Date of intake:: 11/9/2024

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray ( Unknown History)

Date of assessment:: 11/12/2024

Summary:: Thunder is taken to the behavior office for a handling assessment, in the room he displays high levels of fearfulness, he seeks exit and begins to hide under the office desk shaking. Due to this behavior believes he is not a good candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (4):: 11/26/24 Thunder is at the front of his kennel as the handler's approach. His body is stiff, his ears are back, and his face is tight, but he is able to be leashed with no issues. He is displaying fearful signs when coming out of his kennel and walking down the hall with a lowered stiff body, tail tucked, and wide pupils. He is nervous of the second handler walking slightly behind him and freezes in the hallway while watching the second handler. The handler moves in front of his line of sight, and he begins slowly walking again by being coaxed with words and slight leash pressure until he moves. While walking by kennel room D with its open doors, Thunder attempts to pull into that room as he crawls and pulls. He is again coaxed to continue walking and urinates as soon as he gets outside. Thunder then immediately tries to run back inside and had to once again be coaxed to continue going to the play yards. After walking a little further, Thunder defecates while cowering and darting his eyes between both handlers and he tries to pull back toward the entrance to get inside after finishing. He is frantically swiveling his head the rest of the way into the play yard and is kept on the slip lead in the yard due to his fear and anxiety displayed. Thunder runs in circles around the handler that is holding his leash until he is walked out of the yard. He pulls on the way back to his kennel and is returned with no issues 11/24/24: ACS staff sought assistance from the behavior team due to Thunder getting loose in the play yard and not being able to release him due to his behavior. Several handlers went out to assist and found Thunder pacing in one of the pens, closest to the sidewalk. He is tense, tail tucked with wide eyes when he sees the handlers approach. Handler 1 slowly approaches the gate while Handler 2 goes around from the side both with treats to provide more coverage in case Thunder seems to favor one side of the pen over the other. It takes the handlers over 20 minutes to get a leash on Thunder due to him running away or avoiding the handlers. Over time, Handler 1 can enter the pen but Thunder only approaches with higher-value treats - cheese or sausage- before he finally begins taking jerky when the higher value finishes. Given's Thunder prior history of escalation to higher-level warnings, the handlers move as slowly as feasibly possible to avoid further stress. After some time and a few attempts later, a leash is finally clipped to Thunder's collar and he is walked back into the building. He balks and refuses to enter his enter his kennel. The handlers walk him to the behavior office and transfer him to one of their leads and he is returned to his kennel without further issue.

Summary (5):: 11/15/24: Thunder comes to the front of kennel as handler approaches and is leashed with ease. Thunder maintains a highly tense frame with tucked tail and pinned back ears on the walk to the Canine Behavior Office. Once in the room, Thunder will continuously pull forward, exit seeking. Handler sits on the couch and he will sit with them momentarily before circling the room again. Thunder does not settle throughout his time in the room and does not show interest in treats. Thunder is returned to kennel safely. 11/14/24 (PM): Thunder was leashed and exited kennel willingly. He walked to the yard with a crouched posture and slicked back ears. Thunder would approach handler from behind when they crouched down and would stand beside them. Handler clipped him to a drag leash and then gave him space. Thunder took treats intermittently and displayed exit seeking behavior along the fence line. Thunder wanted to exit yard but was reluctant to approach leash. Handler opted to return him to kennel on a drag leash. Thunder rushed into kennel before handler could unclip leash and he pancaked as they used directional leash pressure to keep him close enough to unclip it, which he tolerated without reacting. (AM): Thunder greets the handler lying in the back of his kennel. When the handler opens the kennel door Thunder proceeds to sit up and retreat further back into the kennel. The handler easily lassos Thunder and he willingly follows the handler out of the kennel. The handler escorts Thunder to the Live room. When on leash Thunder will attempt to pull to the point of scrambling and almost bear crawling. The handler will slow down the walks in order to not reward Thunder for flighty behavior. Thunder slows down and follows beside or behind the handler. When in the live room Thunder will circle around the handler continuously pacing with a low head and high shoulders. The handler sits down and Thunder proceeds to walk behind the handler and lay down for a brief second before getting up and circling around the room again, investigating. The handler tosses treats which Thunder investigates but doesn't consume. The handler escorts Thunder back to their kennel. When entering the room, Thunder becomes panicked at the barking dogs and rushes into his kennel. The handler uses a hook to remove the slip lead during which Thunder attempts to avoid the hook but ultimately lays down and allows the handler to remove it. Thunder is safely secured.

Summary (6):: 11/13/24: Thunder was lying in back of kennel when handler approached. Thunder approached front of kennel and was leashed with ease as he exited kennel. Thunder walked to the BA room and quickly made his way under the desk and lay down. Handler gave leash to handler 2 and left the room to clean his kennel. When handler returned he was still on a slip leash and siting at a distance from handler 2. He pulled moderately with slicked back ears on the way back to kennel room where he began scampering toward the building exit. Handler did not attempt to clip leash to a figure 8 and guided him into kennel. The leash began falling off over his head on its own and Thunder stood neutrally as it was slowly removed the rest of the way. 11/12/24: Thunder is curled up in the back of kennel as handler approaches. Handler tosses treats which he will slowly get up to eat. He is lured to the middle of kennel but will not come further. As handler attempts to leash him, Thunder retreats to the back of kennel and will tuck his head into the corner. Once leashed, Thunder readily exits kennel and pulls hard on the walk up to the play yard. In the yard, Thunder continuously exit seeks and will circle the yard for several minutes. Handler sits on the curb in the yard and Thunder cautiously approaches, taking treats gently from hand. He begins pacing and exit seeking again, never settling. After his time in the yard, Thunder pulls hard back to kennel, returning safely 11/11/24 (PM): Thunder is curled up in the back of kennel as handler approaches. Handler tosses treats to him which he shows no interest in. He begins trembling excessively as handler attempts to leash him. Thunder will tuck his head into the corner whenever the lead comes into contact with him. Handler speaks to him in a soft voice to lure him forward but he does not respond. After multiple attempts at leashing, Thunder begins to low growl. Since Thunder's kennel was clean, handler decides to leave Thunder for the night rather than stress him out further. Handler covers the front of Thunder's kennel with a sheet and tosses a handful of treats before exiting the room. (AM): Thunder is curled up, with a trembling body, at the back of kennel as handler approaches. He is leashed and exits the kennel readily. Thunder walks with a tense, trembling body to the Canine Behavior Office. He paces the room, exit seeking, and will hide under one of the desks. Handler sits in a chair near him and tosses treats which he readily eats. Thunder stays planted under the desk for the entirety of his time in the room. Once time to go back to kennel, handler will kneel down to coax Thunder out from under the desk. He does not respond so handler uses a soft voice and light directional leash pressure to coax him out. Handler slowly clips the lead into a figure 8 and he is returned to kennel safely.

Summary (7):: 11/10/24: Thunder is curled up at the back of kennel as handler approaches. He is heavily trembling as handler unlocks the kennel door but will eat cheese that is tossed close to him. Thunder stays planted lying in the corner so handler slowly reaches in, dropping the lead over his head. Handler opens the kennel door wide and steps back to give plenty of space to exit. Thunder does not move. Handler 2 (MN) tosses cheese to Thunder and he will eat the pieces that come close to him but is not able to be lured out. Due to Thunder's kennel being extremely soiled, handlers decide to use moderate leash pressure to guide him out so it can be cleaned. Thunder walks with a tense body, tucked tail, slicked back ears, to the Canine Behavior Office. Thunder pulls to the end of the lead and paces the room seeking exit or a place to hide. He climbs up onto the couch, lying behind Handler 1 and will gently take cheese from both handlers. He continues trembling but will slightly settle throughout his time in the room. As handler attempts to take him back to kennel, Thunder will plant himself on the couch, not coming forward for treats. Mild leash pressure is used to guide him off of the couch and he returns to kennel safely. 11/09/24: Behavior staff is called to help remove a dog that a client left in the waiting room. When behavior staff approach, Thunder is standing at the door and will bark and lunge whenever the door is cracked open. Handler 1 (GO) cracks open the door slowly and Handler 2 (DW) tosses pieces of cheese through the crack which Thunder readily eats. Handler 1 presents the lead and Handler 2 offers cheese through the lead to lure Thunder through. He will stiffen before taking the cheese and being leashed. Handler 3 (JM) double leashes as a precaution and Thunder exits the room. On the walk to the kennel room, Thunder displays a highly tense frame, tucked tail, slicked back ears, and will turn to look back at Handler 1 multiple times. Thunder enters kennel and a hook is used to remove the leads.

Date of intake:: 11/9/2024

Summary:: Thunder was growling and hard barking at staff membe

Date of initial:: 11/10/2024

Summary:: Crouched posture, whale eye, tucked tail. Takes treats readily.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13)- Due to thunder high level of fearfulness we recommend he is placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner- Thunder came into the care center as a stray so his history is unknown. Thunder has displayed significant fear and anxiety in the care center environment. He is often observed curled up at the back of his kennel, trembling excessively when approached by handlers. Thunder is reluctant to be leashed, often retreating to the back of the kennel, tucking his head into corners, and occasionally growling when feeling overwhelmed. Despite his fearfulness, Thunder can sometimes be lured out of his kennel with treats, although he remains tense throughout interactions. Outside his kennel, Thunder exhibits high levels of stress, including exit-seeking, pacing, and pulling on the leash. He has also demonstrated a strong startle response and displays a highly tense, fearful frame, often trembling and avoiding contact. While Thunder will take treats gently from handlers and shows moments of engagement, he still remains highly fearful. Due to this Thunder is available for rescue through one of our new hope partners.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression- Thunder displays a high level of fearfulness in the care center, growling, trembling, and seeking exit. Thunder displays fearfulness It's essential to approach him with caution and a slow, gentle manner to avoid triggering her fear response. Quick movements or loud noises may exacerbate Thunder's anxiety, so a patient and understanding approach is recommended. Building trust and providing reassurance during interactions can help Thunder feel more secure and comfortable in his environment. With time and consistent positive experiences, Thunder may become more confident and less reactive to sudden stimuli. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression.