05/28/2026
RESCUE-ONLY DEADLINE 630PM TUESDAY 6/2/26
Must be pulled by a partnered rescue
Name: Sage
Animal ID: A899403
Age: 1 year
Weight: 41 lbs
About: Meet Sage, a 1-year-old Lab mix who is searching for a patient and understanding adopter. Sage is quite nervous and flighty in the shelter environment, suggesting she may be under socialized, but she has shown us that she can warm up slowly over time when given a chance. To help her feel secure and succeed at her own pace, she would benefit greatly from a quiet, low-traffic home that can offer her a predictable and comforting routine.
When it comes to other animals, Sage is looking to be the only pet in her new household. During her shelter playgroup, she has shown to be selective about her canine companions, and notes from her previous owner mention that she had conflicts with other dogs in her prior home. Additionally, Sage’s new environment should be an adults-only home. Her surrender notes indicate she did not do well living with a 9-year-old child, so a mature, quiet environment will be the best fit for her success.
Because we believe in setting both our dogs and adopters up for a safe, successful future, we want to share her full history. Sage was surrendered to our care following an incident where she displayed resource-guarding behaviors over her owner, which unfortunately escalated to a moderate bite. While her past details are limited, this history highlights her need for a structured environment with an experienced handler who understands how to manage guarding behaviors and establish healthy boundaries. If you have the patience and the peaceful home Sage needs, please come down to learn more about giving this young girl a fresh start.
Adoption Process:
All interested parties must meet the dog at PACC before their deadline. Some dogs may also require an introduction to any dogs they may potentially live with. Once introductions are complete and if the IP has decided this dog may be a good fit, the process is as follows:
Interested parties:
Must visit PACC before the COB TUESDAY JUNE 2ND deadline to meet with an adoption counselor who will go over notes and introduce you to the dog.
Are encouraged to reach out to a rescue group ASAP (even before coming to PACC), to start the rescue approval process. Please have the rescue contact PACC at [email protected] if approved to pull.
If an IP has not already contacted a rescue, PACC will notify all partnered rescue groups of an interested party and request their assistance. Once you have come to PACC to meet with the dog and determined that you’d like to move forward, your information will be sent to partnered rescue groups. If a rescue group is interested and feels they may be able to pull, they will then reach out to IPs.
Collaboration with Rescue Groups:
Rescue groups are encouraged to reach out to PACC immediately if they will pull this animal into their rescue (and if there are requirements: Interested adoptive party, spay/neuter if not already completed, etc.)
Rescue groups are encouraged to start their adoption process with any interested parties who have contacted them directly and email PACC at [email protected].
Please note that it is ultimately up to the rescue group's discretion to decide whether to proceed with adoption.
HOME MANAGEMENT PLAN:
Bite History:
• Incident Details: Moderate bite to victim, Sage charged 9-year-old, victim stepped in front of child when victim was bit
No Kids:
• Sage is not suitable for a home with children.
• Reason: growling, lunging, charged child
• Management: For safety and comfort, they should be in an adult-only home where interaction can be calm, predictable, and structured.
Resource Guards Attention From People:
• Sage may guard attention or affection from certain people, particularly those they are bonded to.
• Muzzle Training: Muzzle training is strongly recommended for all new introductions to ensure safety and reduce stress for both Sage and others.
• Professional Support: Establish clear boundaries early and seek guidance from a qualified trainer to help manage and modify guarding behavior.
• Management at Home: Create a calm, designated space where they can relax when guests arrive or when attention is divided. Avoid scolding or punishing guarding behaviors - focus on redirection and rewarding calm, appropriate responses.
• Recognize Warning Signals: Watch for signs that they are becoming uncomfortable, such as stiffening, growling, or placing themselves between people. These behaviors should be respected by giving space and calmly redirecting their focus.
Stranger Danger:
• Initial Reaction: Expect your new dog to be uncomfortable around and with new people, including yourself, until they are comfortable with you; they may bark, snap, or flee.
• Introductions: New people require a slow, controlled introduction. Muzzle training is strongly recommended to ensure safety during any necessary close-range interactions or introductions outside of the immediate family unit.
• Safe Retreat: When guests are expected, Sage must be secured in their crate or in a safe, separate room away from the commotion and entry points of the home.
• Walks: Restrict walks to low-traffic, quiet areas where unexpected encounters with people or dogs are minimal.
• Re-Entry Management: During the first few days to weeks, they may startle, bark, snap or attempt to flee when you return home. To prevent stress or accidental escape, secure them in a crate or quiet room before leaving. This helps make door entries calm and predictable rather than frightening.
Flight Risk
• Experienced Handler Required: Sage should go home with a confident, experienced handler who can recognize and manage signs of fear or startle response.
• Dragline Use: Keep a dragline attached for a minimum of two weeks. This allows safe, low-stress handling if they become difficult to approach.
• Leash Safety: Always maintain a secure grip on the leash when outdoors until they are fully settled. Avoid using retractable leashes.
• Supervision: Never leave them unsupervised outdoors, even in a fenced yard, as fearful dogs can climb, dig, or squeeze through small gaps when startled.
• Equipment Requirement: They must go home with a properly fitted martingale collar and a standard flat clip leash to help prevent slipping out during walks.
• Longline Use: When spending time outdoors in an enclosed yard, use a longline to give them extra space to explore while keeping them safe and under control. Do NOT use tie outs, leash should be always held and maintained by the handler. Should NOT be used in unenclosed or public spaces.
Under socialized OR Handling Issues:
• Decompression Period - Allow Sage a minimum of 2 weeks to settle. They must be allowed to go at their own pace. Allow them to approach you for attention and pets. DO NOT force interactions.
• No Forced Handling - Avoid all handling that Sage cannot consent to. This includes:
• Petting them while they are sleeping
• Grabbing their collar or body.
• Picking them up.
• Forcing grooming (bathing, clipping nails, cleaning ears) during the decompression period. Use positive reinforcements and conditioning only.
• Positive Reinforcement: Use high-value treats and praise to reward all desired behaviors.
• Recognize Warning Signals - the adopter/foster must be intensely aware of SAGE’s body language signals, which indicate stress and potential snap or bite:
• Lifting of the lips/showing teeth
• Low growls
• Stiffening of the body (freezing)
These warnings must be respected immediately by creating distance and disengaging.
Dog Selective:
• Required Dog Meetings: Sage must meet all resident dogs prior to adoption to ensure compatibility.
• Selective Play Style: They prefer to choose their own friends - they may get along well with some dogs but not with all dogs. Introductions should be monitored closely for positive body language and relaxed interactions.
• Muzzle Training: Conditioning them to a muzzle before introductions is recommended. This provides an added layer of safety while keeping initial meetings low-stress.
• No Dog Parks: Sage should not attend dog parks or other uncontrolled social settings. These environments can lead to negative experiences and may set back progress.
• Behaviors could improve with proper management and/or professional training.
Dog Introduction Required:
• Reason: lack of history, selective in playgroup, problems with other dogs in previous home
• Slow, Structured Introductions: Introductions must be gradual and carefully managed in neutral territory. Monitor all body language closely, and end sessions on a positive note.
• Muzzle Training: It is recommended to condition Sage to a comfortable basket muzzle before introductions. This provides safety and allows for positive experiences during early meetings.
• No Dog Parks: Sage should not attend dog parks or other uncontrolled environments. These settings can overwhelm or trigger negative interactions, making progress more difficult.
• Behaviors could improve with proper management and/or professional training.
