Date of intake:: 6/23/2026

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

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, 2 children (7, 16)

Behavior toward strangers:: Tolerant and then playful, friendly, and outgoing.

Behavior toward children:: Playful, friendly, and outgoing.

Behavior toward dogs:: Playful, friendly, and outgoing.

Behavior toward cats:: Chases them

Resource guarding:: No known reports of Resource guarding.

Bite history:: he was once bitten by another dog on the nose

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Harlem is noted to have a high energy level in the prior home.

Other Notes:: Harlem may chase cats and small animals during walks. He is unbothered by physical stimuli. Harlem is a social and affectionate dog! He is very active and playful. Harlem usually hangs out in the living room or in his crate (for up to 5 hours). Harlem allows for bathing and brushing and loves car rides. He is used to going on 20 minute walks once or twice per day and pulls mild to moderately on the leash. Harlem is a smart guy knows lots of tricks- in both English and Spanish! He even waits for food/water to be prepared and told it's ready before moving on it. He's a big sweetie who loves nothing more than pets and belly rubs.

Date of assessment:: 8/28/2026

Summary:: 6/25/26 Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Moderate pulling Reactivity to humans: No reaction Reactivity to dogs: No reaction Leash walking comments: Ignores bird Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): social- allows petting, heavy panting Call over: Readily approaches- small tail wag, allows petting Sociability comments: Avoidant of collaring Handling Soft handling: Tolerant- heavy panting, wide eye, lip lick Exuberant handling: Tolerant- heavy panting, stays in handling position leans into touch Handling comments: Conflicted Arousal Jog: Follow- heavy panting Arousal comments: Knock: Jumps on handler heavy panting Knock Comments: Toy: Grumble body block tense body Toy comments:

Summary:: According to Harlem's previous owner(s), Harlem is playful, friendly, and outgoing with other dogs. 8/15/26: Harlem is introduced to a novel intact male and is tense at the gate with perked ears and begins giving rapid high wags while sniffing nose to nose through the fence. When let into the yard, he flags over with a forward leaning tense body and high fast wagging tail. He does toe taps and begins play stomping towards the other dog. The other dog attempts to stand on him and he spins to be back to face to face. The other dog does chin overs, he then stands on his hind legs and attempts to stand on/wrap his front legs around the other dog. Both dogs continue to attempt to be on top of the other, Harlem is tense with a tight closed mouth and the two are separated due to his discomfort. 7/18/26: Harlem is introduced to a novel intact male and approaches the fence with a neutral-tense body and high flagged tail. He sniffs the pen and marks along the fence line before approaching the fence and engaging in nose to nose sniffs. He remains tense but follows the other dog continuing to sniff and begins giving high wags. Harlem gives one paw at the gate and then disengages and turns towards his handler for treats. He jumps up on the fences to the side (not facing the other dog) and approaches his handler with a looser body and mid level wags. When re approaching the fence he is more tense and gives high level wags. When introduced face to face he sniffs the yard briefly and then waits for the other dog to approach with a flagged high tail. Once they are nose to nose, he loosens slightly and gives fast mid level wags, stretching his neck out while engaging in mutual sniffing. They circle each other sniffing and Harlem gives a couple toe taps. The other dog abruptly attempts to tackle him and Harlem loses balance and falls backwards before freezing as the other dog displays vocal frustration while lunging towards him. Harlem is slowly pulled back and he then disengages and displacement sniffs in the yard as the other dog is returned to kennel.

Summary (3):: 8/28/26 (PM): Harlem is at the front of his kennel with a soft body; he is easily leashed and brought out the room. The handler walks Harlem in the yard, where he presents mild leash tension. Harlem relieves himself and is brought into a playpen. As the handler calls his name, Harlem ignores them, as he sniffs around or relieves himself again. He also looks over at the other playpen where a dog is present. After a few minutes, Harlem approaches the handler on his own; he places his front legs on top of their lap. He continues to fo this and then begins to mount the handler; the handler quickly stands up and straight arms the leash. The handler walks Harlem inside, clips their leash and returns him to his kennel.

Summary (4):: 8/28/26: Harlem is at front of kennel with a neutral body where he is easily leashed and taken for a walk. While walking Harlem tries numerous times to grab ahold of handler's leg and mount. Treats and squeakers did not distract him. Handler had to forcefully remove him each time. After his walk he is returned to kennel. 8/26/26: Harlem is reported to hump frequently while being walked back to the shelter; he disengages when the handler straight arms the leash 8/23/26: It is reported via white board that Harlem mounting in the driveway. 8/21/26: Harlem is at front of kennel with a neutral body where he is easily leashed and taken for a street walk. Harlem walks with a neutral body and lightly pulls while walking ahead of handler. When he is offered treats he takes them with a soft mouth. Harlem only checks in with handler when handler calls to him, but he doesn't always respond to his name. After his walk he is returned to kennel with no issue. 8/14/26: Harlem is in front of his kennel with soft body when handler approaches. He is easily leashed and taken out of the kennel. He attempts exuberantly jump onto the handler with loose body but is easily distracted with treats and cued to sit. Once in the driveway Harlem immediately relieves himself and continues walking slightly ahead of the handler with mild leash tension. Harlem is taken to the play-yard and is placed on the drag line. He starts sniffing and discovering perimeter of the pen showing quick interest in tennis balls. He is social with handler and leans onto them seeking attention. He allows petting, gently takes treats and is focused on handler. When handler sits on the bench, Harlem attempts to jump and mount their leg. Handler tosses treats and is able to pull him away with no issues. He is distracted and is not attempting to do it again. Handler engages Harlem in pattern games and he is actively responses. After some time handler is able to pre-clip the leash and return Harlem back into his kennel with ease

Summary (5):: 8/7/26: Harlem greeted handler with a loose and wiggly body at front of his kennel where he was easily leashed and taken for a brief street walk. While on his walk Harlem pulled moderately and walked slightly ahead of handler. He accepted treats with a soft mouth. When handler petted him he leaned into handler. He was returned to kennel with no issue. - 8/6/26: On the whiteboard, Harlem is noted to be "opportunistic" when it comes to humping, but is redirectable 8/5/26 (Trainer Note): Harlem was coming back from a walk with a volunteer being brought into the training room. Once in the room Harlem was able to engage with place. He was able to stay in place with the trainer moving around and making noise. On his return to kennel he became over-aroused upon hearing the other dogs barking and visualizing his neighbor, causing him to hump. He was redirected with treats and a medication request was added. 7/31/26: Harlem is at the front of his kennel with loose body when handler approaches. He shows wagging tail when handler attempts to unlock the kennel. He is easily leashed and taken out of the room. In the driveway, Harlem walks slightly ahead of the handler with mild pulling. He pulls toward certain areas to discover and eventually relieves himself. On the street Harlem walks next to the handler with mild to none leash tension. He frequently looks back for check-ins with handler, responsive when called, gently takes treats and follows commands "sit" and "paw". Harlem doesn't react towards dogs, people or other different stimuli during the walks remaining focused on the handler. His body is loose and wiggly with soft face. During returning handler is able to pre-clip the leash and bring Harlem back into the kennel with ease.

Summary (6):: 7/24/26: Harlem is lying down at the front of his kennel with neutral body when handler approaches. He gets up and does body shake. He is easily leashed with a treat lure and taken out for a walk. He pulls hard out of the room and in the driveway. Handler cues him to sit and he follows and gets treat as a reward. Harlem continues walking with mild to none leash tension next to the handler. He sniffs a lot certain spots and, after some time, relieves himself. Harlem doesn't react towards other dogs or people passerby. He allows petting and leans on the handler with soft body after; he gently takes treats and responses when called. He readily follows commands "sit" and "paw". His body remains loose and wiggly with soft face. He is focused on the handler, looks back sometimes for check-ins and stays engaged. During returning handler is able to pre-clip the leash and bring Harlem back into the kennel with ease. 7/13/26: Harlem is barking repeatedly in crate, he is easily leashed and removed from the kennel. Harlem walks with a loose leash as he is taken downstairs. He relieves himself a few times and does not take treats that are offered. Harlem is walked back to the shelter and taken back upstairs. He is then taken back upstairs placed in his crate. Not long after he is placed in the crate, Harlem begins barking repeatedly and pawing at crate.

Summary (7):: 7/6/26: Harlem is lying down at front of crate as handler approaches. He is easily leashed and taken for a street walk. Harlem pulls moderately while on his walk and maintains a neutral body. Harlem accepts pets on his head, back, chest and sides. He takes treats gently. He stops a few times to sniff and investigate. He is returned to kennel with no issue. 6/25/26: Harlem is lying down at the front of his kennel with neutral body when handler approaches. He is easily leashed with a treat lure and taken out for a walk. He pulls hard in the hallways but shows no reactivity towards pop-up crates. Once outside, he pulls towards the gates and while crossing the street. He sniffs a lot certain spots and, after some time, relieves himself. Harlem continues walking slightly ahead of the handler with no pulling. Harlem doesn't react towards other dogs or people passerby. He allows petting, gently takes treats and responses when called. His body remains soft. After walk is finished, Harlem is taken to the Canine Behavior office for the assessment (see notes). During returning handler is able to pre-clip the leash and bring Harlem back into the kennel with ease. 6/24/26: Harlem was lying down in the middle of his kennel and stood up when the handler approached. He dodged the leash a couple times while making hard eye contract. The handler was able to drape the leash over his head while he attempted to push out. He exited without issue and pulled towards the kennel nearby with a loose body and mid level wags. He was easily redirected verbally. He relieved himself outside and marked while in the yard. He took treats gently and allowed head pets. He nudged the handler for more pets remaining loose with mid level wags. He was very receptive to baby talk. He walked well back to kennel but did slow down once near the room. He reluctantly but willingly returned to kennel. He took a treat gently through the kennel bars.

Date of intake:: 6/23/2026

Summary:: friendly

Date of initial:: 6/24/2026

Summary:: Not food motivated and a little tense bodied when approached for exam. Muzzle placed as precaution,

ENERGY LEVEL:: Harlem is described as active and enthusiastic. He will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend only force-free, reward-based training techniques for Harlem.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): We recommend Harlem is placed in a home with No children (under 13). No cats: In the prior Harlem is noted to chase cats and small animals during walks. We recommend he is placed in a home with no cat or small animals. Place with a New Hope partner: Harlem came into the care center as an owner surrender due to a familiy memebr in the home having allergies. Harlem prior owners report that "He is a smart guy who knows lots of tricks- in both English and Spanish! He even waits for food/water to be prepared and told it's ready before going to it. He's a big sweetie who loves nothing more than pets and belly rubs." Harlem is generally social, affectionate, and responsive to handlers, with a loose and wiggly body during most interactions. He is easily leashed and typically walks with mild to moderate leash tension, showing no significant reactivity toward dogs, people, or environmental stimuli. He enjoys attention, leans into petting, gently accepts treats, and responds to cues such as “sit” and “paw.” Harlem has demonstrated interest in toys and engages well with pattern games and place training. However, he has a persistent pattern of over-arousal and mounting behavior, particularly when returning to the shelter, in the driveway, or when handlers are stationary. While previously redirectable with treats, his mounting has recently increased, he repeatedly attempted to grab and mount the handler’s leg and could not be redirected with treats or squeakers, requiring physical removal. Harlem would benefit from an adopter/Foster through one of our New Hope partners who can provide consistent structure, enrichment, exercise, and reward-based training to help manage his arousal and mounting behavior.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Low threshold for arousal,Other

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: During Harlem Behavioral assessment he is noted to Grumble body block tense body. Continued management and training should focus on reinforcing calm behavior and building positive associations around resources. Please see the handout Resource guarding. Basic manners/poor impulse control: Harlem is noted to jump on handler in a social manner. This behavior reflects challenges with impulse control and can be addressed through training that reinforces calm greetings and appropriate ways to seek attention. Please see the handout on Basic manners/poor impulse control. Anxiety: Harlem is noted to display open mouth panting, lip licking and wide eye. Supporting him with a predictable routine, low-pressure handling, and enrichment can help improve his ability to regulate stress. Please see the handout on generalized anxiety. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: In the prior home Harlem may chase cats and small animals during walks. Training should focus on maintaining distance from triggers, improving engagement with the handler, and reinforcing calm, appropriate responses. Please see the handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration. Low threshold for arousal: Harlem is noted to mount handlers during walks, which handlers have to stiff-arm him. Other: In the prior home he is noted to have been bitten by another dog on the nose