Date of intake:: 4/15/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray; history unknown

Date of assessment:: 4/17/2026

Summary:: 4/17: When attempting to remove Karen from kennel, she begins to growl and back away as the handler attempts to leash her. She would continue to growl with her body low to the ground while being tense when she sees the leash. Out of concern for her stress levels, further attempts are ended, and a handling assessment is not conducted. 4/16: A handling assessment could not be conducted due to Karen growling at handlers and seek an exit.

Summary:: Karen arrived at the care centers as a stray, so we have little information on her behavior with other dogs. 4/18/26: Karen is observed approaching the gate where a novel male dog is at the gate. As she nears the gate, Karen moves slowly with a cautious pace and maintains distance, with a low body and tucked tail but will orient towards the male dog. Her body appears tense and hesitant, and she does not attempt to approach any further. When the novel male remains at the gate whining with a loose body and attempting to greet, Karen chooses to disengage by walking away and positioning herself farther from the gate, continuing to maintain space from the interaction.

Summary (6):: 5/2/26: Kahrin was at front of kennel sniffing under the kennel door as handler approached. Kahrin vocalized once handler had stopped at kennel. She was easily leashed and pulled from kennel. Handler took Kahrin for a street walk, where she walked next to handler with little leash pressure. Throughout walk Kahrin maintained a neutral body. A car that was passing on the street backfired and then Kahrin then darted forward a little and then turned to look at handler. She was returned to kennel with no issue. 4/28/26: Kahrin is at the front of her kennel growling and vocalizing as the handle approaches. The growls while leashing as she looks into the room. She will then exit her kennel and attempts to push out of the kennel room door as the handler opens it, pulling hard up the ramp. One on the sidewalk she will walk beside or slightly ahead off the handler on a loose leash. She will not sniff for the entire walk. She is returned to her kennel. 4/24/26: Kahrin is laying down at the front of her kennel as handler approaches and unlocks the door. She begins to growl and back away as the handler attempts to leash her. She would continue to growl as she walks forward to exit the kennel. She is able to be leashed as she walks forward through the leash loop, and is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, she a tense body and low tail as she walked ahead of the handler. She has no interest in treats or toys and is able to slowly return back to her kennel with no issues.

Summary (7):: 4/22/26: Kahrin is at the front of her kennel standing with her head close to the door as the handler approaches and will start to back up and growl softly as they open the door and put the leash in. she will start to come forward, putting her head through the leash as she exits the kennel. She will walk through the room quickly and will then walk slightly ahead of the handler on a loose leash, scanning the surroundings. She will occasionally stop to watch people walk by with a loose body and forward ears. She is then returned to kennel with no issue. 4/20/26: Kahrin is laying down at the front of her kennel as handler approaches and unlocks the door. She begins to growl and back away as the handler attempts to leash her. She would continue to growl with her body low to ground as the handler attempts to leash her. She is able to be leashed as she would attempt to to quickly step out of kennel. Once leashed, she is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, she a tense body and low tail as she walked very close by next to the handler. She would stop and walk into the handler constantly when she heard loud sudden sounds. She has no interest in treats or toys and is able to slowly return back to her kennel with no issues. 04/19/26: Kahrin is laying down at the front of kennel as handler approaches. When they unlock the kennel door she begins to growl and will back away. Handler speaks to her with a soft tone and she slowly comes forward and is leashed with ease. Kahrin walks with a tucked tail outside and will slowly walk next to handler out to the play yard. Kahrin walks along the yard and allows handler to scratch her hind end twice. After her time in the yard, Kahrin pulls moderately down the ramp but begins to slow and walks on a loose leash back to kennel, returning safely. 4/17/26: Kahrin is laying down at the front of her kennel as handler approaches and unlocks the door. She begins to growl and back away as the handler attempts to leash her. She would continue to growl with her body low to ground while being tense when she sees the leash. Due to fearfulness, the handler then closes and locks the door and ends the interaction. 04/16/26(behavior assessment): Kahrin stands at the front of her kennel but actively avoids leashing, head whipping out of the loop and low growling. Once leashed, she continues to avoid handling in the assessment room, seeks exit, and growls. Assessment is discontinued to allow decompression time.

Date of initial:: 4/15/2026

Summary:: Growling in kennel, head whipped when attempting to muzzle

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Karen's fearfulness and potential for defensive escalations, we recommend that she be placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Karen has not acclimated well to the shelter environment and has only allowed for minimal handling since her intake. We recommend that she be placed with a New Hope rescue partner that can address her concerns once she has had time to decompress and acclimate.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Kennel presence

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression | Kennel presence: Karen has been observed to growl when approached in the kennel and when attempting to leash. She will retreat to the back of her kennel. During her medical exam, she is noted to growl in the kennel and began head whipping, prompting sedation. Training should focus on slow, predictable kennel approaches, reinforcing calm behavior at a distance, and allowing choice and space to help reduce fear. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression.