Date of intake:: 1/30/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 2/3/2026

Summary:: Harlem has been observed to be highly fearful while in care. Noted to have a tense body and wide eye at the back of the kennel. When handlers attempt to interact Harlem escalated to hard barking, growling, and lip lifting. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety, Harlem is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (5):: 2/4/26- Harlem is at the back of her kennel with a neutral body, when handler talks to her she becomes tense and gives a low growl. Handler tosses in treats and she shows no interest. When handler attempts to leash Harlem retreats further into her kennel and growls. Handler tries to lasso the leash unto her she snaps at the leash remaining at the back. Handler opens her kennel door more and handler does a slight lean. As they attempt to leash each other Harlem snaps at the leash while growling. Handler ends interaction to not further stress her out.

Summary (6):: 2/4/26: Harlem is laying at the back of her kennel, flat to the ground facing forward. Handler removes kennel cover and Harlem sits up, front leg lifted, growling. Handler kneels and tosses in treats. She is not interested in treats. She continues to growl. Handler opens kennel door and presents leash. Her growling grows louder and when leash goes closer to her, she lift her lip. Handler stops but remains in place then tries again, Harlem lifts her lip again. interaction is ceased due to her stress levels. Harlem goes back to laying flat on the kennel floor. 2/3/26 (PM walk): While attempting to take Harlem out by presenting a leash, Harlem slight pounces forward and bares teeth at the handler. 2/3/26: Harlem is lying down in her kennel as the handler approaches. She then stands up and goes to the back of her kennel, presenting whale eyes. The handler tosses low and high value treats, and Harlem sniffs them but doesn't eat. As the handler opens the kennel door and brings their leash near Harlem, she begins to growl while maintaining whale eyes and a tense body. After a few tries, the handler lassos Harlem on a pre-clipped leash, but she doesn't come out on her own. The handler gently adds leash tension to bring Harlem to the front, but she jerks her head. After the handler eases the leash tension, Harlem exits her kennel on her own, and the handler brings her out the room. On the street, Harlem walks next to the handler with no leash tension. She has no interest in passersby. Throughout the walk, the handler speaks to Harlem in a soft voice. They offer her a treat, which she sniffs but doesn't take. While entering the driveway, a unfamiliar staff member walks past but Harlem retreats form them. Upon entry, the handler returns Harlem to her kennel with ease. 2/2/26:Harlem is at the back of the kennel. Handler removes the kennel cover and she begins growling with a tense body and dilated eyes. The growling grows louder as the kennel is unlocked. Handler uses a fishing pole like leash to leash Harlem gently. The kennel is opened and Harlem remains lying down in the kennel, her body still tense and whale eyed. Handler applies gentle leash pressure to coax Harlem out of kennel and she remains where she is. Handler uses a hook to remove the leash. The interaction is ended.

Summary (7):: 2/2/26: Harlem is lying down in her kennel as handler approaches. She has wide eyes and a tense body. Handler attempts to coax her forward using high-value treats (chicken); she would briefly sniff but wouldn't take it. Handler makes a large loop and attempts to call her forward; she wouldn't approach. Handler then slowly places a large loop over her; she would then slowly exit the kennel and be taken for a street walk. She would walk alongside the handler and remain aloof throughout the walk. Handler calls her name, and she would become stiff and widen her eyes again. She would continue the walk on a loose leash and wouldn't react to any passing stimuli. Harlem is then brought back to the shelter, the handler attempts to clip the leash, and she would head-whip with an open mouth. Handler places her back in her kennel and is able to use a hook to remove the leash and interaction was then ended. 2/1/26: Harlem is laying down at the back of her kennel with a tense body and widened eyes as handler approaches. She begins to back away as the handler unlocks the door. She begins to growl while backing away and would turning her head away as the handler attempts to leash her. She begins to growl louder and walks to the other side of her kennel as the handler slowly presents their leash. The handler then closes the door and ends the interaction. 01/31/26: Harlem is at the back of her kennel as handler approaches, she is lying down and stares very intensely at handler as they crouch down and offer treats from the front of kennel. Harlem begins avoiding eye contact so handler leaves momentarily to get a pole leash to reach further into kennel. She briefly low growls at handler but allows to be leashed without issue. She remains in the back of kennel as handler moves to the side waiting for her to exit kennel. Harlem remains frozen in the back of kennel so handler uses moderate leash pressure to coax Harlem out of kennel. Harlem walks out to the yard with handler, hesitating when seeing staff in the hallway and when passing thresholds. After a bit she is brought to the backyard and explores around for a bit, she walks with handler and stops to sniff briefly. After a while she is brought out to the street for the remainder of her walk, she continues to look back nervously and hesitates when passing people. After a while they are brought back inside and returned to kennel. A hook is used to remove her leash and interaction is ended

Date of intake:: 1/31/2026

Summary:: Growling and hard barking

Date of initial:: 1/31/2026

Summary:: Tense and growling in kennel, lip lifting. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Harlem 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),Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior 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: Harlem has been observed to escalate to hard barking, growling, and lip lifting when handler attempt to handle them. It is important to move slowly with Harlem, 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.