Animal Profile

Sparky is at risk due to behavioral concerns in his previous home. Sparky has a multiple bite history due to his resource guarding of food and toys. His bites were reported to be bite/releases to the hands and legs. During his intake, he was growling and baring teeth at staff and began thrashing once leashed. In the kennel, he has slowly begun to accept treats from the handler but does not further engage. Medically, Sparky is obese.

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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 Sparky is at risk due to behavioral concerns in his previous home. Sparky has a multiple bite history due to his resource guarding of food and toys. His bites were reported to be bite/releases to the hands and legs. During his intake, he was growling and baring teeth at staff and began thrashing once leashed. In the kennel, he has slowly begun to accept treats from the handler but does not further engage. Medically, Sparky is obese. Sparky was surrendered by his previous owner due to moving and behavioral concerns in the home. His previous family described him as affectionate and playful with familiar people. He enjoys playing with toys and is independent. Sparky has a history of resource guarding food and toys and has escalated to biting multiple times while in the home on hands and legs. He is reported to not be social with strangers, children, or other dogs and has escalated to higher level warnings - lunging, growling. During his intake, similar behaviors were observed; he began thrashing while on leash. Due to the multiple concerns reported in the previous home, we recommend that Sparky to be placed in an adult-only home where he can be the only dog through a New Hope rescue partner that can address these concerns with the use of a certified professional trainer that utilizes only positive reinforcement methods.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 42.8 lbs

Medical Notes

3/31/2026

[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 5yrs based on dentition/conformation Microchip noted on intake? scans negative History: O surrender Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - whale-eye-ing, shaking, muzzled for exam and tolerated tasks/handling with slow, gradual handling Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? no Objective: P = 120 R = 24 BCS 7/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: clean adult dentition- muzzled for exam so molars not evaluated PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MN MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat- shaved short CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: externally normal Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment: Approx. 5yr MN canine Obese High FAS Prognosis: good Plan: intake tasks trazadone 8mg/kg PO BID indefinitely SURGERY: Already neutered

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 3. Yellow

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake Sparky was growling/showing teeth at staff. He was handled minimally.

Basic Information:: Sparky is a 7-year-old male dog that lived with his previous owner for 6 years.

Previously lived with:: adults and children

How is this dog around strangers?: Sparky is not social with new people and will growl/lunge when approached.

How is this dog around children?: Sparky is not friendly with children and prefers contact on his own terms.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Sparky is not tolerant with other dogs and will bark/growl and lunge.

How is this dog around cats?: Sparky does not have experience with cats.

Resource guarding:: Sparky is a resource guarder with food and toys and has bitten his previous owner multiple times in the past, owner stated Sparky will growl and quickly snap when getting close to him while he is eating or playing with toys.

Bite history:: Bites broke skin and were treated at home as they were a bite and release on hands/legs. The last bite incident was a year ago and previous.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Sparky is potty trained and will not have accidents in the home if he is taken outside on walks at least twice a day. While on walks Sparky is known to lunge and hard bark at people, dogs, and bikes. He will stay quiet and hard stare once he is done reacting. Sparky does not like to be handled and will only be tolerant with familiar people sometimes.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Sparky's previous owner stated that once he is warmed up and comfortable, he is affectionate and playful. Sparky knows commands "sit" and is usually quiet when in a quiet safe space. He enjoys playing with toys and is independent.

Date of intake:: 3/30/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (6 years)

Previously lived with:: adults and children

Behavior toward strangers:: not social with new people and will growl/lunge when approached

Behavior toward children:: not friendly with children and prefers contact on his own terms

Behavior toward dogs:: ot tolerant with other dogs and will bark/growl and lunge

Behavior toward cats:: unknown

Resource guarding:: Sparky is a resource guarder with food and toys and has bitten his previous owner multiple times in the past, owner stated Sparky will growl and quickly snap when getting close to him while he is eating or playing with toys.

Bite history:: Bites broke skin and were treated at home as they were a bite and release on hands/legs. The last bite incident was a year ago.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Sparky is reported to have a medium energy level.

Other Notes:: Sparky is potty trained and will not have accidents in the home if he is taken outside on walks at least twice a day. While on walks, Sparky is known to lunge and bark hard at people, dogs, and bikes. He will stay quiet and hard stare once he is done reacting. Sparky does not like to be handled and will only be tolerant with familiar people sometimes.

Date of assessment:: 4/1/2026

Summary:: Sparky was surrendered by his previous owner due to his multiple bite history. Sparky is reported to guard food and toys and has bitten his owner multiple times in the past, around 3-4 times. The last bite was reported to have been a year ago. Sparky is reported to have broken skin, but the injuries were treated at home as they were bites and releases on the hands and/or legs. He will growl and quickly snap when in proximity while he is eating or playing with toys. During his intake, Sparky was growling and baring teeth at the staff while in the waiting room. Once leashed, Sparky was reported to begin thrashing as he was walked to medical; he was easily redirected. In the kennel, he is fearful and does not take treats or accept interaction. His owner stated that Sparky is not social with new people and will growl and lunge when approached, nor is he social with children or other dogs (bark, growl, lunges) Due to Sparky’s multiple bite history, resource guarding, and the other reported concerns in the home, the behavior team does not feel that he is a safe candidate for a handling assessment.

Summary (7):: 4/6/26 (KSV): Sparky was lying at front of kennel when handler approached with side against kennel door. Handler spoke in a soft voice saying hello and Sparky stood up with a neutral body. Handler offered a treat and Sparky tentatively sniffed the treat and then took and ate the treat. When a second treat was offered Sparky accepted more readily. Through out the interaction he kept a neutral body and kept his eyes on handler. After handler stepped away he lied back down towards the back of the kennel. 4/5/26: It was reported via the behavior board that Sparky refused to move over for cleaning. 03/30/26: Sparky is laying down in the back of his kennel as handler approaches. As handler opens the kennel door to leash him, Sparky maintains a hard stare toward handler. Once leashed, Sparky is transferred to another kennel due to a malfunction with his current kennel. Sparky walks directly into the new kennel without any issues and remains safe secured. 3/30 (late entry): Sparky scoots to the back of his kennel when a handler approaches. He lip licks and is trembling. He does not take treats but does perk his ears when the handler slowly begins to stand to take his picture. The handler then walks away to prevent any further stress.

Date of intake:: 3/30/2026

Summary:: growling, baring teeth, thrashed on leash

Date of initial:: 3/31/2026

Summary:: whale-eye-ing, shaking, muzzled for exam and tolerated tasks/handling with slow, gradual handling

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Sparky's multiple bite history, resource guarding, and reported concerns with children in the previous home, we recommend that Sparky be placed in an adult-only home. Single-pet home/Recommend no dog parks: Sparky's previous owner reported that he is not tolerant of other dogs and will hard bark, growl, and lunge at them. Due to these concerns, we recommend that Sparky be the only dog in a home and not attend dog parks at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to all noted concerns displayed in a home environment, the behavior department recommends Sparky be placed with a New Hope placement partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow him to acclimate comfortably to his new environment; force-free, reward-based training only is advised when introducing Sparky to new and unfamiliar situations. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended for guidance to safely manage/modify any behavior he presents with outside of the care centers.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding | Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression | Bite history (human): Sparky is reported to guard food and toys. He will growl and snap when close to him while he is with these items. Sparky has bitten multiple times due to this on the hands and legs. The bites were bite and release that did break skin and/or draw skin. Handling/touch sensitivity: Sparky's previous owner reported that he does not like being handled and will only be occasionally tolerant with familiar people. During his intake, Sparky began thrashing once leashed. Please see handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Sparky is reported to growl and lunge at new people and is not sociable. During his intake, Sparky was growling and baring teeth at staff. Please see handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: While on walks, Sparky is known to lunge and hard bark at people, dogs, and bikes. He will stay quiet and hard stare once he is done reacting. Please see handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration.