Animal Profile

Etho is at risk due to behavior concerns. In the Care Centers, Etho was reported to engage in kennel fighting with other dogs and, on one occasion, attempted to redirect onto a handler. She displays signs of anxiety and at times refuses to return to her kennel. She has been observed taking treats when in a calmer environment. Medically, Etho 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 Etho is at risk due to behavior concerns. In the Care Centers, Etho was reported to engage in kennel fighting with other dogs and, on one occasion, attempted to redirect onto a handler. She displays signs of anxiety and at times refuses to return to her kennel. She has been observed taking treats when in a calmer environment. Medically, Etho is apparently healthy. Etho came into the care center as a stray. Due to this his behavioral history in a home environment is unknown. Etho is a dog who is struggling to cope with the care center environment and has shown escalating dog reactivity.. He becomes highly aroused around other dogs, particularly in kennel areas, where he has engaged in kennel fighting when exiting and returning to his kennel. During walks, Etho pulls and lunges toward dogs even at a distance and has difficulty recovering once triggered. Etho will need a New Hope placement that can provide structured management, controlled exposure to other dogs, and an environment with reduced dog traffic to support his ability to decompress and improve coping skills.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 63 lbs

Medical Notes

1/17/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 1yo Microchip noted on Intake? Scan Negative History: Stray Subjective: BAR, Well hydrated, pink MM, CRT <2s Observed Behavior - Friendly, taking treats and allowed full exam/treatments with minimal restraint needed. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective P = 90 R = Pant BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition present, minimal dental calculus. PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Both testicles descended MSI: Ambulatory x 4, Resistance to RH stifle flexion however patient walked regularly and may have been due to behavior vs. musculoskeletal abnormalities. Skin free of parasites, no masses noted, Moderate dandruff throughout hair coat, no pruritus. CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Not performed, externally normaly. Wood's Lamp Exam: Not performed Assessment Apparently healthy Mild dandruff ~1yo MI large-breed canine Prognosis: Good Plan: Provided all intake tasks Monitor dandruff on skin, at this time no other evidence of skin allergies. Patient may require regular sensitive-skin baths (with oatmeal shampoo) vs. allergy management if any clinical signs of allergies develop. Mildly reactive in kennel - likely stimulated by other dogs barking. Rx trazodone 200mg BID while in shelter. SURGERY: Okay for surgery

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 1. Green

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 1/16/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray (Unknown History)

Date of assessment:: 1/18/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: mild pulling Reactivity to humans: none - ignore Reactivity to dogs: inconclusive - did not pass Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): nuetral, explores room, mostly keeps to self, does not readily accept high-value treats until several minutes later - chicken breast Call over: approaches with coaxing Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: brief lean in, slight whale eye, lip licks Exuberant handling: moves away Handling comments: Arousal Jog: follow, nuetral Arousal comments: Knock: no response Knock Comments: Toy: grips, moves away Toy comments: ***1/17/26: Etho is given more time to decompress due to heavy panting, pacing, hyper salivating, and being unable to focus.***

Summary (7):: 2/8/26: Etho is laying down on his bed as handler approaches his kennel. He comes forward to front and would back away as the handler attempts to leash him. Once leashed, he is then take to the behavior room. In the room, he has a tense body and stiff tail and he would explore around the room. He would slowly approach the handlers and slowly take treats but doesn't always eat them. He has no interest in toys or a snuffle mat. He pulls hard towards dogs in their kennels on the way back to his kennel and enters his kennel with no issue. 1/22/26:ACS reported that when taking Etho out for his PM walk, Etho began kennel fighting while exiting the kennel room. During the walk, he was pulling and lunging toward dogs that were at a distance. Upon returning to the kennel, Etho resumed kennel fighting and then attempted to redirect onto the handler. 1/18: When returning Etho to his kennel after his assessment, he began reacting to other dogs in the room and refused to return to his kennel. He would not take treats, and handlers left the room to reset before they were able to get him into his kennel. Once in the kennel, Etho began panting and jumping on the glass. 1/17/26: Etho is observed to be heavy panting and jumping at his kennel door with widened eyes while facing the kennel next to his when handler approaches his kennel. He does not notice the handler right away until the handler squeaks a toy.

Date of intake:: 1/16/2026

Summary:: dog was friendly towards officers and handlers

Date of initial:: 1/17/2026

Summary:: Friendly, taking treats and allowed full exam/treatments with minimal restraint needed

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Etho's handling/touch sensitivity, barrier frustration, and anxiety, we recommend a home without children at this time. Single-pet home/Recommend no dog parks: We recommend Etho be placed in a home as the only dog in the home and no dog dog parks. Place with a New Hope partner: Etho came into the care center as a stray. Due to this his behavioral history in a home environment is unknown. Etho is a dog who is struggling to cope with the care center environment and has shown escalating dog reactivity.. He becomes highly aroused around other dogs, particularly in kennel areas, where he has engaged in kennel fighting when exiting and returning to his kennel. During walks, Etho pulls and lunges toward dogs even at a distance and has difficulty recovering once triggered. Etho will need a New Hope placement that can provide structured management, controlled exposure to other dogs, and an environment with reduced dog traffic to support his ability to decompress and improve coping skills.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity | Barrier Frustration: Etho was reported to display mild reactivity to other dogs while in his kennel prior to medical handlers removing him for his medical exam. When being returned to his kennel aftrer his assessment, he refused to return to his kennel and was reactive to other dogs in the room. Etho would not take treats and had to be reset by leaving the room and making another attempt for him to go back to kennel. Please see handout on Handling/touch sensitivity & On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration. Anxiety: Etho is observed to be heavy panting and jumping at his kennel door. Please see handout on generalized anxiety. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression/Low threshold for arousal:ACS reported that when taking Etho out for his PM walk, Etho began kennel fighting while exiting the kennel room. During the walk, he was pulling and lunging toward dogs that were at a distance. Upon returning to the kennel, Etho resumed kennel fighting and then attempted to redirect onto the handler.These behaviors indicate heightened arousal, environmental sensitivity, and potential for defensive aggression when overstimulated. Training should focus on controlled, low-arousal transitions, reducing exposure to triggers, and reinforcing calm behaviors to prevent escalation and redirection. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression/Low threshold for arousal.