Durian

Durian is an adoptable male Black Labrador Retriever looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. He is fully grown and medium in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 7 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Durian, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Recommendations FAMILY INTRODUCTION GO SLOW IN HOME TRAINING Memo 9/1/2026 09/01/26 11:04 This dog is experiencing significant stress and anxiety in the shelter, particularly while kenneled. These behaviors are often a response to the overwhelming sights, sounds, and confinement, along with the lack of choice or control over their environment. Although this dog continues to show appropriate behavior outside of the kennel with positive interactions with staff and volunteers,without intervention, well-being will continue to decline. Immediate placement is needed with an experienced adopter or New Hope Partner who can provide time and space to decompress in a calm, supportive home. Placement needed by close of business 9/8/26. May be at risk of euthanasia 9/9/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 8/10/2026 How long have you had the animal ? FOUND 8/1/26 - FINDER SHARES THIS DOG APPROACHED HIM AND HIS FEMALE DOG WHILE WALKING, HE SHARED THAT THE DOG WAS FRIENDLY AND WANTED TO PLAY WITH HER - ALLOWED PETTING AND HANDLING What are the cross streets where you found the animal? 55TH AVE AND INDIAN SCHOOL RD Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? NOTHING NOTED Is animal spayed/neutered? Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? FINDER NOTES THAT THE DOG WAS OBSERVED TO LOW GROWL AT THE FINDER'S BROTHER ON ONE OCCASION - OBSERVED TO LOUDLY BARK AT OTHER DOGS IN THE INTAKE LOBBY - STAFF SCANNED WITH WAND, DOG WAS TIMID AND UNSURE BUT EXHIBITED A WIGGLY TAIL, STAFF DID NOT PET Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? Was this animal around any children? NO CONTACT WITH EITHER CHILDREN Did the animal interact with other animals? ONE SMALLER DOG Cats? Dogs? ALLOWED ALL SNIFFING AND PLAYING, VERY CURIOUS AND PLAYFUL WITH THE FEMALE OWNED DOG Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? FED SEPARATELY - NOTHING NOTED Can the animal walk on a leash? PULLS HEAVILY Does the animal know any commands? UNKNOWN If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? FREE ROAMING If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? IRON FENCE How would you describe the animal’s energy level? HIGH ENERGY Any escapist behavior? FINDER SHARES THE DOG WILL RUN BUT COMES RIGHT BACK Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO Any Additional details/notes on behavior? Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/1/2026 Solicited attentions, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, High Energy, Appeared interested when walking past kennels, Sit, Down, Shake, high energy but sits for leashing. In yard he is immediately calm and leans into me for petting. doesn't run or jump, stays near or chases treats that are thrown before coming back. ignores barking dogs and birds in kennel, very sweet/affectionate, likes being near and pets. 8/28/2026 Solicited attentions, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Played with toys, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Food motivated, leans in for pets, likes toys and the play pool, no reaction to barking dogs, soft body, friendly, loves affection, good boy. 8/24/2026 Soft and wiggly, high energy, easy leashing, strong pull, allowed some handling and vaccine with muzzle wrap restraint, thrashed slightly during restraint, returned to kennel with no issue, easy leash removal. 8/24/2026 Solicited attentions, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Calm, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Down, Shake, Appears potty trained, food motivated, no reaction to barking dogs, affectionate, leans in for pets, friendly, soft body and tail wagging. Good boy. 8/15/2026 Dog was closed outside for cleaning, standing at gate with wiggly body language, tail wagging. Began whining, demand barking. Pawed at leash, needed to be directed into settling, then handler was able to secure leash. Walked with moderate pull, alert to nearby dogs but did not attempt to engage. No issues directing to play yard. In yard, handler walked dog on leash up to male handler seated on bench. Dog briefly sniffed handler, wagged tail, wandered away. Dog appeared more interested in exploring yard, easily distracted by surroundings. Handler kept dog on leash, allowed dog to lead. Dog allowed handler to pet all over, would wag tail, then continue sniffing. Handler walked dog up to male handler a few more times, dog would sniff, allow brief petting, then lose interest and disengage. Dog stood at gate, ears perked, appeared focused on dog in neighboring yard and began wagging tail, whining. Handler walked dog away. Dog walked on leash with handler and male handler on way out of yard, stood calmly between them while gate was opened. No issues returning to kennel, allowed leash removal by hand. *It is recommended that all members of the household meet this dog prior to adoption. Advise adopters that nervous body language is communication, not bad behavior. Encourage them to slow down, give the dog space, and avoid forcing interactions. This dog should not be introduced to any other dogs or pets until end of 14-day decompression period. Dog should be supervised around any open doors, gates, etc.* 8/14/2026 Closed outside for AM cleaning. Dog was standing at kennel door, rhythmic barking as handler was walking towards kennel, handler approached and spoke to dog in high-pitched friendly tone, dog had wiggly body and wagging tail, eagerly took treats from hand. Avoidant of leash placement but would return to front of kennel, handler tossed handful of treats, after a few attempts able to place leash while dog was distracted, dog exited kennel, body tense with high wagging tail when walking past kenneled dogs, no attempts to interact, easy walk to yard. Able to adjust leash stopper, dog explored yard, tense with flagged tail while sniffing along fence line (kenneled dogs on other side), approached handler with soft body and wagging tail, sat for treats, eagerly took from hand, attempted to take treats from pouch, flinched when touched but settled and allowed petting all over. Over time dog appeared anxious, stood at gate, whining and chuffing, followed along fence as another dog was walking by, body tense, flagged tail, alarm barking, able to redirect away with treats and squeak toy, dog returned to handler briefly with soft body and wagging tail then turned attention back to other dog. Handler stood at gate and used verbal coaxing to redirect dog away, dog approached handler and softened again, tail wagging, panting with tongue lolled, took more treats, able to pick up leash and adjust stopper, no issues walking back to kennel, hesitant to enter, resisted when trying to guide in with gentle leash pressure, as handler was reaching for treats dog entered kennel without assistance, stood at door, pulled head out of leash loop as handler was loosening leash with clip leash, took more treats, began whining and high-pitched demand barking as handler walked away. 8/13/2026 Outside for AM cleaning with stiff body, alarm barking at handler while low growling, flagged tail quickly wagging, hackles raised, would eat treats tossed near but then lost interest, wide eyed with eyes dilated while hard staring handler, jumps onto side walls then redirects back to handler, would not settle. As handler was preparing leash dog lunged forward muzzle punching kennel, retreated quickly to back of kennel while low growling and stiff bodied, tail flagged. Would tolerate lasso attempts but continued to low growl while hard staring, did not break focus of handler while backing into divider, tail still flagged and wagging while low growling. Able to lasso and once leash was secured dog exited kennel with stiff body, whale eye towards handler with tail flagged when walking passed handler, wary of handler throughout walk to small play yard, continuously looking back at handler with whale eye, stiff body. Sniffed dogs in passing with some softer body but disengages quickly. Once in yard handler did not drop leash, dog was wary of handler throughout time in yard with hard staring, whale eye, stiff bodied and flagged tail. Flinches heavily when startled, began barking at dog in neighboring yard but settled on own once dog was out of sight. No interest in treats offered, stiffens up more if hand is slowly extended out. Had to wait for dog to be distracted to place clip leash before leaving yard. Stiff bodied on way back to kennel, entered kennel on own, removed leash via clip leash. 8/10/2026 handler approached dog started barking, allowed leash placement, stiff body and wagging tail at same time, wide eyed, hard star a few times, on attempt to muzzle wrap and dog started thrashing . used squeeze gate for vaccines, released from gate, still hard stare, tense body, walked to kennel Name: Durian Animal ID: A5169764 Breed: BLACK/WHITE LABRADOR RETR/MIX Sex: Neutered Age: 3Y 1M Weight: 53.4 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing I - 288 Intake Date: 8/10/2026 Deadline Date: 9/8/2026