Animal Profile

Mudpuppy is on at-risk due to behavior concerns. Mudpuppy came to the care center as a stray. During his stay in the care center has been observed to be highly fearful. It has been noted to be tense and was very reluctant to allow collaring. After a handler entered the room during the assessment, Mudpuppy approached them readily then jumped up and muzzle punched them in the face. Mudpuppy resources guard a toy during assessment, he becomes tense, bares teeth and bites at the assess-a-hand. During his walks he is social with handler, takes treats and checks in visually when verbally cued. Staff have also reported that Mudpuppy is very playful and high energy. Medically, Mudpuppy has otitis externa.

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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 Mudpuppy is on at-risk due to behavior concerns. Mudpuppy came to the care center as a stray. During his stay in the care center has been observed to be highly fearful. It has been noted to be tense and was very reluctant to allow collaring. After a handler entered the room during the assessment, Mudpuppy approached them readily then jumped up and muzzle punched them in the face. Mudpuppy resources guard a toy during assessment, he becomes tense, bares teeth and bites at the assess-a-hand. During his walks he is social with handler, takes treats and checks in visually when verbally cued. Staff have also reported that Mudpuppy is very playful and high energy. Medically, Mudpuppy has otitis externa. Mudpuppy arrived at MACC as a stray with no known history. During his stay in the care center has been obsvered to be highly fearful. Noted to be tense and was very reluctant to allow collaring. After a handler entered the room during the assessment, Mudpuppy approached them readily then jumped up and muzzle punched them in the face. Due to the detailed behaviors we recommend an experienced adult only home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 54.6 lbs

Medical Notes

12/12/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2-5y Microchip noted on Intake? scanned negative History: Stray dog brought to shelter by police Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Wiggly and knows the command for sit. Becomes tense with exam, muzzle placed as precaution. Continues to allow all handling for exam and all tasks. Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Evidence of Neglect seen-no Evidence of Trauma seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears AD inflamed canal with brown waxy dc, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: muzzle in place PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: male intact, 2 scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: normal external Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment otitis externa AD Prognosis: good Plan: intake tasks neuter new home/reunite Simplera AD SURGERY: Okay for surgery

12/16/2025

Staff note pet muzzle punching their chin and baring teeth. A: fear based aggression P: Advise placement Clonidine 0.3 mg 1 tablet po bid while in shelter Trazodone 100mg 2 tablets po bid while in shelter

12/16/2025

Hx: Reported coughing yesterday S: Alert in kennel, lying down, watchful O: No nasal or ocular discharge. No coughing or sneezing. A: Reported coughing; not coughing today P: CTM 1088

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 12/12/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 12/14/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Hard Reactivity to humans: Mild Reactivity to dogs: Mild Leash walking comments: Hard stares with tense body towards dogs and people Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Fearful Call over: Approaches handler readily Sociability comments: Tense body and very reluctant to allow collaring, moves away from handler quickly and vocalizes softly. Playbows in a seemingly displacement manner Soft handling: Tolerates contact Exuberant handling: Fearful Comments: Tense body and head whips towards handler Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler readily, loose body Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily then jumps up muzzle punches handler in the face Toy Toy comments: Becomes tense, bares teeth, then bites assess-a-hand

Summary:: 12/20/25: Mudpuppy greets another dog at the gate with a soft body and soft wagging tail.

Summary (7):: 12/25/25: It is written on the whiteboard on 12/24 that Mudpuppy is "very playful, high energy". 12/24/25: Mudpuppy is laying down, quietly toward back of kennel. Mudpuppy does not approach initially, but with treats and verbal cues he stands and approaches front with neutral body. Mudpuppy is easily leashed. Mudpuppy exits to driveway, he is startled by delivery person moving large boxes but recovers quickly. Mudpuppy is walked to sidewalk, he is social with handler, takes treats and checks in visually when verbally cued. Mudpuppy allows gentle petting of back and torso with loose body. Mudpuppy is walked back to MACC and enters kennel when treats are tossed in. 12/14/25: Mud Puppy is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed with treats and he pulls hard on the way outside for a walk. On the walk, he continued to pull hard and would hard stare at dogs and people with a tense body. He is then taken to the behavior room for his assessment. In the room, he has a tense body as he would approach the handlers to receive treats. He would quickly head whip and back away as the handler attempts to collar him with an open mouth. He jumps up high and manages to muzzle punch the handler's chin when they re-enter the room. He then begins to bare teeth and would bite at the assessment hand while hovering over the toy. Please see behavior assessment notes for more details. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues.

Date of intake:: 12/12/2025

Summary:: Allowed all handling

Date of initial:: 12/12/2025

Summary:: Wiggly body, becomes tense with exam

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Mudpuppy so we cannot be certain of their behavior in a home environment. However, they will need daily mental and physical activity to stay engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior we recommend a home with no children. We recommend placement with a New Hope rescue partner who is able to provide an experienced, adult-only foster home. Force-free, reward based training and/or consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Mudpuppy was obsvered to bare teeth and bite the assess-a-hand when while with a toy in his possession. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Mudpuppy's mouth, and any time something is removed they should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Fearful Defensive: During his assessment Mudpuppy was obsvered to have a tense body and head whip when handlers attempt to handle him. During knock, Mudpuppy approached the hander ready and muzzle punched the handler in the face. It is important to move slowly with Mudpuppy, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow them to initiate interactions with new people. They should never be forced to greet or to interact if they are not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression.