Basic Information:: Bentley is a small breed dog that was brought in because the owner passed away. Client who brought the dog in lived in the owners building.

Previously lived with:: elderly owner

How is this dog around children?: Bentley was around a 8 year old child briefly but did not get along with the child.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Client stated she use to see him play with the neighbors small breed dog in the hallway and the front courtyard.

Bite history:: Client reported that he bit the granddaughter but did not break skin. The child was petting his head and behind the ears.

Housetrained:: Unknown

Date of intake:: 11/7/2017

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Behavior toward children:: Bentley was around an 8 year old child and did not get along with the child

Behavior toward dogs:: Would play with a dog in the building he lived in

Bite history:: Yes, Bentley bit a child who was petting his head and ears. The bite did not break skin.

Date of assessment:: 11/9/2017

Look:: 2. Dog’s eyes are averted, body posture is stiff and fearful, tail is low and not moving. Dog allows head to be held loosely in Assessor’s cupped hands.

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:: 5. Dog growls, snaps, or tries to bite.

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

Summary:: Bentley did not approach the assessor in the assessment room but allowed the assessor to approach him. He had a tense body when being handled and snapped when touched during tag.

Summary (1):: 11/7-8: When introduced off leash to dogs, Bentley keeps mostly to himself.

Summary (2):: 11/9: Bentley keeps only to himself.

Date of intake:: 11/6/2017

Summary:: Upon intake, Bentley growled at two people who entered the room. He allowed slow handling.

Date of initial:: 11/7/2017

Summary:: Bentley growled and showed teeth.

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Bentley so we cannot be certain of his behavior in a home environment. In the care center, he displays a medium level of activity.

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 Bentley having bitten a child that he was introduced to, as well as the defensive behavior seen at the care center, we recommend an adult only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to the warning and distance-increasing behaviors shown in the care center, as well as Bentley’s bite history, we recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide force free behavior modification to address the biting and underlying anxiety.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Bentley has displayed warning behaviors at the care center, baring teeth, growling, and snapping when fearful. He bit a child he was introduced to but did not break skin. It is important to always go slow and give Bentley the option to walk away from any social interaction. Bentley should never be forced to approach anything that he is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Bentley’s choice to approach a new person or thing. Bentley would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to his new surroundings.