Date of intake:: 1/10/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Other Notes:: **Previous assessments can be given upon request*

Date of assessment:: 1/20/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: None Reactivity to humans: Inconclusive Reactivity to dogs: Inconclusive Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Distracted Call over: No approach Sociability comments: Aloof to handlers Soft handling: Over aroused Exuberant handling: Over aroused Comments: Head whips and attempts to spin towards the handler Arousal Jog comments: Follows the handler with tense body Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily Toy Toy comments: Grips firm, becomes tense with hackles raised, head whips and muzzle punches the assess-a-hand

Summary (7):: 1/20/26 (reassessment): Builder is at the front of his kennel with a loose body. As the handler attempts to leash him, Builder dodges the leash. After another attempt, the handler leashes and brings Builder out the room. On the street, Builder walks ahead with little to no leash tension. He also shows no interest in passersby. The handler then brings him in for his assessment (see notes); afterwards, the handler returns Builder to his kennel with ease. 01/14/26: Builder is sitting at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is leashed while distracted with treats but dodges the leash a few times before being successfully leashed. Outside Builder is slightly tense with a neutral tail and upright body posture. Builder will briefly stare at dogs he sees but passes without issue, when seeing people Builder makes more consistent eye contact and will stare at them from afar till they pass as he walks. On his walk he is slightly aloof and walks with handler side by side, he stops to sniff frequently and walks for a while with handler. When called handler shows Builder a treat which he initially does not accept but eventually begins taking. After a while he is brought back inside and returns to kennel without issue. 1/13/26: Builder is standing sideways with a slightly tense body at the front of his kennel. The handler feeds him treats, and he takes them slowly. The handler slowly leashes Builder and brings him out the kennel. He is then brought to the yard. As the handler walks Builder around the perimeter, he, at times, baulks in place. The handler adds gentle leash pressure, but he doesn't move. They toss treats in front of him, and Builder walks up to them and eats. Once entering a pen, Builder relieves himself. While walking past pens with dogs in them, Builder pulls towards the dog with a neutral body. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and returns Builder to his kennel with ease. 1/11/26: Builder is siting at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He has a tense body as he takes treats and is slowly able to be leashed. He is then taken outside to the yard. When reaching the yard entrance door, he baulks to the ground and is able to continue walking with coaxing. In the yard, he has a tense body and low tail with his hackles raised as he explores around. He would stare at people and dogs that would pass by. He is comfortable taking a few treats front the handler and is able to be slowly taken back to his kennel with no issues.

Date of intake:: 1/10/2026

Summary:: Growling while on leash, barking and pulling towards other dogs

Date of initial:: 1/11/2026

Summary:: Growling; head down; whale eyed; tense; not interested with treats; tail tucked. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Builder 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 additional 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 fearful behavior 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,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Builder was obsvered to become tense, and muzzle punch the assess-a-hand while in possession of a toy. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Builder'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: During intake Builder was observed to growl while on leash. While in care Builder has remained tense and baulks while on leash. It is important to move slowly with Builder, 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. On Leash Reactivity: During intake Builder was obsvered to bark and pull towards other dogs. Builder will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than other dogs. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration. Arousal: Builder was obsvered to head whip and attempt to spin towards the handler when they initiated contact. Positive reinforcement training should be used to teach Builder to remain calm during arousing situations. If they begin to escalate, people should pause the interaction, and create distance from the trigger. Pattern games such as 1-2-3 treat and the cue “mat” can be used to reinforce calm behaviors. Please see handout on Arousal.