Date of intake:: 2/23/2018

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray

Date of assessment:: 2/26/2018

Look:: 2. Dog pulls out of Assessor’s hands each time without settling during three repetitions.

Sensitivity:: 2. Dog stands still and accepts the touch, eyes are averted, tail is between legs, body stiff, mouth closed, lip long, ears likely back, may lip lick.

Tag:: 1. Dog assumes play position and joins the game. Or dog indicates play with huffing, soft ‘popping’ of the body, etc. Dog might jump on Assessor once play begins.

Paw squeeze 1:: 2. Dog quickly pulls back.

Paw squeeze 2:: 2. Dog quickly pull back.

Flank squeeze 1:: Item not conducted

Flank squeeze 2:: Item not conducted

Toy:: 1. Minimal interest in toy, dog may smell or lick, then turns away.

Summary:: In the assessment room, April barked and growled at the assessor. She warmed up after a few minutes and allowed handling. She became tense for some of the handling assessment, but also displayed social behavior at times. She switched quickly between playful behavior and fearful behavior, head whipping when uncomfortable.

Summary:: Based on behavior observed in our care, April may be most compatible with other dogs who are exuberantly playful. History around dogs is unknown due to arriving as a stray.

Summary (1):: 2/24: When introduced off leash to a male dog, April engages in some bouncy play, vocalizing while she plays.

Date of intake:: 2/23/2018

Summary:: April was barking and growling in the carrier. Once out she was jumping up and panting.

Date of initial:: 2/25/2018

Summary:: April was tense, growling, and resisted handling.

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on April so we cannot be certain of his behavior in a home environment. However, she is a young dog who will need daily mental and physical activity to keep her engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct her energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: NEW HOPE ONLY

Behavior Asilomar: TM – Treatable-Manageable

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children: Due to potential for defensive aggression displayed at the care center, we recommend an adult only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to barking and growling at people who approach her, we recommend April be placed with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: At the care center, April has barked and growled at new people. She has allowed some handling once warmed up to a person, but will need a very slow approach. Guidance from a professional trainer/behaviorist is recommended to assess behavior after decompression in a new home environment. Force-free, reward based training is advised when introducing or exposing April to new and unfamiliar situations.