Date of intake:: 12/20/2017

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 12/24/2017

Look:: 1. Dog’s eyes are averted, ears are back, tail is down, relaxed body posture. Dog allows head to be held loosely in Assessor’s cupped hands.

Sensitivity:: 1. Dog leans into the Assessor, eyes soft or squinty, soft and loose body, open mouth.

Tag:: 3. Dog repeatedly turns quickly away when touched, or repeatedly spins toward the touch, and repeatedly tries to exit. Dog may be crouching, tail is tucked, mouth closed, body stiff.

Paw squeeze 1:: 2. Dog quickly pulls back.

Paw squeeze 2:: 3. Dog closes mouth, becomes stiff.

Flank squeeze 1:: Item not conducted

Flank squeeze 2:: Item not conducted

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

Summary:: Peanut Brittle looked fearful in the assessment room, having a tucked tail and tense body at first. After a few minutes, he approached the assessor and eventually jumped up, soliciting attention. During tag he became fearful when touched, spinning towards the assessor and attempting to flee, and he became a bit tense during squeeze.

Summary:: The behavior department feels that Peanut Brittle may be most compatible with female dogs who are playful and tolerant. Peanut Brittle’s behavior history around other dogs is not available due to arriving as a stray. He has been observed to be playful when introduced to female dogs in the care center, showing some sexually motivated behavior as well. He has not yet been introduced to other male dogs while in our care.

Summary (1):: 12/24: When introduced to a dog on leash, Peanut Brittle displays a soft body and low, fast wagging tail.

Summary (2):: 12/27: Off leash Peanut Brittle greets the female dog with wagging tail and attempts to mount. When the female runs, he engages in running play with her, attempting to mount again when play slows down.

Date of intake:: 12/20/2017

Summary:: Peanut Brittle lunged and barked when new people approached him.

Date of initial:: 12/23/2017

Summary:: Peanut Brittle had a tucked tail but was calm.

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Peanut Brittle so we cannot be certain of his behavior in a home environment. In the care center, he displays a high level of activity. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm.

IN SHELTER OBSERVATIONS:: Peanut Brittle was initially fearful upon arrival to the care center. He has since warmed up to all handlers, both known and novel, and become highly social, greeting all people with soft body and wagging tail. He solicits attention by rubbing against handlers or climbing into their laps and enjoys petting. He will also engage in running play off leash with his handlers, checking in for petting.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: ADULT ONLY HOME

Behavior Asilomar: TM – Treatable-Manageable

Recommendations:: No children (under 13)

Recommendations comments:: No children: Due to how uncomfortable Peanut Brittle is currently with touch and novel stimuli, we feel that an adult-only home would be most beneficial at this time.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Peanut Brittle has been fearful at the care center, lunging and barking at people at intake and avoiding people at other times. He has shown he will warm up to handlers given a slow approach and time. Peanut Brittle gives clear warnings when he is uncomfortable and does seem to choose to avoid or retreat when given the opportunity, but if prevented from moving away there is a potential to escalate to higher-level warning behaviors and possible fear-based aggression. It is important to move slowly with Peanut Brittle, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow Peanut Brittle to initiate interactions with new people. He should never be forced to greet or to interact if he is not comfortable and soliciting attention.