Date of intake:: 1/16/2018

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 1/18/2018

Look:: 2. Dog pulls out of Assessor’s hands each time without settling during three repetitions.

Sensitivity:: 2. Dog displays high energy and movement, but it is directed toward getting closer to the Assessor. Body is soft, likely panting, may jump up between attempts to lick Assessor.

Tag:: 1. Dog assumes play position and joins the game. Or dog indicates play with huffing, soft ‘popping’ of the body, etc. Dog might jump on Assessor once play begins.

Paw squeeze 1:: 2. Dog quickly pulls back.

Paw squeeze 2:: 2. Dog gently places open mouth over the Assessor’s hand without applying pressure.

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:: Ferdinand quickly approached the assessor in the assessment room and jumped up in a social manner. He was very mouthy during the assessment and displayed a very high level of activity and movement, being in constant motion. He jumped up hard a lot throughout the assessment. He remained social throughout and allowed all holding.

Summary:: DOG-DOG INTERACTION ASSESSMENT: The behavior department feels that Ferdinand may be most compatible with dogs who are social and playful. In the care center, he has engaged in running play with male and female dogs.

Summary (1):: 1/18: When introduced off leash to the female greeter dog, Ferdinand is soft and polite when greeting.

Summary (2):: 1/21: Ferdinand is polite and playful when introduced to a spayed female dog. When introduced to an intact female, Ferdinand follows after and repeatedly attempts to mount.

Summary (3):: 1/22-24: Ferdinand engages in running play with male and female dogs.

Date of intake:: 1/16/2018

Summary:: Ferdinand was very friendly upon intake, and allowed all handling.

Date of initial:: 1/16/2018

Summary:: Ferdinand was very tense.

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Fedinand so we cannot be certain of his behavior in a home environment. He may have a low threshold for arousal and needs guidance to learn how to appropriately channel that energy when he becomes overstimulated. He will need daily mental and physical stimulation and exercise, and a force-free, positive reinforcement-based training class may help him to learn impulse control and to train desirable behaviors that can be rewarded.

IN SHELTER OBSERVATIONS:: Ferdinand has been highly social with handlers throughout his stay at the care center. He seeks attention from volunteers and staff constantly and solicits petting and interaction. He displays typical puppy behaviors and enjoys time outside of his kennel. He has shown a love for toys and can be content engaging with plush toys or puzzle toys by himself for extended periods.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: EXPERIENCE (suitable for an adopter with some previous dog experience, especially with the behaviors outlined below)

Behavior Asilomar: TM – Treatable-Manageable

Recommendations:: No young children (under 5)

Recommendations comments:: No young children: Due to the high level of jumping and mouthing seen at the care center, we recommend a home without young children. Older children who are comfortable around large, jumpy dogs should have an in-depth interaction prior to adoption.

Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition

Potential challenges comments:: Basic manners/poor impulse control: It is recommended that default behaviors such as “Leave it”, “Sit/Stay”, “Down” are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach him to control his impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward based training only is recommended. Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition: While she applies only light pressure, Ferdinand was mouthy throughout the assessment and is quick to put his teeth on skin. This is likely an attention-seeking behavior, but it should be replaced with an alternative behavior as it can frighten people. We recommend never playing with bare hands – always with a toy – and ending play or attention whenever Ferdinand puts teeth on skin. He should be rewarded with attention and treats when he stops and/or when he is seeking attention in alternate ways.