Animal Profile

Brownie is at risk due to behavior concerns. Brownie is not acclimating well to the care center environment. Brownie is displaying fear-based behaviors. He avoids handlers and the leash, retreats to the back of his kennel, and shows clear signs of fear including a low body posture, tucked tail, trembling, growling, hard staring, and skin rippling when touched. Medically, Brownie is apparently healthy.

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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 Brownie is at risk due to behavior concerns. Brownie is not acclimating well to the care center environment. Brownie is displaying fear-based behaviors. He avoids handlers and the leash, retreats to the back of his kennel, and shows clear signs of fear including a low body posture, tucked tail, trembling, growling, hard staring, and skin rippling when touched. Medically, Brownie is apparently healthy. Brownie came in as a stray. Due to this, his behavior is unknown. Brownie has displayed consistent fear-based behaviors while in care. He retreats to the back of his kennel when approached, lowers his body, trembles, and shows whale eyes, occasionally growling when handlers attempt to leash him. He remains tense, seeks exit, and does not readily approach for treats, though he can be transported and returned to his kennel without issue. In medical, he was very nervous and tentative entering the exam room and showed whale eyes during initial handling. A muzzle was placed as a precaution, and he tolerated the full exam without escalation. Brownie's presentation appears rooted in fear and stress rather than offensive behavior, and he would benefit from placement in a calm, low-traffic environment that allows for decompression and confidence-building support.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 67 lbs

Medical Notes

2/13/2026

[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~3-5yo based on condition and history Microchip noted on Intake? scan neg History: agency intake Subjective: BAR, ate well overnight Observed Behavior - very nervous and tentative on entering exam room. whale eyes when attempting to pet. placed muzzle as precaution and able to examine without any escalation Is there evidence of Cruelty? n Is there evidence of Neglect? n Is there evidence of Trauma? n Objective BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears mild brown debris AU, no erythema, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: minimal due to muzzle - clean and white canines and incisors PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Tense but non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Male intact, 2 testicles MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, dry and flaky hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: ext normal Wood's Lamp Exam: NP Assessment ~4yo MI largemixed breed apparently healthy high FAS Prognosis: good Plan: Routine intake procedures trazodone 200mg PO BID indefinitely SURGERY: Okay for surgery

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 2/12/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray(Unknown History)

Date of assessment:: 2/15/2026

Summary:: 02/15/26- Due to Brownie’s fearfulness in care, he has consistently displayed avoidance and fear related behaviors. Brownie is observed in care sitting at the back of his kennel and does not come forward when coaxed. He declines high value treats and maintains distance from handlers. When approached, he has been noted to tremble, lower his body to the ground, growl, and maintain a hard stare. He exhibits stress signals, including a tucked tail, whale eyes, lowered posture, and skittish, actively scanning the environment. When removed from the kennel, he seeks exit within the room and avoids interaction rather than engaging with staff. His assessment was discontinued due to his visible fear and stress signaling. Overall presentation is consistent with fear based avoidance within the care center.

Summary:: Due to Brownie entering the facility as a stray, there is no known history of interactions with other dogs prior to intake. 02/17/26: Brownie was introduced to a familiar female dog. At the gate, Brownie displays a cautious posture upon approach and maintains position at the gate. Tail tuck intensifies over time, ears are retracted, and displacement behaviors, including paw raises, are displayed. Both dogs are separated concluding the interaction.

Summary (7):: 2/17/26: Brownie is in the back of his kennel when the handler approaches, he doesn’t take treats offered to him and remains avoidant of the leash after a few attempts he is leashed. When taken out of his kennel he slowly walks down the hallway with a low body and tusked tail. Once in the behavioral office for a socialization session, he begins to take high value treats from the handler but when petted his skin will ripple. When not taking treats from the handler he will seek exit, he is taken back to his kennel where he rushes back inside.- 2/16/26: Brownie is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He retreats to the back of his kennel and begins growling as the handler unlocks the door. He would lower his body to the ground while growling and trembling as the handler slowly gets their leash over his head. Once leashed, he is then slowly taken to the behavior room. In the room, he has a tense body as he would constantly approach the door and sit to seek exit. He would hard stare at the handler and would not approach them as they speak to him and offered treats. He is then slowly taken back to his kennel with no issues. 2/15/26: Brownie is reported to growl, not want to approach staff and cowers at the back of his kennel despite staffs efforts to coax him forward. 2/13/26: Brownie is siting at he back corner of his kennel while shaking as handler approaches. He begins growling and lowers his body to ground as he hard stares at the handler. Due to fearfulness, the handler then walks away and doesn't take him out for an assessment at this time.

Date of intake:: 2/12/2026

Summary:: Dog don't appear to know how to walk outside.

Date of initial:: 2/13/2026

Summary:: very nervous and tentative on entering exam room. whale eyes when attempting to pet. placed muzzle a

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13) - Due to how uncomfortable Brownie is currently with touch and novel stimuli, we feel that an adult-only home would be most beneficial at this time. Place with a New Hope partner - Brownie 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 challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity - Brownie has been noted to become uncomfortable with handling at times, especially when a person is reaching over him. It is important to always go slow and give Brownie the option to walk away from any social interaction. Brownie should never be forced to approach anything that he is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Brownie’s choice to approach a new person or thing. Brownie may do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to his new surroundings. PLEASE SEE THE HANDOUT ON HANDLING/TOUCH SENSITIVITY. Fearful - Brownie is a bit fearful at the care center. It is important to always go slow and give Brownie the option to walk away from any social interaction. Brownie should never be forced to approach anything that he is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Brownie choice to approach a new person or thing. Brownie would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to his new surroundings. PLEASE SEE THE HANDOUT ON FEARFULNESS.