Date of intake:: 4/7/2025

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray ( Unkown History)

Date of assessment:: 4/10/2025

Summary:: Due to Butterscotch's defensive behavior in care and handling sensitivity, a handling assessment will not be conducted at this time.

Summary:: Due to Butterscotch entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 04/16/25: When off leash at the Care Center Butterscotch is introduced to a novel male dog. At the gate Butterscotch approaches with a soft frame and ears back. Both dogs will scent one another through the gate. Butterscotch will remain present tracking the novel male as he displacement scents along the gate. When the novel male walks away, shaking off and returning to displacement scenting, Butterscotch will loose interest and displacement scent as well. This will conclude the interaction.

Summary (5):: 04/18/25: Butterscotch is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. She is leashed with ease and walks to the play yard where she is clipped to a drag lead and free to explore the space. Butterscotch is social with handler throughout her time in the yard, readily approaching to solicit petting along head, neck, and body with a loose frame. She takes treats gently from hand before walking around the yard scenting. When a second handler approaches in the next yard, she will become slightly tense and bark before slowly approaching. Handler speaks to her with a light friendly tone, and she settles slightly and is guided away by handler. After her session, she is switched back to a slip lead and handler slowly clips their lead into a figure 8 before returning her to kennel.

Summary (6):: 04/17/25: Staff observed that Butterscotch displays significant fear when approached for leashing, retreating to the back of the kennel. She was lassoed and guided out of the care center. Upon returning, staff made several attempts to clip the leash while she was distracted; however, Butterscotch escalated from head whipping to snapping and attempting to bite the handler's hand. She was eventually returned to her kennel. When the handler used a hook to remove the slip lead, Butterscotch responded with head whipping and thrashing. The leash was ultimately removed successfully and Butterscotch was secured safely. 04/14/25: Butterscotch is standing at the front of kennel with a slightly tense frame and furrowed brow. Handler speaks to her with a soft tone and offers her treats through the kennel door. Butterscotch will sniff the treats but does not eat them. Handler cracks open the kennel door and slowly presents their lead. Butterscotch will sniff handler's lead before backing away. Handler kneels down and speaks to her with a soft tone, coaxing her forward. Butterscotch will place her head partially through the lead before backing away again. Handler allows her to do this several times until she places her head all the way through and is leashed with ease. Butterscotch walks with a slightly tense frame to the Canine Behavior Office. She scents along the room and will stand close to handler as they sit on the couch. Handler offers squeeze cheese which she immediately engages with. After a few minutes, Butterscotch will come to stand next to handler again. She accepts light petting along her neck and will lean in slightly whenever contact stops. Handler slowly collars her, clips her to a drag lead, and she is free to explore the space. Butterscotch relieves herself before scenting along the room. She will slowly approach handler when called and will accept petting again. After her session, she is leashed with ease and returns to kennel safely.

Summary (7):: 04/10/25: Butterscotch is standing on her bed with a furrowed brow, dilated pupils, and tense body as the novel handler approaches. She growls at the handler briefly before quieting. Handler throws treats that Butterscotch sniffs but shows no interest in. Handler tosses the loop over Butterscotch's head and she growls, but tolerates it. She comes readily out of kennel and walks with a lowered body to the canine training room. Butterscotch sits at the handler's feet and turns her head towards the handler, but whale eyes when the handler attempts to pet so handler ceases. Butterscotch grows more comfortable over time and becomes more incessant, allowing the handler to make contact. Butterscotch leans in and reinitiates when the handler pauses. She allows the handler to clip the leash and is returned to kennel without issue 4/9/25 (PM): Butterscotch stood with a slightly hunched posture and furrowed brow. She was leashed with ease and exited kennel into her new, unfamiliar kennel room, slowly with verbal coaxing. Notably, Butterscotch did not relieve herself upon exiting kennel. She followed handler to the live room where they sat on the couch and she sat at their feet. Handler slowly placed slip leash with stopper over head. Butterscotch appeared uneasy with slicked back ears and a slightly tense frame, so handler just kept hold of the regular slip leash. Handler sat quietly with Butterscotch who lay down and appeared to be falling asleep. Handler spoke to her in a soft voice whenever she became alert to sounds in the hall and she would lay back down with her eyes growing heavy again. Handler noticed her hind legs were not trembling and her tail was tucked around her rather than between her legs. Handler used a mini hook to remove the slip leash with stopper. She was returned to kennel with ease using a slow approach. 04/08/25( Late Entry): Butterscotch is hard barking and growling in her kennel when the handler approaches. The handler easily leashes her, and Butterscotch follows the handler out of the kennel room. In the hallway, Butterscotch displays a tucked tail and fliches at nosies in the hallway. Butterscotch is taken to the behavior office in where she displays a tense body and soon begins to tremble when another handler in the room talks to her. Butterscotch remains fearful and begins to growl and bark hard when another handler came into the room. Once Butterscotch kennel is clean, she is walked back into her kennel, when the handler clips her leash, she heads whips, and she is led into her kennel without issue

Date of intake:: 4/7/2025

Date of initial:: 4/7/2025

Summary:: - low growling, lunges at the kennel door when trying to leash, needed sedation for exam and tasks

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Butterscotch's defensive behavior and handling sensitivity, we recommend she be placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Butterscotch came into the care center as a stray after being seen getting hit by a car and sent to a pet emergency hospital. Butterscotch has displayed significant fear-based behaviors during her time in the care center. She is often tense in her kennel, showing whale eye, a furrowed brow, and dilated pupils. She has growled at handlers upon approach but has tolerated leashing. Outside of the kennel, she initially exhibits a lowered posture, tucked tail, and flinching in response to noises. However, she has shown the ability to warm up with time, gradually leaning into petting and seeking contact when she feels safe. Butterscotch remains sensitive to sudden movements and new people, at times responding with growling or barking. Due to her fear-based behaviors, handling sensitivity, and need for a slow, structured approach, Butterscotch requires placement with a New Hope partner who can provide a patient, experienced environment to help her build confidence and trust.

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

Potential challenges comments:: Kennel presence/Handling/touch sensitivity/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: he is often tense in her kennel, showing whale eye, a furrowed brow, and dilated pupils. She has growled at handlers upon approach but has tolerated leashing. Outside of the kennel, she initially exhibits a lowered posture, tucked tail, and flinching in response to noises. However, she has shown the ability to warm up with time.Training should focus on reducing his fear and defensive aggression through gradual desensitization, creating positive associations with handling, and addressing his barrier frustration and on-leash reactivity with controlled exposure and reinforcement of calm behaviors. Please see the handout on Kennel presence/Handling/touch sensitivity/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression.