Date of intake:: 8/26/2026

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

Previously lived with:: adults, children, and other dogs

Behavior toward strangers:: friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward children:: Playful, friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Friendly, playful, and outgoing when on leash; off leash will hard bark and growl at unfamiliar dogs

Behavior toward cats:: Unknown

Resource guarding:: Max is reported to Resource guard food and treats. He will growl or hard work when the items are approached.

Bite history:: None reported

Energy level/descriptors:: Max is reported to have a high energy level.

Other Notes:: Max has reported to relieve himself on wee wee pads or outside when on walks. But can have indoor accidents is not taken out in time. He pulls very little on his leash during his usual 10-15min long walks he goes on once or twice a day and he allows his family to bathe and brush him but is also accustomed to going to the groomers.

Date of assessment:: 8/30/2026

Summary:: 8/30: Max has not acclimated well to the shelter environment, remaining highly fearful and allowing for only minimal handling from staff. During his intake, he escalated to baring his teeth and snapping when staff attempted to call him. Due to these concerns, a handling assessment has not been conducted. 8/26 -8/29: A handling assessment is unable to be attempted due to lack of vaccinations /medical exam.

Summary (7):: 9/5/26: Max is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed and become tense when the handler tries to pick him up. He allows the handler to cover him with a towel, and he is then picked up and taken outside for a walk. On the walk, he walks next to the handler with a loose body and would constantly stop at trees to sniff and mark his territory. He has no reactions to dogs or people and is able to be covered with a towel and be picked up and placed back into his kennel with no issues 9/3/26: Max is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He backs away with a tense body and begins to lip lick when the handler unlocks the door and presents their leash. He is able to be leashed when he steps forward and he allows the handler to cover him with a towel. When the handler attempts to slowly pick him up, he then leaps out of the towel and out of the kennel. Once on the ground, he is then taken to the behavior room. In the room, he is picked up by a familiar handler he approaches and is able to be transferred to a drag leash. He would then explore around the room with sniffing and mark his territory. He is able to be picked up and returned back to his kennel with no issues. 8/30 (AM): Max is at the back of his kennel with a stiff body when a handler approaches. He begins growling while slowly shifting closer into the corner he was already pressed against. He slowly takes sliced cheese but lip curls and he resumes growling when presented with the lead. Max snaps at the lead on the first attempt to leash him. It takes several minutes for the handler to leash him due to his dodging and slowly whipping his head out of the lead. Once the lead is on, he slowly crawls out of the kennel and onto the handler's shoulder, and he is then wrapped in a blanket. Max is carried to the behavior office, and he tolerates being collared and put on a drag leash. Max explores the room, occasionally passing by the handler. When his kennel is cleaned, he tolerates being picked up without the blanket and carried back to his kennel.

Date of intake:: 8/26/2026

Summary:: Fearful when approached with slip leash, begin bearing teeth and snapping when attempting to call he

Date of initial:: 8/29/2026

Summary:: Muzzled, Frozen, body tense nervous

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): due to Max's reported resource guarding and his potential for defensive escalations, we recommend an adult only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Max has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and has allowed only minimal handling since intake. 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: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Max is reported to Resource guard food and treats. He will growl or hard bark when the items are approached. Please see handout on resource guarding. Handling/touch sensitivity: Max's previous owner reported that his neck is sensitive. He dodges leashing and can be difficult to remove from kennel at times. Please see handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Max gives clear warnings when he is uncomfortable and does seem to choose to avoid or retreat when given the opportunity, but if prevented from moving away, there is a potential to escalate to higher-level warning behaviors and possible fear-based aggression. It is important to move slowly with Max, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow him to initiate interactions with new people. Max should never be forced to greet or to interact if he is not comfortable and is not soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression.