu arrived at MACC as an owner surrender. His previous owner states that he is fearful in the home and will hide or snap when the family tries to put his collar and leash on. During one instance, Baby bit the owner's mother on the hand, drawing blood. This bite was treated at the urgent care. While in care, Baby has been observed to be highly fearful. Noted to have a tense body, wide eyes, lip licking, and is reluctant to exit the kennel. Due to the detailed behavior, we recommend an experienced adult only home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 13.9 lbs

Medical Notes

5/31/2026

Staff note pet not able to go on walks due to fearful behavior in shelter. Plan Trazodone 50mg 3/4 tablet po bid while in shelter Gabapentin 100mg 1 tablet po bid while in shelter.

6/3/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 5 years per owner, exam agrees 3-5 years Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - tense in kennel but able to be leashed and walks into intake room on own, able to be picked up on to exam table but growls. Allows muzzle to be placed and does well for exam, growls for tasks but does not escalate. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? Objective: T = P = WNL R = WNL BCS: 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, clean/white PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Very tense but 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: negative Assessment: Apparently healthy Intact male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort + behavior assessment Continue with FAS meds previously prescribed SURGERY: Okay for surgery, in house

6/14/2026

Pet is eating meds.

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Basic Information:: Blu is a aprox. 5-year-old, small, male, dog. He came to ACC via owner surrender.

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, 1 child

How is this dog around strangers?: He barks, growls, lunges, and snaps at strangers.

How is this dog around children?: He barks, growls, lunges, and snaps at children. He has previously lived with a 10-year-old child.

How is this dog around other dogs?: He is friendly, outgoing, and playful with familiar dogs. He barks, growls, lunges, and snaps at unfamiliar dogs.

How is this dog around cats?: He is tolerant of cats.

Resource guarding:: He values toys, food, and random objects. He is reported to guard these items by growling, barking, snapping, and biting.

Bite history:: There is a bite history. In March he bit a resident in the apartment as they were placing a harness on him.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Low

Other Notes:: He uses the bathroom outside. He is reported to jump frequently, bite the leash during walks, and bark frequently. While on walks he barks, growls, lunges, and shows teeth at other dogs. He barks, growls, lunges, and snaps when held/restrained, when woken from sleep, when startled, when pushed/pulled off furniture, when his paws are touched, and when his collar is grabbed.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: Last vet visit: 1/2023

For a New Family to Know: He prefers contact on his own terms. He spends most of his time in the living room. He did not allow his previous family to bathe and brush him. He pulls mildly on walks. In his previous home he would go on three 20-minute walks a day. He is crate trained, and does well for up to eight hours. He vomits while on car rides. He knows, "sit", "stay", and "down". He likes balls, stuffed toys, and kong toys. He eats Purina One Smart Blend.

Date of intake:: 5/29/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (5 years)

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, 1 child

Behavior toward strangers:: Barks, growls, lunges and snaps

Behavior toward children:: Barks, growls, lunges and snaps

Behavior toward dogs:: Playful with familiar, Barks, growls, lunges and snaps at unfamiliar dogs

Behavior toward cats:: Tolerant

Resource guarding:: Will growl, bark, snap and bite around food toys and random objects.

Bite history:: March 2026: It is reported that in one instance Blu bit the owner's mother on the hand drawing blood. This bite was treated at urgent care.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Baby Blu is noted to have low energy

Other Notes:: Baby Blu was surrendered to the shelter due to being fearful. Blu would hide or snap when the family or owner tried to put his collar and leash on. He uses the bathroom outside. He is reported to jump frequently, bite the leash during walks, and bark frequently. While on walks he barks, growls, lunges, and shows teeth at other dogs. He barks, growls, lunges, and snaps when held/restrained, when woken from sleep, when startled, when pushed/pulled off furniture, when his paws are touched, and when his collar is grabbed.

Date of assessment:: 6/2/2026

Summary:: Baby Blu has been observed to be highly fearful while in care, noted to have a tense body, wide eyes, lip licking, and is reluctant to exit the kennel. Due to the high level of fear, stress, and anxiety, Baby Blu is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (6):: 06/17/26: Baby Blu is at the center of his kennel as handler approaches, he stands and approaches the front accepting treats gently from handler and allows leashing however due to the amount of fur on Baby Blu the leash is unable to secure around his neck and it slips off. Baby Blu is calm and does not move after exiting kennel, he allows handler to easily place the leash over and secure him properly before beginning the walk. Outside Baby Blu does not react to people he sees but when seeing dogs in close proximity he begins staring at them with a tense body and is difficult to redirect. He is walked for a while and pulls mildly, after walking uneventfully for a while he is brought back inside, he is slightly tense when handler clips his leash but he is tolerant and returns to kennel without issue.

Summary (7):: 6/10/26: Baby Blu is laying down in front of his kennel when handler approaches. He allows leashing and they are able to take him out of the room with ease. Babu Blu walks slowly next to the handler with neutral body. He sniffs a lot and relieves himself few times. Babu Blu is aloof most of the time but allows petting. He is not interested in treats or toys. Baby Blu doesn't react towards other dogs or people. On the way back, handler is able to pre-clip the leash and bring Baby Blu back into his kennel with ease. 6/3/26: Baby Blu is lying dwn in his kennel when the handler approaches; the handler attempts to leash him, but he moves his head around, resulting with him loosening himself frim the leash. Baby then stands up and goes to the back of his kennel; the handler lassos him and brings him out the room. On the street, baby walks ahead with mild leash tension; he occasionally sniffs different marked spots on the ground. The handler attempts to get his attention, but he shows no interest. When walking back to the shelter, Baby stays behind the handler, reluctant to walk, but eventually he walks head. Upon return, the handler slowly clisp the leash and returns Baby Blu to his kennel. 5/31/26: Baby Blu is sitting in his kennel towards the back. The handler tosses treats and he ignore them, maintaining his stare on the handler. He has wide eyes. When the handler opens the door and shows him the leash, he begins to lip lick, tremble, lift his paw, and turn his head away. The handler closes the door and tosses some vienna sausages, which he comes forwards to eat. However, when opening the door again, he repeats the same behaviors. The walk is abandoned due to FAS.

Date of intake:: 5/29/2026

Summary:: Tense body, lip licking

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the bite history and 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,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Baby Blu was reported to growl, snap and bite around treats, toys and random objects, Nothing should be taken from Baby Blu's mouth and positive reinforcement should be used to teach him the trade game. Please see the handout on Resource Guarding. Handling/touch sensitivity: Baby Blu will snap and lunge when restrained. Positive reinforcement should be used to teach him to become comfortable with some handling. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Baby Blu has been observed to be highly fearful while in care, noted to have a tense body, wide eyes, lip licking, and is reluctant to exit the kennel. His owner stated he will bark, lunge and snap at strangers and children. Positive reinforcement should be used to help Baby Blu associate new people with things he likes such as treats and toys. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Baby Blu was reported to hard bark, lunge, bare teeth and snap at dogs while on leash. Positive reinforcement should be to teach Baby Blu to check in with his owner when he sees his triggers. Please see the handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration. Bite History (Human): Please see bite history above for more details. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression.