Animal Profile

Tiny Thimble is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Tiny's previous owner states that she will hard bark, growl, and avoid strangers. Tiny Thimble when comfortable with people she is playful, quiet, and independent. Often found relaxing in the living room or bedroom in a cozy spot. While in care Tiny has been observed to be highly fearful. Noted to remain at the back of the kennel with a tense body and whale eye. When handlers attempt to interact, Tiny escalates to growling, snapping, and lunging. Medically, Tiny Thimlble has dental disease but otherwise 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 Tiny Thimble is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Tiny's previous owner states that she will hard bark, growl, and avoid strangers. Tiny Thimble when comfortable with people she is playful, quiet, and independent. Often found relaxing in the living room or bedroom in a cozy spot. While in care Tiny has been observed to be highly fearful. Noted to remain at the back of the kennel with a tense body and whale eye. When handlers attempt to interact, Tiny escalates to growling, snapping, and lunging. Medically, Tiny Thimlble has dental disease but otherwise healthy. Tiny arrived at MACC as an owner surrender. Her previous owner states that Tiny will hard bark, growl, and avoid strangers. While in care, Tiny has been observed to be highly fearful. Noted to stay at the back of kennel while growling and snapping when handlers at attempt to interact. Due to the detailed behavior we recommend an experienced adult only home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 52.8 lbs

Medical Notes

3/22/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3 to 6 years Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Avoiding leash and retreating to back of kennel. Whale eyed and tail tucked in exam room. Flinched and retreated when second leash looped overhead. Thrashed when attempted to walk to scale. Sedated to reduce further stress. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = 160 R = WNL BCS 6/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Mild tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Female intact MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: WNL externally Assessment: Dental disease stage 1/4 Prognosis: Good Plan: Sedated with Dexdomitor 0.5mg/ml 0.6 ml + Butorphanol 10mg/ml 0.6 ml IM Intake tasks Trazodone 100mg 2 tablets po bid while in shelter Antisedan 0.5 ml IM SURGERY: ok for surgery

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake Tiny had tensely tucked tail, wide eyes, and refused to walk. Bellyband was needed to get her to vaccines (allowed muzzle) and again to get her to kennel. She would not take treats and attempted to hide under chairs.

Date of Intake: 3/21/2026

Basic Information:: Tiny is a 2 year old MMB dog. She is seeking a new home due to housing issues. Tiny has prior experience with adults, children, and other dogs.

Previously lived with:: Adults, 2 children

How is this dog around strangers?: Hides and actively avoids. Hard barks or growls. Becomes friendly, outgoing, and playful.

How is this dog around children?: Shy and prefers contact on own terms. Hides and actively avoids. Becomes friendly, outgoing, tolerant, and playful.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Friendly and outgoing with familiar dogs. Hides and actively avoids but then becomes playful with unfamiliar dogs.

How is this dog around cats?: no experience

Resource guarding:: none

Bite history:: none

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: medium

Other Notes:: Tiny is fearful when held/restrained. She is unbothered by being disturbed while sleeping.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Tiny is an active and playful dog! She is quiet and independent and usually hangs out in the living room or bedroom- she loves to be cozy. Tiny allows for bathing and brushing. She is used to going on one hour walks once per day and does not pull on the leash. She enjoys car rides and knows "sit." According to a prior owner, Tiny is "really baby" and loves to cuddle.

Date of intake:: 3/21/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: Adults, 2 children

Behavior toward strangers:: Tiny will hard bark, growl, hide, and actively avoid

Behavior toward children:: Tiny prefers contact on their terms, will hide and actively avoid

Behavior toward dogs:: Tiny is friendly with familiar dogs, will hide and avoid unfamiliar dogs

Behavior toward cats:: No experience

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Tiny is fearful when held/restrained. She is unbothered by being disturbed while sleeping.

Date of assessment:: 3/23/2026

Summary:: Tiny has been observed to be highly fearful while in care. Noted to be at the back of the kennel with a tense body and showing whale eye. When handlers attempt to leash Tiny she is observed to escalate to growling and snapping. Due to the high level of fear, stress, and anxiety, Tiny is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 3/24/26: It is reported that Tiny Thimble will not move over for her kennel to be cleaned. 3/24/26 (AM walks): Tiny Thimble to laying down at the front of her kennel with whale eyes and a trembling body. The handler tosses treats inside her kennel, but Thimble shows no interest. Thimble then slowly stands up and retreats to the back of her kennel and begins to growl. The handler slowly brings the pole leash into her kennel, but Thimble growls louder. The handler step away and brings high value treats; they toss it into her kennel, but she shows no interest. The handler presents the pole leash again, but Tiny thimble growls. The handler ends the interaction. 3/23/26 (late entry- PM walk)- Tiny Thimble is up against one wall of her kennel with a tense body, wide eyed staring at the handler when they approach her kennel. Handlers unlocks the door and Tiny moves to the back of her kennel with a tense body, whale eyeing and growling. Handler tosses in treats but she shows no interest in them. Handler attempts to lasso their leash onto her, Tiny snaps at the leash while growling and lunges to the middle of her kennel. Handler tries again and she exhibits the same behavior being tense, snapping and growling while lunging. Handler ends interaction. 3/23/26: Tiny Thimble is laying curled up with a tense body and whale eye at the back of the kennel when the handler approaches. The handler tosses treats and cheese, and Tiny is unreceptive to both. The handler speaks in a soft voice and attempts to coax her to the front of the kennel. She is not receptive to coaxing or squeaky sounds. The handler presents the leash, and Tiny begins seeking exit. The handler attempts to lasso Tiny, and she begins growling loudly. The handler then attempts to use a hook to guide the leash over her head. Tiny continues growling loudly and then she quickly escalates to vocalizing, snapping, and lunging at the hook and leash. The handler ends the interaction due to high FAS.

Date of intake:: 3/21/2026

Summary:: Tense body, tucked tail, whale eye

Date of initial:: 3/22/2026

Summary:: Dodges the leash, whale eye and tail tucked in exam room. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: Tiny is described as medium energy. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them engaged and exercised. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for them.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to 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: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Tiny's previous owner states that she will hard bark, growl, and avoid strangers. While in care Tiny has been observed to growl and snap when handlers attempt to interact. It is important to move slowly with Tiny, 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.