Must be pulled by a partnered rescue but PACC can assist any potential adopters with this.
Name: Walker
Animal ID: A902067
Age: 1 year and 5 months
Weight: 74 lbs
About: Meet Walker, a beautiful, fluffy Golden Retriever mix who is looking for a dedicated, dog-savvy owner to help him thrive. In the shelter environment, Walker has been incredibly friendly, easy to leash, and an absolute joy to be around. He has a few adorable habits, including doing a nice "sploot" on cool surfaces to relax, and he absolutely loves playing and rolling around in the dirt. According to his previous owner, Walker is already fully potty trained, knows his basic commands, is crate-trained, loves car rides, and is a loyal companion who will happily follow you from room to room around the house.
While Walker did well in shelter playgroups and corrected other dogs appropriately, he must be the only pet in his new home due to a history of resource guarding. He is also not suitable for a home with cats, as his previous owner noted several attempts to chase, bark, and growl at them. Additionally, Walker requires an adults-only household, as he is uncomfortable around children and will growl to express his discomfort.
Because we want to ensure Walker and his new family are set up for success, there are a few important handling and behavioral notes to keep in mind:
—Walker has a moderate bite on his record from an incident where he was actively chasing the resident cat; when his previous owner attempted to grab him by the scruff to stop him, he turned and redirected onto her arm. Because his previous owner frequently grabbed him by the neck and collar as a form of discipline, he has developed negative, defensive reactions to being handled that way.
—Walker has also shown some signs of separation anxiety and will benefit from a predictable routine. With an experienced owner who can establish clear boundaries, use alternative management tools instead of collar-grabbing, and provide structured, positive-reinforcement training, we believe Walker has all the potential to be a wonderful, loyal companion.
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 Friday July 17, 2026 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: “Walker was going to attack her cat, she put her arm out to stop him, grabbed his scruff and he redirected on her”
No Other Dogs:
• Walker is not suitable for a home with other dogs.
• Reason: selective, issues in previous home with other dogs, resource guarding
• Management: They should be the only dog in the household. Avoid dog parks, group walks, or introductions to unfamiliar dogs to maintain safety and reduce stress.
• Behaviors could improve with proper management and/or professional training.
No Kids:
• Walker is not suitable for a home with children.
• Reason: previous bite to 15 year old, previous owner stated growling at young children
• Management: For safety and comfort, they should be in an adult-only home where interaction can be calm, predictable, and structured.
Prey Drive:
• Walker may display chasing behaviors or pull toward small animals such as cats, rabbits, or wildlife while on walks. A confident, strong handler is recommended for safe management.
• Prey drive can be instinctual, breed-related, or a learned behavior reinforced by past experiences.
• Training and Management: Use a secure martingale collar or properly fitted harness during walks. Avoid off-leash areas where small animals may be present.
No Cats:
• Walker is not suitable for a home with cats.
• Reason: growling, chasing
Resource Guards Items or Food:
• Circumstances: seen in previous home
• Walker 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.
Handling Issues:
• Decompression Period - Allow Walker 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 Walker 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 Walker’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.
Separation Anxiety:
• Walker 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.Walker
