WILLOW – 9440

Basic Information:: Willow is an 1 year old small female. She was given to her previous owner as a gift when she was a 5 months. She was surrendered because her previous owner no longer had time to care for her. She has no known injuries or health concerns but has not been to he vet.

Previously lived with:: 2 dogs, 1 cat and young children

How is this dog around strangers?: Around strangers, Willow is shy for a few mintues but once her owner interacted with them she was friendly. When she plays with adults she is exuberant.

How is this dog around children?: Willow lived with children ages newborn to 16. With them she was relaxed and playful and exuberant at play.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Willow lived with 2 other dogs. Both small breeds, one was a 13 year old male and the otjer was 8 year old female. With them she was relaxed and playful and rough at play with the 8 year old and gentle at play with the 13 year old.

How is this dog around cats?: Willow also lived with a 6 year old cat with her she was relaxed and tolerant.

Bite history:: Willow has bitten another dog before.

Housetrained:: No

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: If her food bowl was touch while eating Willow has growled in the past. Her previous owner tells her to move before she touches her bowl. Her previous owner also warns her before she takes a treat or toy away. Tila isn’t bothered if she is taken off furniture or disturbed while sleeping. She is friendly if she is held or restrained. She tries to run away when it’s bath time and pulls away if her nails are trimmed. She is friendly if an unfamiliar person approaches her home and barks if an unfamiliar person approached her previous owner while on walks.

For a New Family to Know: Willow is described as friendly, affectionate, playful, confident and excitable. The two things her previous owner likes most were she is energetic and smart. When her previous owner was home she would tend to follow her around. She likes to play with balls and rope toys and does not like squeaky toys. Her favorite game is fetch. She was kept indoors and at night she slept in the kitchen. She ate dry Alpo and Pedigree. She is not house trained and had accidents daily. She is well behaved when left alone. She was crate trained but no longer needs it. She knows the cues sit and paw. She hasn’t been walked in a long while but when she was she was walked once a day. On leash she pulls lightly.

Date of assessment:: 10/18/2017

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:: 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:: 3. Dog closes mouth, becomes stiff.

Paw squeeze 2:: Item not conducted

Flank squeeze 1:: 1. Dog does not respond at all.

Flank squeeze 2:: 1. Dog does not respond at all.

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

Summary:: Willow avoided the assessor in the assessment room, after a few minutes allowing the assessor to approach her. She was fearful throughout the assessment and attempted to flee during tag. She became stiff when her paw was touched and appeared uncomfortable with all handling by the assessor.

Summary (1):: 10/19: When introduced off leash to other dogs, Willow greets politely and wanders the pen. 10/20: Willow is fearful and avoids all approach.

Date of intake:: 10/11/2017

Summary:: Willow hid, barked, and growled, but then allowed handling.

Date of initial:: 10/11/2017

Summary:: Willow was tense and had a tucked tail.

ENERGY LEVEL:: Willow’s previous owner described her as having 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 her energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: NEW HOPE ONLY

Behavior Asilomar: TM – Treatable-Manageable

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Single-pet home,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to how uncomfortable Willow is currently with touch and novel stimuli, we feel that an adult-only home would be most beneficial at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to Willow’s multiple bite history to another dog, as well as how fearful she currently is at the care center, we recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification guidance in a stable home environment will best set Willow up for success in a future adoptive home. We recommend only force-free, reward-based training methods as more aversive techniques will likely increase fear and increase the risk of aggression.

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

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Willow’s previous owner notes that she may growl when her food bowl is touched. We recommend that Willow be left along while eating, and that food guarding behavior modification steps (available at ASPCApro.org) be utilized if this behavior is problematic in her future home. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Willow’s mouth, and any time something is removed she should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. She should be taught the “drop” cue and trade-up games. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Willow’s previous owner reported that she is shy with new people. In the care center, she has has been fearful and growled at times. It is important to always go slow and give Willow the option to walk away from any social interaction. Willow should never be forced to approach anything that she is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Willow’s choice to approach a new person or thing. Willow would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to her new surroundings. Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression: Willow has a multiple-bite history to the other dog in the home. It is reported that she starts fights with the other dog in the home over resources and attention. We recommend Willow be placed as an only dog in the home.