Date of intake:: 11/29/2025

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

Previously lived with:: other dogs

Behavior toward dogs:: has a bite incident to another dog

Bite history:: Billie was involved in a bite incident about one month ago when the owner brought her and another dog to Bay Street Animal Hospital. Both dogs were left outside and began biting each other. When staff went outside to intervene, they noticed that the dogs’ collars were entangled, and staff had to sedate them to separate the animals. It is unclear whether the dogs started fighting in the car and became stuck, or if they were lying together, got tangled, and then began biting in panic. The bite resulted in a small abrasion on the other dog’s head and several cuts on its lip.

Summary:: When attempting to assess Billie, she became very over-aroused, jumping at handler's face, thrashing during handling portion and unable to get through the assessment. This behavior paired with her dog/dog bite incident with limited information; Billie will not be receiving a handling assessment due to an abundance of caution.

Summary:: 12/2: Billie greet M LMB dog at the gate with forward facing posture, ears up. She is easily walked away. Due to bite incident prior to entering the care center, we recommend she be the only dog in the home.

Summary (6):: 12/14: Billie is brought on a walk with two staff members. She jumps up at the second staff member then sits when asked and takes treats politely. She pulls on and off but responds when handlers call her attention. In the yard she offers paw repeatedly. She returns without issue.   12/11: Billie is jumping up and down on approach. As the slip lead enters her kennel, she meets the handlers hand with her mouth. A milk bone is used to lure her down and she is easily leashed. She pulls to the door and when they step outside, she jumps up on handler. She is asked to sit and rewarded. She is looking for treats as they continue on the walk, handler ignores her turning away and she redirects her attention back to the walk. She is rewarded intermittently (after relieving herself, when they turn back to care center) taking treats nicely. When returning another staff member walks out the door almost bumping into the pair, Billie is tolerant and ignores the person. She pulls into kennel and is given treats.

Summary (7):: 12/08 Billie is jumping up against the front of her kennel as staff approaches. She is easily leashed and brought on a walk. On the walk, she pulls moderately all the way up the block with tail up and wagging and alternating putting her ears up and pulling them back when she pulls towards scents, and on the way back, she pulls moderately hard until she is returned to her kennel, easily. Later in the day, Billie is brought to the yard with two staff members. She immediately begins to run across the yard and engages in play with chew toys. She will bring the toy over to staff and jump up at them. She is redirected by asking her to sit and she takes treats politely. She is lured through the leash with a treat and brought on a walk. She walks erratically at the end of the leash. 12.05 Billie was at her kennel door barking and jumping against the door when staff approached. She continued to jump when staff went to leash her. It took a couple of tries and some treats to get her to stay still long enough to leash her. Billie was taken into the small yard. She explored the yard for a couple of minutes, then came up to the staff. She allowed staff to pet her head for a second, but then started to jump at the staff member's face. Staff had to use the drag leash to hold her away and prevent her from jumping, but she continued to jump and twirl. It took her a couple of minutes to relax and leave the staff alone. Staff had to hold her away a couple of times, then take her out of the yard until her kennel was ready 12.3.25 As staff approached the kennel, Billie was at the front barking and jumping up. After a few attempts at trying to leash Billie due to her high energy, staff was able to get her and bring her outside. Billie pulled mildly on the leash the entire walk, with a very loose body and wagging tail. Billie was then returned to her kennel with ease. 12.2.25 Billie is at the front of the kennel and is easily leashed. She is brought on a walk. On the walk, Billie has a soft body and is responsive to the handler. She ignores people who pass on the walk. She is easily returned to her kennel.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to becoming easily aroused we recommend an adult only home. Single-pet home/Recommend no dog parks: Billie was in an altercation with another dog leaving wounds on his head and lip. She should be the only pet in the home & should not visit the dog park. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to all noted behavior concerns, he behavior department recommends Billie be placed with a New Hope placement partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow Billie to acclimate comfortably to her new environment.

Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Social hyperarousal,Anxiety,Low threshold for arousal,Bite history (dog)

Potential challenges comments:: Basic Manner/Impulse Control: Billie lacks basic manners and impulse control. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Leave it", "Sit/Stay", "Down" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach her to control her impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward-based training only is recommended. Please see the handout on Basic Manners and Impulse Control. Social hyperarousal/Low threshold for arousal: Billie becomes easily aroused when interacting with people, lacking basic manners and impulse control, jumping up, becoming mouthy. Positive reinforcement, force-free training should be used to teach Billie to remain calm when people and other exciting things are around. She should be rewarded with treats when calm. If she escalates to jumping or mouthing, people should immediately walk away from and separate themselves from Billie. Please see the handout on Arousal. Bite history (dog): Billie was involved in an altercation with another dog. Details are limited; however, she did leave wounds which broke the skin. Billie should be the only dog in the home. Please see handout on Bite History and Risk of Future Aggression. Anxiety: Billie appears anxious at the care center. If Billie displays anxious behavior in her future home, we recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and giving her other things to focus on to alleviate her anxiety. Positive reinforcement, force-free training only should be used. Please see the handout on Generalized Anxiety.