Animal Profile

Disco is at risk due to behavior concerns. His previous owner noted him to have separation anxiety and will run away from home occasionally. During his first stay at the care centers, he was noted to be fearful, anxious, and have on leash reactivity. This behavior has remained consistent. During intake, he was reported to hard bark, growl, and was uninterested in treats or squeakers. He has remained aloof with handlers when interacting but when being removed from kennel, he has been noted to spin towards second handler on occasion. Medically, he is apparently healthy.

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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 Disco is at risk due to behavior concerns. His previous owner noted him to have separation anxiety and will run away from home occasionally. During his first stay at the care centers, he was noted to be fearful, anxious, and have on leash reactivity. This behavior has remained consistent. During intake, he was reported to hard bark, growl, and was uninterested in treats or squeakers. He has remained aloof with handlers when interacting but when being removed from kennel, he has been noted to spin towards second handler on occasion. Medically, he is apparently healthy.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 78 lbs

Medical Notes

6/18/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 5-6 years based on dentition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned positive History: Agency, owner reportedly hospitalized for an extended period of time Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - panting/anxious, tense but allows all handling for exam, growled for HWT but then relaxed and did not escalate. Food motivated. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective T = P = WNL R = WNL BCS: 4/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, mild tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, neutered male, green tattoo noted MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Neutered male Apparently healthy Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort/behavior assessment SURGERY: Already neutered

6/20/2025

Difficult to leash due to persistent hard barking at handlers. Tense and uncomfortable outside of kennel Starting clonidine 0.75mg PO BID indefinitely

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 6/18/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, limited history

Other Notes:: 2/18/2022: Stray, first stay Disco was noted to be fearful, anxious and have on leash reactivity in the care center during this stay, His owner also reported that he has separation anxiety and escapes the home. Previous handling assessment available upon request

Date of assessment:: 6/23/2025

Summary:: During his stay in the care center Disco has been observed to be tense and fearful. During intake he was observed to hard bark towards handlers. In care after exciting kennel Disco has been observed to spin towards the secondary handler. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety observed Disco is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time. 2/19/2022 assessment: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Moderate Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Timid, anxious Call over: Approaches readily Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: Tolerates contact, neutral Exuberant handling: Tolerates contact, neutral Handling comments: Begins leaning in towards the end Arousal Jog: Follows, neutral Arousal comments: Knock Knock Comments: No response Toy Toy comments: Firm grip, loose

Summary:: 2/19/22: When greeting another dog through the fence, Disco is neutral bodied. He sniffs briefly then walks away.

Summary (6):: 6/25/25: Disco is standing at the front of kennel whilst barking as handler approaches. He is easily leashed and removed from kennel. As he exits the room he intensely kennel fights and handler has to use muscle and both hands to keep him near the wall. He pulls very hard as he is brought to the yard. He remains uninterested in treats and handler but accepts pets and tolerates handler picking fur off. He pulls very hard and begins to hard bark when spotting another dog, handler has to pull him away and keeps him distance from all the edges. He is returned to kennel without issue. 6/22/25- Disco is at the front of the kennel with a neutral body, handler offers treats but he shows no interest. He is easily leashed and handler removes him from kennel on a short leash. He pulls towards the passing kennels. He was taken to the play yard and brought to the last pen. He sniffed around a little and was aloof with handlers. They offered him treats but again showed no interest. He comes to handlers on his own accord and sniffs them then disengages. Handlers splash water in the pool, Disco comes over to sniff at the water then disengages. He relieved himself and just looked around Another handler came into the neighboring pen Disco pulled towards the fence, barking. Handler pulled him away and the other handler left the pen. He was easily clipped and when returning he again pulls towards the passing kennels, he goes back into kennel without issue.

Summary (7):: 06/22/25: Disco is at the front of his kennel as handlers approach. He is offered treats but begins barking and jumping up in kennel as handler offers the treats. Second handler approaches and begins feeding high value treats to Disco who accepts them, he is placed on a double leash while distracted with treats and quickly exits kennel and attempts to kennel fight but is kept away by handlers. Disco exits to the yard and uses the bathroom immediately. He is walked to the center play yard and walks around sniffing and scent marking. After a while he is brought to the back pen and continues sniffing around. After a while Disco is brought back to kennel and does not kennel fight when returning, he returns to kennel and interaction is ended shortly after. 6/21/25: It is reported that Disco will spin towards the secondary handler after exiting kennel. 6/19/25: Disco is standing at the front of his kennel as handlers approach. He begins to bark as the handler unlocks the door and tries to leash him. While one handler tries to distract him with treats and a squeaker, he still continues to bark as the other handler brings the leash over his head. He has no interest in the treats and stops responding to the squeaker. He is able to be doubled roped while he eats high value chicken. He is then taken to the yard for a walk. On the way, he has a tense body, barks and pulls towards all the dogs in kennel and would bark while facing the handler in front of him. Once in the yard, he would fixate on smells and sniff everywhere. He did not engage with the handlers at all. He returned back to his kennel with a tense body as the handlers quickly brought him back into kennel.

Date of intake:: 6/18/2025

Summary:: Hard bark, did not take treats

Date of initial:: 6/18/2025

Summary:: Anxious, growled, relaxed

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have a limited history on Disco 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 an adult only home. 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: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: During his intake and exam, Disco was observed to hard bark at staff. Positive reinforcement should be used to help Disco feel comfortable around new people. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Handling/touch sensitivity: During his exam, Disco growled and tense up. Positive reinforcement should be utilized to help Disco feel comfortable with certain medical handling. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity.