Animal Profile

Ninja is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns in his previous home and in the care center. Ninja in the care center has lunged, hard barked and bared teeth at staff approaching him kennel, and has a history of doing the same to strangers and children in his previous home. Ninja is also noted to have some resource guarding, growling, barking, and snapping when his food or toys are approached. Medically, Ninja 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. 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 Ninja is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns in his previous home and in the care center. Ninja in the care center has lunged, hard barked and bared teeth at staff approaching him kennel, and has a history of doing the same to strangers and children in his previous home. Ninja is also noted to have some resource guarding, growling, barking, and snapping when his food or toys are approached. Medically, Ninja is receiving treatment for CIRDC. Ninja came into the care center due to his caretakers not being able to care for him anymore.Ninja has displayed fear-based and defensive behaviors in the care center, particularly within his kennel. He has been observed pacing, hard barking, and growling when staff are nearby, indicating discomfort with proximity and kennel-related stress. During handling, Ninja can be tense but has allowed leashing, being picked up with towel support, and collaring when approached slowly. Outside of the kennel environment, he is able to walk, relieve himself, and settle without incident. Ninja would benefit from a calm, experienced home that can provide predictable routines, low-pressure handling, and continued positive associations to help reduce fear. Ninja is available for rescue through one of our new hope partners.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 16.8 lbs

Medical Notes

12/28/2025

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~ 2 year Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Very nervous, whale-eying, handling and exam are tolerated. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective P = 124 R = Panting BCS = 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Mild diffuse tartar, pink mm PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Intact male. Both testes wnl. Externally normal 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 Assessment Apparently healthy male dog Tartar Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake exam and tasks Trazodone 50mg - 1 tab PO BID SURGERY: Okay for surgery

12/31/2025

Cageside pre-op exam: BAR, mm pink; no odc/ndc, no spon cough ok to proceed with SX Was this dog a cryptorchid? no If so describe - Pre scrotal Incision Spermatic Cord Ligation with: transfixinf ligature with 2-0 PDS Sub Q closure: 2-0 PDS cruciate ligature Skin closure? 2-0 PDS in an intradermal pattern Green Linear Tattoo Placed near Midline Surgeon: 990665 Additional Note:

1/1/2026

[Post Surgical Exam] Attitude/demeanor: QAR Appetite: eating well C/S/V/D: none Incision site: no swelling, bruising, or bleeding; sutures appear intact Pain level: appears comfortable Licking, chewing, or biting surgical site noted: no Additional notes: None

1/15/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC signs noted on rounds Subjective: BAR, no S/V/D. Coughing present Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: no discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -Under the weather sign, ppe & monitor log placed on kennel -Start doxycycline PO SID x10 days -CTM, recheck in 3 days

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake the dog allowed staff to scan for m/c, and remove harness. Staff did not take off coat, or place ACC collar, due to FAS while removing harness (whale eye, flinching). Staff used a towel to pick up the dog, and place him in a kennel. Staff used a hook to remove slip leash.

Date of Intake: 12/27/2025

Basic Information:: Ninja is a small, male, dog. He came to ACC via owner surrender.

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, 1 child

How is this dog around strangers?: He is playful, barks, growls, and lunges at strangers.

How is this dog around children?: He is playful and lunges towards children. He has previously lived with a 13-year-old child.

How is this dog around other dogs?: He barks, growls, and lunges towards other dogs.

How is this dog around cats?: No experience.

Resource guarding:: He values food, toys, and treats. He guards these items by growling, barking, and snapping.

Bite history:: There is no bite history.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Very high

Other Notes:: He uses the bathroom outside and inside on weewee pads. He is reported to have daily accidents. He is reported to have general anxiety, and be fearful of loud noises. While on walks he growls and barks at strangers that approach, moving objects, other dogs, and small animals. He barks/growls when held/restrained and when startled. There have been no attempts to wake him from sleep, or grab his collar. He is not bothered when pushed off furniture, and when his paws are touched.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: He is a social, affectionate, active, playful, vocal, independent, dog. He spends most of his time where people are, and in the bedroom. He allowed his previous family to bathe and brush him. He pulls mildly on leash. He did not have a walk schedule in his previous home. He has never been crate trained. He loves car rides. He knows, "sit", "stay", "no", and "wait". He loves greenies and stuffed toys.

Date of intake:: 12/27/2025

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

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, 1 child

Behavior toward strangers:: He is playful, barks, growls, and lunges at strangers.

Behavior toward children:: He is playful and lunges towards children. He has previously lived with a 13-year-old child.

Behavior toward dogs:: barks, growls, and lunges towards other dogs.

Behavior toward cats:: No experience.

Resource guarding:: He values food, toys, and treats. He guards these items by growling, barking, and snapping. There is no bite history.

Bite history:: There is no bite history.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Ninja is noted to have a very high energy level.

Other Notes:: He uses the bathroom outside and inside on weewee pads. He is reported to have daily accidents. He is reported to have general anxiety, and be fearful of loud noises. While on walks he growls and barks at strangers that approach, moving objects, other dogs, and small animals. He barks/growls when held/restrained and when startled. There have been no attempts to wake him from sleep, or grab his collar. He is not bothered when pushed off furniture, and when his paws are touched.He is a social, affectionate, active, playful, vocal, independent, dog. He spends most of his time where people are, and in the bedroom. He allowed his previous family to bathe and brush him. He pulls mildly on leash. He did not have a walk schedule in his previous home. He has never been crate trained. He loves car rides. He knows, "sit", "stay", "no", and "wait". He loves greenies and stuffed toys.

Date of assessment:: 1/1/2026

Summary:: Due to Ninja barking and growling at the handler and fearfulness, a handling assessment will not be condcuted at this time.

Summary (7):: 01/12/25: Ninja is lying down in the back of his kennel and walks to the front, allowing the handler to leash him with ease. He is picked up, placed on the floor, and escorted to the office for enrichment. Once inside, Ninja explores the room and engages with a snuffle mat, eating treats until the session concludes. Ninja is then escorted back to his kennel safely without any issues. 12/30/25: Ninja was pacing the front of his kennel, hardbarking and growling as a staff member was near his kennel door during their rounds 12/29/25: Ninja is at the back of his kennel sleeping as the handler approaches. As they begin to open the door, he will start to get up. The handler is able to gently place the leash over him and use a towel to pick him up. He is then carried to the behavior office where he will walk around and relieve himself. The handler is able to fit him with a collar though he was slightly tense. He was eventually returned to his kennel with no issue.

Date of intake:: 12/27/2025

Summary:: Staff did not take off coat, or place ACC collar, due to FAS while removing harness (whale eye, fli

Date of initial:: 12/28/2025

Summary:: Very nervous, whale-eying, handling and exam are tolerated.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),No cats,Recommend no dog parks,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Ninja's fearful defensive behavior, We recommend he be placed in an adult-only home at this time. No cats: We reccomend Ninja is placed in ahome without small animals due to him growling and barking at them while on walks. Recommend no dog parks: We recommend no dog parks due to his prior owners stating he barks, growls, and lunges towards other dogs. Place with a New Hope partner: Ninja came into the care center due to his caretakers not being able to care for him anymore. Ninja has displayed fear-based and defensive behaviors in the care center, particularly within his kennel. He has been observed pacing, hard barking, and growling when staff are nearby, indicating discomfort with proximity and kennel-related stress. During handling, Ninja can be tense but has allowed leashing, being picked up with towel support, and collaring when approached slowly. Outside of the kennel environment, he is able to walk, relieve himself, and settle without incident. Ninja would benefit from a calm, experienced home that can provide predictable routines, low-pressure handling, and continued positive associations to help reduce fear. Ninja is available for rescue through one of our new hope partners.

Potential challenges: : House soiling,Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Kennel presence

Potential challenges comments:: House soiling: He uses the bathroom outside and inside on weewee pads. He is reported to have daily accidents.Recommended approach includes frequent supervised outdoor breaks, positive reinforcement for eliminating outside, and gradually phasing out pads to establish consistency. Please see the handout on House soiling. Resource guarding: Ninja is noted to values food, toys, and treats. He guards these items by growling, barking, and snapping. Training should focus on trade-up techniques, teaching cues like “drop it” and “leave it,” and avoiding confrontational removal. Controlled exercises with positive reinforcement can help reduce guarding behavior.Please see the handout on Resource guarding. Anxiety: Ninja is noted to have generalized anxiety in the prior home. Recommendations include creating a predictable routine, providing enrichment activities, and using calming strategies such as food puzzles and safe spaces. Gradual desensitization to triggers and confidence-building exercises are essential. Please see the handout on generalized anxiety. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Ninja is noted while on walks he growls and barks at strangers that approach, moving objects, other dogs, and small animals. Training should include desensitization and counter-conditioning to triggers, maintaining safe distances, and reinforcing calm behavior. Use management tools like front-clip harnesses.Please see the handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration. Handling/touch sensitivity: Ninja is noted in the prior home to barks/growls when held/restrained and when startled. Recommendations include gradual handling exercises paired with high-value rewards, teaching cooperative care behaviors, and avoiding forced restraint. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity Kennel presence/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: In the prior home Ninja is noted toward strangers & childern to be playful, barks, growls, and lunges. He is also noted to become fearful of loud noises. Ninja has been observed pacing, hard barking, and growling when staff are nearby, indicating discomfort with proximity and kennel-related stress. Recommended enrichment items, using calm, non-threatening approaches, and pairing people presence with high-value rewards to build positive associations. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression