Date of intake:: 6/4/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (2 years)

Previously lived with:: 2 adults

Behavior toward strangers:: No experience

Behavior toward children:: No experience

Behavior toward dogs:: Thor has no experience with familiar dogs, lunges at unfamiliar dogs

Behavior toward cats:: Thor will lunge

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Goes potty on: Outside on walks (grass, cement, dirt, etc.) Accident frequency: Very rarely Behavior concerns: Other Additional info: Barks when someone comes near the house door Reacts to on walks: Strangers that approach you/family members, Children, Cats, Large dogs, Small animals (squirrels, birds, rats, etc.) Reaction type: Lunging How this dog reacts when... - Held/restrained: Isn't bothered - Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Isn't bothered - Startled: Isn't bothered - Pushed/pulled off furniture: Isn't bothered - Paws are touched: Isn't bothered - Collar grabbed/touched: Isn't bothered Thor's previous owner describes him as a playful couch potato, that does well for car rides.

Date of assessment:: 6/15/2026

Summary:: Thor arrived at MACC as an owner surrender. During intake Thor was observed to lunge, hard bark, screeching, and bare teeth towards staff members. The behavior team is called to assist with the intake, as the handler’s approach Thor he begins to bark and lunge towards them. The owner has to hold him back by his harness. The owner places the leashes on Thor and he is walked to kennel. Once in front of the kennel, Thor balks and refuses to enter. The handlers have to muscle him into kennel. The owner states that Thor will lunge at unfamiliar dogs, cats, strangers, children, and small animals while on leash. The owner also states that Thor does not have a bite history. While in care, Thor has been observed to bark, vocalize, and lunge at handlers. Due to the detailed behaviors Thor is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (6):: 6/13/26: Thor is at the front of his kennel with a seemingly neutral body. He is offered treats which he does not take. The leash is introduced and he jumps up and snaps at the handler's hand. The handler tries again and he allows leashing then bites at the leash. They remove him from the kennel, and he walks out then immediately jumps up, lunges, and snaps at the handler's abdomen. He is straight armed and does not make contact, then is muscled back into kennel.

Summary (7):: 6/12/26: Thor was at front of kennel with a neutral body. During first leash attempt the leash went behind one of his front legs and handler had to remove the leash, after removing the leash Thor did grab and hold onto leash with his mouth. But handler was able to easily get it back and then successfully leash him and take him for a street walk. While on walk Thor did see another dog and he pulled toward that dog but handler was able to redirect his focus and keep him moving on walk. Since Thor was getting surgery today and was NPO handler was not able to use treats for redirection. He was returned to kennel with no issue. 6/11/26: Thor is at the front of his kennel holding onto the kennel bars; he is easily leashed and brought out the room. The handler brings Thor to the yard; there, he sniffs around and relieves himself. He also sniffs both handlers present with a neutral body. When seeing a dog in the adjacent kennel, Thor vocalizes; the handler pulls him away from the fence. The handler walks him around the perimeter, which he does with no leash tension. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and walks Thor to his kennel; he doesn't enter on his own, so the handler tosses a treat, but he shows no interest; then the handler applies leash tension and Thor enters his kennel. 06/09/26 (late entry): Thor is at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He begins jumping up and vocalizing in a high pitch, handler offers him treats and is able to easily leash Thor before he is brought to the yard for his walk. Thor is neutral bodied and passes people in the hallway with mild curiosity, pulling lightly toward them to sniff them. He is kept away and taken to the yard for his walk, outside he walks around the perimeter of the yard and ignores people in neighboring pens. He sees dogs and pulls toward them inquisitively but again is kept away, Thor sniffs around the yard and relieves himself during his walk, after a while he is brought back inside and his leash is clipped before he is returned to kennel without issue. 6/8/26: Thor is sitting at the front of the kennel when the handler approaches. The handler tosses treats and Thor is initially not receptive. The handler speaks in a soft voice and tosses more treats. Thor begins to sniff the treats and then begins to eat them. 6/7/26: Thor is sitting at the front of the kennel when the handler approaches. The handler speaks in a soft tone, and Thor begins to bark and vocalize at the handler. The handler ends the interaction.

Date of intake:: 6/4/2026

Summary:: Hard barking, lunging, and baring teeth

Date of initial:: 6/4/2026

Summary:: Lunging and showing teeth to admission staff. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: Thor is described as active and enthusiastic. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them 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. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for Thor.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),No cats,Recommend no dog parks,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to on leash reactivity and the potential for defensive behaviors, we recommend an adult only home. No cats: Due to lunging at cats we recommend a home with no cats. No Dog Parks: Due to lunging at unfamiliar dogs on and off leash we recommend no trips to the dog park. 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: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: During intake Thor was observed to lunge, hard bark, and bare teeth at handlers. It is important to move slowly with Thor, 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: Thor's previous owner states that he will lunge at strangers, children, dogs, cats and small animals while on leash. Thor will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than dogs and other stimuli. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration.