Animal Profile

Sassy is at risk due to behavioral concerns in the previous home. Sassy is reported to have initiated altercations with one of the other resident dogs, reportedly unprovoked. Each time, her owner has had to physically pull her off the other dog, as she would aim for the neck each time. The most recent incident resulted in a puncture to the other dog's face that was cleaned/treated at home. During her stay in care, Sassy has been intermittently social with handlers on her own terms, but at times does need coaxing to be returned to the kennel. Medically, Sassy is in heat.

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 Sassy is at risk due to behavioral concerns in the previous home. Sassy is reported to have initiated altercations with one of the other resident dogs, reportedly unprovoked. Each time, her owner has had to physically pull her off the other dog, as she would aim for the neck each time. The most recent incident resulted in a puncture to the other dog's face that was cleaned/treated at home. During her stay in care, Sassy has been intermittently social with handlers on her own terms, but at times does need coaxing to be returned to the kennel. Medically, Sassy is in heat. Sassy was surrendered by her previous owner due to her behavior towards the other resident dog in the home. Her previous owner described her as a very affectionate dog who enjoys being around people, loves long walks in the park, Rope toys, and enjoys eating most food or treats. Sassy is noted to have attacked the other resident dog, reportedly unprovoked, and had to be physically pulled off by her owner in order to stop. The most recent bite was reported to have been two weeks before surrender, and it did break skin, leaving a small puncture to the other dog's face. During her stay in care, Sassy has been highly social with staff and handlers, remaining loose-bodied and readily seeking attention during interactions. Due to the concerns noted in her previous home, we recommend that Sassy be placed in an adult-only home where she can be the only dog and pet through a New Hope Rescue partner that can provide Sassy with behavior modification for her reactivity with the use of a certified professional trainer that uses only positive reinforcement methods.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 37.2 lbs

Medical Notes

7/27/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~9mos based on dentition / condition Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: OS Subjective: BARH, pink moist mm, CRT <2s Observed Behavior - Friendly, hesitant but soliciting attention Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = WNL R = WNL BCS 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Clean adult dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2s, Lungs clear, eupneic, negative ITC ABD: Soft, nonpainful, no masses palpated U/G: Female - appears intact no tattoo or spay scar, serosanguinous discharge from vulva MSI: Ambulatory x 4, full orthopedic exam not performed INT: Healthy hair coat, no masses noted, no ectoparasites seen CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Normal externally Wood's Lamp Exam: Not performed Assessment: Apparently healthy FI in heat young adult mixed breed Prognosis: Good Plan: OK for appropriate intake tasks SURGERY: Okay for surgery

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake Sassy was friendly and social with staff. She allowed all handling.

Date of Intake: 7/26/2026

Spay/Neuter Status: Unknown

Basic Information:: Sassy is a 1-year-old female dog that lived with her previous owner for a year.

Previously lived with:: adults and other dogs

How is this dog around strangers?: Sassy is friendly and social with new people.

How is this dog around children?: Sassy has no experience with children.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Sassy is not friendly with other resident dogs, she will lunge and try to bite. She has minimal experience with dog outside.

How is this dog around cats?: Sassy growls and chases cats if she sees them.

Resource guarding:: Sassy is not known to be a resource guarder.

Bite history:: Sassy has attacked the other resident dog unprovoked and had to be physically pulled off to stop. Client stated the last bite was about to weeks ago and it broke skin leaving a small self-treated puncture on the dog's face.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: high

Other Notes:: Sassy is known to not get along with other dog in the home. She also has a lot of energy and needs long walks to keep her busy.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Sassy is very affectionate and loves to be around people. She knows the command "sit" and is very quick with learning. Sassy prefers to spend most of her time around people and loves long walks in the park. She loves rope toys and will want to play tug of war. Sassy is very playful and enjoys cuddling with her family. She is not known to be picky and will eat most food/treats.

Date of intake:: 7/26/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (1 year)

Previously lived with:: adults and other dogs

Behavior toward strangers:: friendly and social

Behavior toward children:: unknown

Behavior toward dogs:: not friendly with other resident dogs, will lunge and try to bite

Behavior toward cats:: growls, chases

Resource guarding:: none reported

Bite history:: Sassy has attacked the other resident dog unprovoked and had to be physically pulled off to stop. Client stated the last bite was about two weeks ago and it broke skin leaving a small self-treated puncture on the dog's face.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Sassy is reported to have a high energy level.

Other Notes:: Sassy is known to not get along with other dogs in the home. She also has a lot of energy and needs long walks to keep her busy.

Date of assessment:: 7/30/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: none - loose leash Reactivity to humans: ignores Reactivity to dogs: ignores Leash walking comments: hackles raise when walking through rooms/hallways Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): soft body, explores room, occasionally solicits attention from handlers Call over: approaches readily Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: solicits contact Exuberant handling: solicits contact Handling comments: Arousal Jog: follows, low body Arousal comments: nervous Knock: approaches, loose body Knock Comments: Toy: grips, walks away Toy comments:

Summary:: According to Sassy's previous owner(s), she is not friendly with other resident dogs and will lunge and try to bite. She has minimal experience with dogs outside. She has a previous bite history with resident. 07/27/26 Due to Sassy's reported bite history, she is introduced to a fake dog. She enters the yard and will slowly walk along the side of the yard, displacement sniffing. She warily approaches the fake dog and will sniff before walking away. She approaches a couple more times and will briefly sniff before walking away. Because of her reported history, she is not an appropriate candidate for playgroup at this time.

Summary (7):: 8/3/26: Sassy is sitting in her kennel as handler approaches. She has a loose and wiggly body as she jumps up at the door as the handler unlocks it, causing herself to accidently step into her water bowl. She is able to be leashed with ease and is then taken to the play yard. In the yard, she would explore around with sniffing and try to climb up on the bench multiple times. She is comfortable being petted, but doesn’t really engage with the handler. She has no interest in treats or toys. On the way back to her kennel, she would constantly stop walking behind the handler and is able to continue walking while being coaxed. She then baulked at the front of her kennel and refuses to enter for treats. She has to be slightly lifted up to be placed into kennel. 7/30/26 (Assessment): Sassy was at front of kennel with a neutral body where she was easily leashed pulled from kennel and taken to the behavior room for an assessment (Please see assessment notes for details). She was social with handlers and accepted treats. She solicited pets from handlers. She was returned to kennel with no issue. -

Date of intake:: 7/26/2026

Summary:: friendly with staff, allowed all handling

Date of initial:: 7/27/2026

Summary:: Friendly, hesitant but soliciting attention

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the concerning nature of Sassy's bite history and lack of experience as reported by her previous owner, we recommend a home without children. No cats: Sassy is reported to growl and chase cats. For this reason, we recommend that she be placed in a home without cats or other smaller animals. Single-pet Home/Recommend No Dog Parks: Due to Sassy's reported bite history with resident dogs, we feel that she should be the only resident pet and should not visit dog parks. The Behavior Department recommends that she be socialized in a more controlled setting until her behavior towards other dogs can be further addressed. Reward-based, force-free training can be utilized to help Sassy associate dogs with things she enjoys, like toys or treats. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to the concerning nature of Sassy's reported bite history with other dogs in the home, we recommend placement with a New Hope partner that can provide appropriate force-free, reward-based behavior modification with Sassy once she has had ample time to decompress and acclimate to a new environment.

Potential challenges: : House soiling,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,Bite history (dog)

Potential challenges comments:: House soiling: assassin's previous owner reported she is partially Health trained and will likely need guidance with house training. Please see Hannah on house soiling. Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression | Bite history (dog): Sassy is reported to have engaged in altercations with the other resident dogs in the previous home, apparently unprovoked. She is reported to go for the neck and has to be physically removed by her previous owner. The most recent fight was 2 weeks before the day of surrender, which resulted in a small puncture on the other dog's face.