Date of intake:: 3/12/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: 2 Adults, 4 children (6, 9, 10, 15 y/o)

Behavior toward strangers:: Peque will hard bark and snap

Behavior toward children:: Peque will hard bark is reported to be aggressive

Behavior toward dogs:: Peque will play gentle with familiar dogs and rough with unfamiliar dogs

Behavior toward cats:: No experience

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: The last bite incident happened 1 month ago. Peque snapped and bit one of the children on the foot when Peque wanted to go inside the children's bedroom. The child stepped in to stop Peque from entering and he redirected towards the child's foot. The bite broke skin and the family sought medical attention.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Peque's previous owner describes him as a social and affectionate dog. He may know the cues sit, down, and come.

Date of assessment:: 3/16/2025

Summary:: Peque has been observed to snarl and growl towards handlers when they approach. When handlers are attempting to leash Peque has been noted to snap and bite the leash. Due to the high levels of fear and stress being observed, peque is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary:: 3/20/25: Peque greets another dog at the gate with a soft body.

Summary (7):: 3/24/25: Peque is standing at the front of kennel and barking as handler approaches. He is easily leashed and removed from kennel. He is taken to the yard for a brief walk. He trots in front of handler and relieves himself often, marking. He does not approach or is interested in handler, but accepts pets with a neutral body. He is returned to kennel without issue. 3/24/25: Peque is observed to be heavily panting and nonstop anxious barking during quiet time. 3/19/25: Peque is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral body as handler approaches. He dodges the leash a couple times, and handler has to use baby voice to leash him. He is removed from kennel and taken outside for a street walk. He relieves himself and continues marking throughout entirety of the walk. He has a soft body and bouncy trot as he walks ahead of handler. He mildly pulls. He does not react to people or dogs on the street. He accepts gentle pets on his head and small treats. Peque is returned to kennel without issue. 3/13/25: Paque is sitting in the middle of his crate when handlers approaches. Handler offers a treat and Paque sniffs it but is not receptive. Handler presents the leash and Paque begins to growl. Handles uses a squeaky sounds while they attempt to leash him. Paque begins to snarl and growl, he then snaps and bites the leash. Handler attempts to lasso Paque and he bites the leash again. Handler is able to get the leash around him while using squeakie sounds to distract him. Paque readily exits kennel and is taken to the street. He does not pull and does not react to people or dogs. While walking he marks frequently and sniffs around. He is easily returned to kennel.

Date of intake:: 3/12/2025

Summary:: Leash biting, snapping, tense body, did not allow all handling

Date of initial:: 3/13/2025

Summary:: Tense but allows all handling, flails when muzzling attempted but did not escalate

ENERGY LEVEL:: Peque is described as active and enthusiastic. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them 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. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for Peque.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior and a bite history we recommend an adult only home. 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: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Strength/leash pulling,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Handling Sensitivity: Peque's previous owner states that he will bark and growl when his feet/paws are touched when his collar is grabbed, and when groomed. It is important to avoid touching Peque's paws at this time and to be cautious when touching them in other areas as we do not know where they may have other sensitivities. Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Peque to be more comfortable with this. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity. Fearful Defensive: During his stay in the care center Peque has been observed to growl snarl towards handlers, escalating to snapping and biting the leash when handers are attempting to leash him. It is important to move slowly with Peque, 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. Bite History (Human): Please see bite history above for more details. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression. Leash Pulling: Peque's previous owner states that he will hard pull while on the leash. It is recommended that they be walked on a front clip harness or head halter, which will help diminish their strength through leverage, and that they be trained using positive reinforcement, reward based training to not pull on leash. Please see handout on Leash Manners.