Hov

My story

Hov is a 4-year-old goofy lovebug who’s been through a lot but still has so much love to give. Originally adopted from the shelter in 2021, Hov recently found himself back at ACCT Philly in April 2025 after being picked up as a stray. Though his previous adopter was contacted, they said he’d been rehomed and couldn’t take him back. Now in foster care, Hov is showing what a sweet and loving companion he truly is. He rides like a perfect gentleman in the car—quiet and calm—and has been nothing but respectful in the house. He gives lots of kisses, loves rubs, and sleeps curled up like a soft, snuggly bear. Hov is very treat-motivated -he’ll even nudge you to ask politely for another, which makes training easy—he already knows sit, down, and "up" when invited on the bed. He’s working on heel, come, and door manners like sit and stay, and he’s improving every day. He loves being outside and enjoys walks, though he can pull a bit when excited. He had one accident indoors early on, but he’s learning quickly and just needs a consistent schedule. With structure, patience, and love, Hov will blossom into the loyal, goofy, and gentle companion he was always meant to be. 📍 Currently in foster care with ACCT Philly 📧 Interested in meeting him? Email foster@acctphilly.org VIDEOS Hov loves to sniff: https://youtube.com/shorts/OweUfO8BjKU?si=Hvx__XqnLhzqzP35 Hov hangs with volunteers: https://youtube.com/shorts/3xSAYL-jfpU?si=kAXNEZvbu3rNNfOq Hov catches treats: https://youtube.com/shorts/euxF_2s0Rg4?si=n4i2PBzhY2zh85Qn Kimbo, Butch, Hov: https://youtu.be/etS1yjH1q98 Kimbo, Butch, Hov, Tiki Tot: https://youtu.be/FTKLTrTnMCw Kimbo, Butch, Hov, Blue Beau: https://youtu.be/RNfOU5BXmW4 Kimbo, Butch, Hov, Blue Beau, Lammy: https://youtu.be/smkuLTqSpls BEHAVIOR 04/30/2025 foster notes: Today is day 3. Hov is still a beautiful loving dog. Makes great eye contact, doesn’t motivate well without treats. Doesn’t seem to know his name, but if you get his attention and command “come” he complies. Will continue to work with him because I want him to have the best chance at adoption. 04/29/2025 foster notes: Took Hov in the yard 1st thing in the morning. He liked being outside but at this time did not seem to want to investigate on his own. He got a little excited when I got up and walked into the yard, he wanted to play and being big and strong jumped on me and nipped twice but it was only excitement and he was easily corrected. We spent sometime in the yard where he paced around but seemed to want to stay close. He gives so many kisses lol. He is a huge love bug and gentle dog at this point. He was taken out on numerous walks throughout the day and we are working on walking on the leash and heel command. He had one accident inside but that was my fault. Too much time between potty breaks and being confined he does not know where or how to alert. He does want to bound out of my room but we are working on sit, stay before being allowed in and out of doors. He does well when using treats but is not that motived to comply without. Overall Hovi is a goofy, loyal, smart, gentle dog. I’m I love and hope we can find him a loving home! 04/28/2025 Day 1- Hov was a complete gentleman in the car on the ride home. He did not try to jump around, climb on my lap…etc. Half way thru the ride he curled up on the passenger seat and fell asleep. Took him out for walks. He pulls on the leash but is easily directed. (I have leashes attached to the chest and back of harness. Easier to direct him) He’s going to be fine I believe. He’s smart and seems very trainable (treats are best for training). He seems to know sit, down and will jump up in my bed when I tell him “up” and thump on the bed ( so he seems to know that also). He is confined to my bedroom and has been nothing but a gentleman. Gives kisses and loves rubs. 04/26/2025 volunteer notes: Hov enjoyed his time outside the shelter and all the attention he was receiving. He is a bit of a puller but loves dogs and kids. 04/22/2025 staff notes: Hov seemed a bit stressed for his M&G with potential adopter and his small dog. He pulled on leash moderately and when we greeted them he was a bit stiff and jumped onto the small dog, not aggressively. It was more so just curious but his small dog was uncomfortable with this- growled and snapped at Hov which Hov did not react to but was still fixated on his small dog afterwards. Ended the meet, I was able to walk Hov back and returned to kennel without issue. He did vomit a couple of times because he was pulling on leash. 04/17/2025 volunteer notes: I shadowed another volunteer taking Hov out. Hov pulled moderately on leash. In the run, Hov seemed very focused on exploring and getting treats from the handlers. Hov seems quite food motivated. The volunteer created a make shift snuffle mat for Hov using a blanket in the run. Hov seemed to enjoy sniffing out some treats. Due to Hov's focus on treats, he seemed to often have a hard time getting fully into a sit. He can be a bit snatchy but will catch treats when thrown. After some time, Hov did solicit attention from the handlers and accepted pets. Hov returned to his kennel with no issue. 04/15/2025 staff notes, playgroup: Hov was very tolerant in the yard of all the dogs crowding him and jumping all over him. He remained neutral and after greeting all the dogs was avoidant, walking around the yard on his own. 04/11/2025 volunteer notes:Hov was very excited to come out for a walk. Once outside, he was mostly interested in sniffing around rather than playing. He booped my treat bag when he wanted treats and took treats nicely. He knew "sit" and sat for many treats. He was easy to put back in his crate although he was sad and whining. 04/09/2025 volunteer notes: KENNEL PRESENTATION: Approached the kennel and he was standing with ears to the side, soft eyes, gentle panting, tail middle not wagging. He took treats gently and was easy to leash. LEASH SKILLS: He pulled moderately. He was soliciting food from the handlers and did not solicit any attention. He was unfazed seeing other dogs from a distance. He circled behind me toward my treat pouch a few times and booped it with his nose. HANDLING: I was able to touch him on his ears, paws, back, neck, and tail. He was tolerant with consistent body language of tail middle not wagging, soft eyes, gentle panting, ears back. After each touch he would look to my treat pouch. He was tolerant and did not solicit further touch. PLAY: No interest TOYS: No interest COLOR LEVEL & ANY RECOMMENDATIONS: Gold DOG MEET: Met Willow through the fence. Sniffed faces with tail middle/high, ears forward, soft eyes. He disengaged quickly and showed minimal interest. 04/07/2025 staff notes, playgroup: High, stiff tail at the gate. Not steerable with shake can, slightly steerable with spray. Disinterested in other dogs. Tolerated and reciprocated greetings with a high tail, then resumed exploring with low posture and ears back. 04/07/2025 staff notes, playgroup: Hov was not extremely interested in the other dogs during playgroup. He greeted dogs when they approached him, but seemed mildly stiff and assertive and made some hard eye contact. He never escalated but also never really engaged in play. 04/06/2025 medical staff notes: Bright, alert, and responsive, very friendly and food motivated. Loved spray cheese. 04/06/2025 police notes, intake: both dogs’ behavior was fine. 04/21/2021 Per owner surrender notes: They had him for 2 weeks after a friend could no longer care for him. He was described as “playful, hyper, loving, protective. He loves food.” He lived with the owner and two kids, 7 and 9. When asked about any behavior concerns, they said “Not really, just playful aggressive, when her son plays with him, Hov will play nibble, he also jumps on you.” He knew sit and they said on leash he is “okay, but he gets hyper on leash, overpowers when walking.” In terms of an ideal home for him, they recommended “a nice family, he loves women, not so big on men. He loves female women, not so big on men he does not know, and he is affectionate.” MEDICAL: On 4/10/25, Hov was diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection (URI) or "doggy cold" and started on medication. He tested negative for pneumovirus and has completed his medication. During his intake exam on 4/6/25, Hov’s eyes, ears, and nose were clean and clear. His teeth had heavy staining all over and some tartar on back teeth and his gums were pink and moist. He had various small scrapes and scratches all over his body. In 2021, Hov was treated for a laceration to the right ear, which was sutured and managed with antibiotics and Claro ear medication. He was also neutered. ACCT Philly is located at 111 West Hunting Park Ave in Philadelphia. We are open for adoptions 7 days a week. Please visit www.acctphilly.org/adopt for details. If you are a rescue interested in pulling this animal, please email our lifesaving team, or visit here if you are not currently a rescue partner: https://acctphilly.org/acct-philly-love-local-partnership-program/ Confirmed placement is considered confirmation of an actual rescue pull. Possible placement, interested parties, and other "TBD" statuses are not considered confirmed and do not indicate an animal is no longer urgent. All animals at ACCT Philly are from Philadelphia, as the only open intake animal shelter in Philadelphia, we are not able to accept animals from outside of Philadelphia. ACCT Philly’s Pennsylvania kennel license number is 08313.

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Hov, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.