Dobbie

Dobbie is an adoptable male Chihuahua looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a young adult and small in size. He is listed on the shelter's euthanasia list, listed due to behavior, and that date has now passed. Shelters often move these dates, so Dobbie may still be waiting. The shelter can confirm.

Memo 9/9/2026 09/09/26 16:25 Canine is exhibiting heightened sensitivity to handling, resulting in concerning responses. Placement with a New Hope Partner is needed by close of business 9/14/26 to provide support and reduce the likelihood of behavior progression. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/15/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/3/2026 What is the reason for surrender? OWNER RECENTLY MOVED IN WITH A FAMILY MEMBER AND THEY ALREADY HAVE 3 OTHER DOGS. SHE HAS TO SURRENDER THIS DOG BECAUSE SHE CAN NOT TAKE THE DOG WITH HER. How long have you had your pet? ONE YEAR - OWNER GOT HIM WHEN HE WAS A PUPPY Where did you get this animal from? SOCIAL MEDIA Is your pet spayed/neutered? NO Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? NO We offer resources such as low-cost veterinary care, trainers, food/medication coupons, and financial assistance. Would you like any resources instead of surrendering? Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? NO, OWNER DOES SHARE THAT IF UNKNOWN PEOPLE GET NEAR HIM, HE WILL GROWL, BUT HE HAS NEVER TRIED TO BITE ANYONE. Do you have pictures of injuries/bites? Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? NO AGGRESSION TOWARDS PEOPLE, BUT HE HAS SHOWN AGGRESSION TOWARDS OTHER ANIMALS. (IE WHEN HE SEE'S UNKNOWN ANIMALS, HE WILL GROWL AT THEM, OWNER ALSO MENTIONED THAT WHEN HE IS KENNELED AND ANOTHER DOG PASSES BY, HE WILL JUMP TOWARDS THEM) Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? How is the animal around children? YES, 8 MOS TO 6 YRS OLD. OWNER STATES THAT HE IS GREAT WITH THE KIDS. HE IS VERY PLAYFUL WITH THE KIDS AND ALLOWS ALL PETTING AND HANDLING. Please describe behavior around children? Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? 3 TO 6 FAMILY MEMBERS Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? YES Cats? OWNER STATES THAT HE CHASES AFTER CAT, IN A PLAYFUL WAY Dogs? OWNER STATES THAT AT FIRST, HE IS A LITTLE AGGRESSIVE WITH OTHER DOGS, BUT ONCE HE WARMS UP HE THEN BECOMES PLAYFUL Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? NO Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? NO Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? NOT WITH PEOPLE, BUT HE DOES SHOW FOOD AGGRESSION TOWARDS OTHER ANIMALS, HE WILL GROWL Is the animal house-trained? NOT REALLY Is your pet potty trained? YES Familiar with a dog door? NO Crate trained? YES, OWNER STATES THAT HE DOES WELL INSIDE THE CRATE Leash trained? YES Knows commands? COME HERE Where was this animal kept? INSIDE, FREE ROAMING AND IN A KENNEL Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? NO DESTRUCTIVE BEHAVIOR, BUT HE DOES LIKE HIS TOYS Last vaccinations / last vet visit? OWNER HAS NEVER GIVEN HIM ANY VACCINES How would you describe your pet's energy level? VERY PLAYFUL Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? CAR RIDES HE DOES GET A LITTLE SHAKEY What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? OWNER STATES THAT HE LOVES SQUEEKY TOYS Any escapist behavior? NO Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? Any Additional details/notes on behavior? OWNER SHARES THAT HE APPEARS TO BE A LITTLE TIMID TOWARDS MEN AS SHE WAS INVOLVED IN A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATION. OWNER SHARES THAT HE IS LOVING, HE LOVES TO CUDDLE, HE SEEKS ATTENTION AND HIS VERY PLAYFUL. OWNER THINKS THAT HE WOULD DO VERY WELL IN A HOUSEHOLD WITH A FAMILY WITH KIDS. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/6/2026 Body curled up tightly laying in middle of kennel with eyes wide, low growling, trembling body. No interest in treats or coaxing, retreated to corner of kennel as door was opened continuing to low growl. Airsnapped towards leash/hand when lasso'ing leash, did not make contact but hard staring handler throughout. Able to drape towel over and carry to m&g room with no issues, stiff bodied and flinched heavily/head flipped as handler adjusted towel. Once dog was placed in middle of room dog scurried quickly underneath chairs distant from handler, trembling body, eyes wide, low growling any time handler extended hand out towards dog, stiff bodied and hard staring. No interest in treats or coaxing, would flinch heavily if handler moved quickly or for loud noises. Let dog have a few moments, remained frozen underneath chair all of evaluation. Able to drape towel over and carry back to kennel with no issues, dog head flipped/airsnapped towards handlers hand when removing leash before entering kennel, did not make contact and jumped into kennel once door was opened, leash fell off as dog dashed thru portal away from handler. 9/5/2026 Dog sitting in back corner of kennel; trembling; whale eyed; tossed treats not interested; handler opened kennel door slowly; verbally coaxed; placed spray cheese on food bowl; dog watched handler's hand; continued to verbally coaxed; able to place loop over head; flinched; used blanket dog was sitting on; slowly started to placed blanket over; blanket wrapped; picked up; carried in blanket wrap. In meet and greet room, placed dog on floor; unwrapped from blanket; walked halfway off blanket; stayed near handler; trembling tail tightly tucked; whale eyed; offered spray cheese & treats; not interested; startled easily by surrounding noises; slowly placed front paws on handler's leg; sniffing; slowly explored nearby; stood still; handler extended hand out; sniffed; tried to slowly pet; moved head back; side eyeing; remained in place; tried coaxing; still not interested; remained in place for entire time. Handler slowly started moving away; dog briefly followed behind; picked blanket up; slowly started to place over dog; started flail; blanket wrapped; thrashed; handler again blanket wrapped a second time; dog settled; carried back to kennel. Approaching kennel, handler slowly started undoing blanket wrap; trembling; handler was able to slowly remove leash; dog was trying to pull away from handler into kennel; placed in kennel. 9/4/2026 Dog was sitting in back corner, tense, ears perked, began low growling. Wouldn't approach with verbal coaxing or treats, handler opened kennel door, dog false-lunged towards hand when tossing treats. Hard stared when handler presented leash, cowered, eyed wide, lunged up and air snapped towards hand, bit leash, rushed towards front of kennel then retreated back to corner, gave dog a moment to settle, spoke softly to dog, able to reach in and place leash after a few attempts. Dog continued to hard stare and growl, trembled, remained in corner, sat up with tense body and ears pinned as handler lightly touched dog with blanket, handler placed blanket over dog and attempted to slowly pick up, dog thrashed and bit blanket then retreated back to corner. Due to high FAS handler ended interaction, used clip leash. 9/3/2026 unable to handle without using blanket, vaccines given, carried to kennel tried to bit, Name: Dobbie Animal ID: A5171045 Breed: BLACK/WHITE CHIHUAHUA SH Sex: Male Age: 1Y 0M Weight: 5.9 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing X - 501 Intake Date: 9/3/2026 Deadline Date: 9/14/2026