Animal Profile

Peanut is at risk due to behavioral reasons. His previous owner states that he will hard bark, growl, lunge, and snap at strangers and children. While in care, Peanut has displayed similar behaviors. Noted to lunge to the front of the kennel and bare teeth when handlers attempt to handle him. Peanut's previous owner states that he is very loving. With a slow approach Peanut has been receptive to treats from the handler. Medically, Peanut 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 Peanut is at risk due to behavioral reasons. His previous owner states that he will hard bark, growl, lunge, and snap at strangers and children. While in care, Peanut has displayed similar behaviors. Noted to lunge to the front of the kennel and bare teeth when handlers attempt to handle him. Peanut's previous owner states that he is very loving. With a slow approach Peanut has been receptive to treats from the handler. Medically, Peanut is apparently healthy. Peanut arrived at MACC as an owner surrender. His previous owner states that he will hard bark, growl, lunge, and snap at strangers and children. While in care, Peanut has been observed to be highly fearful noted to lunge to the front of the kennel and bare teeth when handlers attempt to handle home. Due to the detailed behavior we recommend an experienced adult-only home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 13.6 lbs

Medical Notes

9/19/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: Reported 7y, exam, agrees Microchip noted on Intake? scanned positive History: Owner surrender due to allergy issues Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Tense, reported lunging and snapping during intake. Elected sedation to allow for stress free handling and grooming. Evidence of Cruelty seen -no Objective T = P =wnl R =wnl BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal discharge noted, moderate amount of ocular dc crusted into fur at medial canthus OU Oral Exam: adult dentition with minor tartar and staining PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NR, NMA, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: male neutered MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, mild matted hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: normal external Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment matted hair coat Prognosis: good Plan: Sedated to reduce FAS using 0.25ml dexmedetomidine 500mcg/ml and 0.25ml butorphanol 10mg/ml IM intake tasks shaved matted hair and cleaned around eyes nails trimmed 0.25ml antisedan IM SURGERY: already neutered

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake, Peanut Butter lunged and snapped.

Date of Intake: 9/18/2026

Basic Information:: Peanut Butter is a 7 year old SMB dog. He is seeking a new home due to prior owner's health issues. He has experience with adults, children, and dogs.

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, 3 children, 1 dog

How is this dog around strangers?: Hard barks/growls, lunges, snaps

How is this dog around children?: Hard barks/growls, lunges, snaps

How is this dog around other dogs?: Lunges, snaps. Playful with familiar dogs.

How is this dog around cats?: no experience

Resource guarding:: none

Bite history:: Once bit prior owner while they walked past.

Housetrained:: Yes

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Peanut Butter does not allow for grooming. According to a prior owner he is very loving when he chooses.

Date of intake:: 9/18/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

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

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, 3 children, 1 dog

Behavior toward strangers:: Peanut will hard bark, growl, lunge, and snap

Behavior toward children:: Peanut will hard bark, growl, lunge, and snap

Behavior toward dogs:: Peanut will lunge and snap, playful with familiar dogs

Behavior toward cats:: No experience

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: Once bit prior owner while they walked past.

Housetrained:: Yes

Other Notes:: Peanut Butter does not allow for grooming. According to a prior owner he is very loving when he chooses.

Date of assessment:: 9/23/2026

Summary:: Peanut Butter has been observed to be highly fearful while in care. Noted to bare teeth and lunge to the front of the kennel when handlers approach. Due to the high level of fear, stress, and anxiety, Peanut is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 9/22/26: (KSV) Peanut Butter is observed to be standing on his hind legs at the front of the kennel demand barking. Handler greets him in a high pitched tone and he remains at the front with a neutral face, he displays a soft wagging tail. Handler offers treats from the top and he eats them. Handler then crouches and approaches the front of the kennel slowly. He remains at the front with a soft body and tail. He takes treats from the handler's hand. Handler gives him an enrichment item and the interaction is then ended. 9/21/26: Peanut Butter is observed to be barking at the front of the kennel when the handler is standing nearby. 9/20/26 [late entry]: Peanut Butter is at the back of his kennel when handler approaches. As the handler comes closer, Peanut Butter immediately bares teeth. His body is stiff and tense and Peanut doesn't move from the spot. He begins barking and growling; his lips are pulled back, showing his teeth. Handler bends in front and uses coaxing with soft voice but Peanut Butter immediately lunges toward the front, continuously showing teeth and vocalizing. High value treats and multiple attempts to engage are not successful and Peanut Butter remains tense while barring his teeth and hard barking. After some time, handler ends interaction to avoid possible escalation. 9/18/26 (Intake): Behavior was called for assistance due to Peanut lunging and barking at admissions staff. Peanut hard stared with high wags when approached and alert barked a few times. The handler had the owner slip a leash on and had the owner take off their leash. The owner stepped to the side, Peanut began thrashing and whining. The owner was asked to give space, they went in their car. Peanut continued thrashing, walking a few steps in small increments and then continuing to thrash. She did not take treats and low growled and lifted a paw when the handler crouched and attempted coaxing. Peanut allowed toweling without issue, and was non reactive to the handler clipping the leash. She was carried to kennel and placed in with a few treats, she turned around and attempted to flee but the door was closed without issue. When placing signage on her kennel a few minutes later, Peanut was trembling and lifting a paw when the handler approached. A few more treats were dropped in.

Date of intake:: 9/18/2026

Summary:: Lunged and snapped at handler

Date of initial:: 9/19/2026

Summary:: Tense, opted to sedate

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior we recommend an adult only home. No Dog Parks: Due to behavior towards unfamiliar dogs, we recommend no trips to the dog parks. 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: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Peanut's previous owner states that he will hard bark, growl, lunge, and snap towards strangers and children. While in care, Peanut has been observed to lunge towards the front of the kennel while baring teeth towards handlers. It is important to move slowly with Peanut, 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. Bite History (Human): Please see bite history above for more details. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression.