Animal Profile

Minnie is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Minnie has shown persistent fearfulness in in the care center, approaching handlers but maintaining a tense frame, tucked tail, and displaying stress signals such as lip licking and yawning during contact. She is hesitant during leashing and remains cautious in new environments, though she will lean into handlers once settled, she struggles to acclimate to the care center environment. Medically, Minnie has dental disease but is otherwise healthy.

You may know me from such films as...

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 Minnie is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Minnie has shown persistent fearfulness in in the care center, approaching handlers but maintaining a tense frame, tucked tail, and displaying stress signals such as lip licking and yawning during contact. She is hesitant during leashing and remains cautious in new environments, though she will lean into handlers once settled, she struggles to acclimate to the care center environment. Medically, Minnie has dental disease but is otherwise healthy.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 44.8 lbs

Medical Notes

11/23/2025

[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~ 3-5 years (by dentition) Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Agency Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Sweet, very nervous, whale-eying, good on leash, touch-sensitive but non-reactive, handling and exam are tolerated. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective P = 100 bmp R = Eupneic BCS = 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Mild to moderate diffuse tartar, pink mm. PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Intact female, engorged vulva with bloody discharge. MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat. Superficial erythematous alopecic lesions on the medial dorsal metacarpus bilaterally (likely pressure sores) CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally normal Assessment - Apparently healthy Dental Disease In Heat Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake exam and tasks Consider dental scale and polish at adoption. >Extractions unlikely. Trazodone 100mg- 1.5 tabs PO BID SURGERY: Okay for surgery

12/4/2025

Progress exam: Coughing noted on rounds Subjective: BAR, no S/V/D. Coughing & occasional huffing present Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge 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 10mg/kg PO q24h x10days -CTM, recheck in 3 days

12/10/2025

Progress exam: CIRDC day 7 recheck Subjective: BAR, no C/S/V/D. AS:1 ripped bowl in kennel Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -CTM, recheck in 3 days

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake Minnie was very shy and timid but allowed counselors to collar her and bring her out of the crate. Counselors were able to scan for microchip, but Minnie was very timid and on high alert. Minnie was vaccinated and placed into the kennel without any concerns. Minnie benefitted from a slow approach.

Date of intake:: 11/21/2025

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

Date of assessment:: 12/3/2025

Summary:: 12/03/25: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Mild Reactivity to humans: N/a Reactivity to dogs: N/a Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Fearful- approaches for treats, whale eyes, lip licks Call over: Approaches for treats keeps her distance, tucked tail, yawns Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: Tolerant- sits, shakes, yawns, whale eyes Exuberant handling: Tolerant- Sits, shaking, whale eyes Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow- low body, whale eyes Arousal comments: Knock: No Response Knock Comments: Toy: No Response Toy comments: 11/25/25: During assessments, she consistently presents with tense body language, tucked tail, whale eyes, lip licking. While she will approach handlers and can take treats gently, she quickly becomes conflicted and stiffens, indicating discomfort with close interaction. Minnie allows soft handling but shows clear stress signs. Due to this, a handling assessment is not conducted at this time.

Summary:: Minnie was surrendered as a stray, so her past behavior with other dogs is unknown. 11/30/25 Minnie is introduced at the gate to a novel male dog while off leash at the care center. Minnie will approach the gate appearing stiff in frame, displaying a square posture. The male dog is bouncy, soliciting play but Minnie will lunge forward and snap at the gate. Both dogs are moved away from the gate and Minnie is returned to kennel to decompress. 11/24: When off-leash at the Care Centers, Minnie is introduced to a novel male dog. She greets him with a heigtehned posture, straight stiff tail, wide side-eyes, while standing on her tiptoes. After a few seconds, Minnie offers the male exaggerated play bows, before spinning away to return to the gate, alternating between start-stop play solicitations. Due to the male's medical concerns, the gate is not opened.

Summary (7):: 12/3 (reassessment): Minnie is curled up in her bed when a handler approaches her crate. She readily comes to the front and is easily leashed. Minnie is walked back to the behavior office for a reassessment. In the office, her body remains tense, but she sits near handlers, leaning into their legs, but will stress yawn and lip lick when contact is made. Once her assessment is complete, Minnie is returned to her crate without issue. 11/30/25 (playgroup): Minnie is lying at the back of the crate as the handler approaches. She comes to the front and is hesitant of leashing but allows the handler to slowly drop the lead over her head. Minnie walks with a slightly tense frame, tucked tail to the yard for playgroup (see Dog-to-Dog Summary for further details). After her session, Minnie is returned to crate safely.

Date of intake:: 11/21/2025

Summary:: very timid and shy but was shaking

Date of initial:: 11/23/2025

Summary:: Sweet, very nervous, whale-eying, good on leash, touch-sensitive but non-reactive, handling and exam

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): We recommend that Minnie be placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Minnie came into the care center as a stray due to this her behavioral history in a home environment is unknown. Minnie is a fearful, touch-sensitive dog who consistently displays tense body language, a tucked tail, whale eyes, and lip licking during interactions. While she will approach handlers and gently take treats, she quickly becomes conflicted and stiffens, indicating discomfort with close contact. She tolerates soft handling but shows clear stress signals throughout. Minnie will benefit from a patient, low-pressure environment that allows her to build trust at her own pace.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful,Anxiety

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity/Fearful: Minnie is noted during her medical exam to be Sweet, very nervous, whale-eying, good on leash, touch-sensitive but non-reactive; handling and exam are tolerated. While she will approach handlers and can take treats gently, she quickly becomes conflicted and stiffens, indicating discomfort with close interaction and will head whip. Management should include slow, predictable handling, avoiding prolonged restraint, and confidence-building exercises to reduce stress. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity and decompression period. Anxiety: In the care center, Minnie displays stress signals such as whale eye, lip licking, and flinching, indicating heightened anxiety. Management should include low-pressure handling and calming strategies to reduce stress. Please see the handout on generalized anxiety.