Date of intake:: 5/8/2024

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender

Previously lived with:: 1 Adult, 3 MMB

Behavior toward strangers:: tolerant, shy, prefers contact on own terms

Behavior toward children:: Unknown

Behavior toward dogs:: Unknow

Behavior toward cats:: Unknown

Resource guarding:: No history of resource guarding.

Bite history:: No reported bite history.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Polo is reported to have a medium energy level.

Other Notes:: Reacts to strangers: Growling or hard barking. Isn't bothered when held or restrained. Have not attempted disturbed while resting, startled, push off furniture, touching paws or grabbing collar.

Date of assessment:: 5/11/2024

Summary:: Polo has displayed high levels of fear and shutdown behavior. Due to this Polo is not a candidate for an assessment at this time.

Summary:: Although Polo is an owner surrender, Polo has no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. Has lived with 3 other dogs. 5/22: Polo was introduced to the other medium-sized mixed-breed dog she was familiar with. Both dogs initially stayed hidden in a corner of different pens and did not attempt to greet each other. When a handler approaches her to walk her to the gate, she bolts away from them to another corner. Eventually, both dogs scurry to a corner of the yard where they can see and smell each other. The gate is opened and both Polo and the other dog both run to the same corner of the pen and stay there climbing over one another to seek an exit by trying to scale the fence. 05/20/24 Polo is introduced to a novel male dog while off leash at the care center. Polo and the novel male dog greet face-to-face. Polo is soft, offering her self to the novel male dog as she allows her genitals to be sniffed. As the novel male dog becomes persistent, Polo runs away, keeping her distance from the novel male dog. Polo is then introduced to a novel female dog face-to-face while off leash at the care center. Polo greets the novel female dog face-to-face and she immediately stiffens. Polo will lip lick excessively and keep her distance, remaining avoidant.

Summary (6):: 5/21/24: Polo is cowering in the back of her kennel as the handler approaches. She is easily leashed and walks with a low, trembling body and tucked tail to the canine behavior office. She cowers in a corner of the assessment room and does not respond to handler's coaxing. She rushes back into her kennel. 05/20/24 Polo is introduced to a novel male dog while off leash at the care center. Polo and the novel male dog greet face-to-face. Polo is soft, offering her self to the novel male dog as she allows her genitals to be sniffed. As the novel male dog becomes persistent, Polo runs away, keeping her distance from the novel male dog. Polo is then introduced to a novel female dog face-to-face while off leash at the care center. Polo greets the novel female dog face-to-face and she immediately stiffens. Polo will lip lick excessively and keep her distance, remaining avoidant. 5/18/24: Handler opened crate door and leashed Polo as she exited. Polo was walked to littermate Rylo's crate to encourage her to come out. Polo walked ahead and Rylo followed to the BA room. They stood in the center of the room very close to each other and at times Rylo would rest head on Polo's back. Once their kennels were clean, Polo led Rylo back to the room. Handler noticed much less trembling when the dogs were together. Mild leash pressure and verbal coaxing was needed to move them along, but they did not thrash on leash or pancake. 5/16/24: Handler opened crate door and Polo came to the front, but before exiting a neighboring dog started barking loudly which frightened him. Polo sat in the back of crate as handler lassoed her and used mild leash pressure to walk to the BA room. Polo stayed at end of leash with a tucked tail, trembling. Polo crept to a few different spots around the room but did not relieve himself. Polo did not take treats or approach handler (crouched) when verbally coaxed. Polo was returned to crate using mild leash pressure. 5/15/24: Polo displays no change in behavior from previous note. (Please refer to note dated 5/14/24) 5/14/24: Polo is cowering in the back of his kennel when handler approaches. He allows handler to lasso him, but refuses to move so handler has to use leash pressure to remove him from kennel. Handler picks him up and carries him back to the canine behavior office. Polo stands cowering and trembling and does not take treats. He allows the handler to pet him, but does not solicit contact or respond. Handler carries him back to the kennel and he rushes in.

Summary (7):: 5/13/24: Polo was lying down in back of crate and allowed handler to place slip leash over head. Once leashed, Polo stood up and began exiting crate willingly. Handler used mild leash pressure to guide him out of crate and he walked normally part way to the BA room. Handler picked him up and placed him inside the room, where he stood in one place. Handler sat at desk and Polo eventually walked closer to them. Polo sniffed but did not eat a piece of beef jerky tossed in front of him. Polo tolerated brief pets, but kept his crouched posture, tucked tail, and furrowed brow throughout interaction. Polo walked part way back to kennel. The was the first interaction handler had observed Polo walk willingly on leash for any amount of time. 05/12/24: Polo greets the handler lying in the back of their crate. When the handler goes to leash Polo attempts to make themselves smaller to avoid leashing, burring their face into the corner of the kennel. The handler leashes Polo and with Handler uses mild leash pressure to remove her from the crate before picking hier up and carrying her to the canine behavior office. Though out her time in the office Polo would stand frozen still, only moving to scent the floor around them. Polo is carried back to her crate. Once Polo sees her kennel she rushes in. Rylo is unleashed. 5/10/24: Polo was crouched in back of kennel as handler placed slip leash over head. Once leashed, Polo exited kennel on his own with some verbal coaxing. Polo refused to walk and was carried to the BA room by handler 2. Polo froze in place once in the room, so handler 1 picked him up and carried him over to where the collars were kept. Polo allowed handler to collar him, but proceeded to lay on the floor awkwardly though free to roam on a drag leash. Handler approached Polo to offer treats and toys, but noticed he was defecating while laying down. Handler 2 re-entered room, which caused Polo to run to the corner of the room and hide, relieving himself. Polo was carried back to kennel by handler 2. 05/09/24: Polo greets the handler lying in the back of the kennel. The handler tosses treats into the kennel which Polo takes no interest in. When the handler goes to lasso Polo attempts to wedge his face into the the corner of the kennel to avoid leashing. The handler ends the interaction.

Date of intake:: 5/8/2024

Summary:: shy,fearful wont walk had to be carried

Date of initial:: 5/10/2024

Summary:: Fearful,tense,tail tucked, trys to hide, will not walk, flinches when touch

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13)- Due to Polo high level of fearfulness and anxiety we recommend an adult- only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner- Polo's high level of fear at the care center has presented challenges for handlers, as her exhibits shutdown behavior, pancaking to the floor, and remaining frozen. Handlers have had to physically lift her for transportation. When interacting with staff, Polo freezes or attempts to flee and hide. Due to her extreme fearfulness, Polo will require fostering or adoption through one of our New Hope partners, who can provide the patient and experienced care she needs to overcome her fears and thrive in a supportive environment.

Potential challenges: : Fearful

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful- Polo displays high levels of fear when addressing Polo's fearful behavior requires a patient and gradual approach. Creating a safe environment, building trust through positive interactions, and implementing desensitization and counterconditioning techniques are key. Positive reinforcement training, consistency, and seeking professional help when needed are crucial steps. Providing mental stimulation and enrichment activities can also aid in Polo's confidence-building journey. With patience, understanding, and a tailored approach. Please see handout decompression period.