Animal Profile

Hoss is at risk due to behavior concerns. In the Care Centers, Hoss displays fearfulness and requires coaxing to exit his kennel and to return after walks. He has been observed planting himself on the floor and, at times, requiring more than one staff member to encourage movement. In the kennel, he growls at staff when they attempt to place a slip lead on him. He does show interest in treats and will eventually walk when food is used as motivation. Medically, 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 Hoss is at risk due to behavior concerns. In the Care Centers, Hoss displays fearfulness and requires coaxing to exit his kennel and to return after walks. He has been observed planting himself on the floor and, at times, requiring more than one staff member to encourage movement. In the kennel, he growls at staff when they attempt to place a slip lead on him. He does show interest in treats and will eventually walk when food is used as motivation. Medically, is apparently healthy. Hoss came into the care center as a stray. During his past stay in the care cneter his owner noted that he Hoss is known to be a very friendly, affectionate, playful, and highly excitable boy. Once he is comfortable with you, Hoss is very loving and will want to follow you or be in the same room as you. Some of his favorite activities include running, walking, tug of war, and snuggling. In the care center Hoss has displays fear and conflict around leashing and close handler movement. He may back away, whale eye, growl, or jump backward when the leash is presented. He is noted to not want ot go on walks outside and willput on the brakes.In calmer settings, Hoss is social and affiliativeseeking pets, engaging with toys, and showing a loose body with familiar handlers.Hoss would benefit from a calm, structured home with experienced adopters who can move slowly, respect his signals, and continue confidence-building using positive reinforcement. Hoss is available for rescue through one of our new hope partners.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 78 lbs

Medical Notes

1/2/2026

[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~ 4 year Microchip noted on intake? Scanned Positive History: Agency Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Very excited, hyperactive, very sweet and friendly, wiggly and loose, allowed all medical handling. Is there evidence of Cruelty? no Is there evidence of Neglect? no Is there evidence of Trauma? no Objective P = 130 R = eupneic BCS 7.5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Scant staining and tartar. Pink mm. PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Castrated male. Externally normal. MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat. Small square of shave hair on dorsal cranium - some mildly inflamed follicles present, appears to be resolving. CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: externally normal Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment Apparently healthy Overweight Resolving dermatitis/folliculitis Prognosis: good Plan: Intake exam Monitor skin for now SURGERY: Permanent waiver due to previously neutered

1/9/2026

Behavior team reports whale eye, growling, avoidance of leashing, not wanting to go outside for walk. Start trazodone 8 mg/kg PO BID.

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 1. Green

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of intake:: 12/31/2025

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray(history from past stay)

Behavior toward cats:: .

Other Notes:: 6/29/22 Owner Surrender (1st stay) Previously lived with: 1 Adult Behavior toward strangers: friendly and outgoing with strangers. Behavior toward children: unknown Behavior toward dogs: unknown Behavior toward cats: unknown. Resource guarding: No known history of Resource guarding. Bite history: No known history of a bite hsitory. Housetrained: Yes Energy level/descriptors: Hoss is noted to have a very high energy level in the prior home. Hoss is a very exuberant, high energy dog who is very strong as well. He is not bothered when food, toys, or high value treats are taken away. He also is not bothered when given a bath or having his coat brushed. The owner never had to clip his nails so behavior is unknown. Hoss remains friendly if strangers are approaching the house or someone unfamiliar is present. Hoss is known to be a very friendly, affectionate, playful, and highly excitable boy. Once he is comfortable with you, Hoss is very loving and will want to follow you or be in the same room as you. Some of his favorite activities include running, walking, tug of war, and snuggling. When on the leash he pulls very hard; when off leash he tends to wander, but will come when cued. Hoss enjoys all kinds of toys including balls, stuffed toys, chew bones and squeaky toys. He has been kept mostly indoors and is house-trained. Hoss used to was crate-trained in the past, but does not need it anymore. When Hoss is left alone in the house he is well-behaved. He knows the basic cues such sit and come. At night, Hoss sleeps on a dog bed. In the home, he was fed Pedigree dry food twice a day and enjoyed the occasional bone as a treat.

Date of assessment:: 1/7/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Mild Reactivity to humans: Ignores Reactivity to dogs: Ignores Leash walking comments: growling,whale eye tense with leashing, noted to not want to come back to the building when on his walks Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Social- leans into touch, neutral body Call over: Readily approaches- allows petting, interested in treats Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: Allowed- leans into touch, panting Exuberant handling: Allowed- leans into touch, panting Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Back away after 2nd pass Arousal comments: Knock: No repsonse Knock Comments: Toy: hover over the toy with a tense body Toy comments: ***01/01/25: A handling assessment is not condcuted at this time due to not having vaccines.*** ***07/01/2022: previous assessment upon request.***

Summary (7):: 1/9/25: Hoss is observed to not want to walk in the street. A familiar handler walks up and will follow them with no issue down the ramp and into the building. Hoss is also not wanted to come forwards for leashing but is easily clipped to his collar. 1/7/26: Hoss is laying in the back of his kennel on his kuranda bed as the handler approaches. They begin to open the door and attempt to lure him through the leash loop a few times. Each time, he will back up and stand up on his hind legs as he jumps back. He is eventually leashed and taken out for a walk. He pulls mildly during the walk but when the handler attempts to return back to the care center he will plant himself. A second handler assists with coaxing Hoss forward. Hoss will jump on the handler socially and will follow them into the care center. He is then returned to his kennel with no further issue. 1/3/26: Hoss is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is hesitant to be leashed and would back away and whale eye with a tense body. He begins growling as the handler tries to bring their leash closer to him. He is able to be leashed while being distracted with a treat on the ground. He is then taken to the behavior room for his assessment. In the room, he is comfortable being petted and would hover over the toy with a tense body when the handler tries to grab it with the assessment hand. Please see behavior assessment notes for more details. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. 1/3/26: Hoss is laying down at the back of his kennel as handler approaches. He comes forward to the door and is comfortable taking treats. He is hesitant of being leashed and would back away while whale eyeing as the handler attempts to leash him. He is able to be leashed with treats and is then taken to the behavior room. In the room, he is able to be collared with a drag lead and he would approach the handlers with a loose body to receive pets. He would play with a few squeaker toys and would hover and growl with a toy in his mouth when a handler was close by siting in a chair. He is able to return back to his kennel when the handler tosses a treat trail down the hallway before he continues walking willingly and enters his kennel with ease.

Date of intake:: 12/31/2025

Date of initial:: 1/2/2026

Summary:: Very excited, hyperactive, very sweet and friendly, wiggly and loose, allowed all medical handling.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): We reccomend Hoss be placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Hoss came into the care center as a stray. During his past stay in the care cneter his owner noted that he Hoss is known to be a very friendly, affectionate, playful, and highly excitable boy. Once he is comfortable with you, Hoss is very loving and will want to follow you or be in the same room as you. Some of his favorite activities include running, walking, tug of war, and snuggling. In the care center Hoss has displays fear and conflict around leashing and close handler movement. He may back away, whale eye, growl, or jump backward when the leash is presented. He is noted to not want ot go on walks outside and willput on the brakes.In calmer settings, Hoss is social and affiliativeseeking pets, engaging with toys, and showing a loose body with familiar handlers.Hoss would benefit from a calm, structured home with experienced adopters who can move slowly, respect his signals, and continue confidence-building using positive reinforcement. Hoss is available for rescue through one of our new hope partners.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: During Hoss behavioral assessment, he is noted to hover over the dummy toy and display a tense body.Training should focus on teaching cues such as “drop it” and “leave it,” using trade-up techniques.Positive-reinforcement-based exercises can help reduce tension around resources. Please see the handout on Resource guarding. Fearful//potential for defensive aggression/Handling/touch sensitivity: Hoss is noted to become tense when touched around his neck or when his collar is grabbed. He is also noted to growl, bark, and become avoidant when a slip lead is placed over his head. He is noted in the care cneter to not want to go on walks and with put on the brakes.Recommended strategies include slow desensitization to collar and leash handling, pairing all touch with high-value treats, avoiding sudden grabs, and using low-stress leashing method. Gradually reinforcing voluntary movement and offering choice can help build confidence and reduce avoidance.Please see the handout on Fearful//potential for defensive aggression/Handling/touch sensitivity.