Basic Information:: Bella is a 5 year old spayed female that has no previous or current medical issues that the owner is aware of. Owner has had Bella since she was 7 weeks old.

Previously lived with:: 2 Adults, 1 Child age 2

How is this dog around strangers?: Around strangers, Bella is friendly and affectionate. She loves jumping on whoever passes her by and giving kisses.

How is this dog around children?: Owner had a 2 year old child in the home and stated that when the child would approach Bella, Bella would growl and walk away from the child.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Owner’s parents had 2 small breed female dogs and stated that Bella was always relaxed and respectful around both animals.

How is this dog around cats?: Owner’s parents had a cat in the home and stated that the animal would swat at Bella and Bella would remain relaxed and sit by the animal.

Resource guarding:: When someone tries to take away Bella’s food or treats, she will growl.

Bite history:: Bella does not have a bite history

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Owner stated that around his 2 year old child and the wife, Bella will growl and walk away from both of them and will not play with either one of them.

For a New Family to Know: Bella is described as friendly, affectionate, playful and excitable. She has a high activity level and likes to play with balls and frisbees. In the home, she would follow the owner around from room to room. Bella was kept mostly indoors and is mostly house trained. Owner stated that over the last few months, she has had a few accidents in the home specifically when the owner would be playing with the son in the home or not giving her enough attention. When left alone in the home, Bella is well behaved. Owner stated that one time right before the family left for vacation, Bella chewed on the door knob in the home. When Bella was left alone in the yard, she was always well behaved. Bella was crate trained in the home when she was a puppy but has not been in a crate over the last few years so behavior is unknown. Bella knows the cues sit, down, stay, and paw. For exercise, she was taken on brisk walks on leash, running off leash in the park and be let out in the yard to play. When on leash, Bella tends to pull very hard. Owner walks Bella off leash several times a week and stated that she would always stay by his side.

Date of intake:: 1/18/2018

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner surrender (in previous home for 5 years, since she was a puppy)

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, one child age 2

Behavior toward strangers:: Friendly and affectionate, may jump up

Behavior toward children:: Growled and avoided the resident child by walking away

Behavior toward dogs:: Relaxed and respectful when visiting family that had 2 small dogs

Behavior toward cats:: Relaxed when visiting a home that had a cat, even when it swatted at her

Resource guarding:: Bella will growl if anyone approaches while she is eating

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Bella is described as friendly, affectionate, playful and excitable with a high activity level, she likes to play with balls and frisbees.

Other Notes:: Owner reports Bella would growl and avoid new family members (wife and child), focused on original owner whom had her as a one-owner dog. Bella would have accidents if owner was playing with 2 year old child in the home.

Summary (1):: When off leash with other dogs Bella was initially soft when greeted by a calm female. She mostly avoids interaction and may lip curl when approached too quickly. At times, body is neutral but appears more relaxed when given space.

Date of intake:: 1/18/2018

Summary:: During intake, Bella displayed high energy and movement which limited handling, but was social.

Date of initial:: 1/18/2018

Summary:: During her initial medical exam, Bella allowed all handling, became tense during mouth examination.

ENERGY LEVEL:: Owner reports Bella has a high activity level. In the care center, Bella displays a medium level of energy.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: NEW HOPE ONLY

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

Recommendations comments:: At times, Bella has been extremely timid and hesitant to interact during her time at the care center. This, in addition to her previous owner’s notes that she will growl and avoid children, causes us to feel that Bella will be most comfortable and most likely thrive in an adult-only home. While Bella’s previous owner describes her as an affectionate, playful dog, she is not thriving in the shelter environment and as had a hard time with anxiety in the care center. She has given clear warnings (growl, snarl) and we are concerned extra pressure may elicit higher level warnings. We feel that placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification guidance in a stable home environment will best set Bella up for success in a future adoptive home. We recommend only force-free, reward-based training methods as more aversive techniques will likely increase fear and increase the risk of aggression.

Potential challenges: : House soiling,Resource guarding,Destructive behavior,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety,Kennel presence

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Bella’s previous owner notes she may growl when her food bowl is approached. This matches what we have seen in the care center as Bella stood over her food bowl and growl/snarled when a staff member went past her kennel. We recommend that Bella is always left alone while eating, and not left with any long lasting chews such as kongs, nylabones, or bully sticks. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Bella’s mouth. Bella should be taught the cue “drop” and other trade up games so she learns that dropping food or having people around while she is eating is rewarding. Behavior modification protocols for food guarding behavior can be found on aspcapro.org Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: In the care center, Bella may offer a submissive grin, but at times it will turn into a growl. She will allow handling and focus from one person at a time, although the person may change. Though she has improved slowly with some staff during her stay at our care centers, other times Bella gives warning signals when uncomfortable that may escalate to growling and snarling. It is important to make sure Bella stays under threshold. If pushed there is a potential to escalate to higher-level warning behaviors and possible fear-based aggression. It is important to move slowly with Bella, to only speak softly and gently, and to build positive associations (quick 1-2 bite treats tossed onto the ground/toys/soft voice praise), allowing Bella to initiate interactions with new people. She should never be forced to greet or to interact if she is not comfortable and soliciting attention. We recommend only force-free, reward-based training methods for Bella as more aversive techniques are likely to increase fear and increase the risk of aggression. Anxiety: Bella has shown some signs of potential anxiety in the care center, hyper focused on one person at a time, whining and pacing when they are out of sight. Owner reported she was anxious and focused on one head of household (original owner when she was a puppy before there was a growing family). We recommend potential adopters be prepared for this type of behavior and work to help Bella feel comfortable and secure in her new home. We recommend consulting a force-free behavior modification trainer or behaviorist should this behavior continue to be seen in a future home, so Bella can be desensitized and counter conditioned to leaving cues and can feel comfortable when alone. Kennel Presence: While we cannot be certain if this behavior will appear in any other contexts, in highly emotionally charged or stressful environments Bella may show behavior similar to what she is currently demonstrating in her kennel (submissive grin, growling, lip curl). She may benefit from a calm, quiet, structured environment so she can acclimate at her own pace.