Date of intake:: 8/22/2024

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 8/25/2024

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Hard Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Treat motivated Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Highly social Call over: Approaches readily Sociability comments: Loose body exuberant Soft handling: Accepts contact Exuberant handling: Accepts contact Comments: Neutral body Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler exuberantly, loose body Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily Toy Toy comments: Sniffs

Summary:: 9/11/24: Dip N Dots greets another dog at the gate with wide eyes and standing tall. Off leash he is tense bodied, moving quickly towards the other dog.

Summary (3):: 1/19/25 (Trainer Note): Dip N Dots is sitting up at the front of kennel with a neutral body and soft eyes as handler approaches. He becomes loose and wiggly as the door unlocks, and a treat is used to leash him. As he is removed, he begins to leash bite, but handler uses a verbal correction, and he ceases. He begins once more but is receptive to both a verbal correction and then a "sit" cue followed by a reward. He pulls very hard towards the backyard and is put on a drag leash once outside. Dip N Dots is reactive towards both pigeons and the neighboring dogs. He becomes slightly stiff with a high wagging tail (flagging) and exuberantly jumps or runs towards them. He is easily recalled and rewarded with. Handler pets him along the body and neck and he leans into it, then proceeds to become very loose and wiggly, sometimes even jumping up a bit on handler. He has a low threshold for arousal but is food motivated and receptive to training. Handler continues relaxation protocol training with mat work. Dip N Dots hops up on kuranda bed and is rewarded for the increased duration, and for turning his gaze back to handler after orienting himself towards another stimuli. In other words, the "Watch Me" behavior is being reinforced, but the main goal is for Dip N Dots to remain on the mat for as long as possible while remaining engaged with handler. He remains on the mat for about 5 minutes before handler does a treat scatter off the mat. Handler briefly plays two-toy fetch with Dip N Dots and finishes the training session with another brief mat work session. This is helping Dip N Dots regulate his own arousal. He was returned to kennel without issue and given in enrichment.

Summary (4):: 1/15/25 (Trainer Note): Dip N Dots is laying down at the front of kennel as handler approaches. He is easily leashed using a treat as a lure. He begins to leash bite as he is removed from kennel, but with a verbal correction ("Uh uh) he ceased and sat in a polite sit next to handlers feet. He was rewarded and the walk continued. He kept a neutral frame and soft eyes throughout his walk. He was taken to the yard and put on a drag leash. He was very engaged with handler and training, but would occasionally run after pigeons, but he was easily recalled. Handler played "Up, Down" game with Dip N Dots, and practiced hand targeting. He was fully engaged and receptive. When leashing him once again a treat was used and he did not attempt to leash bite. He was returned to kennel without issue. 1/15/25: ACS reported Dip N Dots was leash biting intensely while being leashed, during walk, and when being returned. At one point he accidentally caught handlers fluffy jacket sleeve. It was a bite and release. No direct contact was made. 1/12/25 (Trainer Note): Dip N Dots is standing on his hind legs and barking as handler approaches. He begins to vigorously paw at the lock and handler uses treats to lure him. He briefly mouths to leash but is redirected once again with treats. As he is removed from kennel he begins to jump up at eye-level and intensely leash bite. Handler waits for him to cease jumping and rewards him with a treat. He is easily redirected from leash biting with food, he is highly food motivated. He leash bites intensely, briefly, two more times before reaching the yard. He is put on a drag leash and sniffs around his surroundings at first. Handler begins relaxation protocol training. Tossing treats onto a matt and using a reward marker (Yes!) when Dip N Dots was on top of it. He was engaged and receptive. Hand target training was also introduced and paired with the mat work already taking place. He completed 5 successful attempts of touching his nose to handler's palm. Handle was changing to distance and location of the hand target, and Dip N Dots was fully engaged. He continued accepting treats softly and pets. When handler went to leash him to return, he began intensely jumping up and leash biting. Handler waited again for his 4 feet to be on the floor before tossing a treat scatter. He was leashed and returned to kennel without issue, even politely sitting in front of the room prior to entering. He is given a frozen puzzle feeder for extra enrichment in his kennel upon return. 1/8/25: ACS report that Dip N Dot is biting the leash when they are attempting to leash him.

Summary (5):: 12/13/24: Dip n-dots is reported to bite at the lock when handler attempts to place lock back on kennel to open the door. As well as when locking the door he continues to attempt to bite while barking. When attempting to leash, Dip n-dots leash bites in kennel and on the walk, which is redirected with treats. 12/10/24(late entry): Dip n-Dots is reported to pull hard towards dogs that are across the street. While pulling Dip n-dots will be tense bodied, lip lick, and growl at the dogs. Dip n-dots remained tense body and looking for dogs when there were none present. He then jumped towards two MOP in a social manner. When returning to kennel, Dip n-dots saw a familiar handler in the stair case and jumped towards them and grabbed their jacket. It was also noted this is the second time Dip n'dots jumped towards people in the staircase. 10/25/24: Dip n' Dots is reported to leash bite when being leashed and is becoming increasingly mouthy to handlers leash and hands in the elevator. He is redirected in both instances using a squeaker and with some treats. 10/20/24-Dips n Dots is at the front of his kennel with a loose body, he is easily leashed and taken for a street walk. He moderately pulls while exploring. When there is a person walking towards Dip n Dots that is about 20 ft away, Dip n Dots gives a few low barks to them with a slight tense body and high tail. Handler uses their squeaker and he comes to handler, they have him sit by the curb and fed treats to them as the person passed. Dip n Dots stayed concentrated on handler while being fed treats. Once the person passed, handler and him continue to walk. Another person of the public passed inquiring about him, as handler gave information Dip n Dots pulled towards them and attempted to jump on them with a soft body seeking attention. Handler pulled him away and tossed treats in the other direction, he followed the treats. He allowed handler to pet his head, neck, chest and back. While coming back from his walk, handler was petting his chest and he started to thump his back neck. He was easily clipped and returned to kennel without an issue. 10/08/24: Dip N Dots displayed very similar behavior as previously described in 10/01/24 EN. He was easily leashed, this time, he hopped out of kennel in a more controlled manner and sat by the elevator whilst being rewarded. Once on the street, he shook off and immediately started pulling very hard. Handler paused walk and played "popcorn pattern" game first, and then tried the "1,2,3" walking game. Dip N Dot was engaged and receptive. The remainder of his walk he would occasionally get to the end of the leash and turn his head and walk back towards handler, handler would use a reward marker and toss him a treat. He was returned to kennel without issue.

Summary (6):: 10/1/24: Dip N Dots was standing on his hind legs on the kennel door and barking as handler approaches. He is removed from kennel and he leaps out. He is pulling and darting in all directions as he is walked outside to the street. He pulls very hard when seeing anther dog, with a tense body and stiff horizontal tail. Handler has to use muscle to pull him away. Handler begins a popcorn pattern game and Dip N Dots is engaged and receptive. He accepts treats and shakes off after the game is over. The remainder of the walk handler utilized BAT, pausing anytime there was tension on the leash, retreating, and rewarding for him turning his head towards handler or releasing leash tension. Towards the end of the walk, Dip N Dots was walking more so alongside the handler, or a little bit ahead, regularly checking in for his reward. He was returned to kennel without issue. 09/24/2024: Dip N Dots was standing on his hind legs on kennel door and barking s handler approaches. He is removed from kennel and while waiting for the elevator he mouths handlers forearm and pulls hard on his way outside. Handler continues BAT training and Dip N Dots is both engaged and receptive. Handler begins playing the "1,2,3" pattern game, where a treat is tossed on the floor, handler takes 3 steps and then rewards by hand. After a couple attempts Dip N Dots is no longer pulling, but instead is walking alongside handler, checking in regularly. He is returned to kennel without issue. 09/17/2024: Dip N Dots is sitting at the front of kennel with a neutral body as handler approaches. A treat is used to lure him and he is leashed easily. He leaps out of kennel and darts around while waiting for the elevator. Handler tosses treats to the floor and Dip N Dots chases after them. Same thing is repeated in elevator. Once outside, Dip N Dots relieves himself, then handler cues a sit and he is receptive. He kept a loose and wiggly body throughout his walk. Handler re-introduces BAT training: handler pauses when there is tension on the leash, and rewards when Dip N Dots turns his head and alleviates pressure on leash. This was repeated throughout walk and Dip N Dots was walking alongside handler by end of walk. Regularly looking up and being rewarded. He was returned to kennel without issue.

Summary (7):: 9/14/24: Dip N Dots is at the front of the kennel with loose and wiggly body. AS handler unlocks the kennel, he jumps up on the door with loose body, barking. He is leashes using treats as a lure. He pulls hard when walked on the street, pulling towards sniff spots and other dogs. He is very responsive to handlers when called and offered a treat. As the walk progresses, his pulling lessens. He stands outside of his kennel but does not readily go in until treats are tossed. 08/29/24: Dip N' Dots is standing at the front of kennel with a loose body as handler approaches. He is easily leashed using treats as lure. Handler takes him to the street, Dip N Dots pulls very hard. Handler begins BAT training. Dip N Dots is given a long leash, but any time there is pressure, handler pauses, at times even retreats a couple steps, and rewards when Dip N Dots turns his head slightly and relieves the pressure on the leash. Walk is resumed, but handler stops any and every time there is pressure felt. Dip N Dot was not interested in treat rewards (at first) while outside, but was very interested in sniffing the dirt/tree patches along the sidewalk. Handler continues exercise but instead of treats, he is rewarded by being able to sniff. He does not respond to people or bikes passing by, but will become tense with a stiff, horizontal tail when spotting another dog. By the end of his walk, Dip N Dot was receptive and would periodically look back and check in with handler, he was rewarded with treats. He was returned to kennel successfully. 8/25/24: Dip N' Dots is laying in the back of the kennel when the handler approaches. As they unlock the door he stands and comes forward quickly. He has a loose body and wagging tail. He takes treats gently and is easily leashed. He is taken for a street walk where he pulls very hard, sniffs frequently, relieves himself, and occasionally turns to engage the handler for treats. When passing a dog he stops to watch with a neutral body. He does not react to strangers. He is taken for his assessment where he is exuberant, jumpy, takes treats gently, and allows all handling. He is easily releashed, clipped, and returned to kennel.

Date of intake:: 8/22/2024

Summary:: Loose and wiggly body wagging tail

Date of initial:: 8/22/2024

Summary:: Very energetic wiggly. Allows placement of muzzle, but constantly tries to paw muzzle off

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

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 3

Recommendations:: No children (under 13)

Recommendations comments:: No young children (under 13): Due to lack of basic manners and mouthie behavior we recommend a home with no children.

Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Leash-biting,Strength/leash pulling

Potential challenges comments:: Basic Manners: Dip has been observed to jump up on handlers in a social seeming manner. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Sit" and "Off" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach them to control their impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward-based training only is recommended. Please see handout on Basic Manners. Mouthines: Dip N' Dots has been observed to mouth handlers with hard pressure. We recommend never playing with bare hands, always with a toy, and ending play or attention whenever Dip N' Dots puts teeth on skin. They should be rewarded with attention and treats when they stop and/or when they are seeking attention in alternate ways. Please see handout on Mouthiness. Leash Biting: During intake Dip was observed to attempt and bite the leash, this behavior was easily redirected using a toy. During his stay in shelter Dip has been observed to jump up and bite the leash. We recommend walking them with a toy to dissuade them from grabbing the leash. Positive reinforcement, force-free training is advised to teach them to focus on you rather than grabbing the leash. Please see handout on Leash Manners. Leash Pulling: Dip N' Dots has been observed to pull hard while on leash. Their adopter must be prepared and able to handle a dog of this size and strength. It is recommended that they be walked on a front clip harness or head halter, which will help diminish their strength through leverage, and that they be trained using positive reinforcement, reward based training to not pull on leash. Please see handout on Leash Manners.