Date of intake:: 8/8/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

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

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, 5 children, 2 other dogs

Behavior toward strangers:: Patch is shy and friendly

Behavior toward children:: Patch is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Patch is playful with familiar dogs, will hard bark and growl towards unfamiliar dogs on and off les

Behavior toward cats:: No experience

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Patch is not bothered when held or restrained, disturbed while sleeping, startled, pushed or pulled off furniture, feet/paws touched and when collar is grabbed. Patch's previous owner describes him as a quiet and independent dog that likes chicken.

Date of assessment:: 8/11/2025

Summary:: Patch has been observed to be highly fearful during his stay in the care center. He has allowed very minimal handling since he arrived. Noted to thrash and bite the leash once exiting kennel. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety Patch is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary:: 8/12/25: Patch greets another dog at the gate with a loose body and wagging tail. Off leash, he approaches to greet the other dog, soft body but then paces the yard.

Summary (5):: 8/11/25: Patch is sitting at the front of the kennel when the handler approaches. Patch is not receptive to treats offered or squeaky sounds. The handler is able to lasso him after multiple attempts. The handler then opens to door wide and begins to coax Patch out of kennel. The handler crouches and tosses more treats. Patch stands at the front of the kennel and begins growling. The handler moves away and uses mild leash pressure. Patch exits kennel and slowly walks forward with a tense low body and trembling with a tucked tail. As Patch reaches the threshold of the kennel room he baulks then begins to thrash and flail. He begins to growl and bite the leash. The handler allows him to retreat further into the room. Patch sits in front of the first kennel tense and trembling while another handler cleans his kennel. Patch begins to seek exit and attempts to crawl under the kennels and in between the kennels and the wall. Once his kennel is cleaned, the handler is able to clip their leash and Patch immediately retreats into his kennel. 8/10/25: Patch is sitting at the front of the kennel growling loudly with a tense body when the handler approaches. He is receptive to chicken however he stops once the kennel door is open. He quickly retreats to the back of the kennel and continues growling. The handler uses spray cheese however he is also only receptive to it when the kennel door is closed. He continues growling. The handler attempts to lasso him out of kennel, he retreats to the back and dodges the leash. The handler is eventually able to lasso him and they open the kennel door wide. The handler tosses treats and attempts to coax Patch out of kennel. Patch is unreceptive and stands tense at the front of the kennel. The handler uses leash pressure to guide him out of kennel. Once out of kennel Patch baulks hard and begins to thrash. The handler makes it to the hallway when the thrashing intensifies. Patch thrashes and flips onto his back, he then begins to pull hard back to kennel. Patch is able to stand right outside his kennel while another handler cleans his kennel. He is tense and trembling with a tucked tail and whale eye. Intermittently Patch will begin to pull hard again to him kennel. Once his kennel is cleaned Patch readily enters.

Summary (6):: 8/9/25: (PM WALKS): Patch is lying down at the front of the kennel. Handler crouches down and offers him some treats. He sniffs them but turns his head away. Handler grabs some spray cheese and offers it to him. Patch growls slightly but eventually licks up the spray cheese. Handler unlocks the kennel and Patch retreats to the back. Handler closes the kennel door and sprays more cheese on the bars. Patch re-approaches and handler opens the doors and slowly leashes Patch, placing it slowly on his head successfully even as he makes attempts to dodge. The kennel door is opened wide and Patch refuses to exit. He sits down and shivers with dilated eyes. Handler offers more cheese and Patch sniffs it but does not eat it. Handler then closes the kennel door and grabs high value chicken. Patch eats it readily, handler grabs a kuranda bed and places it under the kennel entrance and makes a small trail of chicken for Patch. Patch leans out the kennel slowly taking a few steps out of the kennel. Patch looks towards the dog in the neighboring pen and his body softens. Patch eventually gets fully out of the kennel. Sniffing the neighboring kennel and staying nearby it walking slowly with a tense lowered body. When at the threshold of the doorway Patch stops and immediately turns around and returns to the kennel, the leash is then removed carefully with a hook and the interaction ended. 8/9/25: Patches is siting at the back of his kennel with a tense body as handler approaches. He begins growling as the handler unlocks the door. He then retreats to the other side of the back of his kennel as the handler slowly lassoes him. He was not interested in treats or toys to come forward. The handler then opens the door wide open and he begins trembling. He continues to sit at the back of kennel and refuses to move forward. The handler tries to apply leash pressure and he begins to thrash in kennel. The handler then waits before trying to slide him forward again. Once his front paws were out of kennel, he slowly walks out and then baulks the ground. He then tries to back away as the handler tries to walk and he begins thrashing and jumps back into kennel. The handler then takes out his linen and gives him fresh ones while he was siting in the back corner. The handler then retrieves their leash with a hook and ends the interaction.

Summary (7):: 8/8/25- ACS asked for K9 behavior for assistance. ACS reported they approached the kennel Patch would bark and growl at them. K9 behavior approached Patch's kennel, he was at the middle of the kennel with a tight body, shaking. Handler tossed in some treats and softly spoke to him, he moved crawled to the front sniffed at the treat then retreated. When handler attempted to leash Patch retreated to the back of his kennel and pacing while barking and grumbling at handler. They tossed in some more treats and softly spoke, Patch continued to dodge the leash. Handler was finally able to lasso the leash onto him, they fully opened his kennel door. He stayed at the middle of his kennel with tense body and shaking, handler moved their body to the side of his kennel to not be seen. Patch didn't move forward. Handler applied pressure to his leash and he reluctantly came out. Handler tried to take him to the play yard, Patch moved his body up against a wall and didn't move. Handler decided to go to their office, slowly coaxing with some pressure on leash. He came into the office and stayed by the door. Handler moved him over and put a gate up just in case anyone opens the door. Handler does computer work and Patch jumps up onto the couch. Handler turns and he slightly retreats and makes his body smaller and become tense. Handler left some treats and went back to the computer. Handler offers various treats and a 2 toys but Patch shows no interest. He stays on the couch and handler chirps to him but he just looks at them. Handler slowly approaches and offers another treat, they just sit by Patch and he growls. Handler doesn't interact with further. They grab the leash and Patch stays on the couch without moving. Handler leaves him and grabs a towel, when they return Patch is at the front door. Handler gently pats his face with the towel and he moves backwards, handler is able to pick up their leash. He slowly exits the room then plants. Handler puts the towel over his head and picks him up. They put him down outside him room and clips, he slowly follows back into his kennel without further issue.

Date of intake:: 8/8/2025

Summary:: Tense, baulked on leash, allowed pick up

Date of initial:: 8/9/2025

Summary:: Tense trembling and whale eyed. Remains frozen throughout exam and tasks

ENERGY LEVEL:: Patch is described as medium energy. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them engaged and exercised. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for them.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior we recommend an adult only home. No Dog Parks: Due to hard barking and growling towards unfamiliar dog 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,Leash-biting

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive/Leash Biting: Patch has been observed to be highly fearful during his stay in the care center. Observed to quickly escalate to thrashing, flailing, growling and leash biting upon exiting kennel. It is important to move slowly with Patch, 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: Patch's previous owner states that he will hard bark and growl towards unfamiliar dogs. Patch 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.