Date of intake:: 9/28/2025

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

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, 4 children (11,12,13y/o)

Behavior toward strangers:: He barks and lunges towards strangers. He is shy and tolerant around visitors.

Behavior toward children:: friendly, outgoing, and playful around children. He has previously lived with 11 year old, 12 year o

Behavior toward dogs:: barks, growls, and lunges towards unfamiliar dogs on and off leash. He is playful and friendly aroun

Behavior toward cats:: barks, growls, lunges towards, and snaps at cats.

Resource guarding:: He values food, toys, and treats. He guards these items by hovering with a tense body, growling when approached, and snapping if food is touched.

Bite history:: No known reported bite history.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Appa is noted to have a high energy level.

Other Notes:: He is reported to take treats roughly, have general and separation anxiety, be fearful of loud noises, and have destructive tendencies. While on walks he barks, growls, and lunges towards strangers, other dogs, moving objects (bikes, scooters, cars, etc), and cats. He barks/growls when held/restrained and when startled. He is not bothered when woken from sleep, when pushed off furniture, or when his collar is grabbed. He snaps when his paws are touched. He is a social, affectionate, active, playful, vocal, lazy, dog. He spends most of his time in the bedroom, and in the living room. He allowed his previous owners to bathe and brush him, but did not allow them to trim his nails. In his previous home he would go on two 20-minute walks a day. He is crate trained, but does not do well. He is nervous getting in/being in a car. He knows, "sit", "down", "back up", and "spin". He is a goofy, playful, sweet dog who loves kids. He loves playing fetch and tug-of-war. He loves treats, and is highly food motivated.

Date of assessment:: 10/1/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Loose Reactivity to humans: attempts to approach but keeps walking Reactivity to dogs: Ignores dogs barking at him in kennel Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): whine, pace and seek exit but when coaxed again will lean into contact and allow the handlers to collar him. Call over: Comes when coaxes- gently takes treats, panting Sociability comments: whining and vocalizing. Handling Soft handling: Tolerant- heavy panting, neutral body Exuberant handling: Tolerant- heavy panting, neutral body Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow- panting, neutral body Arousal comments: Knock: No repsonse Knock Comments: Toy: Tense walks away Toy comments:

Summary (7):: 10/1/25: Appa is standing at the front of the kennel with a loose body and panting as the handler approaches the kennel. He is leashed with ease, pulling lightly to the behavior office. He is clipped to a drag leash. Appa will explore around the room, sniffing the floor and the counters while periodically visiting the other handlers in the room. (see assessment for more details) After the assessment, Appa begins to pace around the room, whining and vocalizing. He is leashed and unclipped from the drag leash, Appa will pull moderately to his kennel. He will attempt to push the door open with his head as the handler closes it. He is redirected with treats and secured safely. 10/1/25: Appa is at the front of his kennel sitting with a neutral body and vocalizing when the handlers approach, and is easily leashed and removed from his kennel. Appa walks on a loose leash to the office, is panting and when coaxed does lean into petting from both staff members. Appa will whine, pace and seek exit but when coaxed again will lean into contact and allow the handlers to collar him. Appa continued to seek exit, and after a bit is brought back to kennel with no issue. 9/30/25: Appa is sitting at the front of his kennel as the handler approaches. He is offered treats but does not take them. Appa is leashed with ease and walks beside the handler to the sidewalk. The leash remains loose as Appa walks ahead of the handler. He sniffs but continues to not take treats. As they walk back to the building, Appa increases his pace slightly, putting very mild pressure into the leash. Appa walks into the building with a loose leash but pauses before returning to his kennel. He resists mildly and directional leash pressure is used to guide him into his kennel. He is secured safely. 09/29/25: Appa is standing at the front of kennel as handler approaches. He whale eyes momentarily but takes treats gentle from both handlers. He is leashed with ease and walks on a loose leash out to the street for a walk. He does not show any reaction to a dog in a yard as he is walked by and will spend time sniffing in a grass patch. Appa will sit to solicit treats and takes them gently from hand. Appa is walked back towards the Care Center, and second handler directs dog traffic away from his line of sight. Appa shows no reaction and walks back into the hallway where handler stands with him for a minute while second handler quickly changes his bedding. He stands close to handler and does not eat treats. He is returned to kennel safely.

Date of intake:: 9/28/2025

Summary:: Staff asked client to walk Appa to the side entrance, place two slip leashes, and pass Appa to staff

Date of initial:: 9/30/2025

Summary:: barking and vocal in kennel, wagging tail once out of cage, seeking affection, took treats eagerly a

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): We recommend Appa be placed in an adult-only home at this time. No cats: In the prior home, Appa is noted to barks, growls, lunges towards, and snaps at cats. We reccomend he is placed in a home without cats Place with a New Hope partner: Appa came into the care center due to his owner moving into a no-pet policy home. In the prior home Appa is noted to be social, affectionate, active, playful, vocal, lazy. He spends most of his time in the bedroom, and in the living room.He knows, "sit", "down", "back up", and "spin". He is a goofy, playful, sweet dog who loves the kids in the home. He loves playing fetch and tug-of-war. He loves treats, and is highly food motivated. Appa is noted in the prior home and in care to display reactive behavior while on leash and noted handling sensitivity. Appa has displayed signs of anxiety and stress in the care center environment. He often pants, paces, and vocalizes during interactions, and frequently seeks exit or attempts to push out of his kennel. Appa would benefit from a calm, low-pressure environment that allows him time to decompress and build trust at his own pace. Appa is available for rescue, through one of our New Hope partners.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Destructive behavior,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Separation anxiety,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Appa guards food, toys, and treats by hovering with a tense body, growling when approached, and snapping if the item is touched. Training should focus on building trust and teaching trading behaviors using positive reinforcement. Gradual desensitization to item handling and consistent practice with cues like “drop it” or “give” can help reduce guarding and prevent escalation. Please see the handout on Resource Guarding. Destructive Behavior: Appa has a history of destructive tendencies in the home, which may stem from boredom, anxiety, or lack of structure. Training should include increased enrichment, structured exercise, and teaching alternative behaviors to redirect energy appropriately.Please see the handout on Destructive Behavior. Mouthiness/Poor Bite Inhibition: Appa takes treats roughly, indicating poor bite inhibition. Training should include teaching cues like “gentle” or “easy,” using flat palm delivery and pausing when pressure is too hard. Consistent practice and positive reinforcement will help improve treat-taking manners.Please see the handout on Mouthiness/Poor Bite Inhibition. Handling/Touch Sensitivity: Appa barks and growls when held or restrained and snaps when his paws are touched, indicating discomfort with physical handling. Training should prioritize consent-based handling and desensitization to touch, using slow, predictable interactions paired with high-value rewards to build trust and reduce sensitivity.Please see the handout on Handling/Touch Sensitivity. Fearful/Potential for Defensive Aggression: During his medical exam, Appa showed mixed signals—seeking affection and taking treats, but growling during physical handling. These behaviors suggest fear-based defensiveness. Training should focus on building trust, using low-pressure handling, and desensitization to medical procedures. Sedation may be necessary for high-stress tasks until trust is built.Please see the handout on Fearful/Potential for Defensive Aggression. Separation Anxiety/Anxiety: Appa has a history of general and separation anxiety, and during assessments, he vocalizes, whines, paces, and seeks exits. Training should include gradual desensitization to alone time, enrichment during separation, and confidence-building exercises to help him feel more secure.Please see the handout on Separation Anxiety/General Anxiety. On-Leash Reactivity/Barrier Frustration: Appa reacts to strangers, other dogs, moving objects, and cats by barking, growling, and lunging. Training should include counter-conditioning to triggers, focus cues, and reinforcing calm behavior. Managing distance and exposure to triggers will support emotional regulation and reduce reactivity.Please see the handout on On-Leash Reactivity / Barrier Frustration.