CABBAGE – 8078

Cabbage is at risk with a New Hope Only behavior determination. He has allowed handling at times, including during his initial medical examination and SAFER handling assessment, but at other times has escalated quickly to warning behaviors (snapping) when handled, and this behavior seems to be intensifying with recent interactions.

Date of assessment: 29-Oct-2017 Look: 1. Dog’s eyes are averted, ears are back, tail is down, relaxed body posture. Dog allows head to be held loosely in Assessor’s cupped hands. Sensitivity: 1. Dog stands still and accepts the touch, eyes are averted, and tail is in neutral position with a relaxed body posture. Dog’s mouth is likely closed for at least a portion of the assessment item. Tag: 1. Dog follows at the end of the leash, body soft. Paw squeeze 1: 1. Dog does not respond at all for three seconds. Eyes are averted and ears are relaxed or back. Paw squeeze 2: 1. Dog does not respond at all for three seconds. Eyes are averted and ears are relaxed or 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: Cabbage displayed no behavior concerns during his handling assessment. Summary (1): 10/5: When introduced off leash to dogs, Cabbage greets, wanders. Date of intake: 27-Sep-2017 Date of initial: 27-Sep-2017 Summary: During his initial medical exam, Cabbage allowed all handling, quiet and eyes averted. ENERGY LEVEL: We have no history on Cabbage so we cannot be certain of his behavior in a home environment. In the care center, he displays a medium level of activity. IN SHELTER OBSERVATIONS: In the care center, Cabbage has snapped at people who attempt to handle him and place him back in his cage. When one handler went to put him back, he lunged toward her, growling, and attempting to bite. 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 growling and snapping at people when handled in 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, we recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide force free behavior modification to address the underlying fearful behavior. Potential challenges: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression Potential challenges comments: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Cabbage has attempted to bite during her stay in our care centers when uncomfortable; 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 Cabbage to new and unfamiliar situations.