Animal Profile

Smiley is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Smiley has not acclimated well to the shelter environment despite efforts to keep him comfortable. While Smiley has made improvements with being leashed for walks, he remains highly stressed and fearful. Smiley has brief bouts of sociable behaviors with handlers in quiet, calmer settings but quickly reverts to tucked tail, heavy panting, pacing, and exit seeking, becoming increasingly frantic as the session progresses. Medically, Smiley has a mass, a grade 2/6 heart murmur, and dental disease.

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 Smiley is at risk due to behavioral concerns. Smiley has not acclimated well to the shelter environment despite efforts to keep him comfortable. While Smiley has made improvements with being leashed for walks, he remains highly stressed and fearful. Smiley has brief bouts of sociable behaviors with handlers in quiet, calmer settings but quickly reverts to tucked tail, heavy panting, pacing, and exit seeking, becoming increasingly frantic as the session progresses. Medically, Smiley has a mass, a grade 2/6 heart murmur, and dental disease. While in the Care Centers, Smiley displayed significant fear, often thrashing and pancaking during walks. Over time, he became more comfortable with slip leads and began to tolerate some petting, though he remained visibly stressed. His previous owner reported that Smiley is a fearful dog who requires time to become comfortable around unfamiliar people. On walks, he may bark and growl at strangers and small animals. Smiley should be placed through a New Hope Partner in an adult-only home with adopters who are experienced in managing fearful behavior and are committed to using positive reinforcement-based training methods.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 64.4 lbs

Medical Notes

6/4/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 9 yr Microchip noted on Intake? positive History:owner surrender Subjective:owner surrender Observed Behavior - shut down and at backof kennel. Report from coordinator is pet is not leash trained and panicked when attempted./ Due to this pet was sedated for exam Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? none Objective:sedated exam P = WNL R = WNL BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam:generalized moderate to severe tartar, moderate dental attrition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, III/VI bilat HM, sinus arrhythmia CRT < 2, mm pink, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: neutered MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat ventral thorax is a SC mass soft and lipomatous about 3 cm diam CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: not performed Assessment: senior pet dental disease no loose or broken teeth HM. blat grade II/VI SC mass sevre FAS Prognosis:fair, would need cardio consult to assess HM Plan: sedated with Telazol 0.5ml,Dexdomito 0.5ml sam syring , pole IM rapid and heavy sedation after HM ausculted,pet reversed promptly with Antisedan Nutrical applied to gums start trazodone 150mg PO BID indefinitely

7/24/2026

Behavior team reports persistent stress and fearful beahvior including tucked tail, heavy panting, pacing, seeking exit, becoming frantic. -Increase trazodone to 10 mg/kg PO BID -Add gabapentin 10 mg/kg PO BID

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 4. Orange

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake, Smiley was heavily salivating. Staff asked clients to place slip leash around Smiley, and walk him into the care center. Smiley would not walk on leash, and the clients lifted him partially by his harness and walked him that way. Once in the care center, staff were able to walk Smiley back to medical. Smiley repeatedly thrashed, pancaked, and bit the leash. Staff placed him in his kennel, and removed the leash with a hook. Staff did not attempt to scan for m/c, place ACC collar, or remove harness.

Basic Information:: Smiley is a aprox. 10-year-old, large, male, dog. He came to ACC via owner surrender.

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, 2 children, 3 cats

How is this dog around strangers?: He is shy, but tolerant, of strangers.

How is this dog around children?: He is friendly, outgoing, and playful around children. In his previous home he lived with two teenagers.

How is this dog around other dogs?: He actively avoids other dogs.

How is this dog around cats?: He is tolerant of cats. In his previous home he lived with three cats.

Resource guarding:: He values food, toys, and treats. There have been no attempts to touch or take these items.

Bite history:: No bite history.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: He is reported to be mouthy, have general anxiety, pull hard on leash, and be fearful of loud noises. While on walks he barks and growls at strangers that approach and small animals. He is fearful when held/restrained, when startled, when his paws are touched, and when his collar is grabbed. He is not bothered when woken from sleep or when pushed/pulled off furniture.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: He is a active and playful dog. He prefers contact on his own terms. He spends most of his time where people are, in the bedroom, and in the living room. He allowed his previous family to bathe and brush him. In his previous home he would go on two 5-minute walks a day. He has never been crate trained. Getting in/being in a car makes him nervous. He loves to cuddle with his people. He loves squeaky toys.

Date of intake:: 6/4/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

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

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, 2 teenagers, 3 cats

Behavior toward strangers:: Shy, but tolerant, of strangers

Behavior toward children:: Friendly, outgoing, and playful

Behavior toward dogs:: Actively avoids

Behavior toward cats:: Tolerant

Resource guarding:: None reported, as the owner never attempted to remove anything from him.

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Smiley is reported to have a medium energy level.

Other Notes:: Smiley is reported to be mouthy, have general anxiety, pull hard on the leash, and be fearful of loud noises. While on walks, he barks and growls at strangers who approach and small animals. He is fearful when held/restrained, when startled, when his paws are touched, and when his collar is grabbed. He is not bothered when woken from sleep or when pushed/pulled off furniture.

Date of assessment:: 7/12/2026

Summary:: 7/12: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Mild pulling Reactivity to humans: ignores Reactivity to dogs: ignores Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): seeks exit, pant, pace, does not approach handlers Call over: no approach Sociability comments: jumps on office doors, scales wall trying to leave Handling Soft handling: leans in but tail tucked, continues to pant Exuberant handling: body tense Handling comments: Arousal Jog: follows, distracted Arousal comments: Knock: no response Knock Comments: Toy: no response Toy comments: 6/11: Smiley has not acclimated well to the shelter environment. He dodges leads when attempting to remove him from the kennel and does not come forward with coaxing or treats. Once out of the kennel, he attempts to interact with handlers, but remains stressed. Out of concern for his stress levels, a handling assessment is not conducted.

Summary:: According to Smiley's previous owner(s), he actively avoids other dogs. 06/06/26 Smiley is introduced to a novel female while off leash. He approaches briefly with a neutral frame before walking away and keeps to self for the remainder of his time in the yard.

Summary (6):: 7/26/26: Smiley is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed with ease and is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, he is comfortable approaching the handler to receive pets, but does not have interest in treats. He would walk ahead of the handler with a neutral body and has no reactions to dogs or people. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. 7/21: As a handler walks through the room, they hear high-pitched barking coming from Smiley's kennel. When they approach to check on him, he is standing on his Kuranda bed, panting heavily and rapidly. He had stopped barking when he heard the handler approach. His neck is wet, possibly due to saliva, but the hadnler also noted water on the floor of his kennel, possibly from his water bowl. 7/13/2026 (reassessment): Smiley is standing in the middle of his kennel with a tense body, a flagging tail, and barking as handler approaches. He softens as handler presents the leash and he comes to the front. He is easily leashed and brought to the street. He mildly pulls and remains neutral bodied with a relaxed tail throughout his walk. He does not react to other dogs walking past. He is brought into the behavior office for an assessment. He remains frantic and seeking exit throughout the entire assessment. His tail tucked in a C-shaped position, lip licking, and often yawning. He tolerated handling and gently leaned in for pets with the assessor. He is returned to his kennel without issue.

Summary (7):: 7/5/26: Smiley is at the back of his kennel laying on the kuranda bed with a neutral frame. He will approach the front of the kennel and is leashed with ease. Smiley is brought to the behavior office where he will walk around and briefly approaches the handler and leans into contact. He will disengage and then walk around the room with a tucked tail so the handler returns him to his kennel with no issue. 6/7/26: Smiley is laying down on his bed as handler approaches his kennel. He comes forward to the front as the handler unlocks the door and is able to be leashed with ease. He is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, he has a neutral body frame as he walks ahead of the handler. He is comfortable approaching the handler when they offer him treats, but he only sniffs them. He is comfortable receiving a few pets and has no reactions to dogs or people. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. 06/06/26 (PM): Smiley is lying on his kuranda bed as handler approaches. Handler speaks to him in a soft tone, attempting to coax him forward but he shows no interest. He does not take treats or respond to squeaker. Handler reaches in and drops their lead over his head and he readily exits, walking on a loose lead to the Canine Behavior Office. Smiley sits with handler and leans into their legs to solicit contact. Handler lightly pets Smiley along his side, offering frequent consent checks. After his session, he is returned to kennel safely. 6/6/26: Smiley is laying down on his bed at the back of his kennel as handler approaches. He comes forward to the front as the handler unlocks the door and is able to be leashed with ease. He is then taken outside to the play yard for play group. In the yard, he greets the other dog at the gate with a tense body and then disengages after a few seconds. Please see dog to dog notes for more details. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. (AM): Smiley is at the back of the kennel as the handler approaches. He does not come forward and shows no interest in treats. The handler is able to drape the leash over Smiley's head despite his multiple attempts to dodge. Once the leash is on Smiley, he walks out of the kennel and to the office with no issue. When in the office, he approaches a familiar handler and leans in for pets. The handler is able to collar Smiley. Returning to his kennel, Smiley briefly stops walking in the kennel room, but then rushes into his kennel as the other dogs in the room bark.

Date of intake:: 6/4/2026

Summary:: hypersalivating, refused to walk, thrashing, leash biting, pancaked repeatedly

Date of initial:: 6/4/2026

Summary:: shut down, sedated due to behavior during intake

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the behaviors displayed in the Care centers, Smiley should go to a home with older children. Place with a New Hope partner: Smiley should go to a New Hope Partner that can manage his fearful behavior.

Potential challenges: : Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting,Strength/leash pulling

Potential challenges comments:: Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition: Smiley was reported by his owner to be mouthy at times. Positive reinforcement should be used to teach Smiley impulse control. Please see the handout on Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition. Handling/touch sensitivity/Leash-biting/Fearful: Smiley's owner stated he is fearful of loud noises, being pushed off furniture, being held, or having his collar grabbed. In the Care Centers, Smiley was reported to thrash and bite the leash when staff attempted to walk him. Positive reinforcement should be used to teach Smiley to feel comfortable with handling. He will need an environment where he can decompress. Please see the handouts on Handling/Touch Sensitivity, Leash Manners, and Decompression. Anxiety: Smiley is reported to have anxiety in his home. He will need daily enrichment. Please see the handout on General Anxiety. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration/Strength/leash pulling: According to Smiley's owner, Smiley will bark and growl and pull towards strangers and small animals. Positive reinforcement should be used to teach Smiley to check in with his owner when he sees his triggers. Please see the handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration.