DAKOTA aka WHITNEY – 8972 (ALT ID – A1126102)

A volunteer writes: Dakota has the three B’s: Beauty, Brains and Brawn! Magnificently taken care of up until this point, her coat is stunning, her eyes sparkle and her smile can warm the coldest of hearts. Highly intelligent, she seems housebroken, knows commands such as sit, down and give paw (and will eagerly do them over and over to please you), and, given her motivation to learn, she can probably be taught just about anything! Dakota is athletic, too: she loves to play fetch with her friends, but will even play the solo game of “toss my toy and prance around the yard” for as long as you’ll let her. Dakota may seek to have it all, but what she lacks is you. Ask to meet her today!

Dakota 8972 is at risk with a New Hope Only behavior determination. She has shown significant levels of anxiety in the care center, was uncomfortable with a young child in her previous home, and has been intense in her behavior toward other dogs in playgroup and toward handlers when corrected.

Weight: 64.8 lbs

Date of intake: 5-Oct-2017 Spay/Neuter status: Yes Means of surrender (length of time in previous home): Returned adoption (in home for 2 weeks) Previously lived with: Adults, children (ages 7 & 2) Behavior toward strangers: Jumps to greet, licks face and hands, sits for attention Behavior toward children: Barked and stared at the 2-year-old Behavior toward dogs: Pulls toward them on walks; has not been permitted to greet Behavior toward cats: Unknown Resource guarding: Yes, toward her toys. When engaged with a toy, she avoided the owner’s gaze and if the owner continued to approach, Dakota would growl. She did not escalate and responded well to positive reinforcement and treats. Bite history: None reported Housetrained: No Energy level/descriptors: Dakota is described as very high energy 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: 2. Dog is not fearful, but is unresponsive when touched. Approaches the Assessor when the game ends (may need coaxing to approach). Dog is focused on stimuli other than the Assessor. Paw squeeze 1: 2. Dog quickly pulls back. Paw squeeze 2: 3. Dog is soft in body and eye, and moves legs/body so that the Assessor is unable to hold the paw. Flank squeeze 1: Item not conducted Flank squeeze 2: Item not conducted Toy: 1. Dog settles close, keeps a firm grip and is loose and wiggly. Dog does not place his/her body between you and the toy. Summary: SAFER date: 9/22/17 Dakota was a bit difficult to remove from her kennel, head low and avoiding leash. She showed some discomfort with up close handling, though she did not escalate beyond avoidance behaviors. During Tag Dakota ran at end of leash, distracted, briefly mouthed leash but let go easily. Summary (1): According to Dakota’s previous owner, Dakota is interested in other dogs. When Dakota was previously here at the Care Center, she was extremely nervous, and kept to herself. 10/6: When off leash at the Care Center, Dakota is anxious- whining and pacing. She begins to jump on the fence and hard bark when the novel female dog approaches her. Once she is let into the pen, she keeps to herself and explores the pens. Further into the session,a calm male dog is introduced to the group, and Dakota’s anxiety begins to increase. Handlers attempt to interrupt her, but she redirects her frustration at them- lunging and growling at them. Her session is ended afterwards. Date of intake: 5-Oct-2017 Summary: Intake behavior not reported IN SHELTER OBSERVATIONS: 10/6/17: During a session of playgroup, Dakota displayed severe anxiety. She repeatedly attempted to jump on the other dogs when they were near, and hard barks, growl and lunges towards handlers when they interrupt her. Afterwards, she would bite her leash when she was being separated. BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION: NEW HOPE ONLY Behavior Asilomar TM – Treatable-Manageable Recommendations: No children (under 13) Place with a New Hope partner Recommendations comments: Due to Dakota’s reported behavior toward the child in her previous home, we recommend an adult-only home for her comfort and the safety of the children in the home. // Due to Dakota’s anxiety and the intensity of her behavior toward other dogs in playgroup and toward handlers when corrected, we recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can further investigate this behavior and can provide any necessary force-free, reward-based behavior modification needed. Potential challenges: House soiling Anxiety Low threshold for arousal Potential challenges comments: House soiling: Dakota is reported to have frequent accidents in the house, and appears not to have been housetrained in the past. She will need guidance and consistency to learn to eliminate outside. We recommend crate training (the crate must be made positive and never used as a punishment), frequent walks, rewards for eliminating outside (treats, toys, games), consistent feeding schedule, and careful monitoring when inside. Accidents should never be punished as it can damage the human-dog relationship and is likely to make the problem worse. // Anxiety: see In-Shelter Observations section // Low threshold for arousal: Dakota has demonstrated a propensity for hyperarousal around other dogs and escalation to correction by human handlers. Recommendations Adoption Recommendations: Comments: Suitability With Children: Other: New Hope Only