Date of intake:: 1/31/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Returned

Other Notes:: Starlight was returned to care due to behavior in the home. On 1/30/26, the adopter went to go and wake up their child. When the adopter went to open the door Starlight began low growling and hard barking at them. Later that day Starlight the adoptor's adult son walked into the home. However as soon as they walked through the door, Starlight began to lunge, hard bark, and growl at them. Previous stay- 12/27/25: Owner Surrender During his previous stay Starlight was observed to be fearful. **Previous assessments can be given upon request**

Date of assessment:: 2/2/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Hard Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Jumps up on handler Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Highly social Call over: Approaches handler readily Sociability comments: Jumps up on handler readily Soft handling: Accepts contact Exuberant handling: Over aroused Comments: Jumps up on handler often, head whips and mouths handlers hand with light pressure during exuberant contact Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler, neutral body Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily, jumps up Toy Toy comments: Grips firm, engages with the toy, soft body and wagging tail

Summary:: 1/17/26: Starlight greets another dog at the gate with a soft body. He disengages and seeks handler attention.

Summary (5):: 2/10/26: Starlight was at the front of the kennel with a loose body and wagging tail. He was easily leashed and pulled his way out of the kennel, he bumped his head on a hanging step stool and continued to pull out of the room. He grabbed a bag that was full of linen and began to drag it down the hall. Handler redirects him with a large plush toy. He grabs the toy and carries it to the street as he continues to pull very hard. Handler leash harnesses him without issue and he tries to lean into the handler's legs. Starlight is walked to the street and he continues to pull hard down the block and around. Starlight walks back to the shelter and meets a familiar handler which he approaches with a soft body. He poses for photos and jumps onto the handler exuberantly and leans into the handler. Starlight is walked back inside the building, still holding his toy. They approach the kennel room. He turns around and pulls away. Handler uses directional leash pressure to turn him towards the room. A second handler approaches with a sling and places it under his hips. He continues to plant while holding the toy as he is hoisted back into kennel. The leash is removed and the interaction is ended 2/2/26: Starlight is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He begins jumping up at the door as the handler unlocks it. He is able to be leashed with treats and he pulls hard on the way outside for a walk. On the walk, he would continue to pull ahead to sniff and explore. He would constantly jump up on the handler with a loose body and is able to sit for treats. He would lean into and rub his body against the handler's legs. He would try to mouth at the poop bag as the handler picks up his poop. He would then start to pull ahead again on the way back to his kennel. He baulks to the ground when reaching his kennel room. He is able to continue walking when the handler starts jogging and he has to be muscled inside his kennel due to trying thrash and back away. 1/31/26: Starlight is at the front of the kennel with a soft body and wagging tail. He is easily leashed and pulls hard out of the kennel room. He is brought to the driveway where he solicits attention towards the handler. He leans against the handler's legs with a soft body and wagging tail. Starlight allows petting along his back and under his neck. He is then taken out to the street where he relieves himself. He finds a toy and picks up the toy carrying it for the entire walk. He drops it occasionally to sniff around before returning to pick up the toy again. Starlight is walked back to the shelter still holding the toy. He is walked into the kennel room where he begins to turn around and pulls away from the kennel. Handler uses directional leash pressure to turn him around and treats are tossed into the kennel. He begins to curl up on the ground. Handler uses some firm leash pressure and Starlight enters the kennel. He is left with treats and a toy and the interaction is ended.

Summary (6):: 1/23/26: Starlight is standing on hindlegs, loose body, exuberant toward front of kennel as handler opens kennel door. Starlight is somewhat difficult to leash as she is on hind legs 'bouncing' up and down. After a few a attempts with a treat lure Starlight is easily leashed. Starlight exits kennel with moderate pull, allows easy clipping to harness. Starlight is loose body, mild pull on sidewalk. Starlight intermittently jumps on handler with soft-loose body, licks handler's hands. Handler is able to cue Starlight into a sit position for treats. After treats are given, Starlight sniffs and licks handler's hand frequently but not teeth are felt. Starlight maintains loose body, allows all petting. Starlight returns to kennel safely. 1/23/26: ACS reports when in play-yard Starlight was playful but somewhat mouthy when playing. ACS reported mild-moderate pressure felt on hands. Starlight was easily leashed and returned to kennel. 1/17/26 (for dog-dog): Starlight is loose bodied toward front of kennel, she is easily leashed, exits kennel with minimal pulling. Waiting for elevator Starlight is highly social, approaches for petting and leans into handler for contact. Starlight is walked to yard, she approaches staff, loose body and takes treats. When waiting for a dog for interaction she jumps on primary handler in a social manner. Dog enters vestibule (see dog-dog for details). After interaction Starlight is walked back to kennel, she baulks briefly but after front paws are muscled into kennel she follows treats in safely.

Summary (7):: 01/10/26: Starlight is at the front of his kennel laying down as handler approaches. He is offered treats and accepts them gently as handler unlocks the kennel door and uses them to distract him while leashing. Once leashed he is removed from kennel and walks with handler out to the street for his walk. Outside Starlight walks alongside handler and does not pull, he passes people on the street without issue and accepts treats offered by hand. After walking for a while Starlight is brought back inside, he passes multiple dogs on the way back in but shows no reaction when passing them. Starlight allows brief pets in the elevator as they return and is brought back to kennel without issue. 1/5/25: Staff reported that Starlight was refusing to enter his crate and had to be muscled in. 1/3/26 (For Assessment): Starlight is at the front of his kennel with a soft body as the handler. He is easily leashed and brought out the kennel. while walking out the room, Starlight looks back and forth between the exit and the kennels. On the street, he walks ahead with no leash tension. Starlight occasionally looks back at the handler, and either walks into their legs or stops walking right in front of them, causing the handler to bump into him. The handler pets Starlight's head, but when they try again, he lowers his body. When walking back to the shelter, Starlight sniffs a toy, but doesn't engage with it. He then sees a large dog a few feet away, but disengages when the handler calls his name and gently pulls him away. Starlight is then brought in for his assessment (see assessment notes), and, afterwards, the handler brings him to his room. Starlight walks to his kennel, but immediately baulks. The handler then adds leash pressure to muscle him in, but he resists. After a few attempts, the handler is able to get Starlight to put his front paws in, and a nearby handler lifts his hind legs. From there, he finally enters his kennel

Date of intake:: 1/31/2026

Summary:: Loose body, jumped up on handlers

ENERGY LEVEL:: Starlight will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them engaged and exercised. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for them.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior observed we recommend an adult only home We recommend placement with a New Hope rescue partner who is able to provide an experienced, adult-only foster home. Force-free, reward based training and/or consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: It is reported that Starlight is fearful when first approached and needs contact on his own terms. In his previous home Starlight was observed to hard bark, growl, and lunge towards the residents in the home. It is important to move slowly with Starlight, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow them to initiate interactions with new people. They should never be forced to greet or to interact if they are not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression.