Animal Profile

Copper is at risk due to behavior concerns. Cooper is not adjusting to the care center environment. Copper displays fear based behaviors during handling and transitions. He presents with a low, tense body, shaking, tail tucked, wall-hugging, and frequent freezing or balking. Copper often requires extensive coaxing or being carried to progress through hallways or elevators due to his shut down behavior. Medically, Copper 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. 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 Copper is at risk due to behavior concerns. Cooper is not adjusting to the care center environment. Copper displays fear based behaviors during handling and transitions. He presents with a low, tense body, shaking, tail tucked, wall-hugging, and frequent freezing or balking. Copper often requires extensive coaxing or being carried to progress through hallways or elevators due to his shut down behavior. Medically, Copper is apparently healthy. Copper was surrendered by his previous owner due to being unsuccessful with training and his persistent barking. Copper's previous family described him as a high-energy but affectionate dog who was very vocal in the home, liked to spend most of his time where his people were. His previous owner did report that he could be an escape artist if he was not properly leashed once outside. Copper is noted to be shy and nervous with new people and needs time to warm up with a slow introduction; he is also noted to be reactive to cats, destructive tendencies, is reactive on walks to bikes/skateboards, loves to snack on apples, and play tug of war. During his stay in care, Copper has been shut down and refuses to walk once out of his crate. Needing to be picked up on occasion. Due to the behavior concerns reported in the previous home in conjunction with the behaviors displayed in care, we recommend an adult-only home without cats or other small animals through a New Hope rescue partner that can allow him the time and space to decompress, along with further socialization sessions under the guidance of a certified professional trainer that utilizes positive reinforcement methods.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 39.25 lbs

Medical Notes

2/6/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1 year Microchip noted on Intake? Positive History: Owner Surrender BAR MM pink, moist, CRT <2 sec Observed Behavior - Green; Easily examined, took treats readily, relaxed, seeking human attention and affection Evidence of Cruelty seen - No Evidence of Trauma seen – No Evidence of Neglect- No Objective: P = 110 hr R = 30 rr BCS 5/9 Wt = 39.4 lbs EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: NSF PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, no apparent murmur, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: Apparently healthy Prognosis: Good Plan: Standard Intake Procedures for Dogs Performed SURGERY: Okay for surgery *Fast Track*

2/11/2026

Was this dog a cryptorchid? no If so describe - Pre scrotal Incision Spermatic Cord Ligation with: 2-0 PDS transfixing Sub Q closure: 2-0 PDS cruciate Skin closure? 2-0 PDS intradermal Green Linear Tattoo Placed near Midline Surgeon: 990665 Additional Note:

2/12/2026

Post Surgical Exam Attitude/demeanor: BAR Appetite: eating well C/S/V/D: none Incision site: slight swelling, bruising, or bleeding; sutures appear intact Pain level: appears comfortable Licking, chewing, or biting surgical site noted: Not observed Additional notes:

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 1. Green

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake Copper was fearful and nervous. He allowed minimal handling from staff.

Basic Information:: Copper is a 11-month year old male dog that lived with his previous.

Previously lived with:: adults, children, and other dogs

How is this dog around strangers?: Copper is very shy and nervous around new people but will warm up when given a slow introduction.

How is this dog around children?: Copper will hide from children at first but will become tolerant and friendly on his own terms.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Copper is friendly and social with other dogs.

How is this dog around cats?: Copper will growl and bark when he sees a cat.

Resource guarding:: No known resource guarding.

Bite history:: No known bite history.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Copper has anxiety and will chew on most things in his reach including his leash when unsupervised. He will react when he sees bikes/skateboards on walks and will bark. Copper is not bothered when being held or having his paws touched but does become fearful when he is being restrained or when he is startled. He will squirm during bath time and pulls hard on the leash.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Copper is partially potty trained, he will go on wee wee pads as well as outside on walks. He is known to be very vocal in the house, so it is best he has company or has enrichment activities to do. Copper likes to spend most of his time where there are people around and is very affectionate. He is used to at least 2 walks a day and can be an escape artist if he is not properly leashed while outside. Copper known commands "sit" and "stand". His loves to snack on apples and play tug of war!

Date of intake:: 2/6/2026

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

Previously lived with:: adults, children, and other dogs

Behavior toward strangers:: very shy and nervous around new people but will warm up when given a slow introduction.

Behavior toward children:: will hide from children at first but will become tolerant and friendly on his own terms.

Behavior toward dogs:: friendly and social

Behavior toward cats:: will growl and bark

Resource guarding:: none reported

Bite history:: none reported

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Copper is reported to have a high energy level.

Other Notes:: Copper has anxiety and will chew on most things in his reach including his leash when unsupervised. He will react when he sees bikes/skateboards on walks and will bark. Copper is not bothered when being held or having his paws touched but does become fearful when he is being restrained or when he is startled. He will squirm during bath time and pulls hard on the leash.

Date of assessment:: 2/8/2026

Summary:: 02/17/26: Copper was taken out for a reassessment, but will display lower body and skittish behaviors, walks alongside the wall, and refuse to walk in the middle of the floor. Due to Copper fearfulness a handling assessment will not be attempted at this time. 02/08/26: Copper has not acclimated well to the shelter environment and has remained highly fearful and shut down. When removed from his crate, Copper panics with a trembling body in the middle of the room and will not walk. Out of concern for his stress levels, a handling assessment will not be attempted at this time.

Summary:: According to Copper's previous owner(s), he lived with other dogs (number or size not specified) and is friendly and social with other dogs. 02/14/24 Copper is introduced to a novel female while off leash. He is loose and wiggly at the gate and will jump up on the gate to solicit attention from the female. He play bows along the gate and naturally disengages and returns throughout.

Summary (7):: 02/17/26: Copper was taken out for a reassessment he display a low body and once in the behavioral office he stays press to wall as he slowly makes his way to the assessor ( please see behavior assessment for more details). Copper is taken back to his crate and goes back inside with out issue. 2/14/26: Copper is standing in his crate as handler approaches. He is able to be quickly leashed and he slowly walks out of his kennel. He baulks to the ground and refuses to move forward when reaching the hallway. He is then able to be picked up and carried to the elevator to be taken to the play yard for play group. Once the elevator door opens, he pulls on the way to the play pen. In the pen, he greets the other dog at the gate with a loose and wiggly body. Please see dog to dog notes for more details. He is then carried back to his crate and enters with no issues. 2/12/26: Copper greets handler at front of crate with a neutral body and tense face. Handler is able to easily leash and escort to the behavior training room. As Cooper starts to leave crate he drops close to ground and shakes. It takes some coaxing to get him into the behavior room. For his stay in the behavior room Copper still exhibits signs of fearfulness. His tail is fully tucked, he stays close to the ground as he walks and shakes. He is returned to his crate with no issues. 2/9/26: Copper is laying down in his crate with a tense body as handler approaches. He comes forward with a loose wagging tail as the handler unlocks the door and the handler is able to slowly leash him. Once leashed, he slowly comes out of kennel and would slowly walk forward with a tense body while being low to the ground. He continues to walk forward and constantly stops walking as the handler bends down and gradually coaxes him forward until entering the behavior room. Once in the room, he hides under the rack of leashes and would slowly approach the two handlers in the room with a tense body and allows petting. He would slowly approach the handlers for cheese. He continues to walk forward with a tense body while stretching low to the ground as he walks back to his crate. He would constantly stop walking due to being nervous. He is able to enter his crate when cheese is tossed inside.

Date of intake:: 2/6/2026

Summary:: fearful, nervous

Date of initial:: 2/6/2026

Summary:: took treats readily, relaxed, seek attention

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 Copper's high levels of fearfulness and shutdown behaviors, we recommend an adult-only home at this time. No cats: Copper is reported to growl and bark at cats. Due to this, we recommend that he be placed in a home without cats or other smaller animals at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Copper 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: : House soiling,Destructive behavior,Fearful,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting

Potential challenges comments:: House soiling: Copper is reported to be partially house-trained and will relieve himself on wee-wee pads as well as outside. Please see the handout on House Soiling. Destructive behavior | Anxiet | Leash Biting: Copper is reported chew on most things in his reach, including his leash when supervised. We are unaware of what, if any, attempts were made to remedy this behavior, but we suggest to future adopters that Copper will need to be provided with physical and mental stimulation and with a variety of appropriate and engaging chew toys so he can engage in necessary chewing behavior without damage to human objects. Please see the handouts on Destructive Behavior, Generalized Anxiety, and Arousal. Fearful: Copper has been highly fearful and shut down in care. He is reluctant to walk and will pancake once out of his crate. His previous owner reported that he is fearful when startled or restrained. Please see the handout on the decompression period. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: He will react when he sees bikes/skateboards on walks and will bark. please see handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration.