Date of intake:: 2/9/2025

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

Date of assessment:: 2/14/2025

Summary:: Sparkles is highly fearful and displays significant stress-related behaviors in the shelter environment. She often remains curled up or tucked into herself, trembling and growling when approached. She is hesitant to take treats and will only eat them when the handler moves away. Sparkles has also been observed spinning repeatedly in her kennel, indicating heightened anxiety. When leashed, she remains tense with a low body and tucked tail, showing whale eyes and reacting fearfully to noises. While she takes treats in some instances, she quickly loses interest and grumbles. Given her high levels of fear and stress a handling assessment is not conducted at this time.

Summary:: Although Sparkles was surrendered by their previous owner, there is no information available regarding their interactions with either familiar or unfamiliar dogs. 02/19/25: When off leash at the Care Center Sparkles is introduced to a novel male dog. At the gate Sparkles approaches cautiously, with a low head. Sparkles scents the novel male before becoming avoidant and retreating away from the gate. Sparkles begins displacement scenting. Sparkles returns back to gate a bit more curious but quickly looses interest and becoming aloof. Both dogs are removed from the pen concluding the interaction.

Summary (7):: 02/19/25 Sparkles is spinning in her kennel when the handler approaches. She comes forward as the handler unlocks the kennel door. Sparkles will allow the handler to leash her, proceeding outside to the play pens. Sparkles displays a loose body, while moderately walking over to the play pens. (Please refer to Dog to Dog in the BA). Sparkles is returned to kennel where she will enter the building as well as her kennel with no issue. 02/15/25: Sparkles is observed to spin continuously at her tail when in kennel until she is distracted, but then continues to spin. 02/12/25: Sparkles is growling in her kennel when the handler approaches, the handler gives her high-value treats which she takes through her kennel bars. She displays a low body and whale eyes still making low growls. The handler opens up the kennel door easily leashes her and takes her out of the kennel room, in the hallway she displays whale eyes, looking back at the handler, and with a low body tucked tail she is distracted with a squeaker. Once in the behavior office, she seeks exit with a low body and tucked tail. Sparkles jumps and runs from the loud noises she hears behind the door. Sparkles takes treats offered to her but looses interest and grumbles. She is taken back into her kennel without issue. 02/12/25: Sparkles was observed in kennel chasing her tail/spinning repeatedly in the morning and afternoon 02/12/25 (KSV): Sparkles is curled into herself at the front of kennel trembling as handler approaches. They place a kennel tag on her door and speak to her with a soft voice. Sparkles does not respond to handler and remains planted in her spot. Handler exits the room. 02/10/25: Sparkles is at the back of her kennel standing, with raised hackles along her back and base of her tail, growling and backing away from the handler when approached. Sparkles is left a couple of treats before the handler gives her space to decompress. 02/10/25 (KSV): Sparkles is laying down in a shell-like form at the front of her kennel and emits a low growl while looking up at the handler. The handler offers treats, but Sparkles will not eat them until the handler moves back. The handler will leave Sparkles in her kennel safely and securely. 02/12/25: Sparkles was observed in kennel chasing her tail/spinning repeatedly in the morning and afternoon.

Date of intake:: 2/9/2025

Date of initial:: 2/10/2025

Summary:: low growling, sedated

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13)- Due to Sparkles high level of fear and potential for defensive aggression we recommend she is placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner- Sparkles arrived at the QUACC following a bite incident inside the home, and the owner called the police to remove the dogs. The owner called the police to come get dogs from their house because Sparkles house mate bit the owners child. In the car center Sparkles is highly fearful and displays significant stress-related behaviors in the shelter environment. She often remains curled up or tucked into herself, trembling and growling when approached. She is hesitant to take treats and will only eat them when the handler moves away. Sparkles has also been observed spinning repeatedly in her kennel, indicating heightened anxiety. When leashed, she remains tense with a low body and tucked tail, showing whale eyes and reacting fearfully to noises. While she takes treats in some instances, she quickly loses interest and grumbles. Given her high levels of fear and stress, Sparkles would benefit from placement with a rescue through one of our new hope partners.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety,Kennel presence

Potential challenges comments:: Anxiety/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression-Sparkles has also been observed spinning repeatedly in her kennel, indicating heightened anxiety. When leashed, she remains tense with a low body and tucked tail, showing whale eyes and reacting fearfully to noises. While she takes treats in some instances, she quickly loses interest and grumbles.To address Sparkles' anxiety, fearfulness, and potential for defensive aggression, a gentle and gradual training plan is essential. Start by creating a calm and secure environment to help reduce her anxiety. Use positive reinforcement to reward any calm behavior and gradually desensitize her to handling and noises by starting with less sensitive areas and slowly working towards more challenging situations. Provide plenty of mental and physical stimulation through interactive toys and regular exercise to help manage her energy levels. Please see the handout on generated anxiety and Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Kennel presence- Sparkles is observed to growl and spin in her kennel.