Date of intake:: 3/7/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, No known history

Date of assessment:: 3/12/2026

Summary:: Cheddar has been observed to be fearful while in care. Noted to thrash when handlers attempt to place a collar on him and pancake while in the kennel room. Cheddar has also been observed to be people reactive. Noted to lunge at people while on leash. Due to the people reactive and fearful behavior Cheddar is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary:: 3/17/26: Cheddar greets another dog at the gate with a soft body and soft wagging tail.

Summary (6):: 3/21: Volunteer Note: He has such bright, happy energy and loved spending time entertaining himself with toys. This smart boy knows sit, paw, and down, and takes treats gently. He accepted gentle face and cheek petting, and stayed nicely engaged with his handler when treats or toys were presented. When he noticed a dog in the neighboring pen, he looked over the fence a couple of times without barking or lunging, then disengaged on his own and went back to playing with toys. 3/17/26: Cheddar is observed to pull towards other dogs in the yard with a tense body and bark at them. 3/12/26: Cheddar Bay Biscuit is at the front of his kennel with a soft body. The handler gives him a treat and he eats it; he is easily leashed and brought out the kennel. WHile exiting, Cheddar barks twice as the room is active. on the street, Cheddar walks ahead with mild leash tension. He doesn't react to dogs or people; the handler shortens the leash when Cheddar walks past a few people. Cheddar then fixates on a spot and sniffs it; when the handler tries to pull him away, he baulks in place, so the handler jogs and he follows. The handler walks Cheddar back to the shelter and returns him to his kennel with ease. 3/11/26: It is reported by staff that Cheddar is reactive towards people on the street. Backyard sign added to kennel.

Summary (7):: 3/10/26: Cheddar Bay is standing at the front with a neutral body. He is not interested in treats but easily leashed without them. When being walked through the hall, there are pop up crates with dogs in them and other dogs standing around waiting to go into their kennels. Cheddar Bay, remains neutral while navigating this and walks swiftly with handler to the yard. In the yard he explores and relieves himself. He will look towards the other dogs in adjoining pens but remains neutral and then resumes sniffing. He does not seek handler attention but does jump up gently in front of handler once before resuming sniffing. HE baulks slightly when attempting to re-enter the building but follows handler with leash pressure. Goes into kennel without issue. 3/9/26: Cheddar is standing at the front of the kennel when the handler approaches. He has a neutral body and low head. The handler is easily able to leash him and he’s taken to the yard where he relieves himself quickly and sniffs around. Cheddar allows the handler to clip their leash. When we entered the kennel room he pancakes. The handler is able to use light leash pressure to guide him into the kennel. 3/9/26: (late entry note from 3/8/26) Cheddar Bay Biscuit is sitting at the front of the kennel with a lowered head and ears. He stands up and approaches the kennel front with a slightly tense body. His tail will wag softly. Cheddar is easily leashed and removed from the kennel. He walks out towards the back yard. Cheddar wanders around with a neutral body, stopping to sniff around. He relieves himself and makes a few laps around the yard. Cheddar passes by dogs in the pens and looks to them slightly tense. He continues walking pass with the handler. Cheddar is walked back into the kennel room. He is hesitant to enter but walks slowly. A dog begins hard barking at him and Cheddar plants. Handler applies gently tension and begins jogging with Cheddar back to his kennel. He is returned without issue.

Date of intake:: 3/7/2026

Summary:: Lunging towards people and persistently hard barking

Date of initial:: 3/8/2026

Summary:: Tense body for exam. Thrashed when attempted to place collar.

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Cheddar Bay Biscuit so we cannot be certain of their behavior in a home environment. However, they will need daily mental and physical activity to stay engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in addition to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to people reactivity and fearful behavior we recommend an adult only home. We recommend placement with a New Hope rescue partner who is able to provide an experienced, adult-only foster home. Force-free, reward based training and/or consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended.

Potential challenges: : Fearful,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful: When handlers attempted to place a collar on Cheddar, he began to thrash. They should never be forced to approach anything that they are uncomfortable with or submit to petting or handling. It should always be their choice to approach a new person or thing. Cheddar would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to their new surroundings. Please see handout on Decompression Period. On Leash Reactivity: During intake and his stay in the care center Cheddar has been observed to hard bark and lunge at people while on leash. Cheddar will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than other people. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration.