Date of intake:: 9/4/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Behavior toward dogs:: Came in with two other dogs but unknown how they are together

Behavior toward cats:: Came in with two cats but unknown how they are together

Date of assessment:: 9/6/2025

Summary:: In the Care Centers, Muto was observed to be reactive towards other dogs. He becomes tense, kennel fights and needs to be physically moved away when he fixates. Muto thrashes on leash, and is difficult to returned. Due to these behaviors, Muto will not receive a handling assessment.

Summary (6):: 9/10/25: (KSV) Muto is curled up in kennel when handler approaches. Handler offers him some spray cheese and he moves his head and uncurls his body slowly to eat the cheese. Handler offers a treat to him through the bars and he takes it gently. Handler talks to Muto for awhile and he stares at the handler with a neutral body and expression. He is left with more treats and the interaction is ended. 9/7/25: Muto has been observed to vocalize/screech loudly when the room is active.

Summary (7):: 9/5/25: Muto is laying in his kennel upon approach. He comes forwards as the door is being unlocks, neutral body. He is leashed using treats as a lure. Once secured he is walked to the yard. He is neutral bod. When handler speaks to him, he will wag his tail. When he sees the second handler, he stands tense body, staring. He is called away by main handler. He is tense bodied hackles raised when looking at a dog in a neighboring pen. Handler calls and places pressure on the leash to get him to move forward. HE scurries forward towards the other dog. Handler straight arms him and he cowers, looking up towards the leash blinking rapidly. Treats are tossed on the ground near him but he's not interested. He begins to walk forward again. He displays a soft body with soft wagging tail at times and others tense body. When returning to kennel, Muto begins to flail, standing on his back legs. Handler attempts to muscle him into to kennel but his feet slide under the kennel. A second handler touches his backside with a leash to see if he would tolerate belly banding and he freezes looking over his shoulder. A second leash is place on his instead. He begins to flail again. He is brought back into the hallway so handlers can fix their leashes. He is then run back into the kennel room and muscled into kennel using the momentum from the run. He again begins to flail entering the kennel but handlers are able to hoist him in. 09/04/25: Muto is at the front of his kennel as handler approach. He wags his tail and is offered a treat but does not accept it, a second handler produces more higher value treats which he does accept. When unlocking the kennel door Muto attempts to push hard out of kennel and paws at the door, he is successfully leashed and walks with handler out of kennel and to the yard for his walk. While outside Muto walks with handler, he pulls mildly and consistently turns around and stares hard at the second handler. Muto explores and sniffs around the yard for a while and uses the bathroom outside. He is observed to stare at pigeons and will chase them when in close proximity. When standing around for too long Muto begins to whine and pant and begins looking up at handler more frequently. He accepts some treats during his walk but toward the end stops accepting treats. He is brought back to kennel and reacts to the dogs he passes by hard barking at them. Once at the front of kennel he fixates on the neighboring dog and attempts to kennel fight with them but is brought back to kennel successfully. He attempts to push out of kennel but handler closes the door quickly, interaction is ended shortly after.

Date of intake:: 9/4/2025

Summary:: Reactive towards dog, thrashing

Date of initial:: 9/4/2025

Summary:: Head whip, wagging tail, sedated

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Muto 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:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Single-pet home,Recommend no dog parks,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the Behaviors observed in the Care Centers, Muto should go to a home with adults only. Recommend no dog parks: Muto is highly reactive in the Care Centers towards dogs. Although he came in with two other dogs, it is unknown how behave around them or was he kept separate. Out of abundance of caution, he should be the only dog in the home and should not visits dog parks. Place with a New Hope partner: Muto is highly reactive and is uncomfortable with handling. Due to these behaviors, he should go to a New Hope Partner that can manage his behaviors.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Muto was observed to be uncomfortable and escalate to thrashing and tensing up when slip leads are placed on him. Positive reinforcement training should be utilized to help Muto feel comfortable with certain handling, such as grooming and medical handling. Treats and toys should also be used to help Muto associate new people with things he likes. Please see the handouts on Handling/touch sensitivity and Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Muto is highly dog reactive and was observed to kennel fight when coming out of the room and fixate when seeing other dogs. Positive reinforcement training should be used to teach Muto to check in with his adopters when he sees his triggers. Please see the handout On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration