Date of intake:: 2/21/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 2/23/2026

Summary:: Tamarindo has been observed to have a very low threshold for arousal. Noted to quickly escalate to lunging at the handler's abdomen and hands. He is also observed to leash bite while in the yard. Due to the high level of fear, stress, and anxiety, Tamarindo is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 2/22/26: (PM WALK) Tamarindo is sitting at the front of the kennel with a neutral body. Handler approaches the kennel and he stands up and vocalizes in a very high pitched almost screaming like tone. Handler opens the kennel and Tamarindo tries to push his way out of the kennel. Handler closes the door quickly. Handler opens the door and attempts to leash him and he retreats and flips the leash off his head. Handler uses a treat lure to leash Tamarindo and it is successful. Tamarindo walks out of the kennel and out of the room besides the handler. During so he begins to vocalize loudly in the same high pitched tone. Tamarindo is brought to the backyard, vocalizing loudly still, and he immediately relieves himself. He then vocalizes again and jumps towards the handler with a tense body, vocalizing. Handler straight arms him and he repeatedly jumps up towards the leash. Tamarindo begins to repeatedly jump towards the handler and the leash vocalizing silently. Handler continues to straight arm and walks back inside. Tamarindo grabs a hold of the leash and twists and shakes his head as handler runs him back to kennel. He is muscled into the kennel and the leashes are removed with a hook. Tamarindo pulls the leash repeatedly into the kennel and when the hook is used he bites the hook. When the leash is removed, Tamarindo begins to vocalize loudly and pushes his snout into the kennel. The interaction is then ended. 2/22/26: Tamarindo is at the front of his kennel with a neutral body, while panting. As handler goes to leash him, he would attempt to push out between the handlers leg. Handler shuts the kennel door and distracts him using sounds, which he is easily leashed and removed from kennel. Once he exits his kennel, he would begin to scream in a very high pitch towards the other kennels and attempting to push towards them. He is then muscled and kept on a short leash out towards the yard. Once he exits and goes up the stairs, he would begin to relieve himself and quickly after jump for the handlers rope. He would tug on it and handler begins to straight arm him, which he would quickly release and begin to lunge towards the handlers hand and abdomen. Another handler is alongside primary one and takes another leash to assist with double roping. He would then lunge towards the second rope, but it is secured over his head. Handlers begin to walk back into the building as he is lunging towards primary handler in the front, he would bite his tongue and begin to thrash on the leash. Once in front of his kennel, handlers throw his water bowl in and he is then muscled in with the leashes thrown into the kennel behind him. Handler is able to use a hook and safely remove the leashes, interaction was then ended and Tamarindo appears to be bleeding from his mouth.

Date of intake:: 2/21/2026

Summary:: Tense body and growling

Date of initial:: 2/22/2026

Summary:: Persistently leash biting and jumping up on staff

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Tamarindo 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 intense rope reactivity we recommend a home with no children. 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,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Tamarindo was observed to have a tense body and growling during intake. It is important to move slowly with Tamarindo, 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: Tamarindo is observed to vocalize loudly and push towards the other dogs in the kennel room. Tamarindo 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/Leash Biting: Tamarindo is observed to quickly become overaroused and escalate to biting the leash intensely. This behavior is not able to be redirected. When the handler straight arms him, Tasmarindo begins lunging at their hand and abdomen. Tamarindo should be rewarded with treats when calm. If they escalate to jumping or leash biting, people should immediately walk away from and separate themselves from Tamarindo. Please see handout on Arousal.