Date of intake:: 7/22/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

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

Other Notes:: Previous Stay- 07/17/24 Stray, no known history During Nickel's previous stay, Nickel was observed to have the following potential challenges: Mouthiness, Barrier Frustration, and Leash Biting. **Previous Assessments are available upon request

Date of assessment:: 7/23/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: None, loose leash Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Lunging at handler coming out kennel Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Moderately social Call over: Approaches with coaxing Sociability comments: Soft handling: Accepts contact Exuberant handling: Accepts contact Comments: neutral body, maintained panting Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler, neutral, panting Knock Knock comments: No response, approaches loose bodied Toy Toy comments: No Response

Summary (5):: 7/23/25: (PM Walks) Nickel is at the front of the kennel with a neutral body when the handler approaches. He is easily leashed, once exiting the kennel Nickel begins to jump up and attempt to bite the leash. He then begins lunging towards the handler persistently while snapping. The handler straight arms him and attempts to body block him. A secondary handler puts another leash on him. However he continues to jump towards the primary handler with an open mouth and attempts to bite the leash. Throughout the building and the hallway Nickel continues to bite and tug on the leash. He is not receptive to treats or squeakie sounds. In the driveway Nickle stops leash biting but then suddenly lunges towards the primary handler's face and snaps. The secondary handler has to pull him away. He is reactive to pigeons and will lunge and snap at them. He initially hard stares towards handlers but after a few minutes becomes receptive to treats. When returning to kennel he pulls hard but is easily returned. 7/23/25: Nickel is at the front of the kennel with a neutral body when the handler approaches. He is easily leashed, once exiting the kennel Nickel begins to jump up and attempt to bite the leash. The handler moves the leash away, upon not making contact Nickel begins to lunge towards the handler with an open mouth. The handler has to body block Nickel with their leg and straight arm him to keep him away. A second handler handler uses a squeaky sound, Nickel is not receptive. The main handler tosses treats and Nickel is not receptive. He continues to jump up at the leash and lunge towards the handler. When he does catch the leash Nickler tugs on it before continuing to lunge towards the handler. When the handler makes it out of the kennel room Nickel continues to lunge at the handler. The handler straight arms him and then he stops. The handler proceeds to go to the street. Nickel walks with a neutral body and does not pull. He does not react to people or dogs. He maintain eye contact with the handler offen. When the handler offers a treat he is receptive and takes it with a soft mouth. The handler is able to clip their leash and return him to kennel easily. 7/23/25: It is reported that Nickel was non-stop leash biting from his kennel all the way out to the driveway. He was unable to be redirected easily. 7/22/25: Staff reported that Nickle began leash biting upon exit of the kennel and when sudden tension was applied to his neck. He has also been noticed to be panting heavily and vocalizing loudly in kennel.

Summary (6):: 08/22/24: Nickel is observed licking the bars of his kennel, running back and forth, and hard barking while the handler walks other dogs past. Handler uses cheese to lure him through the leash and lifts him out of kennel. As he is being placed on the ground, he lunges up and grabs the handler's second leash. Handler throws treats but he does not release, so handler slides the rope off their body to allow him to walk with it. Nickel walks for a few steps before turning and grabbing the other leash in his mouth. He does not attempt to lunge up and just holds the leash in his mouth, so handler walks him with the two leashes out to the play yard. Once outside, Nickel willingly trades the leashes for cheese. Handler practices rewarding for an automatic sit instead of jumping. Nickel is returned to kennel without issue. 8/21/24: While out in the play yard, Nickel is observed leash biting with handler moderately. Another handler who observes this behavior begins tossing treats to Nickel which breaks his focus off the leash for a bit. The handler continues to toss treats intermittently to keep him distracted as when they stop tossing, Nickel begins jumping in the air towards the leash again. Nickel will listen to commands such as sit, while being offered treats but has difficulty staying sat for longer periods of time. Nickel enjoys catching his treats in the air but while returning to the building begins overstimulating slightly and begins jumping around and spinning slightly. He is lifted and returned to kennel without further issue.

Summary (7):: 8/20/24: Nickel was observed licking the kennel wall and bars. 8/12/24: Staff members reported that Nickel was grabbing and tugging the leash into his kennel and could not be easily redirected with treats. Staff members used a second leash to leash him as he was biting the other one. 7/22/24 (PM): Nickel is in the front of the kennel with a loose, wiggly body and wagging tail. He takes treats very hard and is leashed easily. He attempts to leap out of the kennel, pawing the handler in the face before trying to cage fight with the dog beneath his kennel. He turns and begins jumping up to bite the leash repeatedly and is redirected with treats. He is taken for a street walk where he does not pull, relieves himself, and frequently engages with the handler for treats. He occasionally jumps up and mouths the handlers hand with moderate pressure. He scavenges for trash on the street and has to be periodically pulled away when he is not able to be redirected with treats. He does not react to dogs or people. He is taken for his assessment where he is social, allows all handling, continues to frantically take treats hard, and scavenges around the room. He is easily releashed and returned to kennel without issue. 7/22/24 (AM): Nickel is laying in his kennel upon handlers approach, briefly wagging his tail and slightly rolling to his side. He is leashed without issue but is a bit hesitant to be lifted, lowering his body slightly but Nickel still allows pick up. Once brought down from kennel Nickel is taken to the play yard. While on the way to the play yard, Nickel walks slightly ahead of handler towards the yard, and once in the play yard Nickel is placed on drag leash. Almost immediately after being placed on drag, Nickel fully jumps into handlers lap, seeking social interaction and pets. Nickel accepts pets exuberantly and will lean deeper into handler if they stop petting Nickel. Nickel takes a slight potty break but generally stays close to the handler for the entirety of the interaction. After a while Nickel is brought back inside and carried back into kennel without issue.

Date of intake:: 7/22/2025

Summary:: Wiggly, social, allowed handling and scanning MC

Date of initial:: 7/23/2025

Summary:: Initially loose body, difficult to muzzle and restrain

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Nickel 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 rope reactivity and for potential to redirect on to handlers we recommend an adult only home. Nickel has not acclimated well to the kennel environment. We recommend placement 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: : Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting

Potential challenges comments:: Mouthiness: During his previous stay, Nickel has been observed to take treats with a hard mouth. We recommend giving treats with a flat hand and to use force-free, reward-based training methods to teach Nickel to take treats with a softer mouth. Please see handout on Mouthiness. Anxiety: Nickel was noted to be anxious during his handling assessment, he was consistently panting and finding it difficult to settle down. We have no history on her behavior in a home environment, so we do not know if this will occur outside of the care center. If it does appear in a 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 hand-out on Generalized Anxiety. On Leash Reactivity: During his previous stay, Nickel has been observed to lunge at snap towards another dog in the kennel room reacting to him. Nickel will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than other dogs. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier frustration. Leash Biting: During his previous stay, Nickel was observed to bite and tug the leash into kennel when handlers were attempting to leash him. During his current stay Nickel has been observed to jump up and bite the leash intensely; often lunging toward handlers with and open mouth. We recommend walking them with a toy to dissuade them from grabbing the leash. Positive reinforcement, force-free training is advised to teach them to focus on you rather than grabbing the leash. Please see handout on Leash Manners.