Animal Profile

Lucky is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Lucky arrived at the Care Center as an owner surrender. Lucky was reported by his owner to be an anxious dog, but sweet and social most of the time. Despite efforts to keep him comfortable, Lucky has been showing concerning levels of fearful and defensive behaviors. Lucky has allowed only minimal handling with staff. Lucky has been reported to consistently bark, growl, and snap at the leash when staff attempt to take him for walks. Additionally when outside of the kennel, he is noted to avoid handlers attempting to engage with him socially. Handlers have noted Lucky does walk well on leash. Medically, Lucky is noted to have dental disease but is otherwise 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 Lucky is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Lucky arrived at the Care Center as an owner surrender. Lucky was reported by his owner to be an anxious dog, but sweet and social most of the time. Despite efforts to keep him comfortable, Lucky has been showing concerning levels of fearful and defensive behaviors. Lucky has allowed only minimal handling with staff. Lucky has been reported to consistently bark, growl, and snap at the leash when staff attempt to take him for walks. Additionally when outside of the kennel, he is noted to avoid handlers attempting to engage with him socially. Handlers have noted Lucky does walk well on leash. Medically, Lucky is noted to have dental disease but is otherwise apparently healthy.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 10.7 lbs

Medical Notes

11/16/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2 to 3 years Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Baring teeth, growling. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective P = 120 R = WNL BCS 4/9 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: Male 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 Underweight Prognosis: Good Plan: Sedated with DKM canine pre-mix 0.3ml IM (Dexdomitor 0.5m/gml0.006 mg/kg + ketamine 100mg/ml 3 mg/kg + Methadone 10mg/ml 0.2mg/kg) Antisedan 0.04 ml im Intake tasks SURGERY: Okay for surgery

11/17/2025

Hope to alleviate some of the FAS: Trazodone- 50 mg (5 to 10 mg/kg po q 12 hrs) Sig: 1/2 tab po q 12 hrs

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 4. Orange

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Spay/Neuter Status: Not Applicable

Basic Information:: Lucky is a brown and black, 1-3 years old, unaltered male dog. Previous owners obtain Lucky from a breeder and is unable to keep due to being unable to provide for him.

Previously lived with:: 2 Adults 3 Dog 2 Cats

How is this dog around strangers?: Alert barks with strangers and visitors.

How is this dog around children?: Friendly & outgoing with children. Previously lived with one child.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Familiar dogs: Hides, actively avoids, Alert barks Unfamiliar dogs - on leash: Alert barks Unfamiliar dogs - off leash: Alert barks

How is this dog around cats?: Cats: Playful Other Animals: Friendly & Outgoing

Resource guarding:: Valuable items: Toys Reaction: Unknown/Never attempted to touch or take items, has a tense body or hovers over them

Bite history:: No bite history.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Goes potty on: Wee-wee pads Accident frequency: Never Additional info: Not reported Behavior concerns: General anxiety (paces, whines, unable to settle) Additional info: Not reported Reacts to on walks: Strangers that approach you/family members Reaction type: Shows teeth/Lifts lips Additional info: Not reported How this dog reacts when... - Held/restrained: Barks/Growls - Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Isn't bothered - Startled: Fearful - Pushed/pulled off furniture: Fearful - Paws are touched: Isn't bothered - Collar grabbed/touched: Isn't bothered

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: Allergies: No Veterinarian: Last vet check: 3/14/2025

For a New Family to Know: Description of this dog most of the time: Social/Affectionate Where the dog spent most time: Living room Additional info: Not reported For grooming, this dog: Allows owner/family to bathe and brush, Loves bath time/water Additional info: Not reported Walks on leash rating: 1 - No pulling (loose-leash during the entire walk) Walk Frequency: Does not have a schedule Walk length of time: Two time around the block Crate trained: Has never been crated Hours in crate: 1 Type of crate: The cage During car rides, this dog: Nervous getting in or being in the car Additional info: His sometimes throw up This dog knows the following cues: None Previous owner's favorite things about the dog: His sweet This dog's favorite activities/toys/food/snacks: Jerkys Type of food the dog eats: Dry Food Brand of food: Pedigree

Date of intake:: 11/15/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: 2 Adults, 3 Dog, 2 Cats

Behavior toward strangers:: Lucky will alert bark

Behavior toward children:: Lucky is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Lucky will hide, avoid, and alert bark

Behavior toward cats:: Lucky is playful

Resource guarding:: Valuable items: Toys Reaction: Unknown/Never attempted to touch or take items, has a tense body or hovers over them

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Goes potty on: Wee-wee pads Behavior concerns: General anxiety (paces, whines, unable to settle) Reacts to on walks: Strangers that approach you/family members Reaction type: Shows teeth/Lifts lips How this dog reacts when... - Held/restrained: Barks/Growls - Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Isn't bothered - Startled: Fearful - Pushed/pulled off furniture: Fearful - Paws are touched: Isn't bothered - Collar grabbed/touched: Isn't bothered

Date of assessment:: 11/18/2025

Summary:: Lucky has been observed to be highly fearful noted to have a tense body and be at the front of the kennel growling and hard barking towards handlers. While out of kennel Lucky maintains a tense body and will retreat from handlers when they attempt to interact with him.

Summary:: 11/18/25- Lucky gate greets the other dog with a slightly tense body, he leans in to sniff then disengages on his own. He engages again with a tense face then turns his body and side eyes other dog.

Summary (7):: 11/21/25: Lucky is sitting quietly in kennel as handler approaches. He is retreats as handler opens kennel door, when trying to lasso he growl, snaps at the leash. After a few attempts Lucky is leashed, exits kennel. Lucky exits with moderate pulling. On sidewalk Lucky avoids any eye contact with handler when verbally cued, and walks laterally and around handler when any social interaction is attempted. Lucky shows no interest in treats offered. Lucky walks just ahead of handler, mild pulling for walk om side-walk. Lucky relieves himself, and is walked back to MACC and enters kennel without issue. (due to the length of leash and height of handler, pre-clipping was not a viable option for this interaction) Handler uses a hook to remove leash, Lucky growls and snaps once at the hook. 11/21/25: It is reported on the behavior board that Lucky lunged and jumped to bite hand when trying to leash. He tried again when attempting to pre-clip. 11/19/25: ACS reports Lucky will bark and leash bite (when being leashed). 11/17/25: Lucky is sitting quietly at the back of the kennel. He is easily leashed and taken out of the kennel. He pulls mildly towards the street. On the street, Lucky is aloof with the handler, sniffing the ground through out. He walks slowly. Lucky relieves himself. Handler crouches down and Lucky avoids the handler, he does not approach and when treats are tossed to him, he refuses them. Handler walks Lucky back to his kennel, he is hesitant to return and makes attempts to retreat. Handler uses gentle leash pressure to return him to kennel and the leash is removed with hook. 11/17/25: Lucky is obsvered to approach the front of the kennel while hard barking and growling towards handlers. 11/16/25: Lucky is at the front of the kennel hard barking and growling towards handlers. 11/16/25: Lucky is observe to hard bark and growl at the front of his kennel as handler enters the room to take out a dog. 11/16/25: An ACS requests assistance from behavior to return Lucky back into kennel due to not being able to leash him on a pre-clip. Lucky is reported to growl when returning to kennel and a hook has to be used to retrieve the leash back.

Date of intake:: 11/15/2025

Summary:: Actively avoiding handlers, and hiding. Thrashed while on leash

Date of initial:: 11/16/2025

Summary:: Baring teeth, growling

ENERGY LEVEL:: Lucky 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 Lucky.

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 fearful behavior and on leash reactivity 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: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Lucky's previous owner states that he will become tense and hover over toys. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Lucky's mouth, and any time something is removed they should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Handling Sensitivity: Lucky's previous owner states that he will bark and growl while held/restrained. Is fearful when startled. And is fearful when pushed off furniture. Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Lucky to be more comfortable with this. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity. Fearful Defensive: Lucky has been observed to hard bark and growl towards handlers. During intake he was observed to avoid handlers and hide. While on leash he escalated to trashing. It is important to move slowly with Lucky, 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. Anxiety: Lucky's previous owner states that he is anxious in the home and will be unable to settle. If Luck displays anxious behavior in their future home, we recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and giving them other things to focus on to alleviate their anxiety. Positive reinforcement, force-free training should be used. Please see handout on Generalized Anxiety. On Leash Reactivity: Lucky's previous owner states that he will lift his lip and show teeth towards strangers that approach. Lucky will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than other people. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration.