Animal Profile

Stone is at risk due to behavioral reasons. During his stay in the care center Stone has been observed to be highly fearful. Noted to maintain his distance from handlers with a tense body. During his reassessment, Stone was observed to hard stare, growl, and freeze when the handler approached. His previous owner describes him as a couch potato that loves peanut butter. Medically, Stone has conjunctivitis, and otitis externa.

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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 Stone is at risk due to behavioral reasons. During his stay in the care center Stone has been observed to be highly fearful. Noted to maintain his distance from handlers with a tense body. During his reassessment, Stone was observed to hard stare, growl, and freeze when the handler approached. His previous owner describes him as a couch potato that loves peanut butter. Medically, Stone has conjunctivitis, and otitis externa. Stone arrived at MACC as an owner surrender. His previous owner describes him as a couch potato. While in care, Stone has been observed to be highly fearful. Noted to maintain his distance from handlers and allow minimal handling. Due to the detailed behavior, we recommend an adult only home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 55 lbs

Medical Notes

4/22/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 7 years per owner, exam agrees Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Owner surrender Subjective: QAR Observed Behavior - walks into intake room with a tense body and sniffs around exam room with a tucked tail, goes onto scale on own, offered cheese and other high value treats but shows no interest. Attempted to approach and then began growling with a lowered head carriage. Opted to sedate as to not worsen FAS. Sedated using 0.7 ml Dexmedetomidine (500mcg/ml) + 0.7 ml Butorphanol (10mg/ml) IM. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: T = P = 80 bpm (sedated) R = 20 bpm (sedated) BCS: 5/9 EENT: Scant dried ocular discharge OS, clear OD, ears have thick brown waxy debris AU, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Adult dentition, mild tartar-- limited exam performed 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), skin free of parasites, 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: Otitis externa AU Conjunctivitis-- allergies Neutered male Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Cleaned eyes (not setting up on medication due to behavior) Clean ears AU Await sort + behavior assessment 0.7 ml antisedan IM Simplera AU Rx: Trazodone 200mg PO BID indefinitely while in care SURGERY: Already neutered

4/28/2026

Green mucoid nasal discharge A: CIRDC P: Doxycycline 100mg 2 1/2 tablets po sid x 10d

5/8/2026

SO: Last day of treatment for CIRDC BAR, standing at back of kennel eent: eyes clear, no ocular or nasal dc apparent h/l: eupneic, no coughing or sneezing appreciated msi: ambulatory x4 neuro: mentation alert and appropriate A: CIRDC apparently resolved P: monitor for recurrence of clinical signs

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 4. Orange

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake Stone was calm and quiet and allowed all handling. He gently leaned into Staff for pets and would wag his tail loosely when given attention. Stone retreated from the leash and head ducked but eventually allowed it. He walked well on the leash but was very tense. When waiting for vaccines he had tail tucked and began to growl when approached. He did not allow for muzzling (growling, retreating). He walked to kennel without issue but needed to run in.

Basic Information:: Stone is a MMB brindle male dog who was surrendered to ACC by his family of 7 years.

Previously lived with:: adults and chilldren

How is this dog around strangers?: Alert barks but is playful.

How is this dog around children?: Friendly and outgoing.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Alert barks at familiar dogs and will hard bark or growl at unfamiliar dogs both on and off-leash.

How is this dog around cats?: Hard barks or growls.

Resource guarding:: Considers toys items of high value and will have a tense body or hover over the items when approached.

Bite history:: Has been bitten by another animal. Incident occurred on 11/07/2024 and did not equire vet care.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Knows to relieve himself outside on walks and will vary rarely have indoor accidents. On walks he hard barks or growls at cats and M-L dogs. He will also sometimes jump up on strangers and have zoomies. He is fearful when restrained, when his paws are touched, and when his collar is grabbed; Is unbothered when disturbed while sleeping or moved from furniture and he has never been startled.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: Has seasonal allergies when pollen is high Last vet check was on 03/18/2024

For a New Family to Know: He is a lazy couch potato who spends most of his time in the bedroom of his home. He doesn't allow his family to bathe or brush him and pulls mildly on his leash during his usual 30min long walks he goes on 1-2 times a day but he knows the cues "sit", "stay", "down", "go", and "paw" and is described as an obedient and loving dog who loves car rides, peanut butter and any pull toy he is offered. He primarily eats dry food of Beneful brand and has had experience with being crated but does not do well.

Date of intake:: 4/21/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

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

Previously lived with:: Adults and Children

Behavior toward strangers:: Stone will alert bark and is playful

Behavior toward children:: Stone is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Stone will alert bark at familiar dogs, will hard bark or growl at unfamiliar dogs

Behavior toward cats:: Stone will hard bark or growl

Resource guarding:: Considers toys items of high value and will have a tense body or hover over the items when approached.

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Knows to relieve himself outside on walks and will vary rarely have indoor accidents. On walks he hard barks or growls at cats and M-L dogs. He will also sometimes jump up on strangers and have zoomies. He is fearful when restrained, when his paws are touched, and when his collar is grabbed; Is unbothered when disturbed while sleeping or moved from furniture and he has never been startled. Stone's previous owner describes him as a couch potato that loves peanut butter. *Previous assessments can be given upon request*

Date of assessment:: 5/6/2026

Summary:: **5/6/26** When brought into the assessment room Stone was observed to be tense and fearful. Noted to have a tense body, and shows whale eye when the primary handler attempts to interact with him. When the handler presents the collar, Stone begins to hard stare at them and freezes. The handler offers a treat, and Stone takes it slowly with a tense body. The primary handler has the secondary distract Stone as they attempt to place the collar on him again. Stone hard stares at the handler again. The handler resets and presents the collar again. Stone hard stares again before growling at the handler. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety displayed. Stone is not a candidate to receive a handling assessment at this time. **4/23/26** When brought into the assessment room Stone was observed to be fearful and have a tense body. He is observed to maintain his distance from handlers and requires coaxing to accept treats. When the handler offers high value treats, Stone is receptive and takes them with a soft mouth. However, when the handler presents the collar, he retreats quickly and increases the distance from the handler. The handler attempts to lure him again with treats. However, he becomes less receptive. The handler ends the interaction. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety displayed. Stone is not a candidate to receive a handling assessment at this time.

Summary:: 5/8/26: Stone greets another dog at the gate with a neutral body and loose hanging tail.

Summary (7):: 5/8/26: It is noted on the behavior board that Stone might be housetrained. 5/6/26: Stone is returning from a walk when the handler approaches; the handler places a clipped leash over his head and secures it, while the other handler removes theirs. The handler brings Stone outside for a walk; he walks with mild leash tension and doesn't react to dogs or people. Stone sniffs the handler's hand when they present it and takes treats with mild pressure. Then, the handler brings Stone inside for his assessment, but it is ended early to reduce FAS (see notes). The handler is able to return Stone to his kennel with ease. 4/26/26: It is reported on the whiteboard that Stone refused walk for spot clean, stayed in back of kennel and low growled when trying to leash.

Date of intake:: 4/21/2026

Summary:: Allowed all handling, tense while on leash

Date of initial:: 4/22/2026

Summary:: Tense body, tucked tail when approached began growling with a low head

ENERGY LEVEL:: Stone is described as medium energy. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them engaged and exercised. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for them.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),No cats,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 Cats: Due to hard barking and growling at cats we recommend a home with no cats. No Dog Parks: Due to hard barking and growling at unfamiliar dogs we recommend no trips to the dog park. 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: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Stone's previous owner states that he will have a tense body and hover over toys in his possession. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Stone's mouth, and any time something is removed they should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Handling Sensitivity: Stone's previous owner states that he will become fearful when restrained, when his paws are touched, and when his collar is grabbed. Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Stone to be more comfortable with this. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity. Fearful Defensive: Stone has been observed to be highly fearful while in care. Noted to maintain his distance from handlers and allow very minimal handling. During his reassessment Stone was observed to begin growling at the handler when approached. It is important to move slowly with Stone, 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. On Leash Reactivity: Stone's previous owner states that he will hard bark or growl at cats and dogs while on leash. Stone will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than dogs and other stimuli. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration.