Date of intake:: 11/21/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Bite history:: On 1/7/26 the foster parent (FP) was lying in the bed next to the cat. Sterling broke out of his crate that was in the living room. Sterling walked into the bed room and up to the bed. Sterling jumped up on the bed to grab the cat, when the cat went to runaway Sterling bite the cat on the leg. The foster parent believes Starling was just attempting to play.The FP attempted to separate the two animals and Sterling bite them on the right hand (The FP was able to get them separated in approx 5 seconds). This bite was a bite and release. The cat sustained a puncture wound to the thigh. The FP went to the ER and then took the cat to VEG.

Other Notes:: 04/05/26: Sterling's separation anxiety is more severe. Sterling has chewed through baseboards, flipped his crate (he was not crated at the time), eliminated in the FP's apartment and chewed the door frame. 02/16/26: Sterling is reported to have separation anxiety in his foster home. He will pace, pant and counter surf when left alone for short periods. **Previous assessments can be given upon request**

Date of assessment:: 7/23/2026

Summary:: 7/23/26: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Hard Reactivity to humans: did not pass Reactivity to dogs: did not pass Leash walking comments: pulls away Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): wanders room, body soft, keeps to self, accepts treats when passing by handlers Call over: approaches with coaxing Sociability comments: lip licks low body Soft handling: Tolerant, stand still Exuberant handling: Tolerant, stand still Comments: Arousal Jog: Follow, body neutral Arousal comments: Knock: no response Knock comments: Toy: grips, relinquish Toy comments: **4/11/26: Hanlding assessment available upon request** ***01/15/26: Behavioral assessment upon request.*** ***11/24/25: Behavioral assessment upon request.***

Summary:: Sterling arrived at the care centers as a stray, so his behavior with other dogs is unknown. 6/28/26: Sterling greets the same dog through at the gate off leash. Sterling is much softer bodied, whining and offering play bows as well as the female dog. Both dogs greet on leash and Sterling begins to freeze, hop beside the female dog who also stops and bows to solicit play. Sterling is visibly becoming overwhelmed, lip licking and whining and given several consent checks. Sterling does not shake off, but is praised for moving away and always chooses to reapproach. After the last consent check, Sterling and the female will freeze, and Sterling instead offers a bow and begin to start/stop, chase and bump into each other. Both dogs play for some time before getting tired, taking breaks and remaining together walking around the yard. Sterling is easily coaxed away after they naturally take a break and both dogs are rewarded and taken back to there kennel to cool off. 6/25/26: Sterling greets a dog through at the gate with a tense forward leaning body and high tail wags. The other dog play bows at the gate and runs around the play pen before reapproaching and giving another play bow. Sterling gives a couple light stomps while he whines and moves forward. When let in the yard and off-leash, the other dog does a lot of bouncing and start-stopping. Sterling follows the dog with a tense body, wide eyes, and a high wagging tail and does some occasional start-stopping attempting to engage in play. The other dog did some bumping and Sterling was tolerant but did not engage in play. He continued to stay close to the other dog but began pushing his ears back and doing some lip licking. The other dog is brought to the neighbor pen and Sterling disengages and approaches a handler with mid-high level wags and leans in for scratches. He looks at the other dog through the gate a couple times from a distance but disengages on his own. 5/17/26: Sterling will greet a fake dog off leash at the care centers. Sterling will notice the fake dog and run up to it with a neutral body, gradually growing stiffer as the fake dog moves around. Sterling hackles along his rear will raise along with his elbows that begin to lock with a fast wagging curved upward tail. Sterling will jump on top of the fake dog, pause and hump it. Sterling when the fake dog is moved away while humping stops, and is able to be pulled off easily. 1/21/26: Sterling greets another dog at the gate with a neutral body. He whines and pushes his nose into the gate. 11/26/25: Sterling greets another dog at the gate with a neutral body. He disengages and reapproaches with a tense body.

Summary (2):: 7/31/26: Sterling is overserved to not want to walk in certain parts of the street, having to be coaxed or brought different directions for him to continue walking. 07/30/26: ACS handler reported that Sterling paused briefly for treats before beginning his walk. Once outside, Sterling walked calmly and maintained a relaxed demeanor throughout the outing. While on the walk, he passed another dog, briefly looked toward the dog, and then continued walking without reacting. After turning the corner, the handler patted Sterling on the chest to encourage engagement, and Sterling stood up to solicit scratches before continuing the walk. Once this session was concluded, Sterling returned to the care center and entered his kennel willingly without any issues.

Summary (3):: 07-28-26: Sterling is at front of the kennel makes it easy for the handler to clip the harness. Small dogs and an outdoor route with treats and easily motivate him. He is clipped to dragleash once taken to playyard. He is being reminded by the handler of his tricks, which include Sit, Up, Relax, Stay, and now learning Drop. Handler attempted to teach him paw as well atm but he wasn't grasping the idea. Sterling mainly just relaxed and was focused on other handlers with their dogs since they were at a nearby playyard. He is easily redirected with treats, he is easily clipped and returned to the kennel after session 07-21-26: Sterling is at front of kennel and allows handler to clip harness with no issue. He is encouraged thru small dogs and pathway outside with treats and leaves with ease. He is brought to playyard clipped to drag lead and with toys and engages in fetch with handler. Handler is reminding him of his tricks such as Sit, Up, Relax, Stay and now learning drop. He gets the hang of drop and is rewarded with treats everytime. He is then clipped and brought back to kennel with ease. 7/7/26: Sterling greeted the handler with a loose and wiggly body and readily allowed his harness to be clipped. Due to his history of pancaking in the small dog area, treats were used to encourage him to continue moving outside. Once in the play yard, Sterling enthusiastically engaged with all three snuffle mats containing catnip, liver treats, and Churu bites, thoroughly searching each one until all enrichment items were consumed. Throughout the session, Sterling remained social, accepted petting, and actively sought affection from the handler. At the conclusion of the session, he was returned safely to his kennel without any issues. 7/3/26: Sterling is reported to pancake when going outside and will follow when the treat trail is used, will only walk with treat trail. 07-02-26: Sterling's body is loose and wiggly as he stands at the front of his kennel, making it easy for the handler to clip his collar. Him and Handler are sent to the playyard area for an enrichment activity (splish splash pad). People are outside setting up the pad and all and Sterling immediately pulls to engage with them by sitting in front of them or sniffing. He does not engage in the pad and inmediately dodges it. Sterling is brought into the playyard, given a drag leash and lets the handler stroke his stomach while rolling around on the turf. He consumes snacks from handler every now and then, He begs for goodies by sitting right in front of the handler with a gentle expression. Handler is splashing water from pool on him which he is hesitant about but When receiving petting, he also leans against the handler's legs. After the educational activities is over, Sterling is returned to his kennel without incident.

Summary (4):: 06/25/26: Sterling is standing at the front of his kennel with a loose and wiggly body and allows the handler to clip his collar with ease. He is brought to the play yard for an enrichment outing where a drag leash is placed on him. Sterling rolls around on the turf and allows the handler to rub his belly. He solicits treats by sitting directly in front of the handler with a soft expression and later eats treats from the pool by placing his head into the water. He also leans against the handler’s legs while receiving pets. When the session is complete, Sterling is brought back to his kennel safely without any issues. 6/25/26 (D2D): Sterling was at front of kennel with a neutral where he was easily leashed and pulled from kennel. While on his way to the play yard for a gate greet (Please see dog to dog notes for details) he stopped several times and laid down. Handler to use treats to get him moving each time. After the gate greet he was returned to kennel with no issue. 6/14: Sterling is seen standing on his kennel door and wailing for several minutes. 6/11/26: Sterling is siting at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is able to be clipped to his harness while he is distracted with treats, and he is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, he has a loose and wiggly body and would constantly stare at the handler to receive treats. He would approach familiar handlers that would pass by with a wiggly body and jump up to receive pets and treats. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues and treats are tossed inside for him afterwards. 6/4/26: Sterling is laying down at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is able to be clipped to his harness while he is distracted with treats, and he is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, he has a loose and wiggly body and would constantly stare at the handler to receive treats. He would jump up and chase after treats the handler would toss for him. He has no reactions to dogs or people. He baulks to the ground at the front of his kennel and is able to enter when treats are tossed inside. 05-26-26: As the handler gets closer, Sterling is standing in his kennel. As the handler opens the door, his body is relaxed and his tail is wagging. When the handler fastens the leash to his harness and takes him on a walk outside, he is at ease accepting rewards. He walks ahead of the handler with a relaxed body and a waving tail. In order to get goodies, he would pause and look at the handler. As they grabbed additional goodies to feed him, he would wag his tail and gaze at the handler's reward pouch. He would pivoted and gaze at canines in the vicinity behind him. He had no trouble going back to his kennel. He would return by sitting and allows handler to unclip harness lead with ease.

Summary (5):: 05-23-26 : Sterling is at front of kennel and allows handler to open and clip harness with use of treats. Walks calmly all the way out of the building and is aside handler throughout walk. Sterling is passed by two dogs (One medium size and one small). The small one is barking but Sterling does not engage and looks at handler which is rewarded with treats. Sterling is returned to building with no issue. 05-19-26: Sterling is wagging his tail and ready to leave the kennel as the handler gets closer. He lets the handler clip his harness and walks calmly and gently to the assessment room. Entered the assessment room and started snufflemat with rewards right away. He sniffed but didn't really interact with snufflemat with catnip. went straight back to the snuffle mat with goodies after spending more time on the cheese mat. He went to the placeboard and, upon being summoned, sat and listened. incredibly motivated. The handler easily clipped the strap back and went back to the kennel. 5/17/26 (playgroup): Sterling is at the front of the kennel as the handler approaches. His harness is clipped with ease and he will pull moderately to the play yard for a stuffed dog. He is then returned to kennel after the interaction. (see dog-dog for more info) 5/14/26: Sterling is standing in his kennel as handler approaches. He has a loose body and wagging tail as the handler unlocks the door. He is comfortable taking treats as the handler clips the leash to his harness and he is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, he has a loose body and wagging tail as he walks ahead of the handler. He would stop and stare at the handler to receive treats. He would stare at the handler's treat pouch with a wagging tail as they grab more treats to give him. He would turn around and stare at dogs that were nearby behind him. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. 04/21/26: As handler is approaching kennel, Sterling is laying down in kennel and rises to front of kennel where handler can easily leash him and go outside with ease. Sterling during walk is neutral and glances at handler for treats. Pets were easily given as well with loose body from him. Sterling is taken to playyard after walk where he is dragleashed and stayed with handler still wanting treats and pets. Did not really engage much in paw, etc except for sit.After all, He is then returned to kennel where he is unclipped and sat with ease.

Summary (6):: 4/6/26: Sterling is laying down in his kennel as handler approaches. He comes forward to the front and is able to be leashed with ease. He is then taken to the behavior room. In the room, he has a neutral body frame as he explores around. He is comfortable approaching the handlers to receive treats. He begins to have a loose body and accepts a few pets from the handlers. He engages in a snuffle mat and a cheese lick mat. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issue. 4/6/26: It is reported via the behavior board that Sterling had been flipping their karunda bed and that it was removed. 04/01/26: Trainer spoke with FP regarding Sterling’s SA, which appears to have worsened between fosters. Sterling will now eliminate, chew baseboards, attempt To break out of his crate, flip the crate and chew the door frame when left alone for a short time. Sterling will interact with long lasting enrichment and become destructive as soon as he is finished. Trainer sent FP the details for Be Right Back book and the ACC foster Facebook group to find potential sitters. 01/16/26: Trainer spoke with FP regarding Sterling's separation anxiety. FP has a camera set up and shared footage with the trainer and Sterling can be seen pacing, panting and whining and counter surfing. At one point Sterling can be seen fully jumping on the kitchen counter. Trainer is sending the PDF of the book Be Right Back. Trainer is also sending information for the Facebook group to potentially find dog sitters for Sterling when the FP wants to go out. Trainer also advised to potentially block off the kitchen counter and monitor Sterlingon the camera. 01/15/26: Sterling is at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is leashed while distracted with a treat and taken to the yard for his walk. He pulls hard exiting the room and toward some of the pop-up crates he passes on the way out, once outside Sterling walks with handler and sits for treats and rolls over on his back when being pet. He follows handler and scratches his back along the wall to itch himself. He passes dogs outside and shows minimal interest, after a bit he's brought back inside for his behavior assessment, once complete he is returned to kennel and pancakes briefly but follows tossed treats back inside. 1/14/26: Sterling is at the front of the kennel with a loose body and wagging tail. The handler speaks in a high pitch voice and Sterling's tail begins to wag faster. The handler offers treats and Sterling is readily receptive, taking the treats with a soft mouth. The handler tosses more treats and ends the interaction.

Summary (7):: 12/30/25: It is reported on the behavior board that Sterling is flipping over his kuranda bed. 12/19/25: Sterling is laying at the front of his kennel leaning against the kennel door. He stands with soft body and is easily leashed and removed from kennel. He is walked out to the street where he keeps turning to handler and sitting seeking treats. He does this repeatedly before focusing on the walk and relieving himself. HE allows petting but doesn't seek it. When seeing a small dog walking toward him from a distance he lowers his body almost laying on the ground. Handler has to pull him away and then uses treats to keep his focus. One back in the driveway, treats need to be tossed to get him to walk back to his kennel otherwise he would baulk. 12/12/25: Sterling is laying down quietly on his bedding in middle of kennel, he is soft bodied. As handler begins to unlock kennel door, Sterling approaches with loose body, he is easily leashed, pulls hard out of kennel initially, but allows easy clipping to harness. Sterling is walked out to sidewalk, is highly social with handler. Sterling pulls notably less on sidewalk. Sterling takes treats gently, understands sit commands. When being pet Sterling leans in a solicits more contact. Sterling is walked back to MACC, he baulks when re-entering PAC, pancakes to ground. Treats are effective to lure him forward and into kennel without issue. 11/29/25: It was reported that Sterling broke the bottom of the pop-up crate he was housed in and injured himself in the process. 11/28/25: Sterling walked well on leash only pulling a little when he needs to use the bathroom. Sterling would stare at passerby's alone, with dogs or with loud children and music but does not react and is easily redirected with treats and continues to walk easily. 11/24/25: Sterling is at the back of his kennel sleeping as handler approaches. Once handler calls his name in a soft voice, he would slowly approach the front with a soft body. Sterling is then easily leashed taken for a street walk for his assessment. He would have a mild pull ahead of the handler and would then spot a dog. He would then fixate on the dog and become tense-bodied, he is then easily redirected with squeaker sounds. Shortly after, he would continue his street walk with no issue. As he's being brought back into the shelter, on the way to the assessment room Sterling would begin to baulk and attempt to pull away from the handler. Mild leash pressure is then used to bring him into the office, once in he would allow himself to be collared. After the assessment, he would then baulk in front of the room and has to be muscled into his kennel.

Date of intake:: 11/21/2025

Date of initial:: 11/21/2025

Summary:: Allows all handling with a loose wiggly body

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Sterling 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:: Level 4

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),No cats,Recommend no dog parks

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior we recommend an adult only home. No Cats: Due to the bite incident, we recommend a home with no cats. Recommend no dog parks: Sterling in the care center needed several slow sessions to introduce him to a playmate, so we recommend he does not visit dog parks so he does not become overwhelmed.

Potential challenges: : House soiling,Destructive behavior,Fearful,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,Separation anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Bite history (human),Bite history (other animal)

Potential challenges comments:: House soiling/Destructive behavior/Separation anxiety: Sterling displays significant separation-related behaviors, between foster placements. When left alone, even for short periods, he will eliminate indoors, chew baseboards, attempt to break out of his crate, flip the crate, and chew door frames. He also engages in extensive counter surfing, pulling down appliances, tearing up paperwork, and accessing human food. While Sterling will initially interact appropriately with long-lasting enrichment, he becomes destructive as soon as the enrichment is finished. These behaviors indicate severe separation anxiety combined with poor impulse control when unsupervised and will require structured anxiety-reduction training, gradual departure desensitization, and careful management to prevent rehearsal of destructive behaviors. Please see the handout House soiling/Destructive behavior/Separation anxiety. Fearful: Sterling has been obsvered to baulk when returning to kennel, this behavior is not able to be redirected. Sterling would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to their new surroundings. Please see handout on Decompression Period. Multiple bite history/Bite History (Human and other animal (cat)): On 1/7/26 the foster parent (FP) was lying in the bed next to the cat. Sterling broke out of his crate that was in the living room. Sterling walked into the bed room and up to the bed. Sterling jumped up on the bed to grab the cat, when the cat went to runaway Sterling bite the cat on the leg. The foster parent believes Starling was just attempting to play.The FP attempted to separate the two animals and Sterling bite them on the right hand (The FP was able to get them separated in approx 5 seconds). This bite was a bite and release. The cat sustained a puncture wound to the thigh. The FP went to the ER and then took the cat to VEG. On Leash Reactivity: Sterling has been obsvered to stare at other dogs with a tense body. This behavior is obsvered to be redirected easily. Sterling 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.