Date of intake:: 12/16/2025

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender

Previously lived with:: Adults (48, 44,), teens (14, 17), children (2)

Behavior toward strangers:: Lunges, Alert barks, Bites

Behavior toward children:: Hard barks and/or growls, Lunges, Bites, Snaps

Behavior toward dogs:: Familiar dogs: Friendly & Outgoing, Playful Unfamiliar dogs: No experienc

Behavior toward cats:: No experience

Resource guarding:: Not reported

Bite history:: The owner reported that Oso has had a single bite incident involving her 12-year-old niece during a visit last year. The owner is uncertain why Oso lunged and bit her niece on the shoulder & scratched her face. She noted that Oso has primarily been socialized with household members and tends to be protective of the family when relatives, friends, or strangers visit the home.

Energy level/descriptors:: Very high

Other Notes:: Goes potty on: Outside on walks (grass, cement, dirt, etc.) Accident frequency: Few times a week Additional info: If the dog is not take out in the morning he would have accidents Behavior concerns: Escapes house/yard, Jumps up and bites/chews leash during walks, Pulls hard on leash, Destructive tendencies (furniture, walls, shoes, household items, etc.), Mouthy/Takes treats rough Additional info: Not reported Reacts to on walks: Small animals (squirrels, birds, rats, etc.), Large dogs, Strangers that approach the home/yard Reaction type: Growling/Hard barking, Lunging, Attempts to bite, Snaps Additional info: Not reported How this dog reacts when... - Held/restrained: Lunges - Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Barks/Growls - Startled: Isn't bothered - Pushed/pulled off furniture: Unknown/Have not attempted - Paws are touched: Barks/Growls - Collar grabbed/touched: Isn't bothered

Summary:: Due to all noted behavior concerns in the home, Oso is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary:: 12/21: A M MMB dog approaches the gate and Oso is staring directly at him, he lowers his head and growls.

Summary (1):: Oso is very active & playful, social/affectionate, and vocal most of the time. The dog spent most time in the bedroom. For grooming, this dog does not allow nail trimming (fearful, uncomfortable) and does not allow bathing or brushing (fearful, uncomfortable). Walks on leash rating is 5 – very hard pulling (maintains tension during the entire walk; very difficult to manage). Walk frequency does not have a schedule and walk length of time is 20 to 30 minutes. Oso has never been crated. During car rides, this dog loves car rides. This dog knows the following cue: sit. The previous owner’s favorite things about the dog are that he is very productive and loving with kids. This dog’s favorite activities, toys, food, and snacks include playing, walking, and eating.

Summary (7):: 12/22 Oso is hard barking and lunging at the door upon approach. When unlocked, he jumps against the door, his body is neutral, and the handler waits for 4 on the floor. Oso is leashed and walks past neighboring dogs and urinates on the wall. He pulls hard on the leash when walking down the ramp. While walking, he stops to defecate, and when finished, he forcefully begins to kick back the dirt and thrust. When returning to the kennel, he pulls hard; once inside the kennel, Oso turns and lunges at the door hard barking and lunging. 12/21: Oso sits as the kennel door is opened. As the leash is presented, he begs with his paws. He is easily secured and rushed from the room. He relieves himself once outside and is brought on a walk. He pulls on and off to get to scents. When being returned, as the kennel door closes, he lunges up and hard barks as staff remove the slip lead. 12.17.25 Oso is in the middle of his kennel, standing with a neutral body when approached. When staff opens the door and attempts to rope him, Oso sits up and waves his paws in front of him, begging as staff attempts to leash him. Once leashed, Oso is easily walked past the other dogs and is taken to the yard, where he is kept on leash. Oso explores the yard with a soft body and relives himself. When staff sits Oso approaches them with a loose and wiggly body, leaning into pets and engaging in play. Oso is then brought on a walk. During the walk Oso had a soft body and pulled moderately hard. Oso's leash was easily clipped and he was easily returned to the 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 a bite in previous home, we recommend a home with no children. Single-pet home/Recommend no dog parks: Oso reacted to a M MMB dog at the gate. We recommend he does not visit the dog park and is the only dog in the home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to all noted behavior concerns, 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: : Destructive behavior,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting,Strength/leash pulling,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Destructive Behavior: Oso is reported to show destructive behavior in the home. We are unaware of what, if any, attempts were made to remedy this behavior, but we suggest to future adopters that Oso will need to be provided with physical and mental stimulation and with a variety of appropriate and engaging chew toys so he can engage in necessary chewing behavior without damage to human objects. Please see handout on Destructive Behavior. Mouthiness/Poor Bite Inhibition: Oso is reported to take treats rough. We recommend offering treats on a flat palm, using larger or lower-value treats, and rewarding only calm, soft behavior. Practice the “gentle” cue by opening your hand only when Oso relaxes. Keep sessions short and consistent to build polite treat-taking habits. Please see handout on Mouthiness and Poor Bite Inhibition. Handling/touch sensitivity: Oso is reported to be uncomfortable with being restrained escalating to lunging. He will growl and bark if his paws are touched. It is important to avoid touching Oso's feet at this time and to be cautious when touching him in other areas as we do not know where he may have other sensitivities. Please see handout on Handling Touch Sensitivity. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Oso's owner reports that he will hard bark, growl, lunge at strangers, children and other dogs. Oso has a bite history. It is important to move slowly with Oso, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow Oso to initiate interactions with new people. He should never be forced to greet or to interact if she is not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful Potential for Defensive Aggression. Bite history (human): The owner reported that Oso has had a single bite incident involving the 12-year-old niece during a visit last year. The owner is uncertain why Oso lunged and bit her niece on the shoulder & scratched her face. She noted that Oso has primarily been socialized with household members and tends to be protective of the family when relatives, friends, or strangers visit the home. Please see handout on Bite History. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Oso escalates to higher level warning towards strangers, children and other dogs while on leash. Oso is reactive to staff while in his kennel, lunging at the kennel door. He escalated to growling during his gate greet with another dog. Please see handout on On-Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration. Leash Biting/Strength and Leash Pulling: Oso is reported to bite the leash on walks. We recommend walking him with treats or a toy to dissuade him from grabbing the leash. Positive reinforcement, force-free training is advised to teach him to focus on you rather than grabbing the leash. Oso can pull hard on leash. His adopter should be prepared to manage his strength. Please see the handout on Leash Manners.