Date of Intake: 10/17/2017

Spay/Neuter Status: Neutered

Basic Information:: Samson is a 2 years old neutered male tan dog. He was adopted from and returned to MACC due the previous owner moving into a no pets allowed building.

Previously lived with:: 1 Adult

How is this dog around strangers?: The dog was friendly around strangers. The previous owner stated that he should be approached slowly because he was easily startled.

How is this dog around children?: He was not around children in his previous home.

How is this dog around other dogs?: The previous stated that he did not approach other dogs while walking outside.

How is this dog around cats?: He was not around cats.

Resource guarding:: He was friendly when his food bowl, toys and treats were touched while he was eating or playing. He did not guard any resources. However, while in the shelter he freeze when a staff member approached him while he had food in his kennel. His body would immediately loosen when left alone.

Bite history:: He does not have any bite history.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Low

Other Notes:: He allowed to be held and restrained while being friendly. He was also friendly when disturbed while sleeping and bath. He was not bothered by his nails being trimmed or coat brushed. He barked at strangers that approached the home. He was friendly with strangers that approached his previous owner.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: He was described as a friendly and affectionate dog. His activity level was low in the home. He was a great companion who enjoyed watching television according to his previous owner. His favorite toys were squeaky and stuffed toys. The previous owner attempted to play fetch with him but he did not always retrieve the toys. He was trained to urinate in the wee-wee pad if he had to. He sat on command and did not pulled hard on the leash.

Date of intake:: 10/17/2017

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Return (In home for one month)

Previously lived with:: An adult

Behavior toward strangers:: Friendly when approached slowly

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Samson is described as a friendly and affectionate with a low level of activity.

Date of assessment:: 9/13/2017

Look:: 2. Dog’s eyes are averted, body posture is stiff and fearful, tail is low and not moving. Dog allows head to be held loosely in Assessor’s cupped hands.

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:: 2. Dog quickly pulls back.

Paw squeeze 2:: 2. Dog quickly pull back.

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:: Samson entered the room cautious and tense, but warmed up and would solicit attention from assessor, tolerated handling once comfortable.

Summary (1):: 10/18: When introduced off leash to other dogs, Samson keeps mostly to himself and will growl for persistent approach.

Date of intake:: 10/17/2017

Summary:: Samson was receptive to handling and allowed collaring.

Date of initial:: 10/17/2017

Summary:: Samson was tense and growling.

ENERGY LEVEL:: Samson’s previous owner reported that he had a low level of activity.

IN SHELTER OBSERVATIONS:: While on rounds Papacito had food placed at the front of his kennel. When a staff member bent down to say hello, he froze in place over his food. He did not growl but became extremely stiff. When the staff member stood up he began eating again and his body posture loosened. She bent down again to see if he would have a similar reaction, and he immediately froze over food again and his body posture became stiff.

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 (under 13): Due to the cautious behavior we have seen in the care center, we feel Samson may be intimidated by young children. He needs a slow approach and time to warm up. He should never be forced to interact with new people, and should be allowed to greet and initiate an interaction at his own pace. We are also recommending an adult-only home due to the food guarding behavior seen in the kennel, and the need for Samson to be left alone while eating.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Fearful

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful: Samson is timid with new people. He manages his stress well and has not escalated or shown any aggression, but he does need time to warm up to new people. He does best with a slow approach, and should be permitted to greet new people at his own pace and to initiate interaction (rather than being approached and pet immediately by a new person) so he has time to adjust and become comfortable before he is handled. He should be spoken to softly and gently and may do best initially going home to a calm, quiet, structured environment. Resource guarding: Samson showed food guarding behavior in the care center, tensing and standing over food items when visited by a staff member . This behavior was not reported in the home, so we cannot be certain whether this was will appear again in a future home. Samson should be left alone while eating, and should be taught the cue “drop” and other trade up games so he learns that dropping food or having people around while he is eating is rewarding. Behavior modification protocols for food guarding behavior can be found on aspcapro.org _X_Bite history