Animal Profile

Zeus is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Zeus has been observed to escalate to hard barking, lunging, and snapping during intake. Due to his intake behavior Zeus received very limited interactions. In kennel Zeus is noted to hard stare towards handlers with a tense body. Medically Zeus 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. 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 Zeus is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Zeus has been observed to escalate to hard barking, lunging, and snapping during intake. Due to his intake behavior Zeus received very limited interactions. In kennel Zeus is noted to hard stare towards handlers with a tense body. Medically Zeus is apparently healthy. Zeus arrived at MACC as a stray with no known history. His finder describes him as a social and affectionate dog. During his stay in the care center Zeus has been observed to be very tense in kennel. Noted to have a tense body and wide eyes. During intake Zeus was observed to escalate to hard bark, lunging, and snapping towards handlers. Due to these detailed behaviors we recommend an experienced adult only home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 71.1 lbs

Medical Notes

1/30/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3-5 years based on dentition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner reportedly passed away and was brought in by neighbor Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - hard barking, basket muzzle on, thrashing on leash, alligator rolling, snarling. Sedated using 0.8 ml Dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) + 0.8 ml Butorphanol (10mg/ml) + 0.4 ml Ketamine (100mg/ml) IM. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = P = 80 bpm (sedated) R = WNL (sedated) BCS: 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, fairly clean -- limited due to muzzle PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact male, 2 scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4 (prior to sedation), skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities (prior to sedation) Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Apparently healthy Intact male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort Pet was lifting head and blinking so opted to allow slow recovery and did not provide reversal IM Made TDO so Rx'ing the following: Rx: Trazodone 300mg PO BID indefinitely Rx: Gabapentin 600mg PO BID indefinitely SURGERY: Okay for surgery

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 5. Red

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of Intake: 1/30/2025

Spay/Neuter Status: Unknown

Basic Information:: Zeus is a 3 year old male LMB. Finder is bringing him in after his owner passed away about a week ago.

Previously lived with:: 2 adults and 1 2 year old child.

How is this dog around strangers?: Friendly & outgoing.

How is this dog around children?: Friendly and outgoing, playful.

How is this dog around other dogs?: familiar dogs - tolerant, as well as friendly and outgoing. unfamiliar dogs - on leash - tolerant unfamiliar dogs - off leash - tolerant.

How is this dog around cats?: No experiences.

Resource guarding:: Does not resource guard items close to him.

Bite history:: No bite history reported.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: high

Other Notes:: Zeus can be overly jumping, nonstop to the point where even swaying him off will not make him stop. He is also reactive to cats, upon seeing them he will begin to hardbark and growl.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: None.

For a New Family to Know: Zeus is described as social and affection, highly active and playful dog. Zeus spends most of his time in the livingroom of the home of Chris. Zeus allowed for Chris to bathe him. He would stay in his crate for about 20 minutes after only having accidents at the home. Zeus enjoy car rides. He knows how to sit, stay, and lay. Zeus enjoys eating wet pedigree food. Zeus plays with kong toys, squeaky, and balls.

Date of intake:: 1/30/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, (History filled out by finder)

Previously lived with:: 2 adults and 1 (2 year old) child.

Behavior toward strangers:: Zeus is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward children:: Zeus is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Zeus is tolerant with familiar and unfamiliar dogs

Behavior toward cats:: No experience

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Zeus is described as a social and affectionate dog. He may know the cues sit and stay.

Date of assessment:: 2/2/2025

Summary:: During intake Zeus was observed to hard bark, lunge, and snap towards handlers. Zeus was also observed to head whip, due to the escalation in fearful behavior Zeus is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 2/2/25: Zeus is standing at the front of the kennel with a tense body, low ears, and wide eyes. Handler offers Zeus a treat he takes it from the handler but does not eats it. Handler offers more treats and Zeus hesitantly becomes receptive. Hard staring at the handler while eating the treats. Zeus is offered a chew, he takes it from the handler holding it in his mouth but not eating it. Handler ends interaction. 2/2/25: Zeus is standing at the front of the kennel with a tense body, low ears, and wide eyes. Handler offers Zeus a treat he takes it from the handler but does not eats it. Handler offers more treats and Zeus hesitantly becomes receptive. Hard staring at the handler while eating the treats. Zeus is offered a chew, he takes it from the handler holding it in his mouth but not eating it. Handler ends interaction.

Date of intake:: 1/30/2025

Summary:: Hard barking, snapping, head whipping

Date of initial:: 1/30/2025

Summary:: Hard barking, basket muzzle on, thrashing on leash, alligator rolling, snarling. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: Zeus is described as active and enthusiastic. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them 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. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for Zeus.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to hard barking, lunging and snapping towards handlers we recommend an adult only home. No Cats: Due to on leash reactivity we recommend a home with no cats. 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: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: Basic Manners: Zeus's finder states that he will jump up frequently or nonstop. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Sit" and "Off" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach them to control their impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward-based training only is recommended. Please see handout on Basic Manners. Fearful Defensive: During intake Zeus was observe to hard bark, lunge, and snap towards handlers. It is important to move slowly with Zeus, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow them to initiate interactions with new people. They should never be forced to greet or to interact if they are not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression. On Leash Reactivity: Zeus's finder states that he will hard bark and growl towards cats. Zeus will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than towards cats. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration.