Date of intake:: 3/14/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (7 years)

Previously lived with:: adults, children (3yo), cat, smb

Behavior toward strangers:: Friendly, tolerant, and outgoing, alert barks

Behavior toward children:: Tolerant, playful, and friendly

Behavior toward dogs:: hard bark and growl at medium and large dogs on and off leash; social and playful with resident SMB

Behavior toward cats:: tolerant

Resource guarding:: none reported

Bite history:: none reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Buddy is reported to have a high energy level.

Other Notes:: Knows to relieve himself outside on walks and never has accidents indoors. He pulls hard on the leash, and on walks, he is reactive to other dogs both large and small. He will bark, lunge, or growl at them. When Buddy was younger, he was in an altercation with another large dog at the dog park. There were no reported injuries. But since that incident, Buddy has been highly reactive to other medium - large sized dogs. His owner stated that he can usually be redirected on walks, but believes he may attempt to attack another dog if he were to get loose. Buddy previously lived with a small dog without issues and does not seem bothered by small dogs when on walks. He is unbothered by being disturbed when sleeping, moved from furniture, and when his collar is grabbed, but will bark or growl when held or restrained and when he is startled. His previous owner never attempted to touch his paws. Buddy is described as a very active and playful dog who spends his time where his people are. He does not allow nail trimmings, gets nervous when getting into cars, may even get sick while in a car, and will pull hard on his leash during his usual 15-20min long walks he goes on 1-2 times a day but he is crate trained to do well in a standard crate for up to 4hrs, he knows the cue sit and down, and is very protective of the people he loves. He loves any treat he is offered, playing with baseballs, and any type of dry food.

Date of assessment:: 5/16/2026

Summary:: Buddy arrived at the care center as an Owner Surrender and had a incident when younger in a dog park, his previous owner said he was worried that he may attempt to attack another dog if he were to get loose. Buddy was introduced to fake dog during a playgroup session. When he saw the fake dog, he immediately became highly aroused, pacing, bouncing, and fixating on the fake dog. Once allowed to approach, Buddy quickly became tense, jumped on top of the fake dog, hovered over it, and escalated to growling and snarling when the fake dog moved. He then grabbed, bit, held and shook the fake dog while vocalizing, and would not let go even as the handler attempted to remove him with slight leash pressure and squeaker noises. Buddy required air can interruption to release and continued to fixate and vocalize afterward. 15-Mar-2026: Handling assessment Leash Walking Strength and pulling: none - loose leash Reactivity to humans: none - ignores Reactivity to dogs: inconclusive - did not pass Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): moderately social - soft body, explores room, checks in with handlers, readily accepts treats Call over: approach with coaxing Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: sits, distracted, briefly tense Exuberant handling: tense, leans away Handling comments: Arousal Jog: follows, distracted Arousal comments: Knock: tense, square forward posture, does not escalate Knock Comments: Toy: grips, moves away Toy comments:

Summary:: According to Buddy's previous owner(s), he will hard bark or growl at all MMB & LMB dogs both on and off leash. Owner expressed during the time of intake concerns for the potential for future altercations if he were to meet with another dog. He did live with a SMB and was noted to be friendly, tolerant, and outgoing. 5/6/26: Due to Buddy's dog-to-dog concerns noted by his owner, Buddy was introduced to a fake dog. Buddy when entering the yard immediately notices the fake dog, and begins pace at the gate, bouncing on his front paws before being let into the opposite yard to greet the fake dog. Buddy approach the fake dog with a tense body, sniffing briefly before jumping on top of the fake dog, putting his body and hovering and when the fake dog moved he began to growl and then begin to snarl. When the handler grabbed Buddy's leash and the fake dog was moved, Buddy begins to vocalize, bite, hold and shake the fake dog and continues to vocalize as the handler tries to pull it away. Buddy had to be air canned to get him to release the fake dog and continued to fixate and vocalize when being pulled away.

Summary (6):: 04/28/26 (Trainer Note): Buddy was lying on his bed as the handler approaches. he was easily leashed and pulled mildly out of the kennel room. The was dog traffic up ahead and Buddy was able to engage and disengage from a dog in front of him multiple times with ease. Buddy will tense slightly when the dog begins to move, but will disengage. Buddy will disengage from multiple dogs outside before being safely returned to his kennel. 04/23/26 (Trainer Note): Buddy is standing at the front of his kennel as the handler approaches. He is easily leashed and pulls moderately outside. Buddy is loose and social with the handler. He engages readily in the 123 game, opting into it by looking up at the handler. Buddy stares at dogs but turns away when he is marked. He is able to turn away from dogs without prompting when they are at a distance. He is returned to kennel without issue. 04/17/26 (Trainer Note): Buddy is standing at the front of his kennel as the handler approaches. He is easily leashed and pulls moderately to the canine training room. Buddy maintains a loose and wiggly body throughout the interaction. He sniffs around the room. The handler works with him on the 123 game and take a breath. Buddy engages readily and is returned to kennel without issue.

Summary (7):: 04/10/26 (Trainer Note): Buddy is standing at the front of his kennel as the handler approaches. He is easily leashed and pulls moderately to the canine training room. Buddy is loose and social with the handlers, leaning into contact. The handler works with him on the 123 pattern game, conditioning the yes verbal marker, touch, and taking a deep breath. He engages in training readily and leans into contact with a loose body. Buddy is easily leashed and returned to kennel without issue. 4/5/26: Buddy is at the front of the kennel toe tapping as the handler approaches. He is leashed with ease and brought out on a long walk. Buddy will tense slightly when behind another dog at a considerable distance so the handler will call him over and give him a few treats. They will then reward for check ins throughout the walk away from the Care Center. Buddy will continue to sniff between check ins, most of the time walking ahead of the handler on a loose leash. On the way back to the Care Center, the handler will begin teaching him the 1,2,3 pattern game. He will readily turn around for his treat on 3. Once near the Care Center, the handler will practice the game far away but in view from other dogs as long as Buddy's frame is loose. If he tenses, the handler will increase distance. A treat scatter is given as they are on the ramp and he is returned to his kennel with no issue. 03/27/2026 (KSV[Clicker training]): The handler approaches Buddy's Kennel to see that Buddy is very alert and up against the kennel door standing on his back legs barking with excitement. The handler begins to establish with Buddy that each click means treat/reward. Buddy learns very quickly that each click leads to a reward by the 4th or 5th treat. Buddy begins to keep all four paws on the floor in anticipation for the reward. The Handler began disappearing and reappearing at the front of the kennel door to start clicking for a calm approach to the kennel door each time Buddy kept all four paws on the floor. Buddy was able to succeed in this exercise with flying colors. 3/15/26: Buddy is standing in his kennel with a loose body as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed with ease and is then taken to the behavior room for his assessment. In the room, has a loose body and wagging tail as he approached the handlers and sits for treats. He tolerates being petted and will constantly stare at the handlers to receive treats. Please see behavior assessment notes for more details. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues.

Date of intake:: 3/14/2026

Summary:: social, outgoing, loose/wiggly, allowed intake tasks

Date of initial:: 3/14/2026

Summary:: Friendly initially but moderately resistant to oral exam but otherwise tolerant

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Given how uncomfortable Buddy's is with touch and novel stimuli, we believe an adult-only home would be most beneficial at this time. SINGLE-PET HOME/RECOMMEND NO DOG PARKS: Due to the concerning behaviors reported by owner, we feel that Buddy should not visit dog parks and be the only resident dog. The Behavior Department recommends that he be socialized in a more controlled setting until his behavior towards other dogs can be further addressed. Reward-based, force-free training can be utilized to help Buddy associate dogs with things he enjoys like toys or treats. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to Buddy's dog to dog, Buddy should go to a New Hope Partner that can manage his behavior safely.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Strength/leash pulling

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity: Buddy is reported to bark or growl when held or restrained, when startled, does not allow nail trimmings, and gets nervous when getting into cars; may even get sick while in a car. It is important to always go slow and give Buddy the option to walk away from any social interaction. Buddy should never be forced to approach anything that he is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Buddy’s choice to approach a new person or thing. He may do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to his new surroundings. Please see handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Buddy is reported to lunge, hard bark, and growl at medium and large sized dogs on walks. His owners did not that he can usually be redirected but did not specify as to how or what was used to do so. Buddy may need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach him to look at you rather than other dogs. We recommend a front clip harness or head halter to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration. Strength/leash pulling: Buddy is reported to pull hard on walks with his previous owner.