Date of intake:: 10/13/2025

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

Date of assessment:: 10/15/2025

Summary:: 10/26/25: Tootsie is taken to the behavior office and is easily leashed and exiited to come out, but once in the room remains tucked tailed, low bodied, seeking exit and not willing to approach the assessor at all. Due to Tootsie fearfulness, a handling assessment will not be conducted at this time. 10/15/25: Tootsie is taken to the behavior office for a handling assessment. SH allows the handler to clip a drag leash to her collar, in the room she stays near the exit door. Tootsie displays a low body tucked tail and is avodent of handlers. Due to Tootsie fearfulness, a handling assessment will not be conducted at this time. 10/14/25: Tootsie is standing at the front of her kennel with a tense frame, barking and growling at the handler as treats are offered. She accepts treats through the bars but retreats as the handler attempts to leash her. Once escorted to the assessment room, Tootsie displays fearful behaviors, including a tucked tail and pinned back ears. Due to signs of FAS, the assessment is discontinued. Tootsie is returned to her kennel safely and will be revisited for additional decompression time.

Summary:: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 11/05/25 Tootsie is introduced to a male helper dog while off leash at the care center. Tootsie will approach the gate displaying a still frame appearing aloof. Tootsie is moved to the back of her pen, allowing the male dog into her pen. Tootsie will allow the male dog to approach her and sniff her, remaining still. Tootsie appears conflicted, unsure what to do next as she remains still while the male dog solicits play by pawing at her. They will start chase playing as Tootsie begins to engage, exchanging minimal body contact. As the male dog exchanges body contact with her and his arousal leads him to be mouthy, Tootsie becomes tense and will correct him baring teeth. Both dogs are separated in order for Tootsie to decompress. Tootsie is returned to kennel, concluding the interaction. 10/16/25 Couldn't conduct due to medical concerns. Will revisit at a later date. 10/15/25 Tootsie is introduced to an unfamiliar male dog while off leash at the care center. Tootsie appears uncomfortable due to some possible swelling on her feet. The male dog is guided over on leash to greet her. Tootsie initially will allow sniffing but become avoidant as she creates distance from the male dog. Tootsie seeks attention from one of the handlers present. The male dog is moved over into the opposite pen, allowing Tootsie to decompress before being returned to kennel.

Summary (7):: 10/29/25: Tootsie is noted to hard bark at handler during cleaning and lunge at the front of her crate toward novel dogs. 10/23/25: Tootsie is noted to pull her crate cover in and hard bark at neighboring dog across from her. 10/21/25: Tootsie is noted to hard bark and growl in her kennel when people and novel dogs past by. 10/16/25: Tootsie is laying down in her crate as handler approaches. She is able to be slowly leashed and is slowly taken to the play yard for play group. Due to her feet being very sensitive, she was hesitant of stepping onto the grass in the pen. She is able to greet the other dog at the gate but had no interest and disengages. Please see dog to dog notes for more details. She is then slowly taken back to her crate with no issues. 10/15/25: Tootsie is at back of her crate as the handler approaches. She will approach for treats and allow the handler to place the leash over her head. She comes out of the kennel slowly taking cautious steps. In the behavior office, she is clipped to a drag leash and will pace around. The assessment is not completed at this time due to Tootsie's FAS. She will take treats from the handler while they take a picture of her. Tootsie is then lured into the slip leash and returned to her crate where she is secured safely. 10/15/25: Tootsie is at the back of her crate laying down when approached, and approaches the handler slowly. Tootsie is easily leashed with treats and brought out to the yard. Tootsie in the yard appears to be not putting full pressure on her back feet and look red/swollen. Tootsie completes the greet and is taken back to kennel with no issue.

Date of intake:: 10/13/2025

Summary:: when they approached the dog appeared fearful but allowed handling.

Date of initial:: 10/14/2025

Summary:: initially tail-tucked and reluctant to approach; highly food-motivated and warmed up quickly. Tolera

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): We recommend Tootsie be placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Tootsie came into the care center as a stray, and due to this, her behavioral history in a home environment is unknown. Tootsie is a fearful dog who has struggled to adjust to the care center environment. She presents with a tucked tail, low body posture, and avoidance of handlers, indicating significant fear and stress. While she will accept treats, she retreats when approached or when leashing is attempted. During sessions in the behavior office, Tootsie remained near the exit and did not engage with handlers. Tootsie would benefit from placement with a New Hope partner experienced in working with fearful dogs. A calm, predictable environment that allows for gradual desensitization, confidence building, and positive reinforcement will help her adjust and feel safe.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Kennel presence

Potential challenges comments:: Kennel presence/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Tootsie displays fear-based reactivity in the kennel, presenting with a tense body, barking, and growling when approached, though she will accept treats through the bars. Her fear continues during handling, as she retreats from the leash and shows signs of stress such as a tucked tail and pinned ears. Training will focus on building trust through consistent, low-pressure interactions, using high-value treats to create positive associations with approach and handling. Desensitization to leashing and gradual exposure to new environments will help reduce her fear and defensive behaviors over time. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Barrier frustration: Tootsie displays barrier frustration in the kennel, hard barking and lunging at handlers and unfamiliar dogs as they pass by. These behaviors suggest heightened arousal and difficulty regulating excitement or frustration in confined spaces. Training should focus on reducing kennel stress through enrichment, structured routines, and reinforcing calm behavior. Controlled exposure to passing stimuli and positive reinforcement for quiet, relaxed responses will help decrease reactivity over time. Please see the handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration.