Animal Profile

Stella is at risk due to behavioral reasons. When Stella initially arrived, she was observed to lunge while in kennel, refuse walks, and head whip when handled. Recently Stella has warmed up to handlers, noted to have a soft body and is easily leashed. However, during her reassessment, Stella escalated to lunging and attempting to bite the handler when they initiated contact. In the home, her owner reported that she guards treats, food, and toys, growls during nail trims, and experiences separation anxiety. Her owner also shared that Stella enjoys belly rubs and loves activities such as fetch, running, hiking, and swimming in rivers or lakes. Medically, Stella has CIRDC.

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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 Stella is at risk due to behavioral reasons. When Stella initially arrived, she was observed to lunge while in kennel, refuse walks, and head whip when handled. Recently Stella has warmed up to handlers, noted to have a soft body and is easily leashed. However, during her reassessment, Stella escalated to lunging and attempting to bite the handler when they initiated contact. In the home, her owner reported that she guards treats, food, and toys, growls during nail trims, and experiences separation anxiety. Her owner also shared that Stella enjoys belly rubs and loves activities such as fetch, running, hiking, and swimming in rivers or lakes. Medically, Stella has CIRDC. In the Care Centers, Stella has displayed fearful behavior, including lunging in her kennel, occasionally refusing to walk, and head whipping when handled. During her reassessment, Stella lunged and attempted to bite the handler when they initiated contact. In the home, her owner reported that she guards treats, food, and toys, growls during nail trims, and experiences separation anxiety. Her owner also shared that Stella enjoys belly rubs and loves activities such as fetch, playing tug with a bone, running, standing for hugs, hiking, visiting off-leash parks, and swimming in rivers or lakes. Stella will require an adult-only home through a New Hope Partner that can manage her behavior using positive reinforcement.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 57 lbs

Medical Notes

4/9/2026

Estimated age: 5yo Microchip noted on Intake? scanned positive History: owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior -fearful, growling and lunging when first approached in kennel, a few minutes later was wagging tail and coming up to kennel door. Sedated exam Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? no Objective: T = np P = 48bpm (on dexdorm) R = 40brpm BCS EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: muzzled, appeared to have clean adult dentition prior to muzzle PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: FS, spay 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 normal eating sausages during exam Assessment: 5yo FS Large mixed breed -decreased appetite x 2 days - r/o stress vs gastroenteritis vs pancreatitis vs other -High FAS Prognosis: good Plan: sedated exam (torb 0.3mg/kg IM and dexdorm 10mcg/kg IM, needed an additional 10mcg/kg of dexdorm for sedation) sign put up to monitor appetite trazodone 7mg/kg PO BID indefinitely gabapentin 10mg/kg PO BID x 14 days, extend if anxiety worsens SURGERY: already spayed

4/17/2026

ACS staff reported that Stella may have licked some Rescue hydrofoam and was hypersalivating S: BAR in front of kennel. No hypersalivating noted. Offered water with baby food mixed in (attempt to wash out mouth) and licked readily. O: Visual exam only due to behavior EEN- eyes clear, no ocular or nasal discharge H/L- eupneic, no sneezing or audible congestion Neuro- alert/appropriate A: Possibly licked rescue/hydrofoam P: Monitor for GI upset but but pet appears ok at this time

4/26/2026

Staff note pet charging toward and hard barking at other dogs in kennels. A: Increasing arousal and stress in shelter Plan Advise placement in lower stress environment Clonidine 0.3mg 1 tablet po bid while in shelter

4/27/2026

EEN: Sneezing, grey mucoid nasal discharge A: CIRDC P: Doxycycline 100mg 2 1/2 tablets po sid x 10d

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 4. Orange

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of Intake: 4/8/2026

Spay/Neuter Status: Spayed

Basic Information:: Stella is a 5-year-old female LMB that was surrendered due to housing issues.

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 2 children, 1 dog,

How is this dog around strangers?: Around strangers, she is friendly, outgoing, but can be shy/prefers contact on her own terms. Owner stated, "She likes to say hi to women!"

How is this dog around children?: Around children, she is friendly, outgoing playful, and tolerant.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Around dogs, she is friendly, outgoing, playful tolerant, and hides at first.

How is this dog around cats?: Around cats, she growls and lunges.

Resource guarding:: She shows a tense body and growls if you get close to food and treats but toys specifically.

Bite history:: No bite history.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: medium

Other Notes:: She is housetrained but has accidents when anxious or left alone for a long time. Owner states Stella feels embarrassed when this happens. She is a very anxious dog specially when left alone. She can hard bark when spotting cats outside. She growls when someone cuts her nails, She is fearful when startled, and is unbothered when disturbed while sleeping.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: Yes

Medical Notes: No chicken according to owner.

For a New Family to Know: Stella is a social, affectionate, active, playful, fearful, vocal when outside, and quiet when inside. She enjoys to be where the people are and the living room. Owner stated, "Gets nervous at first and will ask for belly rubs! Loves to go to the backyard and run". She loves to be bathed but does not like to be brushed. She does not like her nails to be cut and can snap but has never bitten. She is used to 2 walks a day that last 10 minutes. She is always down for a car ride! Owner stated that she knows how to sit, stay, paw, turn, up-up-up to stand, go back, stop, lay down, get out, and go. Owner states, "She laughs, poses, and smiles for photos. She is my daughters best friend. She plays with her, listens to her when told what to do. Loves belly rubs! Her favorite activities include fetch, tugging bone, running, hugs when she stands, hiking and off-leash parks, and going into water(Rivers, lakes, etc). Please take care of my baby".

Date of intake:: 4/8/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

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

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 2 children, 1 dog

Behavior toward strangers:: Friendly and outgoing but also shy

Behavior toward children:: Friendly and outgoing, playful and tolerant

Behavior toward dogs:: Friendly and outgoing, playful and tolerant, hides

Behavior toward cats:: Hard barks and lunges

Resource guarding:: Tense and growls over food, treats and toys.

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Stella is noted to have medium energy level

Other Notes:: She is housetrained but has accidents when anxious or left alone for a long time. Owner states Stella feels embarrassed when this happens. She is a very anxious dog, especially when left alone. She can hard bark when spotting cats outside. She growls when someone cuts her nails, She is fearful when startled, and is unbothered when disturbed while sleeping. *Previous assessments can be given upon request*

Date of assessment:: 4/30/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Mild Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: Inconclusive Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Moderately social Call over: Approaches handler readily Sociability comments: Jumping up on handler Soft handling: Fearful Exuberant handling: Extremely fearful Comments: Becomes very tense when handler grabs collar, tense during soft contact. During exuberant contact, Stella lunges and attempts to bite the handler on the arm, teeth are felt but the handler is able to straight arm her and jump out of the way Arousal Jog comments: Did not conduct Knock Knock comments: Did not conduct Toy Toy comments: Did not conduct

Summary:: 4/23/26: Stella greets another dog at the gate with a soft body and soft wagging tail. She disengages and reapproaches growling.

Summary (6):: 04/30/26: Stella is at the front of her kennel as handler approaches, shes leashed without issue and walks with handler out to the street. Outside she pulls mildly and passes people on the street without issue. She walks with handler and stops to sniff or to relieve herself. After walking for a while she is brought back inside for her assessment, once complete shes returned to kennel. 4/29/26: Stella is sitting upright at the front of her kennel. She wags her tail with a soft body. She is easily leashed. Once on the street, she pulls lightly with a neutral body. She relieves herself. She takes a treat then spits it out. She pulls towards people nearby on her hind legs with a loose body. She pulls hard back through the building, then stops at the first kennel in the room (Bubbles') and tenses. She is muscled over to her kennel then hops in and whips around to bark towards Bubbles. 4/26/26: Stella is reported to charge towards the other dogs in the kennel room, especially the dog in the first kennel. 4/23/26: Stella is lying down and stands up with a soft body; she is easily leashed and brought out the room. The handler brings Stella to the yard for playgroup (see dog-dog notes). After the interaction, the handler brings Stella into another pen. There, she sniffs around the pen, and when the handler calls her name, she hesitantly approaches. Stella engages with the handler by tolerating their epts and taking treats with mild pressure. The handler brings Stella inside to her kennel; Stella then hard barks at the dog above her (who doesn't react), so the handler quickly muscles her into jer kennel. 4/22/26: Stella is standing in her kennel soft body, wagging tail, dilated pupils. She is easily leashed and removed from kennel. She is walked on the street where she walks ahead of handler slight pull on leash, she is aloof not checking in with handlers and walking forward not stopping to sniff or explore. She allows handler to remove her harness that was askew. When returning to kennel, she stands tense body in front of her kennel looking up at the dogs in the top kennels. She hard barks at them but goes into her kennel when leash pressure is placed. 4/18/26: (Late Entry): Stella has been observed to hard bark in kennel in the direction of the dog (Hazel) next to her, who is doing the same back.

Summary (7):: 04/15/26: Stella is laying at the center of her kennel as handler approaches, she looks up at handler with mild tension in her body and watches as handler unlocks and opens the kennel door. Handler begins slowly introducing the leash into kennel which Stella quickly approached, she allowed leashing and exited kennel following handler out to the street for her walk. Outside Stella pulled forward moderately and walked past people and dogs without issue. She checked in with handler throughout the walk and stopped to relieve herself along the way. After a while she is brought back inside, Stella allows handler to clip her leash and she returns without issue. 4/11/26: Stella is lying at the front of her kennel with widen eyes; the handler attempts leash her, but she moves her head away. The handle tries once more, and as she is leashed, Stella slowly exits her kennel. On the street, Stella walks ahead with mild leash tension; she doesn't mind passersby. Stella also engages with the handler by sniffing them and allowing them to softly pets her. when turning to walk back the shelter, Stella stops walking; she remains in place even as leash pressure slightly applied. The handler walks her across the street, and Stella continues her walk. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and walks Stella to her kennel, but she refuses to enter; the handler adds a little leash tension to muscle her in, but she still doesn't enter. Ater a short moment, Stella walks into her kennel and allows the leash to be removed. 4/10/26: Stella is laying at the front, slightly tense eyes dilated. She stands as handler unlocks the kennel. She remains at the front but moves her head away as handler attempts to leash. She allows the leash after a few attempts and exits kennel readily. She is walked on the street where she is slightly tense, remaining near handler. She does not react to people passing. She returns to kennel without issue. 4/9/26: Stella is laying in her kennel upon approach. Handler kneels and speaks to her softly, she wags her tail. She is soft bodied and will take treats offered. She is easily leashed using a treat as a lure and walk into the yard. She is neutral body, low loose hanging tail. She stands at the back gate and when handler attempts to walk away, she lowers her head and pulls back on the leash. She is not interested in treats or squeaky sounds. A second handler comes to assist and places a leash under her torso. Stella whips around and begins to walk rapidly towards the care center away from the second handler. She will not readily go into her kennel.

Date of intake:: 4/8/2026

Summary:: Fearful, crawls, allowed belly rubs

Date of initial:: 4/9/2026

Summary:: Fearful, growling, lunging

ENERGY LEVEL:: Stella 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),No cats,Recommend no dog parks,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Stella's behavior in the home and Care Center, Stella should go to a home with no children. No cats: Stella is noted to lunge at cats and should go to a home with no cats. No Dog Parks: Due to Stella's kennel reactivity and her dog dog interaction we recommend no trips to the dog park. Place with a New Hope partner: Stella should go to a New Hope Partner that can manage her behavior.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Separation anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Stella is noted become tense an growl around her food, toys and treats. Nothing should be taken out of her mouth and positive reinforcement should be used to teach her the trade game. Please see the handout on Resource Guarding. Handling/touch sensitivity: Stella is noted to growl when her nails are cut. Positive reinforcement should be used to teach Stella to associate certain handling with things she likes such as treats and toys. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Stella was observed to lunge in her kennel, and head whipped with certain handling. During her reassessment, Stella lunged and attempted to bite the handler when they initiated contact. Positive reinforcement should be used to help Stella associate new people with things she likes such as treats and toys. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Separation anxiety: Stella is reported to urinate and whine when left alone. Please see the handout on Separation Anxiety. On Leash Reactivity: Stella has been observed to hard bark and charge towards the other dogs in the kennel room. Stella will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than other dogs. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration.