Animal Profile

Marley is at risk due to behavioral reasons. During intake, Marley was observed to hard stare at the handler and growl. He then escalated to lunging and snapping. His previous owner describes him as social and affectionate. Medically, Marley has mild-moderate dental disease but is otherwise 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 Marley is at risk due to behavioral reasons. During intake, Marley was observed to hard stare at the handler and growl. He then escalated to lunging and snapping. His previous owner describes him as social and affectionate. Medically, Marley has mild-moderate dental disease but is otherwise apparently healthy. Marley was surrendered to ACC after his previous owner passed away. In his previous home, Marley was described as a social and active dog who enjoys spending time where his people are. He lived with both adults and kids in his previous home and reportedly was friendly and social with all family members. His favorite treats are bacon flavored anything! Marley is struggling with the stress of the shelter and needs a low-traffic quiet home to decompress.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 85.4 lbs

Medical Notes

8/1/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 4-6 years based on dentition, consistent with owner reports Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned POSITIVE History: Owner surrender, owner moving Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - tense in kennel, reported to have lunged at staff upon admission to shelter so opted to sedate in kennel. Sedated using 0.9 ml Dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) + 0.9 ml Butorphanol (10mg/ml) + 0.7ml Ketamine (100gm/ml) IM. Adequate sedation. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: T = P = WNL R = WNL BCS: 6/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, mild to moderate tartar PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, neutered male MSI: Ambulatory x 4 (prior to sedation), no ectoparasites noted, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities (prior to sedation) Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment: Mild to moderate dental disease Apparently healthy Neutered male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort + behavior assessment 0.9 ml antisedan IM Rx: Trazodone 350mg PO BID indefinitely SURGERY: Already neutered

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Date of Intake: 7/31/2026

Spay/Neuter Status: Neutered

Basic Information:: Marley is a 5-year-old male LMB that was surrender due to the owner's passing.

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, children

How is this dog around strangers?: Not many people come to visit the home and when he goes on walks he sticks by the owner.

How is this dog around children?: Around children in the home, he is reported to be friendly, outgoing, and playful.

How is this dog around other dogs?: No experience with other dogs. Will ignore dogs on walks/not reactive.

How is this dog around cats?: No experience.

Resource guarding:: No resource guarding.

Bite history:: No bite history.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Not reactive. Allows other to restrain, for collar to be grabbed, and for his feet to be touched. Is not startled by loud sounds.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: No medical issues.

For a New Family to Know: Marley is social, affectionate, active, and playful with the people he knows. He enjoys spending his time in the living room best. He is used to going to the groomers and loves a good car ride. He gets walked 3 times a day for 20 minutes. Owner stated that he is very smart and sweet. He is a huge fan of bacon anything!

Date of intake:: 7/31/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

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

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, children

Behavior toward strangers:: Marley will stay near the owner

Behavior toward children:: Marley is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: No experience

Behavior toward cats:: No experience

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Not reactive. Allows other to restrain, for collar to be grabbed, and for his feet to be touched. Is not startled by loud sounds. Marley's previous owner describes him as social and affectionate.

Date of assessment:: 8/4/2026

Summary:: During intake Marley was observed to hard stare at the handler and growl. He then escalated to lunging and snapping. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety observed, he is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 8/4/26: Marley is lying down on his side on his kuranda bed in the back of his kennel. The handler tosses a treat and he does not move. They toss a treat closer to him and he jolts then lowers his head to sniff it but does not take it. He looks back up at the handler. The interaction is ended. 7/31/26: (INTAKE BEHAVIOR) Canine behavior is asked for assistance as Marley began growling and lunging at an admissions staff member. The handler stood a few feet away and the dog hid underneath the owner's chair. The handler tossed treats but Marley had no interest. He would hard stare, whale eye, and lift lip frequently, pulling towards the handler. The handler had the owner slip their leash over his head. The owner was hesitant and asked if we wanted to put a muzzle on him. Another handler had the owner place their leash around him as well. The owner removed the leash and prong collar. The dog scrambled towards the owner and would frantically head whip and hard stare the primary handler. Leash pressure was used to exit the lobby. Marley lowered himself and scrambled as the dogs barked at him. The primary handler was able to clip the leash without issue. He had to be muscled into kennel by both handlers. The first leash was easily removed and the second was removed without issue using a hook. Marley was non reactive while in kennel but was heavily panting with red eyes.

Date of intake:: 7/31/2026

Summary:: Growling, lunged and snap at handler

Date of initial:: 8/1/2026

Summary:: Tense in kennel, Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: Marley is described as active and enthusiastic. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in addition to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for Marley.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior, we recommend an adult only home. 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

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: During intake Marley was observed to hard stare at the handler and growl. He then escalated to lunging and snapping. It is important to move slowly with Marley, 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.