Date of Intake: 11/19/2017

Spay/Neuter Status: Not Applicable

Basic Information:: Maximus is a 3 year old, gray, medium mixed breed male. He has been in his home since he was a young puppy, and was surrendered due to the owners moving and not being able to take him with them. He has no known health issues or injuries and has not seen a vet recently.

Previously lived with:: In home with owner and 3 kids.

How is this dog around strangers?: Maximus will alert bark when someone approaches the house or yard. He is unpredictable if he will allow guests to pet him or not.

How is this dog around children?: Maximus is relaxed and respectful around the three children in the home. He played well with the kids without any issues.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Maximus is respectful and tolerant around other dogs. He has not lived with other dogs but he has interacted with them at a park.

How is this dog around cats?: Maxmius has not spent time around cats.

Resource guarding:: Maximus’ owner had no reported incidents of resource guarding behavior with food or treats.

Bite history:: Maximus has no bite history.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Maximus is escribed as being confident and more independent. He has been mostly an outdoor dog but he does like to be around his family when they are home. He likes to play with all kinds of toys and all kidns of games. He sleeps in his dog house with his bed, and eats both wet and dry food. He has not been crate trained and knows commands sit, come, down and go in. He pulls very hard when walked on a leash.

Date of intake:: 11/19/2017

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: Adults, children (ages not reported)

Behavior toward strangers:: Barks at approach, sometimes allows touch and other times does not

Behavior toward children:: Relaxed, respectful, playful toward children in the family

Behavior toward dogs:: Respectful, tolerant in dog parks

Behavior toward cats:: Unknown

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Maximus is described as confident and independent, with a high activity level.

Other Notes:: Maximus was primarily an outside dog in his previous home, but was social with his human family when inside.

Date of assessment:: 11/21/2017

Summary:: Maximus has become uncomfortable with handling on multiple occasion, escalating quickly to displaying warning signals (growling) – for these reasons, we Maximus is not an appropriate candidate for an assessment at this time.

Summary (1):: Maximus previous guardian reported that he is respectful and tolerant around other dogs. 11/20: When off leash at the Care Center, Maximus engages in tense, cooperative play, bouncy a few times but then he attempts to mount. He responds well to being interrupted.

Date of intake:: 11/19/2017

Summary:: Loose-bodied and wiggly.

Date of initial:: 11/20/2017

Summary:: Cautious, became tense with eye contact. Growled during exam. Food motivated.

ENERGY LEVEL:: Maximus is described as active and enthusiastic. He will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend only force-free, reward-based training techniques for Maximus.

IN SHELTER OBSERVATIONS:: Maximus has been placed as a ‘staff walks’ only dog. While outside with a handler Maximus pinned handler down while he was sitting – Maximus remained tense and handler was unable to safely refocus his attention. A separate handler who approached the fence called him over to have him removed but then he began growling at handler near fence.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: NEW HOPE ONLY

Behavior Asilomar: TM – Treatable-Manageable

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

Recommendations comments:: _X_Place with a New Hope parter: Maximus has become uncomfortable with handling on multiple occassions, escalating to warning signals. Because of the level of discomfort he has displayed at times, a handling assessment was not performed. We cannot be certain if this is a result of the shelter environment though believe he may benefit best by being placed with a rescue partner.

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

Potential challenges comments:: _X_Handling sensitivity: Maximus has growled when handled in certain areas or approached suddenly. It is important to be cautious when touching him in other areas as we do not know where he may have other sensitivities. Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Maximus to be more comfortable with this _X_Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Though he has displayed some social behavior towards select handlers in the care center, Maximus continues to give all appropriate warning signals when uncomfortable. Due to the consistent behavior displayed in shelter, the behavior department recommends an experienced adult home only until he can acclimate to his new home environment for the behavior to be further assessed. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is advised; force-free, reward based training only is recommended.