If you're looking for a gentle prince, look no farther than Charming (ACCT-A-249949)! He's very overwhelmed in the shelter, but is doing his best to slowly settle in. When he first arrived on 5/11/2026, he showed some difficult behaviors such as growling and lunging, including during vaccine administration. However, after a few days of space and gentle handling, he's shown a sensitive side, remaining independent and allowing very gentle petting. Due to his fear and behavioral concerns, Charming is looking for a rescue partner where he can continue to open up and improve at his own pace. With a gentle, understanding home and plenty of time, he has the potential to blossom! VIDEOS Charming's very gentle: https://youtu.be/KuCQbLiOz7A Gentle pets for Charming: https://youtu.be/6NhuFzzpfj4 Playgroup 5/16: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcnvoGYrJkIaiz6udb4gNS1ktyr10XZDt Charming and Diamond: https://youtu.be/ci5cUPxhxrY?si=ifOH5f1CuYxIj5ri Playgroup 5/18: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfMCm6kgAGI6bTt3fhIxCuuV_adSzSdYY BEHAVIOR Per volunteer 5/18: Here are my notes for Charming and some cute pics. He overall seemed like a sweetie that could get a little spunky once he got comfortable with someone. He was lying down when I approached kennel. I spoke to him a little before he turned his head back at me and got up to investigate. He was easy to leash - came to the front of the kennel and sniffed the leash and I was able to loop his head and walked out fine. He walked through the kennels without an issue, kind of interested in the food in the ground but continued walking with me. He walked past a stroller w a baby and young kid and continued walking without a reaction. Outside, we went into a pen where he was a little standoffish to start but also came to me when I tapped my legs. He took treats very gently and then started sniffing around the pen. He'd come to me for treats and a few pets, tail was low but loose the whole time, no real wags but not tucked either. Leaned into the neck scratches, too. He'd come up to me & then go to the gate entrance and stick his nose through the little opening. He did that a few time before we exited and walked outside around the grass. He sniffed around, took more treats and then we headed in. Had to lure him just a little back towards the door, he seemingly wanted to stay outside. Not frantic or resisting really just wanted to head towards the bench but we had been outside too long in the heat anyway. He walked inside and into his kennel without an issue, I dropped some treats and took the leash off without a problem. Per volunteer 5/16/2026: I took Charming out to see if he's continuing to warm up. He was laying down calmly in his kennel and allowed for easy leashing with no pulling on leash, although he walks hesitantly and slowly. Once we got into a yard, he did some exit searching, mostly independent sniffing around. He gave me a few quick sniffs then disengaged for more sniffing around. I attempted some consent petting, which he allowed with a neutral body, staying still when i stopped then slowly walking away. I called him over with some kissing noises and he gently leaned his head into my lap, allowing some light strokes on the head and taking a high-value treat very gently. He did this a few more times before we went in. He returned to his kennel easily. Playgroup 5/16: Highly steerable with spray bottle (5/5) and shake can (4/5). At gate: low wags toward handlers, avoidant of other dogs, ears up and to the side, generally stayed still, not much motion. Low & slow entry, sniffing, low tail, ears up. Hackles & mid-level-wags during sniffs with Atlas. Closed mouth, marking, independent sniffing. Later, appropriately corrected Atlas for repeated mounting attempts with lip-raise then air snaps. Remained in yard afterward and was content to mill around, generally independently sniffing. Per staff 5/15/2026: Charming was laying on the bed when i first approached his kennel, he then got up and came to the front. Soft eyes, ears to the side and tail down not moving. We went out for a walk, he mildly pulled towards the road while out there. Brought him to my office after he pottied to give him some down time in a quiet area. Charming began to come out of his shell after investigating the office. His body loosened, eyes were soft and he came over to me soliciting for pets with a low fluttering tail wag. Offered him a chew which he enjoyed. After he finished the chew, i crouched down and he came over to me leaning in and pretzeling for pets. A male staff member came in and charming slowly walked up to greeting him and took a treat gently from his hand. While i did some computer work he sat at my feet under my desk. He went into the crate easily, however when i left for a couple of Minutes i came back and the door of the crate was off (the crate door slides up, not the normal door and latch one) and he was out of the crate. We hung out for a little bit more and then returned him to his kennel without any hesitation. Per staff 5/14/2026: I arrived to Charming kennel with him standing at kennel door. I showed Charming the leash while opening the door. Charming stepped back then walked to kennel door. When I first attempted to get the leash around his neck he put his head down and walked around the leash. 2nd attempt I made the lasso bigger and managed to loop it over his head. Once the leash was on Charming stepped out the kennel and was easy to walk back to surgery. In surgery I gave gentle, slow head pats. After Charming allowed me to give him a gentle rub on head down to hind end I slowly moved into a light bear hug to allow the vet to check his vitals and give his TTD. Charming allowed all handling. Dog meet notes per staff 5/13/2026: Tense, tolerant And moved away on his own. Behavior eval per staff 5/13/2026: Kennel Presentation: Laying on the bed when I approached. I tossed a treat in and he got off the bed to eat it. Ears forward, tail down not moving and wide eyes. Leash Skills: Treat lure to leash and slowly came out of kennel. Walks on a loose leash, eyes darting and tail down not moving. Kept looking towards the road when we were outside. Sociability: Asocial. I was able to get a few short pets in, however he did not solicit for more. Takes treats gently. Soft eyes and tail not moving. Play: n/a Dog Interaction: Met diamond. tolerant and moved away on his own. Return to Kennel: Clipped the leash prior to entering the kennel. He went right into the kennel and I was able to easily slip the leash off. Color Level: Recommendations and considerations: Per staff 5/12/2026: ACA let me know during intake they attempted to do a minimal handling as possible. However when the first vaccine was being administered Charming turned and snapped at him and the tech. They muzzled for the rest of the check in. Placed a behavior management sign on him. Per staff 5/11/2026: When ACA tried to get the dog out of the police car, he lunged and growled at him. APO was able to leash and walk him to a kennel. 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 a 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