Date of intake:: 3/28/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Bite history:: Miranda has a reported bite. A member of the public turned the corner in their building, did not see Miranda there, tied to the stairwell. Miranda was seemingly startled, bit and released the person on the calf leaving a puncture wound.

Date of assessment:: 4/5/2026

Summary:: Since arriving at the care centers Miranda has displayed FAS and has escalated to defensive aggression with staff. She has shown the tendency to drool excessively during interactions with staff and will become tense/whale eye handlers. She has been observed to approach handlers with a wagging tail seemingly soliciting pets before snapping at handler when they attempt to pet them. When initially found by a passerby she was startled by, she bit the person on their right calf and releasing, leading to a single puncture wound. Based on these behaviors she is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (6):: 4/8/26: Miranda is at the front of her kennel with a loose body. She is easily leashed and brought out the room. On the street, Miranda walks ahead with mild leash tension; she doesn't react to dogs or passersby. Miranda presents a wiggly body to the handler as they speak to her and toss her treats. Upon entry, the handler clips their leahs and returns Miranda to her kennel. 3/31/26: Miranda approaches the front of her kennel with a neutral body and soft wagging tail. She is easily leashed and brought out the room. The handler brings Miranda to the yard. There, she sniffs around the pen and doesn't react to passersby. The handler gives her treats, and Miranda allows them to give her soft pets on her head. When attempting to leave the yard to return, Miranda baulks; the handler begins too jog and Miranda jogs with them. They're able to bring her inside and walk her towards the room, but Miranda baulks again; so the handler clips their leash and jogs Miranda into the room. Once she gets to her kennel, Miranda enters on her own and the handler easily removes their leash

Summary (7):: 3/30/26: Miranda is sitting at the front of the kennel upon approach. She growls, lip lifts and barks when handler attempts to engage with her. She continues to growl, whale eyeing until handler touches the lock. She remains stiff but puts her head down and stops growling. She is easily leashed and removed from kennel. She is walked in the yard where she keeps her distance from handler and stands at the back gate. She can not be easily coaxed away with treats or squeakers. Handler placed pressure on the leash and jogs forward and Miranda follows. She repeatedly baulks on the way back to kennel but will follow with leash pressure and jogging. Her leash is clipped while distracted and goes into kennel without issue. 3/29/26 (PM): When returning to kennel Miranda balk. The handler attempts coaxing but Miranda will only take one step at a time when treats are tossed. She is not receptive to squeaky sounds. The handler has to jog Miranda back to kennel from the yard door. At some points during the jogging, Miranda attempts to pancake. 3/29/26: Miranda is laying at the front of the kennel as the handler approaches. She has a tense body and whale eye. The handler speaks in a soft tone and tosses treats. Miranda is receptive and eats the treats readily. She is easily leashed and taken to the yard where she walks with a neutral body. The handler is able to clip their leash. When returning to kennel Miranda balks at the entrance of the kennel room. She is receptive to mild leash pressure and coaxing. She is able to be returned to kennel with no further issue.

Date of initial:: 3/28/2026

Summary:: hard barking, snapping

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on so we cannot be certain of her behavior in a home environment. However, she will need daily mental and physical activity to keep her engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct her energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No Children: Due to Miranda's fearful tendencies and need for contact on her own terms we recommend a home with no children. Place with a New Hope Partner: 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: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/Touch Sensitivity: When interacting with staff Miranda has been observed to snap at handlers when attempting to pet her around the head area. It is important to always go slow and give Miranda the option to walk away from any social interaction. Miranda should never be forced to approach anything that she is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Miranda’s choice to approach a new person or thing. Miranda may do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to her new surroundings. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity. Fearful/Potential For Defensive Aggression: Since arriving at the care centers Miranda has displayed fearful behavior, tensing up when interacting with staff and escalating to snapping and growling on occasion. Miranda should never be forced to interact, she should always be given the opportunity to walk away from situations or people she finds uncomfortable. We recommend a slow approach and we recommend ONLY force-free, reward-based training methods for Miranda. More aversive techniques are likely to increase fear, increase the risk of aggression, and decrease Miranda's quality of life. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression. Bite History (Human): Escalating to biting is a behavior that Miranda has rehearsed before. This behavior will need careful management to work toward reducing triggers for Miranda and reducing the resulting bites. Please see hand-out on Bite History and potential for Future Aggression.