Animal Profile

Mister Max is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Mister Max has shown difficulty returning to his kennel, including balking, thrashing, and head whipping when leash pressure is applied. He has also gotten loose from a handler while being returned to kennel due to his thrashing and balking. Outside of these moments, Mister Max is easy to leash, explores with a neutral body, approaches handlers, and readily takes treats but is struggling to acclimate.. Medically, Mister Max is receiving treatment for CIRDC and is overweight.

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 Mister Max is on the at-risk list due to behavior concerns. In the care center, Mister Max has shown difficulty returning to his kennel, including balking, thrashing, and head whipping when leash pressure is applied. He has also gotten loose from a handler while being returned to kennel due to his thrashing and balking. Outside of these moments, Mister Max is easy to leash, explores with a neutral body, approaches handlers, and readily takes treats but is struggling to acclimate.. Medically, Mister Max is receiving treatment for CIRDC and is overweight. Mister Max was surrendered to the care center by his previous owners due to their family circumstances. He is described by his previous owners as an active, playful, and independent dog. During his time at the care center, Max has shown fearful behavior around handling, particularly on returning to kennel when he head whipped at a staff member. In calmer contexts, though, he has shown social behavior with staff. His previous owner's report that he is sensitive to handling; he is fearful when his collar is grabbed has snapped when his paws are touched. He is also reported to resource guard, and may escalate to growling if his initial signals of hovering and tensing are not respected. Due to these concerns, we recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide a decompression period, any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based), and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 21.8 lbs

Medical Notes

10/2/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 5 years Microchip noted on Intake? Negative History: Owner Surrender Subjective: BAR-H, MM pink and moist Observed Behavior - Blue; Able to examine, nervous/tense with some medical handling including oral exam, but tolerated exam and intake tasks, trying to leave exam table; when not being medically handled, appears friendly and is loose and wiggly Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = WNL R = WNL BCS 7/9 Weight = 21.8 lbs EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Moderate generalized dental calculus and enamel discoloration 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 CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Assessment: Apparently healthy, except for: -Moderate dental disease -Overweight Prognosis: Good Plan: Standard intake tasks for dogs performed Recommend dental care after placement Weight loss recommended after placement SURGERY: Already neutered; surgery not needed

10/14/2026

Progress exam: CIRDC signs noted on rounds Subjective: BAR, no C/V/D. Sneezing/sniffling present. AS:1/2 untouched wet/dry food mix present Objective: EYES: Clear LUNGS: Eupneic, no sign of respiratory distress NASAL CAVITY: clear serous discharge MUSCULOSKELETAL: Ambulatory x4, no lameness or lesions NEURO: Appropriate mentation ASSESSMENT: Presumed CIRDC PLAN: Per standing orders -Under the weather sign, ppe sign & monitor log placed on kennel -Start doxycycline 10mg/kg PO q24h x10days & medical feedings PO BID x5 days -CTM, recheck in 3 days

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake, Max was leashed by the surrendering client. Once staff ha the leash he was a little shy and fearful but tolerant and cooperative. He was easily walked, scanned, picked up, held, and placed in kennel. Was not collared due to FAS.

Date of Intake: 9/30/2026

Spay/Neuter Status: Neutered

Basic Information:: SMB male dog who was surrendered to ACC by his family

Previously lived with:: adults

How is this dog around strangers?: Playful

How is this dog around children?: Playful

How is this dog around other dogs?: Tolerant of familiar dogs and has no on or off leash experience with unfamiliar dogs

How is this dog around cats?: Friendly, outgoing, playful, and tolerant

Resource guarding:: Considers toys and food items of high value and may escalate to growling if his initial warning of hovering and tensing his body is not respected

Bite history:: No history

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Knows to relieve himself outside while on walks or on wee-wee pads and very rarely has indoor accidents Escapes house/yard, is mouthy when taking treats, has general anxiety as well as separation anxiety, and is fearful of loud noises On walks he is known to bark or growl at strangers who approach his family and at other dogs. This behavior is also seen when strangers approach his home/yard Has never been held or restrained, disturbed when sleeping or resting, startled or moved from furniture, he is fearful and may snap when his paws are touched and is fearful when his collar is grabbed

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

Medical Notes: No known allergies or medical concerns

For a New Family to Know: He is described as a very active and playful yet independent dog who prefers contact on his own terms He spends most of his time in the living room or kitchen of his home and playing with plastic chew toys. He is very active, enjoys both wet and dry food of any brand, is not picky with treats, and is accustomed to going to the groomers. He pulls moderately on his leash during his unscheduled walks, and does not know any cues.

Date of intake:: 9/30/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

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

Previously lived with:: Adults

Behavior toward strangers:: Playful

Behavior toward children:: Playful

Behavior toward dogs:: Tolerant of familiar dogs, no experience with unfamiliar dogs

Behavior toward cats:: Friendly, outgoing, playful, and tolerant

Resource guarding:: Considers toys and food items of high value and may escalate to growling if his initial warning of hovering and tensing his body is not respected

Bite history:: No history

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Mister Max is described as high energy by his previous owners.

Other Notes:: Knows to relieve himself outside while on walks or on wee-wee pads and very rarely has indoor accidents Escapes house/yard, is mouthy when taking treats, has general anxiety as well as separation anxiety, and is fearful of loud noises On walks he is known to bark or growl at strangers who approach his family and at other dogs. This behavior is also seen when strangers approach his home/yard Has never been held or restrained, disturbed when sleeping or resting, startled or moved from furniture, he is fearful and may snap when his paws are touched and is fearful when his collar is grabbed.

Date of assessment:: 10/4/2026

Summary:: Mister Max has not acclimated well to the care center environment, and has shown fearful and defensive behavior including head whipping when a staff member applied leash pressure when attempting to return him to his kennel. His previous owners report that he is fearful around handling, such as having his collar grabbed, and will escalate to snapping when his paws are touched. Due to these sensitivities, and out of concern for his stress levels, a handling assessment is not conducted.

Summary (7):: 10/18/26: Mister Max is reported to be reluctant to enter back into the building and kennel, requiring staff to help him in with leash pressure. 10/03/26: Mister Max is at the front of the kennel as the handler approaches. He is leashed with ease, and brought to the behavior office where he sniffs, explores, and takes treats. He approaches handlers with a neutral body, sniffing for treats and then moving away. On returning to the kennel he balks and thrashes once, but then jumps into the kennel with coaxing and mild leash pressure. 10/02/26: An ACS reported that Mister Max is reluctant to return to kennel and will head whip when leash pressure is applied while returning. Mister Max also got loose while returning to kennel in the afternoon, but a second handler was able to pick him up and place him in kennel.

Date of intake:: 9/30/2026

Summary:: Shy and fearful but tolerant and cooperative.

Date of initial:: 10/2/2026

Summary:: Able to examine, nervous/tense, trying to leave table

ENERGY LEVEL:: Mister Max is described as a high energy dog by his previous owner, and will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children: Due to Mister Max's sensitivity and fear around handling, both in a home environment and the care center, we recommend an adult only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to Mister Max's fearful behavior, we recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide a period of decompression, any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based), and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Separation anxiety,Anxiety

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Mister Max's previous owners report that he considers toy and food items of high value, and if his initial warning of hovering and tensing are not respected, he may escalate to growling. For this reason, we advise against ever removing items from Mister Max's possession without safely trading for an item or greater or equal value. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Handling/touch sensitivity and Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Mister Max has shown fearful behavior at the care center, both during intake and when being handled, including head whipping at a staff member as they attempted to return him to kennel. His previous owners report that he barks and growls at unfamiliar people and dogs who approach his people or home, has snapped when his paws are touched, and becomes fearful when his collar is grabbed. It is important to avoid touching his paws at this time and to be cautious when touching him in other areas as we do not know where he may have other sensitivities. Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Dog to be more comfortable with this. It is also important to always go slow and give Mister Max the option to walk away from any social interaction. He should never be forced to approach anything that he is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be his choice to approach a new person or thing. Mister Max may do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to her/his new surroundings. Please see handout on Handling/touch sensitivity and Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Separation anxiety: Mister Max's previous owners report that he is anxious when left alone. While we do not have information on the nature or extent of this behavior, we recommend that potential adopters feel comfortable with separation anxiety behaviors and prepared to manage and positively modify them should they appear in a future home environment. Anxiety: Mister Max's previous owners report that he is an anxious dog. If Mister Max displays anxious behavior in his future home, we recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and giving him other things to focus on to alleviate his anxiety. Positive reinforcement, force-free training only should be used. Please see handout on Generalized Anxiety.