Date of intake:: 11/7/2017

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

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

Bite history:: Yes, Max bit his owner when she was on the floor with him petting him. The bite was on her knee and broke skin.

Date of assessment:: 11/28/2017

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

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:: 2. Dog is fearful but unresponsive when touched. Approaches the Assessor when the game ends. Dog is likely crouching, may have a long lip or lip lick.

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:: Max cautiously approach the assessor in the assessment room. He was very focused on the exit and was tense for handling. When his paw was touched, he stiffened, so flank was used.

Date of initial:: 11/7/2017

Summary:: Max was tense, growling, and snapped.

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Max so we cannot be certain of his behavior in a home environment. In the care center, he displays a medium level of activity.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: NEW HOPE ONLY

Behavior Asilomar: TM – Treatable-Manageable

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

Recommendations comments:: No children: Due to Max’s bit history, we recommend an adult only home. Place with a New Hope partner: due to Max’s bite history, as well as his fearful behavior in the care center, we recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity: Dog has been noted to become uncomfortable with handling at times, especially when a person is reaching over her/him. It is important to always go slow and give dog the option to walk away from any social interaction. Dog should never be forced to approach anything that she/he is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Dog’s choice to approach a new person or thing. Dog may do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to her/his new surroundings. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Max appears fearful at the care center and has bitten in his previous home. It is important to move slowly with Max, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow Max to initiate interactions with new people. He should never be forced to greet or to interact if he is not comfortable and soliciting attention. Guidance from a professional trainer/behaviorist is recommended to assess behavior after decompression in a new home environment.