Animal Profile

Balloon is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Balloon has not acclimated well to the shelter enviornment and is not allowing for minimal handling. He has escalated to higher-level warnings: snapping, baring teeth, growling - both during his intake and during his stay in care. When being walked to his kennel, he began thrashing and soiled himself. He continued to escalate during his vaccinations and medical exam, requiring sedation. Medically, Balloon is medically 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. 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 Balloon is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Balloon has not acclimated well to the shelter environment and is not allowing for minimal handling. He has escalated to higher-level warnings: snapping, baring teeth, growling - both during his intake and during his stay in care. When being walked to his kennel, he began thrashing and soiled himself. He continued to escalate during his vaccinations and medical exam, requiring sedation. Medically, Balloon is medically healthy. Balloon was surrendered to care as a stray because his original owner moved to another country and left him with their elderly parents. They did not know much about him other than his name and age; they only had him in their care for a few days. Balloon has not acclimated well to the shelter environment and has escalated to higher-level warnings during his intake, medical exam, and during his stay in care. A period of decompression is recommended to allow Balloon to acclimate comfortably to his new environment; force-free, reward based training only is advised when introducing Balloon to new and unfamiliar situations. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended for guidance to safely manage/modify any behavior Balloon presents with outside of the care centers. **Meet Balloon!** Balloon is a 2-year-old large mixed breed who came to ACC as a stray and is struggling significantly with the shelter environment. He is extremely fearful and has not yet felt comfortable enough to allow handling. When overwhelmed, he has shown defensive behaviors including growling, hard staring, baring his teeth, snapping, and attempting to bite. During intake and medical care, he became highly distressed and panicked. Balloon needs placement through a New Hope partner who understands fearful dogs and can give him the time, space, and decompression he needs to begin feeling safe. He should never be forced into interaction and will require **force-free, reward-based support only**, ideally with guidance from a professional behaviorist.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 92 lbs

Medical Notes

9/11/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1-3 years Microchip noted on Intake? scanned neg History: stray Subjective: Observed Behavior - panicking, alligator rolling, urinating/defecating on intake, sedated Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? no Objective: BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: right upper canine purple discoloration, tongue ulcerated due to self trauma on intake PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: intact male MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: grossly normal Assessment: APH Prognosis: good Plan: DVM intake and tasks awaiting sort sedation with 0.8 mls each Dex/Torb IM each, 0.8 mls Antisedan IM SURGERY: Okay for surgery

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 4. Orange

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake Balloon was handled minimally due to snaping at the client that brought him to QACC.

Date of intake:: 9/11/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray; history unknown

Date of assessment:: 9/15/2026

Summary:: Balloon has not allowed to handling during his stay in care. He has escalated to baring teeth, growling, hard staring, snapped at staff and his caretaker multiple times during his intake. When walking back to the kennel, Balloon began thrashing and soiling himself and attempted to bite during his vaccinations. Due to these concerns, a handling assessment is unable to be conducted.

Summary (7):: 09/17/26 (KSV): Balloon is standing at the front of his kennel with a crouched head and whale eyeing as handler approaches. He begins to bare teeth, crouching even more with a tense body. Handler offers treats through the kennel bars but Balloon continues displaying the same behavior, escalating to lunging toward the front, muzzle punching the kennel bars. Handler tosses the treats inside and ends the interaction due to high FAS. 9/16/26: Balloon is seen curled up in his kennel growling when the handler approaches. The handler opens the door and begins to try and leash him due to his kennel being heavily soiled. The handler tries to leash him several times but he bares teeth, snaps and bites the leash. He is eventually leashed and a board is used to slide into his kennel to make the gap smaller between him and the exit to the other side of the clean kennel. He will refuse to exit, biting the pig board several times and planting at the back of his kennel baring teeth. The handlers try to clean his kennel around him but will snap at tools near him in attempts to clean his kennel and removed his leash. Once the leash is removed he is given both sides of the kennel in hopes he will walk across for cleaning. 9/13: Balloon is seen curled up in his bedding when a handler enters the room. He immediately bares his teeth and growls when he sees the handlers. Balloon curls further into himself and hisses at the handler. He does not move from his bed and will not break his hard stare. The handler leaves some treats and walks away to avoid further stress.

Date of intake:: 9/11/2026

Date of initial:: 9/11/2026

Summary:: panicking, alligator rolling, urinating/defecating on intake, sedated

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 concerning behaviors displayed during his stay in care, we recommend that Balloon to be placed in an adult-only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Balloon has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and has allowed only minimal handling since intake. We recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Kennel presence

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity | Fearful/potential for defensive aggression | Kennel Presence: Balloon was reported to be escalating to snapping at his caretaker when they attempted to leash him for staff. He continued snapping and began thrashing as he was walked to his kennel, soiling himself. During his vaccines, he attempted to bite. When approached in his kennel, Balloon hisses, growls, and curls into himself. His signs of discomfort must be respected; Balloon should never be forced to interact. He should always be allowed 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 Balloon. More aversive techniques are likely to increase fear, increase the risk of aggression, and decrease his quality of life. Please see handouts on Handling/touch sensitivity, Fearful/potential for defensive aggression, and kennel presence.