Date of intake:: 11/17/2025

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray(Unknown History)

Date of assessment:: 11/19/2025

Summary:: Due to Flake's fearfulness and denfensive behavior, a handling assessment will not be conducted at this time.

Summary:: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 11/20/25 Flake is introduced at the gate to a female helper dog while on leash at the care center. Flake approaches the gate displaying a square posture and displaying lip licks. As the female dog offers a series of bounces, Flake will hard bark once and walk away with a hard face. He avoids the gate, maintaining his distance. Flake is returned to kennel, concluding the interaction.

Summary (5):: 11/28/25: Flake is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He barks at the door as the handler unlocks it and is able to be leashed with ease. He is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, he has a loose body and would approach the handler to receive treats. He would stare at people and dogs that would pass by as he tries to pull towards them. He is able to be redirected with treats. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues.

Summary (6):: 11/25/25: Flake is standing at the front of the kennel with a neutral frame as the handler approaches the kennel. He starts to bark as the handler opens the door to leash him but as the leash is over his head, Flake will lunge at the leash. The handler locks the kennel and returns with spray cheese, spraying a line under the kennel door. Flake begins to lick the spray cheese and is leashed with ease while he does so. The handler opens the door for him to walk out but he continues to lick the spray cheese on the ground. He then walks out of the kennel and will pull moderately down the hallway to the sidewalk. Flake will sniff around and relieve himself and is returned to his kennel with no issue. 11/20/25: Flake is standing at the front of his kennel hard barking as handler approaches. He continues barking as the handler unlocks the door and slowly presents their leash. The handler offers treats through the loop of the leash and he would slowly approach to eat the treats and then back away and start barking again. When he is able to place his head through the loop the handler is able to quickly leash him. He is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, he has a loose body and would approach the handler to receive treats. He would stare at people and dogs that would pass by. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues.

Summary (7):: 11/18 (AM): Flake is standing at the front of his kennel, hard barking with his ears pinned, tense body, whale eyes as he stands on his tiptoes. He backs away, still barking hard as a handler approaches. The handler calls to him softly as they unwrap sliced cheese. Flake slowly comes forward and sniffs before taking the cheese. The handler doesn't move and continues to feed him a few more pieces before unlocking the door. Flake fully retreats once the door is opened, but follows a trail of cheese back to the front. The handler places the loop of the lead through the opening and continues to feed Flake cheese. Once he fully places his head through after a few minutes, the handler slowly closes the lead. Flake uses one of his front paws to try and slip it off, but he is unsuccessful. Once the kennel door is fully opened, he exits. Flake immediately relieves himself once outside. The handler brings him to the play yard, and he explores the pen briefly. He stops to take a piece of cheese, but then spits it out. The handler bends to one knee, and he slowly shuffles over with low tail wags. He still refuses the cheese and jerky treats. He sniffs in a circle around the handler before sitting down beside them, leaning on their legs. The handler does not try to pet him to avoid startling or overwhelming him. Flake relieves himself once more and is walked back to his kennel. Flake walks into his kennel without issue. 11/18/25 (PM) Flake is at the front of his kennel alert barking with a square posture. Flake is coaxed forward with food and his eyes widen, taking it gently as its administered. Flake is reluctant to leashing, moving back into his kennel chuffing at the handler. The handler will coax his forward with food again and slowly guides the leash onto him. Flake is successfully leashed. They proceed outside for a walk where he defecates upon exiting the facility. He then displays a slight tucked tail with a still frame and whale eyes. He is taken to the play yard where he will explore and mark different places around the pen. Flake will pull towards the exit of the yard and is taken through the second floor, boarding the elevator. Flake remains still as they descend to the first floor. Flake will then slowly make his way over to his kennel room, displaying a looser frame but still maintaining a slight tucked tail. He enters his kennel with no issue.

Date of intake:: 11/17/2025

Summary:: barking and growling at officers

Date of initial:: 11/17/2025

Summary:: Hard barking, growling, side-eying when approaching

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): We reccomend Flake be placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Flake came into the care center as a stray, so his history in a home environment is unknown. Flake has displayed significant fear-based and defensive behavior within the care center, particularly at the kennel front. He is frequently observed hard barking, with a tense body, pinned ears, whale eyes, and retreating when approached. He has shown reluctance and avoidance during leashing attempts, requiring slow low-pressure approaches. Once outside the kennel environment, Flake’s behavior softens. He is able to walk on leash, relieve himself, and explore the yard with a cautious but improving body posture. While initially avoidant of petting and hesitant to take food, he has shown moments of social engagement, such as slowly approaching the handler, sitting beside them, and leaning in for contact. Flake will need a New Hope partner comfortable working with fearful, undersocialized dogs who show potential for defensive aggression under pressure.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Kennel presence

Potential challenges comments:: Kennel presence/Barrier frustrationFearful/potential for defensive aggression: At intake, Officers noted that Flake would bark and growl at them when they approached him and when he was placed in a crate in their vehicle.He is frequently observed hard barking, with a tense body, pinned ears, whale eyes, and retreating when approached.Use slow, non-threatening approaches and avoid direct eye contact. Pair calm behavior with high-value rewards and provide enrichment to reduce stress. Gradual desensitization to handling and kennel interactions will help build trust and decrease defensive responses. Please see the handout Fearful/potential for defensive aggression/On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration.