11/01/2026
EMERGENCY PLACEMENT DEADLINE 630PM TUESDAY 11/03/26
AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION ONLY THROUGH PACC
Name: Goose
Animal ID: A719994
Age: 6 years
Weight: 64 lbs
About: Meet Goose, a sweet six-year-old chocolate Pitbull mix with a lot of love to give and a desire for a dedicated adopter who is fully committed to him. He comes with fantastic foundational skills—he is leash-trained, house-trained, crate-trained, and even does well around cats. Goose loves car rides and is a wonderful companion, but he is looking for a special home ready to help him manage a few specific behavioral needs.
While in the home, Goose experiences some stranger danger, so slow introductions and thoughtful management are essential when he meets new people. In his previous home, he also displayed a tendency to guard one person from other members of the household. Additionally, he prefers to be fed inside his crate and likes to collect all his toys inside with him; while his foster history around item resource guarding was a bit unclear, caution and care should be exercised when placing items into or removing items from his crate.
Goose also struggles with separation anxiety, which was successfully managed by crating him when left alone. With the right guidance, patience, and a dedicated handler, Goose is a deeply affectionate dog who is more than ready to return that commitment tenfold.
Available for adoption only through PACC.
Interested parties:
Must visit PACC before the COB Tuesday November 3rd, 2026 deadline to meet with a counselor who will review notes and introduce you to the dog to ensure that it’s a good fit. Some dogs may also require an introduction to any dogs they may potentially live with.
Home Management Plan
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, Goose 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.
Resource Guards Attention From People:
• Goose 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 Goose 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.
Resource Guards Items or Food:
• Circumstances: prefers to be fed in crate, brings his toys into his crate, caution should be taken when removing items from crate
• Goose may guard valued items such as food, toys, bones, or resting spaces.
• Management: Do not attempt to take items directly from their mouth or reach into their food bowl. Instead, trade with a high-value treat or toy to encourage voluntary release or when picking up a food bowl, call the dog away from the bowl into another room before picking up.
• Feeding Protocol: Feed them separately from other pets and in a quiet, low-traffic area. Allow them to eat undisturbed. Remove food bowls only after they have finished and moved away.
• Muzzle Training: Conditioning them to wear a muzzle can be beneficial during resource-handling practice or when introducing high-value items around people or other animals.
• Professional Support: Work with a qualified trainer or behaviorist to develop safe management and counterconditioning techniques.
• Recognize Warning Signals: Be aware of early signs of guarding behavior, such as stiffening, hovering over items, growling, or showing teeth. Respect these signals by calmly creating distance and redirecting their focus.
Shy/Nervous:
• Decompression Period: Allow Goose ample time and space to settle into their new environment. Pushing interactions too soon can increase stress and delay progress.
• No Forced Handling: Avoid handling that Goose does not initiate or consent to. Let them approach on their own terms. Use high value treats, calm praise, and gentle encouragement to build trust.
• Building Affection: They may take time to show affection or seek attention. Every dog adjusts at their own pace - patience and consistency are key to helping them feel secure.
• Confident Dog Recommended: They may benefit from living with a calm, confident dog who can model appropriate behavior and help build trust in new environments.
Separation Anxiety:
• Goose may experience stress or anxiety when left alone, which can result in vocalization, pacing, or destructive behaviors.
• Crate Training: Proper crate training can provide a safe space and help prevent destructive behaviors when unsupervised.
• Enrichment & Comfort: Provide mental stimulation through frozen kongs, puzzle toys, or other enrichment items. Background noise, such as calming music or television, can also help reduce stress.
• Gradual Independence: Practice short departures and slowly increase alone time to build their comfort level.
• Companion Dog Support: Some dogs experiencing separation anxiety may feel more secure and settle better when another calm, stable dog is present in the home.
