Animal Profile

Leonitus is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Leonitus has displayed poor kennel presense and is a bit weary of new staff members, including jumping at the kennel door, baring teeth, and snapping toward the kennel wall when handlers pass. During walks, he can present with a neutral body but remains hypervigilant Medically, Leonitus is apparently healthy.

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 Leonitus is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Leonitus has displayed poor kennel presense and is a bit weary of new staff members, including jumping at the kennel door, baring teeth, and snapping toward the kennel wall when handlers pass. During walks, he can present with a neutral body but remains hypervigilant Medically, Leonitus is apparently healthy. Leonitus was surrendered due to housing concerns. His previous family described him as a social, affectionate, very active, and playful dog. He enjoyed spending most of his time in the bedroom, his crate, or around his people. Leonitus was reported to love car rides, needs large/heavy-duty chew toys, prefers peanut-butter flavored treats, and was given a wet and dry food diet. Leonitus was reported to have separation anxiety and would need help learning manners. During his stay in care, Leonitus has not acclimated well, remaining highly fearful and escalating to higher-level warnings when handlers approach his kennel. Once out of the kennel, he remains fearful and avoidant. Due to these concerns, we recommend for Leonitus to be placed in an adult-only home through a New Hope rescue partner that can give him the time and space to acclimate at his own pace using force-free, reward-based only methods.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 76 lbs

Medical Notes

1/10/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~1 yo based on dentition Microchip noted on Intake? Scan negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR, Pink MM, CRT <2 Observed Behavior - Panting, dilated pupils, hard mouth. Explored room, urinated in place as soon as he entered exam room. Did not take treats initially, but allowed full exam and intake procedures with mild restraint needed. By end of exam, took baby food treat. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective P = wnl R = panting BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, no dental calculus noted. PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupnic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Both testicles descended and palpated in scrotum. 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 Wood's Lamp Exam: Not performed Assessment High FAS Diarrhea on intake - have not noted today. Low appetite overnight - ate treats in room. Prognosis: Good Plan: For diarrhea/low appetite: Rx Fortiflora: apply to food once daily x 7 days. Placed eating/defecation monitoring sheet on kennel. Plan to recheck tomorrow to ensure patient is eating For high FAS, start Trazodone 250mg BID until further directed. SURGERY: Okay for surgery

1/12/2026

AS: 1 per log, no fecal score noted on log. Made note to monitor stool as well, no diarrhea present in kennel. CTM on daily rounds

1/14/2026

Brief recheck: BAR, no c/s/v/d, no ocular/nasal discharge, AS:1 empty bowl present, FS:3 present in kennel. CTM on daily rounds while in QACC

1/29/2026

Kennel stress noted - jumping at front of kennel, snapping at corner of kennel door. Increase trazodone 10 mg/kg PO BID and add clonidine 0.02 mg/kg PO BID.

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake Leonitus was very friendly and outgoing with counselors allowing all handling to be done. All done without any concerns.

Date of Intake: 1/9/2026

Basic Information:: Leonitus is a 1-year-old male all tan large mixed breed dog. Leonitus was given to his previous owner by a friend and held for a year and 2 months and then surrendered to QUACC due to NYCHA regulations.

Previously lived with:: 3 adults; 1 child - 16 years old ; 1 dog - small

How is this dog around strangers?: Leonitus is friendly and outgoing around strangers as well as visitors.

How is this dog around children?: Leonitus is friendly, outgoing and playful around children.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Leonitus is friendly, outgoing and playful around familiar dogs. Leonitus is friendly, outgoing and playful around unfamiliar dogs on the leash. Leonitus is friendly and outgoing around unfamiliar dogs off of the leash.

How is this dog around cats?: Leonitus has no experience around cats or any other dogs.

Resource guarding:: It is unknown if Leonitus resource guards.

Bite history:: Leonitus has no bite history.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High (often playful/busy)

Other Notes:: Leonitus will go potty outside on walks (grass, cement, dirt, etc.). It is very rare that Leonitus will have accidents in the home. If Leonitus drinks too much water and does not go outside, he will use the bathroom but that is very rare according to previous owner. Leonitus is anxious when being left alone and will jump up often or non-stop. When being held/restrained, disturbed while resting/sleeping, startled, pushed/pulled off furniture, paws are touched and collar grabbed/touched Leonitus is not bothered.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: Leonitus does not have any medical concerns.

For a New Family to Know: Leonitus is social/affectionate, very active and playful. Leonitus spends most of his time where people are, bedrooms and in his crate. Leonitus will allow his family/owner to trim nails, to bathe/brush him and loves bathe time. Leonitus is a level 2 when out for a walk which means he has very little pulling. He goes for walks 3-4 times a day for about 30 minutes each walk. Leonitus is crate trained and does fairly well in a crate. Leonitus will do well for about 6 hours in his crate. Leonitus loves going for car rides. Leonitus knows the following cues sit, wait, down, and give paw. Leonitus's previous owner stated their favorite things about him are how intelligent, affectionate, and protective of his family/owner and how very playful, always happy with a wagging tail :). Leonitus's favorite activities/toys/food/snacks: needs large, heavy-duty chew toys.; prefers peanut butter flavored treats. He enjoys activities that involve running, jumping, and thinking. Leonitus will eat both wet and dry food.

Date of intake:: 1/9/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (1 year 2 months)

Previously lived with:: 3 adults; 1 child - 16 years old ; 1 dog - small

Behavior toward strangers:: Friendly & Outgoing

Behavior toward children:: Friendly & Outgoing, Playful

Behavior toward dogs:: social and playful with familiar dogs | social and outgoing with unfamiliar dogs

Behavior toward cats:: unknown

Resource guarding:: Owner has not attempted to remove any items from his possession

Bite history:: none reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Leonitus is reported to have a high energy level.

Other Notes:: Goes potty on: Outside on walks (grass, cement, dirt, etc.) Accident frequency: Very rarely Additional info: If he has had too much water, he will at times go in the house. Very rarely. Behavior concerns: Anxious when left alone, Jumps up often or non-stop Additional info: Not reported Reacts to on walks: None of the above Reaction type: Not reported Additional info: Not reported How this dog reacts when... - Held/restrained: Isn't bothered - Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Isn't bothered - Startled: Unknown/Have not attempted, isn't bothered - Pushed/pulled off furniture: Isn't bothered - Paws are touched: Isn't bothered - Collar grabbed/touched: Isn't bothered For grooming, this dog: Allows owner/family to trim nails, allows owner/family to bathe and brush, Loves bath time/water Additional info: Not reported Walks on leash rating: 2 - Very little pulling Walk Frequency: 3-4 times per day Walk length of time: 30 MIN Crate trained: Yes, does well Hours in crate: 6 Type of crate: Large with a bed During car rides, this dog loves car rides! Additional info: Not reported

Date of assessment:: 1/11/2026

Summary:: 1/11: Handlers do not remove Leonitus from kennel due to his hard barking and growling when approached in kennel. He does not take treats and begins to lip curl as they attempt to engage with him further. Due to his behavior, the handlers respect his warnings and walk away to reduce further stress. 1/10: A handling assessment could not be conducted due to Leonitus's fearfulness. He was avoidant of collaring, but did take chicken. He would back away when approached for interaction by handlers. Due to his behavior, he is returned to his kennel.

Summary (7):: 1/27/26: Leonitus is noted to jump at the front of his kennel door and baring teeth and snapping at the corner of his kennel wall when the handler passes. 1/23/26: Leonitus is at front of kennel with a neutral body. Handler uses a treat lure to leash. He is pulled from kennel and taken on an outside walk. Leonitus walks next to handler with many glances back at handler and keeps a neutral body. He stops several times to sniff and investigate and relives himself many times. He is returned to kennel with no issue. 1/10/26 (assessment): Leonitus is at the center of the kennel and begins to bark at the handler as they approach. As the handler opens the door, he will approach the front and is hesitant about the leash but is able to be coaxed through it as he sniffs some treats. He will walk beside the handler to the behavior office slowly. He remains fearful throughout the session, avoiding the handlers and displacement sniffing. He will take chicken as the handlers attempt to lure him into a collar but will stop eating by the second attempt. He is then returned to his kennel with no issue.

Date of initial:: 1/10/2026

Summary:: Panting, dilated pupils, hard mouth.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Leonitus's potential for defensive escalations, we recommend an adult only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Leonitus has been highly fearful during his stay in care. He has escalated to higher-level warnings when approached in the kennel. Guidance from a professional trainer/behaviorist is recommended to assess behavior after decompression in a new home environment. Force-free, reward-based training is advised when introducing or exposing Leonitus to new and unfamiliar situations.

Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Separation anxiety

Potential challenges comments:: Basic manners/poor impulse control: Leonitus was reported to jump up often in his previous home. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Leave it", "Sit/Stay", "Down" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach him to control his impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward based training only is recommended. Please see handout on Basic manners/poor impulse control. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Leonitus gives clear warnings when he is uncomfortable and does seem to choose to avoid or retreat when given the opportunity, but if prevented from moving away there is a potential to escalate to higher-level warning behaviors and possible fear-based aggression. It is important to move slowly with him, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow Leonitus to initiate interactions with new people. He should never be forced to greet or to interact if he is not comfortable and does not want to solicit attention. Please see handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Separation anxiety: Leonitus is reported to become anxious when left alone in the previous home, but details on how this behavior manifested is uknown. We recommend that potential adopters feel comfortable with separation anxiety behaviors and be prepared to manage and positively modify them should they appear in a home environment. He would do best in a home where a person is at home for a large part of the day or with a plan so he is not alone for long periods of time. Please see the handout on Separation anxiety.