Date of intake:: 5/29/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Other Notes:: *Previous assessment can be given upon request*

Date of assessment:: 6/7/2026

Summary:: 6/7/26: When brought into the assessment room, Tonic was observed to be tense and seeking exit. When the primary handler attempts to interact with him, Tonic will hard stare and begin approaching the handler with a tense low body before quickly turning around to seek exit at the door. Tonic is receptive to treats when they are tossed far away from the handler. However, he remains tense and maintains his distance from the handler. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety displayed. Tonic is not a candidate to receive a handling assessment at this time. 6/1/26: When brought into the assessment room Tonic was observed to be tense and fearful. However, he is easily leashed. Once the collar is on, the secondary handler retreats away from the primary handler. Tonic darts towards the secondary handler when he reaches the end of the leash; he turns, shows whale eye, and begins barking at the primary handler. Tonic then begins growling softly before increasing in volume. Tonic then begins to approach the primary handler with a tense low body while continuing to growl loudly. The primary handler is stuck in the corner of the office. The primary handler straight arms Tonic while the secondary handler lassos him with a slip leash. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety displayed. Tonic is not a candidate to receive a handling assessment at this time.

Summary:: Tonic arrived at the care centers as a stray, so his behavior with other dogs is unknown. 6/13/26: Tonic is brought out to the yard for a gate greet with a novel female dog. Tonic approaches the barrier displaying a neutral body, sniffing appropriately, and maintaining a slow neutral tail wag throughout the interaction. The novel female walks into the yard with a tense body, moving slowly beside the handler. Upon approaching Tonic, the female begins to widen her eyes and raise her hackles, resulting in her being moved away from the interaction. Tonic continues to reapproach the barrier appropriately and remains neutral throughout the greeting. The novel female tolerates the staff member clipping her leash but tenses and freezes in place during handling.

Summary (6):: 06/17/26: Tonic is at the front of his kennel as handler approaches, he is leashed while distracted with treats and walks with handler outside following them and passing staff in the hallway with tension in his body. Tonic walks outside and is quickly startled by some MOP's who attempt to call to Tonic, handler crosses the street and Tonic stops to sniff and relieve himself. He sees a dog far ahead but shows no reaction, Tonic walks with handler for a bit before being brought back inside, Tonic is returned to kennel following a tossed treat. 6/13/26: Tonic presented at front of kennel loose with neutral body language. He engaged in sniffing frequently throughout the walk and worked on engage disengage pattern game. He remained neutral throughout the walk though he barked at an off leash dog he saw. Handler kneeled down at one point and he approached to solicit contact with a lowered head and wagging tail. He began pulling slightly on return but rekenneled without issue

Summary (7):: 6/9/26: Tonic is sitting at the front of the kennel with a neutral body and a slow wagging tail. He is easily leashed and taken out of the kennel. Tonic pulls moderately out of the kennel room and is taken to the street. Tonic walks with the pulling mildly to moderately. He relieves himself a few times and stops to sniff various spots on the ground. He keeps a neutral body throughout the walk. When people pass nearby, he has a lowered head and stares with a tense body at them. He is called away with whistling and kissing noise. Tonic then pulls moderately back into the shelter. He is returned to kennel without issue. 6/7/26 (Assessment): Tonic was at front of kennel with a tense body as handler approached. He was easily leashed and pulled from kennel. Coming out of kennel he pulled hard. This continued for duration of walk. He was taken to behavior office for an assessment. He was timid and would back away from handlers. His display of fear kept him from getting inhaling assessment. He pulled very hard on way back to kennel. 6/1/26: Tonic is at the front of his kennel with a soft body as handler approaches. He is easily leashed and removed from his kennel, where he would have a mild pull out of the room. Tonic is then taken out for a street walk, where he would continue to have a mild pull forward but would not react towards any dogs or people he spotted. Afterwards, he is brought back inside for his assessment. Primary handler steps out the office momentarily, while inside Tonic would attempt to follow them out. Shortly after, he would then become tense while lowering his body and turn towards the second handler. He would then whale eye towards them and begin to growl. Primary handler returns and a slip lead is placed back onto him, and he is taken back to his kennel with ease. 05/29/26: K9 Behavior is called to assist with Tonic's intake, upon arrival he is barking at handler and upon approach moves backward further into kennel when offered chicken by handler. His crate is moved into the behavior office and he is given some time to decompress while also being given chicken intermittently. Handler begins slowly introducing their leash to Tonic who approaches and investigates it. Handler unlocks the kennel door and Tonics body posture is slightly tense but he does not escalate and allows leashing when exiting their crate. Tonic slowly follows handler down the hall and passes crates and dogs with a tense body. He is walked into kennel and follows handler over to his kennel, he walks inside but stops at the front and needs to be muscled into kennel.

Date of intake:: 5/29/2026

Summary:: Growling and hard barking at handlers

Date of initial:: 5/30/2026

Summary:: Growling with raised hackles, sitting at front of kennel trembling. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Tonic 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 addition 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 his escalation in behavior we recommend an adult only home. 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 for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Tonic has been observed to approach the handler with a low body while growling during their assessment. It is important to move slowly with Tonic, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow them to initiate interactions with new people. They should never be forced to greet or to interact if they are not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression.