Date of intake:: 6/23/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (8 years)

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, 1 Newborn/toddler, he’s been around children of various ages(3-12) sometimes up to 4 kids

Behavior toward strangers:: Sargent will alert bark

Behavior toward children:: Sargent is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Sargent is friendly and outgoing with familiar dogs, alert barks at unfamiliar dog

Behavior toward cats:: Sargent is friendly and outgoing

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High (often playful/busy)

Other Notes:: Goes potty on: Outside on walks (grass, cement, dirt, etc.) Accident frequency: Very rarely Additional info: Urinates/poops in the house usually when he’s not feeling well Behavior concerns: Pulls hard on leash Additional info: Not reported Reacts to on walks: Strangers that approach you/family members Reaction type: Growling/Hard barking Additional info: Not reported How this dog reacts when... - Held/restrained: Unknown/Have not attempted - Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Isn't bothered - Startled: Isn't bothered - Pushed/pulled off furniture: Isn't bothered - Paws are touched: Isn't bothered - Collar grabbed/touched: Isn't bothered Sargent's previous owner describes him as a social and affectionate dog that spends most of his time where the people are. Sargent may know the cues, sit and come.

Date of assessment:: 6/25/2025

Summary:: Sargent has been observed to be highly reactive during his stay at the care center. Noted to hard bark, growl, and lunge towards people and dogs while on leash. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety observed, Sargent is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (6):: 7/1/25: Sergeant is laying down with a neutral body as handler approaches. He comes to the front with a neutral body, a relaxed tail wag, and a relaxed open mouth. He is leashed and removed from the room to be taken to the street. While exiting to the driveway he spots another dog from 50 feet away and immediately lunges and begins to hard bark intensely. Handler has to use muscle to pull him away, walk continues when dog is out of sight. He mildly to moderately pulls on leash and does not react to people. He approaches handler when he is called over with a soft body and relaxed tail wag, he also is receptive to the 'Sit' verbal cue and takes treats softy. When returning him to kennel he does not kennel fight until reaching his neighbor, he pulls very towards them and barks at them before handler uses leash pressure to secure him in kennel. 6/27/25: Sargeant is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He had no interest in treats and was able to be leashed with ease. He then pulls on the way outside for a walk. On the walk, he would pace around and sniff a lot to relieve himself. He had no reactions to dogs that were across the street and had no reaction to people that would pass by. He was able to be returned back to his kennel with no issues. 06/26/25: Sargeant is at the back of his kennel as handler approaches. He is offered treats but does not accept them, he is leashed without issue and taken to the yard for his walk. Sargeant exits kennel and walks with handler outside, he uses the bathroom once outside and sniffs around the perimeter of the yard. After a bit handler takes Sargeant out of the yard and to the street to continue his walk. While outside Sargeant does not pull, he passes people on the street without issue and finishes using the bathroom while outside. He spots dogs during his walk and shows minimal reaction, even when passing dogs adjacent on the street. He walks for a bit more before being brought back to kennel, he backs away when clipping but tolerates it before being brought back inside and returning to kennel without issue.

Summary (7):: 06/25/25: Sargeant is at the back of his kennel as handlers approach. He is offered treats but is not receptive and moves away when handler presents treats near the kennel door. Sargeant retreats to the back of kennel but re-approaches when handler unlocks the kennel door. He is slowly leashed but begins retreating into kennel when he feels leash pressure. Handler uses very minimal leash tension and Sargeant exits kennel and taken to the yard for his walk. While outside he pulls mildly but is relatively frantic and walks around the perimeter of the yard. He investigates the interior of some of the play yards but is observed to seek exit at certain points, even when there are open exits to the yard. Handlers then walk Sargeant out to the driveway, while outside he walks around and remains somewhat frantic. He growls at a dog that he spots but is walked in the opposite direction, Sargeant does not further fixate on the dog when separated. After walking for a bit Sargeant is brought back inside, he allows handlers to clip his leash and walks with handler back to kennel. He is returned to kennel without issue and interaction is ended shortly after. 6/24/25- Sargeant is sleeping when handlers approach his kennel. When they call to him, he wakes up and they softly talk to him. They toss treats in and Sargeant low growls at handlers. One handler got high value treats (ham) and tossed to him while he was on his bed, he sniffed at it but didn't eat it. One handler uses a squeaker which gets his attention. Handlers bend down and Sargeant gets up and comes to the front. He paces back and forth in the kennel being wobbly due to be sedated earlier in the day. Handler attempts to leash but he sits back on his kuranda bed staring at handlers. After 2 attempts to leash they switch to a different leash, they are able to lasso it onto him. He starts to put his head down and handlers call to him, he puts his head up enough for the leash to be secured. They go to put a second leash on and once secured Sargeant backs up quickly baulking in kennel. Handlers open the door and Sargeant come out pulling hard and zig zagging. He is taken to the play yard where he still zig zagging and is darting around in a pen. He doesn't relieve himself during his walk. Handler presents their hand, Sargeant comes to sniff then disengages. He walks around the pen looking around. He is easily clipped and returned to kennel without issue.

Date of intake:: 6/23/2025

Summary:: Hard barking and lunging towards dogs and people while on leash

Date of initial:: 6/24/2025

Summary:: Tense, at back of kennel, barking. Double leashed out, jumped away from handlers. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: Sargent is described as active and enthusiastic. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them 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. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for Sargent.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Recommend no dog parks,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to on leash reactivity we recommend an adult only home. No Dog Parks: Due to hard barking and lunging towards dogs while on leash, we recommend no trips to the dog park. 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: : House soiling,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Strength/leash pulling

Potential challenges comments:: House Soiling: Sargent's previous owner stated that he rarely will have accidents in the home. We recommend positive reinforcement, reward-based training only. Accidents should never be punished as this will likely make the problem worse. Please see handout on House Soiling. On Leash Reactivity: Sargent's previous owner states that he will hard bark and growl towards strangers that approach. In care Sargent has been observed to hard bark, growl, and lunge towards dogs and people. Leash Manners: Sargent's previous owner states that he will pull hard while on leash. Their adopter must be prepared and able to handle a dog of this size and strength. It is recommended that they be walked on a front clip harness or head halter, which will help diminish their strength through leverage, and that they be trained using positive reinforcement, reward based training to not pull on leash. Please see handout on Leash Manners.