Date of intake:: 8/28/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, no known history

Date of assessment:: 8/29/2025

Summary:: 8/29/25: Rhonda is highly fearful in the Care Centers. Rhonda was reported to hard bark, growl, lunge and attempt to bite when being brought to the Care Centers. When staff attempt to remove her from her kennel, she growls, avoids eye contact and refuses to leave her kennel. Due to these behaviors, Rhonda will not get a handling assessment.

Summary (6):: 9/10/25: Rhonda is laying down at the front of kennel with a neutral body as handler approaches. she becomes soft and slightly wiggly as she wags her tail in a circular motion to the left. She presses her head down into the kennel bars, maintaining the same body language, and begins to gently paw at the bars, soliciting pets. Handler tosses high value treats into the kennel but she continues to solicit pets. Handler uses a high value treat to lure her into a large looped leash, she does not hesitate or flinch when leash is secured. Kennel door is opened wide and high values are tossed on the floor. Rhonda is hesitant, but steps to the front of the kennel, continuing the display the same body language with an occasional lip lick. Handler crouches down and taps the floor, she almost hops down but quickly retreats. When slight leash pressure is applied she begins to retreat and pancake immediately. Handler attempts one more time but same result. Interaction is ended, and hooks are attempted to be used to remove the leash, but she immediately lunges, snaps, and growls at it before it entering her kennel. Handler locks the kennel and returns later to take the leash out once its fallen off her head, treats are tossed to the back of kennel while hook is used to pull it out. 9/6/25: It is reported that Rhonda snaps at the food slot when handlers attempt to feed. Staff also report that Rhonda will not move over for cleaning. 9/3/2025: Rhonda was at the front of the kennel with a tense body as handler approaches. She begins to whale eye and low growl with her ears pinned back as handler removes kennel blocker. Handler sits on the ground in front of her kennel and faces their back towards Rhonda. The growling ceases and she slowly approaches. Handler tosses treats inside first, which she consumes, and then begins to hand feed through the kennel bars. She takes them gently, occasionally letting out a small low growl as she consumes them. Handler would move around on the floor slightly and she would let out a small low growl. Handler began to use calm, soft baby voice, and she let out a relaxed tail wag (tail still between legs but not as tucked or tense). This behavior repeated itself a couple more times when presenting high value treats and using baby voice. Handler averted eye contact at all times and would position their body in a non-confrontational manner, constantly using praise and treats. Towards the end of the KSV session she is slightly less tense, with softer eyes, and taking the treats through the bars more readily. Handler begins presenting the back of their hand to sniff, and rewarding for no reaction/disengaging on her own. She also moves around in her kennel while handler is present and comes back for treats, she used to remain focused on handler while doing KSV and display high level FAS warning signs. Treats are tossed in the kennel, kennel blocker is put up, and interaction is ended.

Summary (7):: 9/2/2025 (KSV): Handler did a very brief KSV visit for Rhonda. As they approached the kennel, Rhonda was already at the front, tense, ears pinned back, whale eyeing, low growling, and occasionally hard barking. She does not cease unless treats are offered, but then continues with the same behavior. Due to high FAS, handler tossed treats in kennel and departed. 9/1/2025 (KSV): Rhonda is standing at the at the front of kennel with a stuff body and whale eyeing. She begins to low growl and continues to low growl intermittently throughout interaction. She also remains stuff and whale eyeing at handler. Handler uses baby voice and she begins to briefly, and rapidly wag her tail, but continues to display the same behavior. She takes treats through the kennel bars. 8/31/25: It is reported on the whiteboard that Rhonda is refusing to move over for cleanings. 08/29/25: Rhonda is laying at the front of her kennel with her head down low growling as handler approaches. She is offered pieces of chicken which she accepts before continuing to growl, she frequently turns and looks to the side in the direction of the barking dogs near her and will hard stare deeply at handler. She continues to accept treats and soften up slightly. After accepting a few more treats handler unlocks the kennel door and gently introduces their leash into kennel allowing Rhonda to sniff it. She backs away further into kennel so handler attempts to toss more treats near the front but she does not appraoch. A long pole leash is employed and slowly introduced into kennel and placed over Rhonda's head, she allows leashed but once the door is opened she remains frozen in place and refuses to exit kennel. Handler uses a squeaker and more treats but she refuses to exit kennel, after about 10 minutes she lays down on the kennel floor so handler closes the kennel door and uses a hook to remove Rhonda's leash. She trembles and whale eyes the leash while the hook is being used but eventually she is un-leashed and interaction is ended

Date of intake:: 8/28/2025

Summary:: Growls, lip licks, baring teeth.

Date of initial:: 8/28/2025

Summary:: Barking, growling, lunging, sedated

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the noted behaviors in the Care Centers, Rhonda should go to an adult only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to all noted concerns displayed in the Care Center environment, the behavior department recommends Rhonda be placed with a New Hope placement partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow Rhonda to acclimate comfortably to her new environment; force-free, reward based training only is advised when introducing Rhonda to new and unfamiliar situations.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Rhonda is highly fearful in the Care Center and has escalated to baring teeth and growling. She was reported to have lunge and attempted to bite when being brought to the Care Centers. Positive reinforcement should be used to teach Rhonda to be comfortable around novel people. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression.