Date of intake:: 1/25/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

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

Other Notes:: **Previous assessments can be given upon request.**

Date of assessment:: 2/15/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Did not conduct Reactivity to humans: Reactivity to dogs: Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Distracted Call over: Approaches handler readily Sociability comments: Sniffing around the room, jumps up on handler Soft handling: Fearful Exuberant handling: Did not conduct Comments: Head whips with an open mouth, begins rubbing on the handler and then lays on the ground. When the handler attempts to coax her up, Bella head whips with an open mouth towards their ankle. Bella contuines laying on the ground and does not get up until the handler stands up. Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler readily, neutral body Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily Toy Toy comments: Sniffs toy, no reaction **2/1/26** When brought into the assessment room Bella was observed to be neutral body and receptive of treats. However, when the handler approaches Bella retreats quickly and vocalizes softly. The handler offers treats and spray cheese and Bella continues to retreat quickly. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety displayed. Bella is not a candidate to receive a handling assessment at this time.

Summary:: 2/3/26: Bella greets another dog at the gate with a soft body and soft wagging tail.

Summary (5):: 2/24/26: Bella is at the front of her kennel with a soft body. She is easily leashed and brought out the room. On the street, Bella walks ahead with little to no leash tension. She doesn’t react passersby or dogs. Although she demand barks when shown a treat, Bella follows the ‘sit’ and ‘paw’ command, and takes treats softly. She also allows and solicits pets from the handler. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and returns Bella to her kennel with ease.

Summary (6):: 2/21/26: It is reported on the behavior board that Bella slightly thrashes when coming out of the room. 2/13/26: Bella is at the front of her kennel with a neutral body and is easily leashed. As she exits the kennel, she would slightly thrash and use her paw to push the leash. Handler continues to walk forward and she would remain receptive and continue to walk forward with no issue. She is then taken to the driveway where she would remain aloof and relieve herself. She would jump onto the handler and would allow the handler to pet her as they held her front two paws. Shortly after, she would begin to sniff around in multiple spots and clipped. She would then readily walk back into her kennel and leash was removed, interaction was then ended shortly after.

Summary (7):: 2/9/26: It was reported on the whiteboard that Bella knows sit, down, and paw. She is treat motivated and a sling was not needed to return to kennel. 2/6/26: Bella has reported to headwhip when staff placed a sling under her as she baulked on return. Two staff member double leashed Bella and returned her to kennel. 2/4/26: Bella is at the front of the kennel with a neutral body, she is easily leashed and taken out of the kennel. Bella is brought to the backyard for a dog-dog interaction. Handler has her sit for treats and she begins vocalizing until the treat is given. Bella is walked around the perimeter of the yard. She walks and sniffs her surroundings. She is then walked back inside the building, as she approaches the kennel room, she begins to buck backwards. Handler jogs her forward to the kennel room. She stops outside the kennel and a treat is tossed in. Bella enters the kennel after the treat without issue. 2/3/26: As an ACS is returning Bella to her kennel, she slipped out the leash and runs out the room. A nearby handler stops Bella and she enters a nearby closet. The handler leashes her and tries to bring her out the kennel, but she begins to paw at the leash and vocalize. Another handler places a sling under Bella and both handlers walk her into the room and return her to kennel. 2/1/26: Bella is standing in her kennel as handler approaches. She is able to be leashed with ease and is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, she has no reactions to dogs, people or kids as they passed by. She baulks when returning back to the driveway and is able to continue walking for treats. She is then taken to the behavior room for her assessment. In the room, she would demand bark at the handlers to receive treats. She would head whip and back away when the handlers attempt to collar her. Due to this, her assessment is unable to be completed. She baulks on the way back to her kennel and has to be muscled inside. 1/31/26: It was noted on the whiteboard that Bella was able to be returned to kennel without the use of a sling. 1/28/26- When ACS were returning Bella to her room she plants. Handler tries treats and a squeaker but Bella doesn't move. Another handler had to use a sling to return to kennel. Bella had a tense body and mildly thrashed when being returned to kennel. 1/28/26- It has been observed that Bella is very vocal in kennel when the room isn't active.

Date of intake:: 1/25/2026

Summary:: Dodged the leash

Date of initial:: 1/26/2026

Summary:: Tense body

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Bella 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 additional 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 fearful behavior we recommend a home with no children. 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

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful: Bella has been observed to dodge the leash when handlers are attempting to leash her. She is also observed to retreat quickly when handlers attempt to place a collar on her. 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. Bella 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.