Date of intake:: 2/13/2018

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

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

Bite history:: Yes, Taco bit the owner’s mother on the calf during a verbal argument in the home. The bite broke skin, severity of the bite is not known.

Date of assessment:: 2/18/2018

Look:: 1. Dog’s eyes are averted, with tail wagging and ears back. 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:: 1. Dog assumes play position and joins the game. Or dog indicates play with huffing, soft ‘popping’ of the body, etc. Dog might jump on Assessor once play begins.

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:: Taco quickly approached the assessor in the assessment room with a soft body and jumped up in a social manner. He remained social throughout the assessment, allowed all handling, and displayed no concerning behaviors.

Date of intake:: 2/13/2018

Summary:: Taco was social, had a soft body, and allowed handling.

Date of initial:: 2/13/2018

Summary:: Taco solicited attention.

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Taco so we cannot be certain of his behavior in a home environment. However, he is a young, enthusiastic, social dog who 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.

IN SHELTER OBSERVATIONS:: Taco has displayed soft, attention seeking, and affectionate behaviors, leaning in for petting when coaxed and offered affection. He has also responded to cues such as “Sit” and “Paw” when asked to.

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 Taco’s bite history, we recommend an adult only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to Taco’s bite history, 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: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Basic manners/poor impulse control: taco jumps up a lot on people in a social manner. It is recommended that default behaviors such as “Leave it”, “Sit/Stay”, “Down” are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach him to control his impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward based training only is recommended. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Taco bit a person in his previous home during a verbal argument, the bite broke skin. We have no more information on the bite or if Taco has given other warning signs, so it is important to act calmly around Taco and not escalate to arguing. If any concerning behaviors are seen, guidance should be sought from a positive reinforcement, force-free trainer/behaviorist.