Date of intake:: 12/9/2024

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

Previously lived with:: 2 adults 2 kids (10 Y/O & toddler)

Behavior toward strangers:: playful, friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward children:: playful, friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward cats:: unknown

Resource guarding:: no known history of resource guarding

Bite history:: no known bite history

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Bentley is reported to have a high energy level.

Other Notes:: he jumps up non stop, isn't bothered when he is held/restrained, disturbed when sleeping, push/pulled of furniture feet/paws touched or if his collar is grabbed

Date of assessment:: 12/12/2024

Summary:: 12/12: Bently is taken to the behavior office for a handling assessment. He displays open-mouth panting and a high level of jumping and mouthiness he is unable to settle. Due to Bently is not a good candidate for an assessment at this time. 12/10: Bently is taken to the behavior office for a handling assessment. He displays open-mouth panting and a high level of jumping and mouthiness he is unable to settle. He is taken back to his kennel and given more time to decompress.

Summary (6):: 12/31/24: Bentley is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. He accepts a toy and will take it to the side of kennel, bouncing around and shaking it. He comes forward and is leashed, walking up to the play yard with the toy in his mouth. He pulls hard and once in the yard he will spend time scenting and relieves himself. Bentley will jump up on handler exuberantly multiple times throughout his session and paces the yard. Handler cues him into a "sit" and offers treats to help him settle. He takes treats roughly from hand, so handler tosses treats to him instead. After his session, Bentley picks up his toy and carries it back to kennel. He is returned to kennel safely. 12/31/2024: Bentley is reported to leash bite and not wanting to go back into kennel. 12/24/24: Bentley greets the handler lying in the back of his kennel on his cot with a neutral frame. The handler tosses treats and Bentley approaches with a loose wiggly frame. Bentley scents the ground picking up treats as the handler attempts to leash him. Bentley keeps his muzzle close to the ground. After Bentley moves around the kennel handler is able to leash him. The handler tosses a toy to the ground which Bentley investigates, scenting but looses immediate interest. Bentley is escorted out of his kennel and towards the play yards. He is loose and wiggly on walks but proceeds to stop every few feet. The handler will stop and kennel down coaxing Bentley forward. Bentley will approach loose with a wagging tail and they will continue the walk. After this repeats a few times Bentley will eventually stop and no long approach with coaxing or mild leash pressure. The handler attempts to redirect him going in the opposite direction but once the handler directs him again back to the original direction Bentley immediately halts again. The handler escorts Bentley back to the care center. Bentley willingly follows the handler to his kennel where he is unleashed and secured without any issues.

Summary (7):: 12/18/24 As the handler approaches the kennel, Bentley is standing with a still frame and wagging tail. Bentley will immediately lunge up and snap at the handler's lead. The handler walks away to grab a toy and returns. The handler will administer the toy to Bentley as he is leashed and its successful. Bentley focuses on the toy as he is leashed with ease. He will carry the toy to the exit while maintaining a neutral frame. Upon arriving outside, Bentley drops the toy, and they proceed on their walk. Bentley maintains his still, neutral frame as he slightly pulls on lead. Bentley will relieve himself, now walking in a more moderate manner. They commence their walk before returning to the facility. He explores on his way back, entering the building with no issue. He enters his kennel just fine as he trots inside. 12/11/24 Bentley is sitting firmly as the handler approaches. he will excessively jump onto his kennel door as the handler unlocks it. The handler will leash Bentley when he jumps up, taking outside for a walk when leashed. Bentley displays a loose body while he pulls on the leash. Bentley will take treats gently when administered. he will explore in different spots throughout the walk, stopping in his tracks to sniff intensely. Bentley will jump and whip his head exuberantly throughout the walk. Bentley will become aroused jumping excessively onto the handler, soliciting treats. Bentley is returned to the facility where he enters the building and his kennel with no issue. 12/10/24 Bentley is jumping on the kennel door and barking as the handler approaches. The handler threw treats to get him off the door and was able to leash him. As Bentley walks out of his kennel, he pulls mildly and attempts to go towards other dogs in their kennels and Bentley pulls towards other staff in the halls as he passes. He does not lunge or bark but is wagging his tail and has an open mouth when he attempts to pull towards them. In the behavior room, Bentley displays high levels of arousal as he jumps on handlers excessively and pants heavily. He takes treats rough from the handlers, so they toss them on the floor. He is easily leashed and returned to his kennel with no issues.

Date of intake:: 12/9/2024

Summary:: loose and wiggly body and began jumping up on staff to solicit attention.

Date of initial:: 12/9/2024

Summary:: friendly, approached with loose body, wagging tail, takes treats

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13)- Due to Bentley's potential behavior challenges we recommend he be placed into an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner- Bentley was brought to the care center by his owner, who had to surrender him because they moved into a home that doesn't allow pets. In the home, Bentley is described to be social/affectionate and loves to play tug and fetch. Bentley often becomes overly excited when interacting with handlers. While he is social he becomes quickly aroused, with excessive jumping and mouthing handlers unable to settle. Bentley requires consistent training to manage his energy and improve his manners. Bentley is available for rescue through one of our new hope partners.

Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Social hyperarousal,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Anxiety

Potential challenges comments:: Basic manners/poor impulse control- Bentley is reported to jump up non-stop, indicating a need for training to improve his impulse control and basic manners. Consistent training to teach him to sit or stay when greeting people, using positive reinforcement and redirection, will help manage this behavior. Please see the handout on Basic manners/poor impulse control. Social hyperarousal- Bentley often becomes overly excited when interacting with handlers. While he is social he becomes quickly aroused, with excessive jumping and mouthing handlers unable to settle. Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition- To reduce Bentley's mouthy behavior and improve his bite inhibition, redirect his attention to appropriate chew toys whenever he becomes mouthy. Encourage him to play with toys instead of mouthing people. Over time, he will learn that gentle interactions are more rewarding. Reinforce gentle behavior with treats and praise, and consistently practice these techniques to help Bentley develop better bite inhibition and reduce mouthiness. Please see the handout Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition. Anxiety-Bentley began to display heavy panting and was unable to settle during his assessment. Managing him anxiety will require creating a calm environment, providing enrichment activities, and using stress-reducing techniques like puzzle toys and regular exercise. Please see handout on generalized anxiety.