Dixie

Dixie is an adoptable female Australian Shepherd looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. She is fully grown and medium in size. She is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 2 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Dixie, or even sharing her story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/22/2026 10/22/26 12:34 Canine has a history of concerning behavior in previous home environments that may reoccur in future placements. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 10/27/26 to provide appropriate behavior management and post-adoption support. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/28/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 10/17/2026 What is the reason for surrender? MOUTHY WITH PEOPLE, MOUTHY WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN HOME. How long have you had your pet? SINCE A PUPPY. Where did you get this animal from? BREEDER. Is your pet spayed/neutered? YES. 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. OWNER STATED THEY GAVE TRAZADONE AND GABAPENTIN TO THIS PET PRIOR TO INTAKE THIS MORNING. We offer resources such as low-cost veterinary care, trainers, food/medication coupons, and financial assistance. Would you like any resources instead of surrendering? NO. Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO. Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? THIS PET IS VERY MOUTHY AND ROUTINELY PUTS MOUTH ON HUMANS SKIN. PET IS MOUTHY IN PLAY. PET DOES NOT LIKE PAWS TOUCHED AND WILL MOUTH IF SOMEONE TRIES TO TOUCH PAWS. ANYTIME PET DOES NOT LIKE WHAT A PERSON IS DOING, THIS PET WILL MOUTH. Do you have pictures of injuries/bites? N/A Did the bite occur within the last 10 days? Date of bite? N/A Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? WHEN THIS PET IS ON LEASH, PET IS VERY REACTIVE. THIS PET BARKS, GROWLS, LUNGES TOWARDS STRANGERS, CARS, OTHER DOGS, BICYCLES, SCOOTERS WHEN OUT FOR A WALK. PET WILL GROWL AND SNARL IF SOMEONE TRIES TO TOUCH PAWS. SOMETIMES THIS PET DOES NOT WANT TO BE TOUCHED AND WILL SNARL/GROWL. Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO. How is the animal around children? THIS PET HAS A 23 MONTH OLD AND A 8 WEEK OLD CHILD VISIT THE HOME DAILY. THIS PET HAS SPENT SOME TIME IN YARD PLAYING WITH 23 MONTH OLD. RECENTLY, THE 23 MONTH OLD TOUCHED THIS PET'S PAW, AND THIS PET MOUTHED CHILD. NO BROKEN SKIN. Please describe behavior around children? THIS PET LIVES WITH A 23 MONTH OLD AND A 8 WEEK OLD. THIS PET HAS SPENT SOME TIME IN YARD PLAYING WITH 23 MONTH OLD. RECENTLY, THE 23 MONTH OLD TOUCHED THIS PET'S PAW, AND THIS PET MOUTHED CHILD. NO BROKEN SKIN. Please list all household members the animal lives with or regularly interacts with, and describe interactions? THIS PET IS MOSTLY FRIENDLY/SEEKSATTENTION FROM ALL ADULTS IN HOME. THIS PET WILL SNARL/GROWL WHEN THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE TOUCHED AT ALL FAMILY MEMBERS OR ANY FAMILY MEMBER TRIES TO TOUCH PAWS. Please describe how the animal interacts with other animals? Cats? NO. Dogs? THIS PET LIVES WITH ANOTHER LARGE DOG AND THEY GET ALONG WELL. THIS PET WILL BARK AT/STAND OVER OTHER LARGE DOG IN HOME AND OTHER LARGE DOG IN HOME IS SUBMISSIVE TO THIS DOG. 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? THIS PET WILL BARK/GROWL AT OTHER PEOPLE OR OTHER DOG IN HOME OVER TREATS, FOOD DISH, TOYS. THIS PET WILL BARK AT/GROWL AT OTHER DOG IN HOME IF THIS PET WANTS ADULT FEMALE OWNER'S ATTENTION. THS PET WILL SOMETIMES BARK AT OTHER PEOPLE IN HOME WHEN THEY APPROACH ADULT FEMALE OWNER OR HAVE ADULT FEMALE OWNER'S ATTENTION. Is the animal house-trained? YES. Is your pet potty trained? YES. Familiar with a dog door? NO. Crate trained? YES. Leash trained? YES. OWNER USES PRONG COLLAR. Knows commands? SIT, DOWN, LEAVE IT, LOOK, STAY, WAIT, ROLL OVER, PLAY DEAD AND BANG Sit, down, leave it, look, stay, wait, roll over, play dead or bang, etc Where was this animal kept? INSIDE. Any history of destruction? If yes, please describe? NO. Last vaccinations / last vet visit? UNK. How would you describe your pet's energy level? HIGH. Any known fears (fireworks, car rides, baths)? STRANGERS, STRANGE DOGS, LOUD NOISES, STORMS, FIREWORKS. What are your pet’s Likes (favorite toy, activity)? FETCH, FRISBEE, TREATS Any escapist behavior? NO. Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO. Any Additional details/notes on behavior? VERY TREAT MOTIVATED. 10/17/2026 2 DOGS ENTERED SHELTER TOGETHER A4806190 A4476736 Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/22/2026 Closed outside for AM cleaning, dog was pacing in kennel, approached when coaxed, softened with wagging nub, ignored treats, front paws on door, easy to leash and walk to yard, showed no interest in kenneled dogs. Paced yard, panting heavily, eyes wide, ignored treats, approached handler with called by name, allowed petting all over, remained soft with wagging nub, still no interest in treats, continued pacing, difficult to hold dog's attention but allowed handler to approach and pet. Followed handler into catch pen, able to pick up leash and walk back to kennel, easy return, allowed handler to remove leash by hand. 10/20/2026 technician needed to pull dog for a spay check. Technician approached kennel and allowed patient to smell hand and say hello before trying to put leash on. Patient was nervous, low body, shaking nervously. Patient allowed technician to pet and put slip leash around neck with no problems. Patient walked with techniian back to clinic area with minial leash pulling and stayed very close to handler. Patient was a bit nervous toward other people walking by. Patient allowed handling for spay check. was avoident but was trying to hide behind techncian while was getting checked for spay scar. Terchnician then walked back to kennel with no problems. Allowed removal of slip lead and entered kennel with no problems. 10/18/2026 Requesting full evaluation based on intake and OS notes. 10/17/2026 Easy leashing, walking into Triage. Pacing looking for exit, tensew body. Tolerated restraint for vaccines and petting. Walked to kennel and entered with no issue Name: Dixie Animal ID: A4476736 Breed: TRICOLOR AUST SHEPHERD Sex: Spayed Age: 6Y 6M Weight: 47.8 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing E - 138 Intake Date: 10/17/2026 Deadline Date: 10/27/2026