Animal Profile

Birkin is at risk due to behavior concerns. In his previous home, Birkin was reported to growl and hard bark over toys, and he had several incidents that he caused with the resident dog, including one that resulted in broken skin. In the Care Centers, Birkin has been aloof with staff. Medically, Birkin has a cherry eye, dental disease and Brachycephalic syndrome.

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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 Birkin is at risk due to behavior concerns. In his previous home, Birkin was reported to growl and hard bark over toys, and he had several incidents that he caused with the resident dog, including one that resulted in broken skin. In the Care Centers, Birkin has been aloof with staff. Medically, Birkin has a cherry eye, dental disease and Brachycephalic syndrome.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 46.5 lbs

Medical Notes

9/10/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: reported 5 years, exam agrees 5-7 years old Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - tense but allows all handling, very food motivated Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = P = WNL R = WNL BCS: 3/9 EENT: Eyes clear-- cherry eye OS, ears have brown debris AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, underbite, moderate tartar (PDDZ 3/4) PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic, periodic stertor (BOAS) ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact female, no OHE scar or tattoo noted MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: NP Assessment Cherry eye OS Underweight Moderate dental disease BOAS Intact female Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Clean ears AU Await sort TID feeding until 9/20 SURGERY: Temporary waiver due to weight

9/20/2025

reweighed at 46.5# 9/20 -1950

9/24/2025

SO: QAR, sitting at kennel door with empty food plate eent: eyes clear, heavy gray nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: CIRDC P: 200mg doxycycline PO SID x10d

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of Intake: 9/8/2025

Basic Information:: Name: Birkin Age: 6-10 years old Color: Merle Sex: Female Altered: No Size: Medium Surrender Reason: Fighting with all dogs male and female Length of time owned: 5 years Where the previous owner got this dog: Gift

Previously lived with:: Adults, Children, Other Dogs

How is this dog around strangers?: Alert barks

How is this dog around children?: Tolerant

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

How is this dog around cats?: Cats: Alert barks Other Animals: Alert barks

Resource guarding:: Valuable items: Toys Reaction: Growls or hard barks

Bite history:: Previous bite to a person: No Did the bite break skin: Not reported Date of last bite: Previous bite to another animal: Yes Did the other animal need vet care: No Date of last bite to an animal: 4/23/2025 Bitten by another animal: No Did this dog need vet care: Not reported Date of last bite by another animal: Additional info: Barking Bite History Survey Answers: Victim: A familiar dog Additional info: My other dogs. They all grew up together Was this the first bite: No Previous bite before this: 3/6/2019 How many times the dog has bitten in the past: 5+ times in the past Bite severity: 1 Drew blood for both dogs. Medical attention needed: No Medical attention type: Not reported Warning signs prior to the bite: Does not give warnings What happened before/during the bite: My other dog was barking and birkin bit her Type of bite: Bite, hold, and shake When the biting began: Change in home (new baby, new pet, construction, etc.)

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Goes potty on: Outside on walks (grass, cement, dirt, etc.) Accident frequency: Never Additional info: Not reported Behavior concerns: None, my dog is the best! Additional info: Not reported Reacts to on walks: None of the above Reaction type: Not reported Additional info: Not reported How this dog reacts when... - Held/restrained: Isn't bothered - Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Isn't bothered - Startled: Barks/Growls - Pushed/pulled off furniture: Isn't bothered - Paws are touched: Isn't bothered - Collar grabbed/touched: Isn't bothered

Medical Notes: Medical info: Not reported Allergies: No Allergy info: Not reported Veterinarian: Hasnt been to the vet in 3 years Last vet check: 2/9/2021

For a New Family to Know: Description of this dog most of the time: Lazy/Couch potato Where the dog spent most time: Where people are Additional info: Not reported For grooming, this dog: Allows owner/family to bathe and brush Additional info: Not reported Walks on leash rating: 1 - No pulling (loose-leash during the entire walk) Walk Frequency: 1-2 times per day Walk length of time: Goes to the back yard for 3/4 hours Crate trained: Yes, does well, se porta bien Hours in crate: 8 Type of crate: Drop cage During car rides, this dog: Loves car rides! Additional info: Not reported This dog knows the following cues: Sit stay cage Previous owner's favorite things about the dog: Very sweet and obedient This dog's favorite activities/toys/food/snacks: Loves playing with tenis ball Type of food the dog eats: Dry Food Brand of food: Victor

Date of intake:: 9/8/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (5 years)

Previously lived with:: Adults, Children, Other Dogs

Behavior toward strangers:: Birkin will alert bark

Behavior toward children:: Birkin is tolerant

Behavior toward dogs:: Birkin will alert bark

Behavior toward cats:: Birkin will alert bark

Resource guarding:: Valuable items: Toys Reaction: Growls or hard barks

Bite history:: Previous bite to a person: No Did the bite break skin: Not reported Date of last bite: Previous bite to another animal: Yes Did the other animal need vet care: No Date of last bite to an animal: 4/23/2025 Bitten by another animal: No Did this dog need vet care: Not reported Date of last bite by another animal: Additional info: Barking Bite History Survey Answers: Victim: A familiar dog Additional info: My other dogs. They all grew up together Was this the first bite: No Previous bite before this: 3/6/2019 How many times the dog has bitten in the past: 5+ times in the past Bite severity: 1 Drew blood for both dogs. Medical attention needed: No Medical attention type: Not reported Warning signs prior to the bite: Does not give warnings What happened before/during the bite: My other dog was barking and birkin bit her Type of bite: Bite, hold, and shake When the biting began: Change in home (new baby, new pet, construction, etc.)

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: How this dog reacts when... - Held/restrained: Isn't bothered - Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Isn't bothered - Startled: Barks/Growls - Pushed/pulled off furniture: Isn't bothered - Paws are touched: Isn't bothered - Collar grabbed/touched: Isn't bothered

Date of assessment:: 9/11/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: None Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Moderately social Call over: Approaches handler readily Sociability comments: Sniffing around the room, checks in with handlers, receptive to treats Soft handling: Accepts contact Exuberant handling: Tolerates contact Comments: Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler readily Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler with coaxing Toy Toy comments: Became tense and hovered over toy

Summary (7):: 9/17/25: Birkin is at the front with a loose body, she dodges the leash a few times but is able to be leashed. Birkin is lifted out of the kennel and walked to the street. Birkin walks beside the handler aloof with handler. When handler stands at crosswalks she stands or sits by them and looks to them. Handler gives her treats and she takes them gently. Birkin was brought back to the shelter and was lifted and returned to kennel without issue. 09/11/25: Birkin is at the front of her kennel as handler approaches. She is leashed and is hesitant to allow the leash over her head but besides cowering slightly she allows leashing. Handler allows her to approach and sniff them before lifting her out of kennel and walking with her to the street. While outside she does not pull and walks with handler, she passes people and dogs on the street without issue and accepts treats from handler while out. After walking for a bit she is brought inside for her assessment and once complete she is re-leashed, lifted and returned to kennel without issue.

Date of intake:: 9/8/2025

Summary:: Allowed all handling

Date of initial:: 9/10/2025

Summary:: Tense but allows all handling

ENERGY LEVEL:: Birkin 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),Single-pet home,Recommend no dog parks,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to resource guarding and fearful behavior we recommend a home with no children. Single Pet Home/ No Dog Parks: Due to the multiple bite history towards dogs we recommend a single pet home with no trips to the dog park. 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,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,Bite history (dog)

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Birkin's previous owner states that she will growls or hard barks with toys in her possession. During her assessment she was observed to become tense with a toy. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Birkin'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. Fearful Defensive: Birkin's previous owner states that she will bark and growl when startled. It is important to move slowly with Birkin, 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. Multiple Bite History/ Bite History (Dog): Please see bite history above for more details. Escalating to biting is a behavior that Birkin has rehearsed repeatedly over their life. This behavior is likely to continue as it has become part of Birkin's repertoire, and will need careful management to work toward reducing triggers for Birkin and reducing the resulting bites. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression.