Animal Profile

Benji is on the at-risk list for behavioral concerns. Benji arrived as an owner surrender, previous owner describes him as a friendly protective dog with his family. Benji is reported to enjoy long walks and meeting other dogs. In his previous home, Benji was also is reported to have a multiple bite history with visitors and strangers. Benji would growl and bite visitors, if they moved too quickly towards or around him in the home. Most recent incident did break skin on the persons ankle. During his stay in the care center Benji has allowed all handling. Medically, Benji is receiving treatment for CIRDC.

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. Due to the detailed behavior issues, this animal is only available for foster/adoption through one of ACC's New Hope Partners. If you are interested in adopting or fostering, please fill out the pre-screener form. This animal is not directly available for adoption through ACC and is only available by completing the pre-screener form. Adoption inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Benji is on the at-risk list for behavioral concerns. Benji arrived as an owner surrender, previous owner describes him as a friendly protective dog with his family. Benji is reported to enjoy long walks and meeting other dogs. In his previous home, Benji was also is reported to have a multiple bite history with visitors and strangers. Benji would growl and bite visitors, if they moved too quickly towards or around him in the home. Most recent incident did break skin on the persons ankle. During his stay in the care center Benji has allowed all handling. Medically, Benji is receiving treatment for CIRDC. Benji arrived at MACC as an owner surrender. His previous owner describes him as a friendly dog that enjoys long walks. In his previous home Benji is reported to have a multiple bite history. Stated that he will bite unprovoked and will run up to a persons ankle and bite them. During his stay in the care center Benji has allowed all handling. Due to the detailed behaviors we recommend an experienced adult only home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 14.2 lbs

Medical Notes

3/29/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 2-4 years based on dentition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender due to bite incident Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - Tense but allows all handling for exam, allows muzzling. Tail remains firmly tucked. Flailed once for blood draw but relaxed after. Evidence of Cruelty seen - No Evidence of Neglect seen- No Evidence of Trauma seen - No Objective T = P = WNL R = WNL BCS 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear OU, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge. Oral Exam: Adult dentition, mild tartar (limited due to muzzle) PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, intact male, 2 scrotal testes MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy haircoat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Slightly underweight Otherwise apparently healthy Intact male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake exam + tasks Await sort Observe DOH-B hold SURGERY: Okay for surgery after hold

4/3/2025

S: Curled up on bed. Growled at me when I approached. O: BAR -No nasal or ocular discharge -No coughing or sneezing -Appears neurologically appropriate A: No signs of neurological disease including rabies at this time 1088

4/7/2025

Neuter performed by Vet: 1752 Patient anesthesia form uploaded to Shelter Buddy in Vet Documents. Start the following pain managements: Rimadyl 25 mg Tablets, Give 1 tablet, orally, once a day for 2 days beginning the day after surgery --in the surgery bin--

4/7/2025

Pre Op exam S: QAR in kennel O: EENT: Clear nasal discharge. No ocular discharge CV/RESP: Eupneic ABD/UG: Male intact MSI: BCS 5/9 Ambul x 4 NEURO: WNL A: Good surgical candidate CIRDC Plan: Neuter today. Doxycycline 100mg 1/2 tablet po sid x 10d CANINE PRESCROTAL NEUTER Was this dog a cryptorchid? No Pre scrotal Incision Closed castration: spermatic cord ligation with two modified miller's knots of 3-0 PDS bilaterally Sub Q and subcuticular closure: Two cruciate knots of 3-0 PDS Green Linear Tattoo Placed Left Groin Surgeon: 1752

4/7/2025

[Dispensing Medication] Carprofen and doxycycline are being dispensed to the client. In compliance with Bouy's Law, a written client information sheet was included with the prescription. The handout was downloaded from Plumb's™ and discloses all required information regarding the use of this drug, side effects and missed dose and handling instructions.

4/8/2025

Hx: post op; has early CIRDC Q-BAR quiet in kennel eent- nasal discharge hl- eupneic abd- relaxed ug- mc msi- amb x 4; incision is apparently CDI neuro- nsf A) 1 day post op neuter- healing CIRDC P) SQ fluids- 200 ml LRS B Vits- 0.4 ml SQ Placement/homing

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Basic Information:: Benji is a 3-year-old male dog who has yet to be neutered. He was surrendered due to having bite incidents in the home.

How is this dog around strangers?: Around strangers and visitors, when approached too quickly he will growl or bite. Sometimes he will not give warning signs.

How is this dog around children?: With children, he is not a fan of them. He will bite/growl when they get near him

How is this dog around other dogs?: With others dogs, he is friendly and outgoing. Sometimes can become protective of female dogs though. Wont allow you to go near them and try to bite.

How is this dog around cats?: No experience with cats

Resource guarding:: Resource guards food only, will growl and possibly bite

Bite history:: Benji has a history of biting in the home. He will normally go after children under the age of 13. There are usually no warning signs but the owner did mention that Benji is protective of the adults in the family. Last bite prior to the one on 3/24 was on 2/13. A child was running around the home and Benji chased and bite their leg. Owner could not recall whether the bite broke skin. On Monday the 24th around noon, owner and her partner were home waiting for their super to come over and check the apartment. When the super was at the door, Benji started alert barking. Once the super came in, Benji ran up to his ankle and bit it drawing blood.

Housetrained:: No

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Allows you to carry him and groom him but if you're a new person or strangers, he will become fearful and bite. He is a selective dog. Does not mind having their paws or collar touched/grabbed

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: No medical issues

For a New Family to Know: Benji is a very protective and friendly dog to his owner. He would be best in a family without children, maybe even a single person home and the only animal in the home. He enjoys going on long walks and meeting dogs outside on them. He eats wet and dry food mostly.

Date of intake:: 3/28/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Behavior toward strangers:: Benji will growl or bite when approached too quickly

Behavior toward children:: Benji will bite and growl

Behavior toward dogs:: Benji is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward cats:: No experience

Resource guarding:: Benji will resource guards food, will growl and possibly bite.

Bite history:: Benji's previous owner states that he has a history of biting unprovoked, he will run up to ankles and bite them. They also state that Benji normally goes after the children under the age of 13. On Monday the 24th around noon, Benji's previous owner and their partner were home waiting for their super to come over and check the apartment. When the super was at the door, Benji started alert barking. Once the super came in, Benji ran up to their ankle and bit it drawing blood. The super did not go to the hospital and just did a self care. The last bite prior to the one on 3/24/25 was on 2/13/25. A child was running around the home and Benji chased and bit their leg. The owner could not recall whether the bite broke skin.

Housetrained:: No

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Benji's previous owner states with others dogs, he is friendly and outgoing. Sometimes he can become protective of female dogs though, and will not allow you to go near them and try to bite. Benji's previous owner states that he will allow you to carry him and groom him but if you're a new person or strangers, he will become fearful and bite. He is a selective dog. Does not mind having their paws or collar touched/grabbed. Benji's previous owner describes him as a friendly dog that enjoys long walks.

Date of assessment:: 4/3/2025

Summary:: Benji arrived at MACC as an owner surrender with a multiple bite history. His previous owner reports that there are usually no warning signs prior to the bites. Due to the quick escalation in behavior and the multiple bite history Benji is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 4/2/25: Benji is at the front of kennel with a neutral body as handler approaches. He attempts to push past kennel door as handler braces it, and is able to leash him. He is taken to the driveway for a brief walk. In the driveway, a large dog begins to hard bark and react at Benji from a distance. Benji has no reaction and continues walking forward. Handler removes Benji from the driveway by walking him back to the yard. In the yard he has no reaction to people or dogs in the neighboring pens. He is uninterested in handler and is kept on a drag leash as she sniffs around his surroundings and relieves himself. He is returned to kennel without issue.

Date of intake:: 3/28/2025

Summary:: Allowed handling and allowed pick up

Date of initial:: 3/29/2025

Summary:: Tense but allows all handling for exam, allows muzzling. Tail remains firmly tucked

ENERGY LEVEL:: Benji is described as medium energy. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them engaged and exercised. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for them.

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 and a multiple bite history 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,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Benji's previous owner states that he will growl and may escalate to biting when approached with food in his possession. We recommend that Benji be left alone while eating, and that food guarding behavior modification steps (available at ASPCApro.org) be utilized if this behavior is problematic in their future home. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Benji'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/ Multiple Bite History/ Bite History (Human): Benji's previous owner states that he will growl and bite when approached by strangers and children. Escalating to biting is a behavior that Benji has rehearsed repeatedly over their life. This behavior is likely to continue as it has become part of Benji's repertoire, and will need careful management to work toward reducing triggers for Benji and reducing the resulting bites. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Behavior.