Date of intake:: 4/30/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray (no known information)

Summary:: Poseidon is brought out to the yard for his assessment. He immediately begins to bite at the leash and tug while growling. Due to his high arousal, a handling assessment was not able to be conducted.

Summary:: 5/5: Poseidon has forward-facing body posture as he pulls to greet F LMB dog. His hackles raise, his tail wagging widely. He begins to alert bark repeatedly and is difficult to walk away.

Summary (7):: 5/5: Poseidon was at the kennel front with a soft body, jumping up against the door. He was easily leashed and pulls through the halls. Is brought on a walk, pulling hard throughout the entire walk. He ignores people in passing, allows to be clipped and returns without issue. 5/4: While on a walk with staff, a volunteer passes by and Poseidon keeps his focus on her. He ignores the treats tossed in an attempt to interrupt him, whining and pulling until she is out of sight. 5/3: Poseidon is easily leashed and pulled through the halls. He is brought into the yard, and a drag leash is attached. He approaches the handler exuberantly and accepts pets. He then starts to bite his drag leash. Handler takes out her slip lead, and he jumps up, biting at it and growling. The leash is dropped on the floor, and he runs about with it in his mouth. Once he drops it and walks away, the handler picks it up and hides it behind her back. She is able to secure him, and he jumps up for the leash. A second staff member comes and uses his drag leash to bring him back into the building. He allows to be clipped/unclipped in meet and greet and returns without further issue. Later in the PM, Poseidon is distracted by another staff member and is easily leashed. He is brought out on a walk, and he pulls moderately hard intermittently and stops to smell the grass. He comes up to smell the handler's leg and the other staff's leg and then continues on. Poseidon is easily returned to his kennel. 5/2 Poseidon is at the front of his kennel when the staff approaches. He is trying to get out of his kennel as staff tries to leash him. He is eventually leashed and pulls hard out of the building. He is taken to the yard where he is exuberant, jumping up at staff and running around the yard. He checks in with staff a few times but walks away whenever they attempt to pet him. When it's time to leave, Poseidon begins rope-biting the slip lead, tugging at it and growling. Staff drops the lead, tosses treats and toys to distract him, grabbing the lead once he is, and trying to leash him again. He continues to rope bite, jumping up at the rope as staff tries to keep it out of his reach. Eventually, the staff member calls another staff member for help. One staff member distracts him with treats outside of the yard while the other staff member ropes him. They are successful and are able to lead him back into the building. He pulls very hard but returns to his kennel without issue.

Date of intake:: 4/30/2026

Summary:: Friendly, leash-biting

Date of initial:: 4/30/2026

Summary:: Friendly, high energy, leash biting, more interested in squeaker toys than treats, allowed handling

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to arousal, we recommend a home with no children. Place with a New Hope partner: We recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Anxiety,Leash-biting,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Basic Manner/Impulse Control: Poseidon lacks basic manners and impulse control. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Leave it", "Sit/Stay", "Down" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach him to control his impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward-based training only is recommended. Please see the handout on Basic Manners and Impulse Control. Anxiety: Poseidon appears anxious at the care center. If Poseidon displays anxious behavior in his future home, we recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and giving him other things to focus on to alleviate his anxiety. Positive reinforcement, force-free training only should be used. Please see the handout on Generalized Anxiety. Leash Biting: Poseidon is quick to grab the leash in his mouth, engaging in tug. We recommend walking him with treats or a toy to dissuade him from grabbing the leash. Positive reinforcement, force-free training is advised to teach him to focus on you rather than grabbing the leash. Please see the handout on Leash Manners. Low Threshold for Arousal: Poseidon has a low threshold for arousal, jumping up biting the leash while growling. Over arousal can tip into aggression. We recommend creating a calm, structured environment with consistent routines and clear boundaries. Avoid rough play or situations that trigger overexcitement and instead reinforce calm behaviors with rewards. Teaching cues like “settle” or “go to mat” can help redirect energy constructively. Regular mental enrichment, controlled exercise, and decompression time are key. Please see the handout on Arousal.