Animal Profile
Sonic
Hello, my name is Sonic. My animal id is #238519. I am a male apricot dog at the . The shelter thinks I am about 2 years 1 weeks old.
I came into the shelter as a agency on 10/4/2025.
Reserved
Someone has already placed a deposit on me. I'm no longer available.
Sonic is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Sonic has been intensely fearful in the care center and has escalated to thrashing on leash, biting the lead, and growling when touched. He displays whale eyes and paw lifts during handling and has reported to thrash intensely now when attempted to be walked. Medically, Sonic 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 Sonic is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. Sonic has been intensely fearful in the care center and has escalated to thrashing on leash, biting the lead, and growling when touched. He displays whale eyes and paw lifts during handling and has reported to thrash intensely now when attempted to be walked. Medically, Sonic is apparently healthy. Sonic came into the care center as a stray. Due to this, his behavioral history in a home environment is unknown. Sonic is a fearful dog who requires slow, gentle handling and ample time to build trust. Once given space, he can move calmly alongside handlers and allows towel-assisted handling. His avoidance and tension suggest discomfort with direct handling and unfamiliar environments. Sonic would benefit from placement with a New Hope partner experienced in working with fearful, handling-sensitive dogs who can provide a quiet, consistent environment and focus on positive reinforcement and desensitization to touch and leashing.
My medical notes are...
Weight: 15.6 lbs
10/5/2025
[DVM Intake] DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: ~ 2 year Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned negative History: Agency Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - Friendly, accepts pets, attempts to bite during shave/nail trim, but general handling and exam are tolerated. Is there evidence of Cruelty? No Is there evidence of Neglect? No Is there evidence of Trauma? No Objective P = 100 bmp R = Eupneic BCS = 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Scant plaque 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: Intact male, both testes wnl. MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat, some matting, overgrown nails. CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally normal Assessment - Apparently healthy Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake exam and tasks BW and nail trim @ Sx Trazodone 50 mg - 1 tab PO BID SURGERY: Okay for surgery
10/15/2025
Not NPO'D- reschedule procedure
Details on my behavior are...
Behavior Condition: 2. Blue
Date of intake:: 10/4/2025
Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray(Unknown History)
Date of assessment:: 10/7/2025
Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Mild Reactivity to humans: N/a Reactivity to dogs: N/a Leash walking comments: ACS reports he will snap when put back into kennel and growl in kennel Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Explores room- sniffs, neutral body Call over: Aloof- tense, lip licks, whale eyes when touched Sociability comments: tense whale eyes when handler clips lead to collar. Handling Soft handling: Tolerant- stiff, whale eye Exuberant handling: Tolerant- stiff,whale eye, lip licks Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow- lip licks Arousal comments: Knock: No repsonse Knock Comments: Toy: No response Toy comments:
Summary:: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 10/06/25 Sonic is introduced to multiple small mixed breed dogs while off leash at the care center. Sonic remains avoidant throughout his interaction, maintaining his distance from the other small mixed breed dogs present. Sonic is returned to kennel due to appearing uncomfortable.
Summary (7):: 10/10/25: ACS reports that when leashed Sonmic began to thrash on the leash and bite the lead, he was placed back inot his kennel and a hook was used to remove the lead. 10/07/25 (BA) Sonic is brought into the behavior office due to giving staff a hard time being placed back in his kennel. When he is touched, he is reported to growl. Sonic will allow for the assessor to place a drag leash onto him, allowing to free roam before his assessment. Sonic displays whale eyes as well as paw raises. (Please refer to BA in Behavior section for more insight). Sonic is returned to kennel, where he trots back over to his kennel room with a neutral frame. He allows the handler to towel him, placing a towel onto his body and gently lifting him. He allows the handler to remove the drag leash and is placed into kennel with no issue. 10/6/25: Sonic is siting in his kennel with a tense body as handler approaches. He retreats to the back of his kennel as the handler unlocks the door and tries to leash him. He would dodge the leash each time it got closer to him. He is able to be quickly lassoed and he has a tense body as the handler picks him up. He is then taken to the play yard for play group. In the yard, he has a tense body and would avoid interacting with the other dogs by running away with a tense body and tucked tail each time they got close to him. Please see dog to dog notes for more details. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues.
Date of intake:: 10/4/2025
Date of initial:: 10/5/2025
Summary:: Friendly, accepts pets, attempts to bite during shave/nail trim, but general handling and exam are t
BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only
Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner
Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): We reccomend Sonic be placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Sonic came into the care center as a stray. Due to this, his behavioral history in a home environment is unknown. Sonic is a fearful dog who requires slow, gentle handling and ample time to build trust. Once given space, he can move calmly alongside handlers and allows towel-assisted handling. His avoidance and tension suggest discomfort with direct handling and unfamiliar environments. Sonic would benefit from placement with a New Hope partner experienced in working with fearful, handling-sensitive dogs who can provide a quiet, consistent environment and focus on positive reinforcement and desensitization to touch and leashing.
Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Kennel presence
Potential challenges comments:: Handling/Touch Sensitivity: During his medical exam, Sonic was friendly and accepted petting, tolerating general handling and examination. However, he attempted to bite during more invasive procedures such as shaving and nail trimming, indicating sensitivity to certain types of touch. A slow, consent-based approach and desensitization to grooming tasks are recommended.Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. Kennel Presence / Fearful / Potential for Defensive Aggression: In the care center, Sonic has shown signs of stress and defensive behavior in relation to kennel transitions. He is reported to growl in the kennel and snap when being returned to it. These behaviors suggest kennel-related anxiety and a potential for defensive aggression, requiring low-pressure handling and positive reinforcement during transitions. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression.