Spay/Neuter Status: Spayed

Previously lived with:: Children 5-10yrs old

How is this dog around strangers?: Barks at strangers but will get comfortable

How is this dog around children?: She was gentle with children

How is this dog around other dogs?: playful with other dogs of the same size

How is this dog around cats?: Not around cats

Resource guarding:: Not reported

Bite history:: Never bitten

Housetrained:: No

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Lovable and affectionate

Date of intake:: 12/29/2017

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: adult, children ages 5-10

Behavior toward strangers:: Barks, but will warm up

Behavior toward children:: Gentle

Behavior toward dogs:: Playful with other dogs

Resource guarding:: Not reported

Bite history:: Not reported

Housetrained:: No

Energy level/descriptors:: Lovable and affectionate

Date of assessment:: 1/8/2018

Look:: 1. Dog leans forward or jumps up to lick the Assessor’s face with tail wagging, ears back and eyes averted.

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 stands with tail low and wagging, and comes toward the Assessor in a friendly manner when the Assessor ceases moving.

Paw squeeze 1:: 1. Dog gently pulls back his/her paw.

Paw squeeze 2:: 1. Dog gently pulls back his/her paw.

Toy:: 2. Dog takes toy away, keeps a firm hold. His/her body is between you and the toy, and is loose and wiggly. No growling or stiffness.

Summary:: Layla was much more receptive than her initial assessment, warmed up by socializing outside of kennel for several days. She was a bit distracted and focusing on people she is most familiar with, but tolerated all handling and was no longer stiff. Tail was down, but no longer tucked.

Summary:: Layla approached a small dog through the gate, body neutral.

Summary (1):: Layla did not approach a small dog who appeared a bit interested. She stayed close to handler, hackles a bit raised, and did not attempt to engage.

Summary (2):: On second attempt with the same small male dog, Layla was polite, loose / wiggly, interested in engaging by offering play bows and soliciting play. Layla backed off when the small male dog became uncomfortable. Layla remained loose.

Summary (3):: When greeting a similarly sized boisterous female, Layla was eager to interact but remained calm when play became too rowdy, looking back and checking in with handler and remaining soft.

Date of initial:: 12/31/2017

Summary:: During her initial medical exam, Layla was affectionate toward staff and allowed all handling.

ENERGY LEVEL:: Owner reports Layla has a high level of energy. In the care center, Layla is cautious and very alert, moves slowly, though this may be due to environment.

IN SHELTER OBSERVATIONS:: Layla displays fearful behavior in the care center, but responds well when left alone after showing her discomfort. It is important that her warning signals are adhered to and she isn’t pushed any further into escalation. She has warmed up to some staff and is attention seeking though will still remain alert and offer a lip curl if approached too quickly.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: ADULT ONLY HOME

Behavior Asilomar: TM – Treatable-Manageable

Recommendations:: No children (under 13)

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): At times Layla is alert and uncomfortable with unfamiliar sounds and environments. Once comfortable she is more relaxed and becomes playful, but when unsure she may choose to retreat and low growl. For these reasons we feel Layla would do best in a calm, quiet, adult-only home.

Potential challenges: : House soiling,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: At times, Layla is selectively timid with new people, at times avoiding interaction and shying away from direct touch. When comfortable she is attentive, interactive, playful, and affectionate. She will do best with a slow approach, preferably with treats. Layla should be permitted to greet new people at her own pace and to initiate interaction (rather than being approached and pet immediately by a new person) so she has time to adjust and become comfortable before she is handled. She should never be forced to submit to petting or handling. Layla would do best with a patient adopter who can give her time to acclimate at her own pace. She should be spoken to softly and gently. Layla may startle easily by unfamiliar people, noises and sudden movement. She displays proper warning signals (bark, low growl, lip curl) as well as increasing distance from anything that may present a threat. We cannot be certain if any other behavior is suppressed as a result of her environment. A period of decompression is advised before introduction or exposure to new and unfamiliar situations. Force-free, reward based training is advised. House soiling: Owner reports Layla is not housebroken. She will need help learning to eliminate outdoors properly. Layla will require frequent walks and a routine feeding schedule. Accidents should never be punished as they can decrease the human-animal bond and potentially make the problems worse.