Date of intake:: 3/5/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 3/11/2026

Summary:: Mr. Cooper has been observed to be highly fearful during his stay in the care center. Noted to hard stare at handlers, vocalize, and bare teeth when they attempt to interact. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety Mr. Cooper is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 3/10/26: It is reported that Cooper will resource guard his food while in kennel. Noted to eat his food very quickly and hard stare at handlers when they approach. 3/10/26: Cooper is at the front of his kennel with a neutral body. The handler feeds him treats and he eats; they try to use it as a lure to leash, but Cooper dodges the leash. After a few attempts, the handler is able to leash Cooper and bring him out of kennel. On the street, Cooper walk ahead with mild leash tension; he doesn't react to any people or dogs. Cooper is aloof, not responding to the handler a they call his name. They try to get him to sit, but he ignores them. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and returns Cooper to his kennel with ease. 3/9/26: Cooper is standing at the front of the kennel with a neutral body and is easily leashed. He is taken to the driveway where he relieves himself quickly. When returning to kennel Cooper balks. The handler tosses treats into the kennel and Cooper is not receptive. Leash pressure is used to guide Copper into kennel. 3/8/26 (PM walk): Cooper is at the front of his kennel when the handler approaches. He hard stares at the handler and low barks (boofs). The handler notes that he still has his food with him and does not attempt to open the door. Cooper then begins to bare teeth at the handler, and the walk is abandoned. 03/08/26: Cooper is at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is offered treats but does not take any, he allows handler to lasso him after two attempts and exits kennel. He is neutral bodied and walks with handler out to the street with no pulling. Outside Cooper passes people and dogs without any sign of reactivity. He walks for a bit before being brought back inside, he allows handler to clip his leash and he is returned to kennel without further issue. 3/7/26: Cooper is standing in the middle of his kennel. He comes forwards for treats which he eats. The kennel door is unlocked and he backs up slightly, but comes forwards for treats again. He repeatedly dodges the leash and barks quietly (boofs) twice. He keeps coming forwards for treats and is eventually leashed by draping over the leash. He is hesitant to leave the kennel and does not respond to leash pressure. Eventually time and a treat trail convince him to come out and he is brought to the yard. He does not take treats in the yard. He explores slowly and relieves himself. After a bit, he begins seeking exit. He is pre-clipped so no leash clipping is attempted. He is brought back to his kennel and balks at the door. Treats are not successful so he is muscled in.

Date of intake:: 3/5/2026

Summary:: Aloof, snapped at handler for MC scan

Date of initial:: 3/6/2026

Summary:: Growling and and hard staring when approached in kennel. Snapped at syringe pole during sedation.

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Mr. Cooper so we cannot be certain of their behavior in a home environment. However, they will need daily mental and physical activity to stay engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in addition to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to defensive behaviors we recommend an adult only home. 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: : Resource guarding,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Mr Cooper has been observed to become tense and hover over his food. When people approach he will begin eating quickly while staring at the handler. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Mr Cooper's mouth, and any time something is removed they should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Fearful Defensive: Mr Cooper has been obsvered to be fearful during his stay. Noted to snap at handlers during intake and bare teeth and growl while in kennel. It is important to move slowly with Mr Cooper, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow them to initiate interactions with new people. They should never be forced to greet or to interact if they are not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression.