Date of intake:: 8/5/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray; history unknown

Date of assessment:: 10/5/2026

Summary:: 10/5: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: mild pulling Reactivity to humans: did not pass Reactivity to dogs: did not pass Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): heavy panting, flushed face, but will seek treats Call over: approaches with treat lure; otherwise unable to focus Sociability comments: unable to settle, paces, frenetic movements Handling Soft handling: leans in, stands still, pants Exuberant handling: leans in, stands still, pants Handling comments: Arousal Jog: follows, pants, drools Arousal comments: Knock: closes mouth; tenses Knock Comments: does not react further Toy: no response Toy comments: 8/11/26: Due to Dahlia's fearfulness in the care center, a handling assessment can not be conducted at this time.

Summary:: Due to entering the facility as stray, there is no prior dog-dog history recorded. 08/12/26 Dahlia is introduced to a novel male while off leash. She approaches the gate with a forward, stiff frame, standing on tip toes as she sniffs the male. She is guided away and does not respond to the male demand barking.

Summary (6):: 10/02/26: Dahlia is at the front of her kennel as the handler approaches. She is leashed with ease and pulls moderately towards other kennels while exiting the room. Dahlia is brought to the office where she is clipped to a drag lead and allowed to roam. In the office, Dahlia sniffs around, startling and staring at the door any time there is a particularly loud noise or bark from outside. She spends most of her time engaging with a lick mat and a snuffle mat. She will occasionally check in with the handler, allowing the handler to pet her for brief periods of time before opting to walk away. She is later returned to her kennel with no issue.

Summary (7):: 09/23/26: Dahlia is observed to be jumping up persistently at the front left corner of her kennel while anxious barking, hypersalivating, and panting with dilated pupils as handler walks past. 9/11/26: Dahlia is at the front of the kennel hard barking with her paws up on the door as the handler approaches and unlocks the kennel door. She is leashed with treats and as she comes out of kennel will start to jump up at the handler so she is stiff armed briefly and they are able to exit the room. Once out of the room she is given some more leash but will start to jump up again at the handler, this time they are unsure whether it was at the leash or at the handler as they stiff arm and then toss treats. She is treat trailed out of the building and on the ramp so the handler will begin to teach her the 1,2,3 game, tossing the treat out ahead of Dahlia. She will begin to expect the treat out ahead of her at 3 so they move onto 2,3. The handler is then able to increase the duration that Dahlia walks ahead of them without turning back to jump at the leash/at them with the 1,2,3 pattern game. Dahlia is returned to kennel with no issue and is secured safely. 8/16/26: Dahlia is standing at the front of her kennel as handler approaches. She is able to be leashed with ease and is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, she has a loose body as she walks next to the handler and is comfortable approaching the handler to receive treats. She would stare at dogs nearby and is able to be redirected with treats and would sit to receive the treats. She has no reactions to people nearby and is able to return back to her kennel with no issues. 8/6: As a handler enters the room, they hear growling. They see Dahlia standing at the front of her kennel with her front legs spread while standing on her toes, body square and forward-facing, eyes wide but giving look aways, ears back, tail stiff and vibrating as she inhales to continue growling. The handler takes a knee and offers her a treat. Dahlia stops, sniffs, and then takes the treat with a soft mouth.

Date of intake:: 8/5/2026

Summary:: fearful

Date of initial:: 8/6/2026

Summary:: aking treats readily, vigilant to door activity, knows

ENERGY LEVEL:: Dahlia arrived at the care centers as a stray, so her energy levels are unknown.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 4

Recommendations:: No children (under 13)

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Dahlia's fearfulness in the care center, we recommend she goes to an adult-only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to Dahlia's fearfulness in the care center, we recommend she is placed with one of our New Hope Partners.

Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Basic manners/poor impulse control: Dahlia is noted to jump on staff, but it is unclear if it's in a friendly manner. Positive reinforcement should be used to teach Dahlia impulse control. Please see the handout on Basic manners/poor impulse control. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Dahlia gives clear warnings when she is uncomfortable and does seem to choose to avoid or retreat when given the opportunity, but if prevented from moving away there is a potential to escalate to higher-level warning behaviors and possible fear-based aggression. It is important to move slowly with Dahlia, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow Dahlia to initiate interactions with new people. She should never be forced to greet or to interact if she is not comfortable and soliciting attention. Dahlia would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to her new surroundings. See handouts on Decompression Period and Fearful and Defensive Aggression.