Date of intake:: 6/12/2026

Previously lived with:: Adults, Children, Cats

Behavior toward strangers:: Playful, Friendly & Outgoing

Behavior toward children:: Friendly & Outgoing, Playful

Behavior toward dogs:: Friendly & Outgoing, Playful

Behavior toward cats:: Playful

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: No bite history

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Goes potty on: Outside on walks (grass, cement, dirt, etc.) Accident frequency: Very rarely Additional info: If you don’t take him out for a walk when he need to use the bathroom he will bark to let you know he need to go but if you don’t then he will find a place need the bathroom and pee or poop there Behavior concerns: None, my dog is the best! Reacts to on walks: None of the above Reaction type: Not reported How this dog reacts when... - Held/restrained: Unknown/Have not attempted - Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Unknown/Have not attempted - Startled: Unknown/Have not attempted - Pushed/pulled off furniture: Fearful - Paws are touched: Unknown/Have not attempted - Collar grabbed/touched: Unknown/Have not attempted

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Mild - Moderate Reactivity to humans: None - ignores Reactivity to dogs: None - ignores Leash walking comments: Does not like to walk back to the shelter, will stall pulling in opposite direction Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Moderately social - stays near handlers, also explores on his own Call over: Approaches readily Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: Accepts - remains neutral Exuberant handling: Accepts - remains neutral Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Engages Arousal comments: Knock: No response Knock Comments: Toy: No response Toy comments:

Summary:: 6/15: Balto has a neutral body, high wagging tail as he attempts to sniff F LMB dog.

Summary (1):: This sweet, social, and affectionate dog loves being close to his people and prefers to spend most of his time wherever the family is. He is generally quiet, walks nicely on leash with very little pulling, and enjoys 3–4 daily walks, usually around the block. He loves car rides and happily rides along for any adventure. He knows several cues in both English and Spanish, including sit, come, go, "vete para allá," "ven aquí," "siéntate," and "dame tu mano." He is eager to please and responds well to praise, especially when told he's a good boy. He loves attention, belly rubs, head scratches, and even dancing with his people. According to his previous owner, he is incredibly sweet, gentle, and intuitive, seeming to understand both words and emotions. He is house-trained and will let you know when he needs to go outside, typically around 9 a.m., 2:30 p.m., and 9 p.m. He is very clean in the home and enjoys relaxing in a cool room after playtime. He is described as funny, playful, loyal, and affectionate, often following his favorite people from room to room. His favorite activities include walks in the park, playing with balls and soft toys, and enjoying treats such as bones and crackers. He eats both wet and dry food and especially enjoys Blue Wilderness and Kirkland Signature Nature's Domain Salmon & Sweet Potato formulas. Overall, he is a loving companion who thrives on affection and is looking for a family that will cherish him as much as he will cherish them.

Summary (6):: 7/2: Balto is at the front of the kennel and is easily leashed and walked outside by two familiar staff members. On the walk, Balto pulls mildly and explores outside with a soft body. After the walk is over, he passes by a sprinkler and is not bothered by the water. He walks back to his kennel without any issues 6/27 Balto is standing at the front of his kennel when handler approaches. He is easily leashed and brought to the yard. In the yard he has a soft body and runs playfully from the otherside of the yard towards handler and staff. He accepts pets from handler and staff with a soft body once again and chases a couple of balls thrown, bringing them back. Later he hops up and sits next to handler on the bench and accepts more pets with still a soft body while panting from the heat. Balto attempts to lick handler's face. Balto is easily returned to his kennel. 6/26: When staff approached Balto's kennel, he was standing with a neutral posture at the side of the door. He was easily leashed by staff and taken outside, where staff walked him in the backyard. Balto has a soft body and explores while on the leash. Once the session was over, he walked nicely back to his kennel 6/21: Balto is standing at the front of his kennel with a soft body when staff approaches. He is easily leashed and brought outside. Balto is walked up and down the ramp, and he relieves himself, then is brought to the yard. In the yard, he is kept on a leash and is walked around. Balto goes to the bench and jumps up on it, and sits next to handler. He accepts pets from the handler and attempts to lick handler's face. He then turns and sits facing his back towards handler while accepting more pets. After a few minutes, Balto jumps down from the bench and walks with the handler back to the gate. He is brought inside. Balto walks a bit side to side while the door is being opened but after being called a couple of times walks with handler back to the kennel. Balto is walked back into his kennel with handler with no issue.

Summary (7):: 6/20: Balto was brought back to the Care Center. When staff opened the admissions door, Balto had a soft body and allowed staff to scan him for a microchip. After the previous owner dropped the leash and left the building, Balto remained relaxed and approached the Admissions staff member, leaning his body against their leg. When the medical staff member came into the room and removed his prong collar, Balto let out a small growl. He was then leashed and walked to his kennel without any issues. 6/14/26: Balto was easily leashed and brought on a walk, keeping a loose leash. He walks up the block without issue, as the handler attempts to turn back to the care center, he is avoidant, pulling in the opposite direction. It takes some heavy coaxing, but once he starts moving, they walk back without issue. He allows being clipped and returns without issue. 6/13/26: Balto is sitting at the front of his kennel as staff approaches. He stands up and sticks his nose through the door when it opens, allowing staff to leash him. He walks slowly with staff out of the building, resisting somewhat as they try to take him to the yard. In the yard, he is kept on a leash due to not having a martingale collar. He allows petting, even when his shedding undercoat catches on handler's hand. Mostly, he paces along the wall, panting, so the staff takes him on a short walk (the weather is very hot). He walks with minimal pulling, neutral posture, and lowered tail, occasionally stopping to sniff something. He wants to keep going when staff turns him back to the Care Center, and he pulls for a minute or so before acquiescing and walking even more slowly back, his tail fully down, panting. Handler brings him back in the building as soon as possible to cool down and returns him to his kennel. He balks somewhat but eventually goes in with encouragement and drinks water. He lies down at the front of his kennel with his paws protruding under the door, scratching the floor in front of his kennel as another dog is taken on a walk, then settles down after a few minutes.

Date of intake:: 6/12/2026

Summary:: friendly

Date of initial:: 6/13/2026

Summary:: timid but allowed all handling with muzzle as precaution

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to a reported bite incident, Balto should go to an adult only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to Balto's bite incident and the limited information surrounding it we recommend that Balto be placed 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: : Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,Anxiety,Other,Bite history (human),Bite history (dog)

Potential challenges comments:: Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression: While in an adopters home Balto had an incident that resulted in him biting the adopter, leaving a scratch on his ring finger, and another dog in the home. We have no information on what caused this incident, how severe it was, or if there were any warning signs. Please see handout on Bite history. Anxiety: Balto seems anxious in care, digging in his kennel, avoidant of returning to shelter. The shelter is a high stress environment. If Balto displays anxious behavior in his future home, we recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and giving him other things to focus on to alleviate his anxiety. Positive reinforcement, force-free training only should be used. Please see the handout on Generalized Anxiety. Other: Escape Artist: Balto has been brought into the care center found as a stray by the police twice. We are not aware of the circumstances of how he is getting out of the home but do recommend he be supervised if left alone outside.