Animal Profile

Captain is currently at risk for behavior reasons. He was surrendered due to a bite incident that did not break skin. It is reported that Captain would growl at the owner and the other dogs in the home when returning from a walk. In this instance, he was refusing to enter the home and while the owner was attempting to get him inside, they accidentally stepped on Captain's paw, resulting in the bite incident. At the care center, Captain presents with a tense body when interacting with handlers but during the behavior assessment was highly social and seeking attention. Medically, Captain has otitis externa.

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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 Captain is currently at risk for behavior reasons. He was surrendered due to a bite incident that did not break skin. It is reported that Captain would growl at the owner and the other dogs in the home when returning from a walk. In this instance, he was refusing to enter the home and while the owner was attempting to get him inside, they accidentally stepped on Captain's paw, resulting in the bite incident. At the care center, Captain presents with a tense body when interacting with handlers but during the behavior assessment was highly social and seeking attention. Medically, Captain has otitis externa. Captain arrived at MACC as a stray with a limited history. His previous owner was attempting to bring Captain inside, Captain then growled. The owner accidently stepped on his paw while getting into the house. Captain then bit and released the owners arm and leg. This bite did not break skin or bleed. During his stay in the care center Captain has allowed handling. Due to the detailed behaviors we recommend an adult only home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 56 lbs

Medical Notes

4/25/2025

[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 4 yo Microchip noted on Intake? No History: Agency Subjective: BARH Observed Behavior - Seems to enjoy head and back scratches, leaning in to handler. Very short tail but appears to be wagging it during handling. Allows all handling and tasks. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = not taken P = 116 R = 32 BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, otitis AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: moderate tartar, mild gingivitis PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI, 2 scrotal testicles MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: external WNL Assessment ~ 4 yo MI LBD 1. apparently healthy 2. otitis AU Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks Cleaned ears Simplera 1 tube AU R/c ears 10 days SURGERY: Okay for surgery

5/8/2025

Treated for otitis externa on intake using Claro No concerns reported on symptoms board on cage side exam no head shaking, scratching or erythema noted. P: CTM

5/11/2025

suffering from traumatic shelter stress syndrome Trazodone- 100mg (5 to 10 mg/kg po q 12 hrs) Sig: 2 1/2 tabs po q 12 hrs Clonidine (with trazodone and/or gaba)- 0.2 tabs (0.01-0.05 mg/kg) SIG: 2 tabs q 12 hrs

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Basic Information:: Captain is a 4 year old medium sized dog that was given to surrendering owner via her nephew. surrender reason: resident dog at home is female and not spayed as well as Captain began growling.

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 1 unspayed female dog

How is this dog around strangers?: is noted to growl as a warning sign when someone they feel is threatening.

How is this dog around other dogs?: with familiar dogs captain is said to be tolerant, friendly and outgoing unfamiliar dogs on and off leash: no experience but the person who did walk him for surrendering owner stated they were

Bite history:: on 4.25 at 4:30pm there was an incident that did not involve any break in the skin nor any bleeding. the owner was trying to get the dog back in the home after a walk, but he wanted to stay outside for longer to where the owner tugged more and he growled as a warning but accidentally the owner stepped on his paw causing Captain to bite and release the arm and leg of the owner. once again, no skin was broken and no bleeding occurred.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: medium to high(when outside)

Other Notes:: will growl when strangers approach. is scared of loud noises is not bothered when pushed or pulled off furniture nor when their collar is grabbed and feet touched. can be fearful when held and or restrained and when startled especially due to loud noises

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Captain is a social, affectionate, quiet dog that is very active and playful when he is outside but can be fearful at times. likes to lounge mainly in the living room loves bath time and water, is noted to pull very little on the leash but will pull if they are in a rush to go out or to play. Captain in used to getting 2 walks perf day anywhere between 20mins to 1hour walks. knows basic commands such as sit but can be stubborn but it very treat motivated. he does take food gently if given by hand. loves bacon strips and eats anything.

Date of intake:: 4/25/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray (No Known History)

Bite history:: 4/25/25: Captain's previous owner was trying to get the Captain inside the home after they were outside, and Captain was reported to be stubborn. Captain growled as a warning but accidently while his owner was trying to get the dog in the house they stepped on his paw, Captain then bit and released on their arm and leg this bite did not break skin or bleed.

Date of assessment:: 4/25/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: None Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: Mild Leash walking comments: Walks slowly with handler, stares at dogs with tense body and slightly raised hackles Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Highly social Call over: Approaches readily Sociability comments: Seeks pets from handlers constantly Soft handling: Seeks contact Exuberant handling: Seeks contact Comments: Leans into handlers leg, accepts petting from handler Arousal Jog comments: Follows neutral Knock Knock comments: No response Toy Toy comments: No response

Summary:: 4/30/25: Captain greets another dog at the fence with a tense body. The other dog walks away then reapproaches and Captain moves quickly in the dogs direction, tense still.

Summary (6):: 5/11/25: Captain is sitting down at the back right of his corner with a neutral body as handler approaches. He comes to the front and is easily leashed. He hesitates to jump out of kennel, even with a kuranda bed placed as step. Handler removes kuranda bed and Captain jumps out more readily. He is taken to the yard for a walk. He remains aloof, neutral bodied, and is panting with a relaxed open mouth. He runs up to handler in a social manner and heavily leans into their shins for pets. He intensely sniffs handler shoes, handler pulls him away and continues petting his back as he leans in. When being returned, he baulks in front of his kennel room and retreats while thrashing. Handler crouches down and coaxes Captain, he slowly inches forward but begins to thrash and retreat when getting close to the kennel. Handler has to use muscle and a belly band to secure him.

Summary (7):: 5/8/25: Captain is at standing at the front of kennel. He pushes the kennel door with his head, handler is able to leash him and takes him to the pen for a walk. He remains neutral bodied, but will soften when pet and called over. He leans into pets and continuously solicits more. He sniffs around the pen but will regularly approach chandler, intensely sniff their shin or shoe and solicit more pets. He takes the treat offered but spits them right out. He is returned to kennel without issue. 5/7/25: Captain has been observed to charge the front of the kennel vocalizing and muzzle punching the kennel door as the handler passes. This behavior occurs the two times the handler passes in front of the kennel. 05/01/25: Captain is at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is offered treats but does not accept them, he allows leashing without issue and exits kennel and walks with handler to the street. Once outside Captain walks alongside handler on a loose leash, he stops occasionally to sniff spots on the street. Captain walks past people on the street without issue and will check in with handler frequently during his walk. After a bit he is brought back to kennel and returns without issue. 4/25/25- Captain is at the front of his kennel with a soft body and is easily leashed. He is taken for a street walk, while in the drive way he sees another dog. His body becomes tense and hackles slightly raise with no vocalization. He follows handler once they continue walking and the dog is out of sight he continues walking. He walks on a loose leash next to or behind handler. He is social with handler, he shows no interest in treats. He has no reaction to any stimuli. He is taken for his assessment where he is easily collared and social with handlers. He seeks pets and still shows no interest in treats. He is easily collared and returned to kennel without issue.

Date of intake:: 4/25/2025

Summary:: Panting heavily and vocalizing, needed to be coaxed out of crate

Date of initial:: 4/25/2025

Summary:: Allowed all handling, leaned into pets from handler

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Captain so we cannot be certain of his behavior in a home environment. However, he will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Single-pet home,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the bite history we recommend a home with no children. Single-Pet Home: Due to Captains previous owners stating he did not get along with her other resident dog as well as his tense posture and raised hackles when seeing other dogs, we recommend a single pet 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: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/Potential for Defensive Aggression: Captains previous owner stated that he would at times begin growling at her in the home after finishing walks. His signs of discomfort must be respected; Captain should never be forced to interact, he should always be given the opportunity to walk away from situations or people he finds uncomfortable. We recommend a slow approach and we recommend ONLY force-free, reward-based training methods for Captain. More aversive techniques are likely to increase fear, increase the risk of aggression, and decrease Captain's quality of life. Please see handout on Decompression Period. Bite History (Human): Please see bite history above for more details. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression.