Basic Information:: Muggzi is a 5 and a half year old male that has no previous or current medical issues that the owner is aware of. Owner had Muggzi since he was a puppy but had to surrender due to landlord issues.

Previously lived with:: 1 Adult

How is this dog around strangers?: Around strangers, Muggzi will bark at first. Once comfortable, he is friendly and outgoing.

How is this dog around children?: Owner did not have any children in the home but when friends and family members would come to the home with children of all ages, Muggzi was relaxed and respectful around the children.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Owner did not have any dogs in the home so behavior is unknown

How is this dog around cats?: Owner did not have any cats in the home but stated that Muggzi has bitten and killed stray cats before.

Resource guarding:: When someone tries to take away Muggzi’s food, treats or toys, he will bark and growl and sometimes air snaps.

Bite history:: Mugzi has bit several outdoor cats before months ago. There is no recent bite history.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Owner stated that Muggzi does not like his face touch and will growl, bark and air snap. Muggzi will snap when someone tries to push him off furniture. He barks when someone approaches the home or owner. Owner stated that Muggzi will growl when someone tries to brush his coat or trim his nails.

For a New Family to Know: Muggzi is described as friendly, playful, excitable and independent. He has a high activity level and likes to play with stuffed animals, squeaky toys and chew toys. In the home, he liked to follow the owner around from room to room. Owner fed Muggzi both wet and dry food (different brands). Muggzi was kept mostly indoors and is house trained. When left alone in the home or yard, he was always well behaved. Muggzi knows the cues stop, stay and sometimes will sit. For exercise, Muggzi was taken on slow walks on the leash. When on leash, Muggzi pulls lightly. Owner was able to walk Muggzi off leash and stated that he would stay by the owner’s side.

Date of intake:: 2/11/2018

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: 1 adult

Behavior toward strangers:: Barks initially, friendly once comfortable

Behavior toward children:: Relaxed, respectful

Behavior toward dogs:: Unknown

Behavior toward cats:: Has killed stray cats

Resource guarding:: Bark, growls, air snaps

Bite history:: Muggzi has killed stray cats

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Friendly, playful, excitable and independent with a high activity level

Other Notes:: Owner states that Muggzi will begin to hard bark, growl when he hears the word “Beef”.

Date of assessment:: 2/13/2018

Summary:: Out of concern for his stress level and staff safety, a handling assessment will not be performed on Muggzi at this time.

Date of intake:: 2/11/2018

Summary:: Tense, growling

Date of initial:: 2/12/2018

Summary:: Tense, growled though tolerated majority of exam

ENERGY LEVEL:: Muggzi is reported to have a high energy level in his previous home environment.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: NEW HOPE ONLY

Behavior Asilomar: TM – Treatable-Manageable

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

Recommendations comments:: Place with a New Hope partner: Based on all the concerns noted in his previous home environment in addition to Muggzi’s bite history, we believe placement with a responsible rescue group would be most beneficial at this time. Muggzi is highly uncomfortable in the care center and has the potential to escalate rapidly when handled. Force-free, reward based training only is recommended.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Muggzi’s previous owner notes that he may growl, air snap when his food bowl is approached. We recommend that Muggzi be left alone while eating, and that food guarding behavior modification steps (available at ASPCApro.org) be utilized if this behavior is problematic in his future home. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Muggzi’s mouth, and any time something is removed he should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. He should be taught the “drop” cue and trade-up games. Handling/touch sensitivity: Muggzi’s previous owner notes that Muggzi will snap when handled in the face/neck area. 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 Muggzi to be more comfortable with this Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Muggzi has snapped during his stay in our care centers when uncomfortable; guidance from a professional trainer/behaviorist is recommended to assess behavior after decompression in a new home environment. Force-free, reward based training is advised when introducing or exposing Muggzi to new and unfamiliar situations. Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression: Muggzi’s previous owner reports that he has killed stray cats, we have no further details. We recommend exercising caution when handling Muggzi; safe and appropriate management is advised.