Date of intake:: 8/22/2024

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender, 3 Years

Resource guarding:: Yes, read behavior summary

Bite history:: TJ is reported to have bitten his owner twice before - once on her left knee and once on her right knee. Both bites were bite and releases and TJ growled before biting both times. The owner reported TJ is territorial and will growl when approached - and believes this is why he bit both times - but could not remember the exact situations leading to either of the bites.

Date of assessment:: 8/24/2024

Summary:: TJ was surrendered to the MACC due to his behavior. TJ is reported to have bitten his owner twice before - once on her left knee and once on her right knee. The owner was very unclear on the situations surrounding the bites, She was able to tell admissions staff that both bites were bite and releases and TJ growled prior to biting both times. They also state that TJ will go after mice in the home and will nip at her feet as she walks by. TJ is also noted to guard his food and toys, and described as "territorial". During Intake, his owner was able to get him to continue walking by calling him and pulling on the leash, but as soon as staff took the leash and attempted to walk him inside, he began thrashing, leash biting, head whipping, and rolling and behavior staff assisted in getting him to his kennel. His owner was able to get him to continue walking by calling him and pulling on the leash, but as soon as staff took the leash and attempted to walk him inside, he began thrashing, leash biting, head whipping, and rolling again. Due to TJ's bite history noted and his noted intense guarding in the home, he will not receive a handling assessment.

Summary (6):: 9/21/24: TJ is laying in the middle of the kennel when the handler approaches with his ears back and head low. He is easily leashed and does not take treats. He exits the kennel quickly and is taken to the backyard. He pulls mildly with a neutral body and loose tail wag. He is taken into a pen where he becomes tense and vigilant. He sniffs and relieves himself but stops often to stare towards the street at any sounds. He flinches and darts away from the handler at one point. He seeks exit at the gate and paws at it. He is clipped and returned to kennel with ease. 08/24/24: TJ is laying down in his bed as handler approaches the kennel. He avoid the kennel rope several times, but handler successfully leashes him. TJ is hesitant to hop down, handler tosses treats into the pop-up crate in front of his kennel(dog barking and moving crate). He immediately hops down when the barking ceases momentarily. He stays close to the handlers ankles as he is walked to the play yard. He has a stiff body, is lip licking, is trembling, and remains vigilant of his surroundings while out in the pen. Handler keeps him on leash. He does not sniff around, nor take treats, but at one point he does stand up on his hind legs and puts his front paws on handlers legs. Handler attempted to pet but TJ moved away. He took a big yawn at the end of his walk and he was brought back to kennel with ease. He is usually not pulling, but the second he stepped out of the elevator he was pulling hard towards his room, and then his kennel. Once inside his kennel, he immediately shook off, approached the kennel bars, and began licking handlers hand.

Summary (7):: 08/23/24: TJ was lying down in the back right corner of his kennel as handler approaches. He retreated further as handler opened door. His head would turn away and he avoided the kennel rope. Handler attempted to lasso and was able to secure the rope. Handler applied some leash pressure and TJ began thrashing and retreating backwards. A double rope was used on him and he was walked to the play yards by two handlers. He was able to be taken off the double rope in the play yard, but no drag leash. In the pen he would lip lick occasionally, but his tense body softened slightly, his tail untucked, and he maintained a neutral body after shaking off. He did not take treats, and handler did not attempt to pet. He began panting towards the end of his walk and walked out of the pen with more of a confident trot. He was able to be walked back one a single rope and was returned to kennel with ease. TJ did not react to any dogs when walked back to his kennel. 8/23/24: Handler is called by staff member to assist with a dog that was thrashing on leash in the front. Handler makes it to the front and observes TJ on a leash attempting to thrash while on leash with a staff member. Handler immediately double leashes TJ and removes the original leash TJ was clipped to due to it being very short and unsecured. TJ again begins thrashing and rolling while on leash and attempting to back up, a second staff member produces another leash and TJ is double leashed again. Handler attempt to bring TJ into a secured room to not further stress him out and to prevent him from escaping and possibly being injured. When entering the building TJ begins violently thrashing and rolling around while on leash. Once TJ is brought into a quiet room he stops rolling and thrashing, remaining stiff and panting heavily. Handlers offer treats to TJ but he ignores them and remains aloof until brought to medical for vaccinations. While on the way to receive vaccinations and when returning into kennel, TJ continues to thrash, though not as intensely and attempts to stop walking. TJ is brought into kennel without further issue.

Date of intake:: 8/22/2024

Summary:: Fearful, thrashing

Date of initial:: 8/25/2024

Summary:: Nervous, tense

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to TJ's previous bites, TJ should go to home with older children. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to all noted concerns displayed in a home environment, the behavior department recommends TJ be placed with a New Hope placement partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow TJ to acclimate comfortably to his new environment; force-free, reward based training only is advised when introducing TJ to new and unfamiliar situations.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: TJ was reported to be "territorial" in his home but there wasn't much details on what he guard. Positive reinforcement should be used to teach TJ to trade items and feel comfortable with people in his space. Please see the handout on Resource guarding. Handling/touch sensitivity: TJ is noted to show sensitivity with the slip lead, thrash and rolling on leash. Positive reinforcement should be used to help him feel comfortable walking with a leash and collar. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: TJ was noted to escalating to biting in the home. Positive reinforcement should be used to help manage this behavior. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression/Bite history (human): TJ was noted to bite his owner on both her knees. Please see the handout on Bite History.