Basic Information:: Dog was friendly but a little shy and allowed handling and petting. Also the dog had an injured hind leg.

Date of intake:: 2/2/2018

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 2/4/2018

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:: 1. Dog follows at the end of the leash, body soft.

Paw squeeze 1:: 3. Dog closes mouth, becomes stiff.

Paw squeeze 2:: Item not conducted

Flank squeeze 1:: 1. Dog does not respond at all.

Flank squeeze 2:: 1. Dog does not respond at all.

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

Summary:: French cautiously approached the assessor in the assessment room. He was tense during handling, tensing further when his paw was touched.

Summary (1):: 2/2: When introduced off leash to a female dog, French allows a brief greeting but does not reciprocate.

Summary (2):: 2/4: French is tolerant of play solicitation, though does not engage. He offers brief greeting, then roams away.

Date of intake:: 2/2/2018

Summary:: French was social but a bit timid.

Date of initial:: 2/2/2018

Summary:: French was tense but allowed handling.

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on French 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:: French has been slightly uncomfortable in the shelter environment, flinching and moving away from touch from handlers. However, he will warm up and become slightly social with handlers while engaging outside the kennel. He continues to be cautious of touch, but will engage with handler after a slow approach.

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 behavior seen in the care center, we feel that French may be intimidated by young children. He needs a slow approach and time to warm up. He should never be forced to interact with new people, and should be allowed to greet and initiate an interaction at his own pace. Older, gentle children should have an in-depth interaction prior to adoption.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity: French has been noted to become uncomfortable with handling at times, especially when a person is reaching over him and touching his paw. It is important to always go slow and give French the option to walk away from any social interaction. French should never be forced to approach anything that he is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be French’s choice to approach a new person or thing. French may do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to his new surroundings. Fearful: Though observed to be human-social, French may need time to warm up to the handler as he initially presents as a fearful dog, avoiding contact, shying away from direct touch. We recommend allowing French to interact at his own pace, force-free, rewarding based training is advised when introducing him to new/unfamiliar situations.