Date of Intake: 12/15/2017

Spay/Neuter Status: Not Applicable

Basic Information:: Ella is a 3 year old, tan and white, medium mixed breed female. She was not spayed prior to coming into the shelter and has not seen a vet recently. She was born in the home and has been with the family since then, and was surrendered due to her unpredictable and aggressive behavior towards strangers.

Previously lived with:: In home with owner and 2 kids

How is this dog around strangers?: Ella is very aggressive and unpredictable with strangers. The owners keep her crated when they have guests over but she will hard bark and try to get out of the crate when they are in the home.

How is this dog around children?: Ella has lived with a 13 and 15 year old in the home and was friendly and playful with them. She has never displayed any aggressive or reactive behavior towards them.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Ella has lived with her Mother in the home and has previously gotten into fights with her. The owner stated that her Mother is very docile and tries to approach her, but she will growl and lunge at her. They have kept them separated for a few months now.

How is this dog around cats?: Ella has grown up with cats in the home and the owner stated it took her a while to warm up to them. Now they are seen laying together but she will try to chase after stray cats. It would be best if Ella was not in a home with cats or other animals.

Resource guarding:: Ella’s owner stated he is able to touch her food bowl while she is eating and she thinks you are playing if you try to take a toy from her mouth.

Bite history:: Ella has bitten her mother, the other dog in the home, previously. No DOH hold needed. Ella has never bitten a person before.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Ella likes to follow her family around when they are home and likest o play with balls, stuffed toys and chew toys/bones. She has been an indoor dog but plays outside, she previously lived up state and was outside most of the day. She eats both wet and dry food and is house trained to go outside. She will have accidents inside when they leave her alone, as a separation anxiety reaction. She is otherwise well behaved when left alone in the home, and knows the command sit, come, and down. She walks on leash for exercise.

Date of intake:: 12/15/2017

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: Adult, 2 children (ages 13 and 15), dog (Ella’s mother), cat

Behavior toward strangers:: Hard barks, aggressive

Behavior toward children:: Friendly, playful with resident children

Behavior toward dogs:: Growl, lunged at resident dog in home; have gotten into altercations

Behavior toward cats:: Tolerant with resident cats

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: Ella has bitten dog in the home

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Ella is reported to have high energy in the home

Other Notes:: Ella is reported to be aggressive with strangers; lunging, growling and hard barking. Ella has chased people in the past.

Date of assessment:: 12/17/2017

Summary:: Based on all the concerns noted in the home environment, a handling will not be performed out of concern for Ella’s stress level and staff safety.

Date of intake:: 12/15/2017

Summary:: No handling was attempted

Date of initial:: 12/15/2017

Summary:: Muzzled, shaking, whale eyed

ENERGY LEVEL:: Ella is reported to have a high energy in the home environment.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: NEW HOPE ONLY

Behavior Asilomar: TM – Treatable-Manageable

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

Recommendations comments:: Place with a New Hope partner: Due to all noted concerns displayed in a home environment, the behavior department recommends Ella be placed with a New Hope placement partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow Ella to acclimate comfortably to her new environment; force-free, reward based training only is advised when introducing Ella to new and unfamiliar situations. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended for guidance to safely manage/modify any behavior Ella presents with outside of the care centers.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Though she has no known bite history, Ella needs careful behavior modification and management to prevent any future bites. Ella is reported to be aggressive towards strangers in her previous home environment, has escalated to chasing people (no further details provided). We recommend only force-free, reward-based training methods for Ella as more aversive techniques are likely to increase fear and increase the risk of aggression