Animal Profile

Bleu is at risk due to behavioral concerns. In the Care Centers, Bleu has displayed a high level of fear and can quickly escalate to defensive behaviors, including snarling, hard barking, lunging, and snapping. During one interaction, she redirected toward her owner but did not make contact. In her previous home, Bleu was reported to be friendly toward strangers and had experience living with multiple dogs. She also knows several cues, including “sit,” “stay,” “here,” and “paw.” Medically, Bleu 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 Bleu is at risk due to behavioral concerns. In the Care Centers, Bleu has displayed a high level of fear and can quickly escalate to defensive behaviors, including snarling, hard barking, lunging, and snapping. During one interaction, she redirected toward her owner but did not make contact. In her previous home, Bleu was reported to be friendly toward strangers and had experience living with multiple dogs. She also knows several cues, including "sit," "stay," "here," and "paw." Medically, Bleu is apparently healthy. Bleu was reported to lunge, bare her teeth, and growl at staff when they attempted to place a slip lead on her. During this interaction, she redirected onto her owner but did not break skin. In the Care Centers, Bleu has continued to display defensive behaviors, including snapping and snarling at staff when they attempt to remove her from her kennel. Her previous owner described her as outgoing and reported that she is tolerant of children and strangers. Due to the defensive behaviors Bleu has displayed in the Care Centers, she should be placed in an adult-only home through a New Hope Partner experienced in managing fearful and defensive behavior using positive reinforcement and appropriate management strategies.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 94 lbs

Medical Notes

9/23/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: dentition and conformation consistent w o reported age of 3 years Microchip noted on Intake? scanned positive History: os Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - admission staff reported p lunged and redirected with open mouth towards owner, needed to be double leashed by admission staff and brought back to squeeze gate, while awaiting for p to go down from drugs, p reared up and lunged towards handling, brought back to squeeze gate for additional sedation Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? N Objective: T = np P = 100 (sedated) R = wnl BCS 6/9 EENT: Eyes clear, moderate light brown ceruminous debris AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: muzzled, limited view, visible dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: F suspected intact MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: APH Prognosis: good Plan: intake exam and tasks sedated with 1.2mL dex/torb/ket IM- p still BAR and reactive to handling, given additional 0.8mL dex/torb IM - adequate sedation ear cleaning reversed with equal vol antisedan start: traz ~8.5mg/kg PO BID TFN in care (350mg) clonidine ~ 0.02mg/kg PO BID TFN in care (0.8mg) awaiting sort SURGERY: Okay for surgery: Y

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 5. Red

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

upon intake:When Bleu initially walked into the shelter she kept looking around the lobby and was aloof. Staff had the owner put Bleu in the car due to her size, when staff went out to the car to scan for ID she hard barked, lip lick and lifted her lip and lunges at staff, Bleu rocked the car. Staff had the owner walk Bleu in and tried to leash her, she dodged the rope and whale eyed. The owner put her on a shorter leash and when staff tried again she reared up, grabbed the leash and redirected onto the owner with an open mouth, Bleu was walked into the cat waiting room and staff was able to lasso her while she reared up. She walked towards medical occasionally looking back,

Date of Intake: 9/23/2026

Spay/Neuter Status: Unknown

Basic Information:: Bleu is a 3y/o LMB who has been with their current owner since she was 8 weeks old and it is unknown when she has last been to the vet

Previously lived with:: 2 adults 2 kids

How is this dog around strangers?: owner states she is tolerant, playful friendly and outgoing

How is this dog around children?: she's lived with kids of various ages and is tolerant, playful friendly and outgoing

How is this dog around other dogs?: she lived with dogs of various sizes and was tolerant and prefers contact on her terms

How is this dog around cats?: no experience

Resource guarding:: will hover/tense body and growl when her food and treats are touched

Bite history:: no known bite history

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Mouthy/takes treats rough, fearful of loud noises/fireworks, will bark at strangers on walks, isn't bothered when disturbed when sleeping, feet/paws touched or when her collar is grabbed. Will bark/growl when push/pulled off furniture and its unknown when held/restrained and startled

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: She is social/affectionate, very active and playful, quiet, independent and solitary. She likes to be in the dining room and the backyard. She is muzzled at the groomers and has access to a backyard and goes on 10-15min walks 1-2x daily with mild to moderate pulling. She is crated trained up to several hours and loves going for car rides and knows the cues for sit, stay, here, no, go, wanna go outside, paw and lay

Date of intake:: 9/23/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: 2 adults 2 kids

Behavior toward strangers:: Tolerant, playful, and outgoing

Behavior toward children:: Tolerant, playful and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Tolerant, prefers contact on her own terms

Behavior toward cats:: Unknwon

Resource guarding:: Hovers, tense, and growls when her food is approached

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Belu is noted to have medium energy level

Other Notes:: Mouthy/takes treats rough, fearful of loud noises/fireworks, will bark at strangers on walks, isn't bothered when disturbed when sleeping, feet/paws touched or when her collar is grabbed. Will bark/growl when push/pulled off furniture and its unknown when held/restrained and startled

Date of assessment:: 9/25/2026

Summary:: During her intake and exam, Bleu lunged at staff, bared her teeth, and hard bark. At one point, she redirected towards her owner but did not make contact. Due to these behaviors, Bleu will not receive a handling assessment.

Summary (7):: 09/25/26: The staff member come and ask for assistance due to Bleu refusing to move over. Another staff member goes to the opposite side and throws a variety of treats. Bleu takes the ones he can reach but does not walk through the transfer door. The handler then grabs a second person so they can walk the dog around. As the handler approaches Bleu's kennel, he begins hard barking. The handler attempts to lasso him and Bleu hard barks at the handler before snarling each time the leash is thrown. He then jumps up and snaps at the leash. The handler opens the transfer door again to allow him the option to move away. When the handler attempts to leash him again, he retreats through the transfer door. The handler closes the door and then walks away.

Date of intake:: 9/23/2026

Summary:: Bark, lunged redirected onto owner

Date of initial:: 9/23/2026

Summary:: Lunged at handlers, sedated

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the behaviors observed in the Care Centers, Belu should not go to a home with children under 13. Place with a New Hope partner: Bleu should to a New Hope Partner that can manage her behavior.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Bleu is reported to hover, become tense, and growl when her food is approached. Nothing should be taken out of her mouth, and she should learn the trade game using positive reinforcement. Please see the handout on Resource Guarding. Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition: Bleu is reported to grab treats with a hard mouth. Positive reinforcement should be used to teach Bleu impulse control. Please see the handout on Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: During Bleu's intake and exam, Bleu displayed defensive behavior such as lunging, hard barking, baring teeth, and growling. Positive reinforcement should be used to help teach Bleu to associate new people with things she likes, such as treats and toys. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression.