Animal Profile

Bernie is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Bernie has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and has displayed a concerning level of arousal that has made it difficult to walk/handle safely. He intially was reported to be biting on his crate bars and was highly reactive when other dogs in the room would pass his crate - persistent barking, frenetic movements, and made an attempt to grab a handler's lead after being returned to his crate after playgroup. As his length of stay progressed, Bernie began leash biting when coming out of the kennel. When approached in the kennel, his face is flushed, his body tense as he stands on his legs, panting heavily. Handlers were using treats and large toys to manage his leash biting when coming out of the kennel, but he has continued to escalate and is unable to be redirected. On a recent walk, Bernie was taking treats from a handler after dropping the toy he had carried outside. After taking the treats, Bernie lunged at the handler with an open mouth, biting and holding onto their sweater in the torso area. He continued to jump up, leash bite, and vocalize as his intensity rapidly escalated. A second handler is needed to assist with bringing Bernie back into the building safely with the use of air interrupter and double leashing. Medically, Bernie was recently treated for CIRDC, has mild dental disease, and dermatitis.

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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 Bernie is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Bernie has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and has displayed a concerning level of arousal that has made it difficult to walk/handle safely. He intially was reported to be biting on his crate bars and was highly reactive when other dogs in the room would pass his crate - persistent barking, frenetic movements, and made an attempt to grab a handler's lead after being returned to his crate after playgroup. As his length of stay progressed, Bernie began leash biting when coming out of the kennel. When approached in the kennel, his face is flushed, his body tense as he stands on his legs, panting heavily. Handlers were using treats and large toys to manage his leash biting when coming out of the kennel, but he has continued to escalate and is unable to be redirected. On a recent walk, Bernie was taking treats from a handler after dropping the toy he had carried outside. After taking the treats, Bernie lunged at the handler with an open mouth, biting and holding onto their sweater in the torso area. He continued to jump up, leash bite, and vocalize as his intensity rapidly escalated. A second handler is needed to assist with bringing Bernie back into the building safely with the use of air interrupter and double leashing. Medically, Bernie was recently treated for CIRDC, has mild dental disease, and dermatitis. Bernie was surrendered to the care center as a stray, with no known history. During his time at the care center, he has displayed a low threshold for arousal and has engaged in persistent and intense leash biting that has been difficult to redirect with treats or toys, and has made leashing him from the kennel taking him out on walks difficult. Due to these concerns, we recommend that Bernie be placed in an adult-only home through a New Hope Rescue partner, that can allow him the time and space to decompress and acclimate, provide any necessary (force-free, positive-reinforcement based) behavior modification, and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 49 lbs

Medical Notes

9/23/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: approx 3-7 years based on dentition and conformation Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: stray Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - A+A, loose wiggly body, allowed for exam Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? N Objective: T = np P = wnl R = wnl BCS 4.5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: mild-mod wear and staining to visible dentition with scant calculus PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MI, two scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat, scatter papules and scabbing over the inguinal region and ventral abdomen with mild erythema CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: Dental dz- mild Dermatitis Prognosis: good Plan: intake exam and tasks douxo mousse topical q 72 hours x 2 weeks cefpo 10mg/kg PO SID x 10 days recheck skin in 1 week to assess if skin resolved enough for sx awaiting sort SURGERY: Okay for surgery: N Temporary waiver due to dermatitis

9/25/2026

Behavior team reports reactivity in crate, attempted to leash bite when being returned to crate, affecting other dogs in the room. PLAN: Start trazodone 9 mg/kg PO BID

10/2/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC signs noted on rounds Subjective: BAR, no S/V/D. Coughing/huffing present. Drooling noted. Untouched wet/dry food. Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge present MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -Move to iso, PPE sign & monitor log placed on kennel. -Start doxycycline 100mg PO SID x10 days & medical feedings PO BID x5 days. -Give LRS 500ml SQ & Cerenia inj. 2.2ml SQ ONCE -DVM recheck tomorrow to add/continue supportive care if needed

10/3/2026

DVM Progress Exam, Brief S/O: -Recheck requested for pyoderma/dermatitis and recent CIRDC diagnosis -P presented QAR-BAR, eupneic, with no coughing, huffing or sneezing observed, no ocular discharge, and mild mucoid nasal discharge; no V/D -P is noted to have some appetite today (2/3) -Cageside illuminated assessment of ventral abdomen presented no notable redness, swelling, abrasions/wounds, moisture/discharge, etc. A: -Pyoderma/dermatitis improved -CIRDC, mild and under treatment P: -Continue CIRDC and pyoderma/dermatitis treatments as prescribed and CIRDC rechecks as scheduled; no further skin rechecks needed -Okay for surgery once CIRDC resolves

10/7/2026

Behavior team reports continued leash biting when out of kennel. Currently on trazodone 9 mg/kg PO BID. PLAN: Add clonidine 0.025 mg/kg PO BID

10/9/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC day 7 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. AS:3 per log Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge present MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -CTM, recheck in 3 days for resolution

10/12/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC day 10 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. AS:3 per log Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge present MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC appears resolved PLAN: Per standing orders -CIRDC signage removed from kennel -CTM on daily rounds while in QACC

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 9/19/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, no known history

Other Notes:: 10/08/26: While on a walk with a member of staff, Bernie began to jump up and grab at their clothing around their torso, then began to bite intensely and persistently at the leash. He was not redirectable with treats or toys, and the behavior persisted even when pet corrected. Two other staff members assisted in double leashing Bernie, where he continued to leash bite and thrash intensely and could not be redirected, until he was placed in his kennel, where he continued to bite at the leash, thrash, and vocalize until placed in the kennel. Prior to this (10/5/26), staff also reported leash biting on exiting the kennel.

Date of assessment:: 9/25/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: moderate pulling Reactivity to humans: none Reactivity to dogs: did not pass Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): heavy sniffing around room Call over: ignored, distracted Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: tolerated, lip lick, high/fast moving tail Exuberant handling: tolerated, lip lick, high/fast moving tail Handling comments: Arousal Jog: distracted, came with coaxing, jump up on second pass Arousal comments: Knock: startle at knock, approached handler readily with loose body Knock Comments: Toy: body blocked hand Toy comments:

Summary:: Bernie arrived as a stray, so his behavior with other dogs is unknown. 9/24/26: Bernie greets a novel female dog through a barrier in a highly aroused state. Bernie displays dilated pupils, heavy panting, a hunched posture, and intense vocalizations while repeatedly pawing at the gate toward the novel female. He remains highly aroused throughout the interaction and has difficulty disengaging from the barrier.

Summary (7):: 10/08/26 (Trainer Note): Bernie is standing on his hind legs at the front of kennel with a tense body, heavily panting, dilated pupils, frantically pawing at the kennel door, high pitched barking, and hypersalivating as handler approaches. As the door is opened slightly, Bernie attempts to push past and handler has to brace the door. Handler is able to use a large toy to leash him. He carrier it down the hallway as he is walked outside for a walk. Before exiting the care centers he drops the toy and continues pulling hard up the ramp. Handler gives him a a treat which Bernie consumes and then proceeds to lunge at handler with an open mouth, biting and holding their sweater in the torso area. Handler proceeds to stiff arm him and he jumps up to intensely leash bite. Handler tosses treats onto his face but he is uninterested, he continues to escalate and vocalize as he bites up the leash with red eyes. Handler uses the pet corrector twice and Bernie is unable to be redirected. Handler calls for assistance and continues walking up the ramp, moving the leash up and down as Bernie intensely leash bites. Second handler is able to place a second rope on Bernie, but Bernie proceeds to thrash, leash bite, placing his front paws on both leashes, and vocalize as he is walked back to kennel. His mouth begins to bleed at some point. There are few instances where he releases the leash and redirect onto a squeaker toy but eventually returns to bite the leash. A pet corrector is used for a third time with no success. He is muscled into kennel and a hook is used to remove both leashes. 10/5: ACS staff report Bernie was leash biting after coming out of kennel. 9/24 (PG): Bernie is barking and jumping on his crate door when handlers approach. He is leashed using treats and taken out to the play yard for his playgroup interaction. He pulls hard with wide eyes and a red, flushed face. Due to his behavior at the gate, his interaction with the other dog is kept at the gate, and he is returned to his kennel. When removing the lead once back in the kennel, Bernie attempts to mouth at the handler's lead as it's being removed. 9/23: Staff report that due to Bernie's persistent barking and frenetic movements in his crate, he is stressing other dogs in the room and will trigger their barking. Another staff member stated that the day before, he was biting and pulling on the crate bars.

Date of intake:: 9/19/2026

Summary:: Allowed handling

Date of initial:: 9/23/2026

Summary:: Loose wiggly body

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Bernie so we cannot be certain of his behavior in a home environment. However, he is an enthusiastic dog who will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm.

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 the intensity of Bernie's arousal and leash biting behavior, we recommend an adult only household. Single-pet home/Recommend no dog parks: Due to Bernie's behavior in playgroup, we recommend he goes home as a single pet and does not visit dog parks. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to the intensity of the high arousal behavior that Bernie has shown during his time at the care center, we recommend that he be placed with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in an experienced, stable adult-only home environment before placement into a permanent home.

Potential challenges: : Anxiety,Leash-biting,Strength/leash pulling,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Low threshold for arousal | Leash Biting: During his time at the care center, Bernie has displayed high arousal behaviors. In his handling assessment, he paced around the room and displayed a high, fast-moving tail and lip licking during handling, jumping up on the handler when running alongside them. He has also barked and jumped at the door of his crate when being leashed. Bernie did attempt to mouth at a handler's lead after being returned to his kennel after playgroup. In October 2026, while on a walk with staff, Bernie grabbed at a handlers clothing and began to persistently and intensely leash bite, requiring a double leash to return him to kennel. this behavior will need careful management and positive reinforcement training to work toward reducing triggers and lowering Bernie's arousal. Please see handout on Arousal. Anxiety: Bernie has shown anxious behavior at the care center. In his handling assessment, he paced around the room and displayed a high, fast-moving tail and lip licking during handling, and has been observed to chew on the bars of his crate. If Bernie displays anxious behavior in his future home, we recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and giving him other things to focus on to alleviate his anxiety. Positive reinforcement, force-free training only should be used. Please see handouts on Generalized Anxiety. Strength/Leash pulling: Bernie has pulled on leash while being moved around the care center. It is recommended that he be walked on a front clip harness or head halter, which help diminish his strength through leverage, and that he be trained using positive reinforcement, reward based training to not pull on leash. Please see handout on Leash Manners.