Date of intake:: 12/2/2024

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

Date of assessment:: 1/2/2025

Summary:: ***01/02/2025: Pepper Jack is taken to the behavior office for a handling assessment. Pepper Jack hard pulls his way into the room and quickly approaches the assessor he quickly sniffs the assessor's legs and displays a tense body, the helper walks him away and he begins to growl and lunge toward the assessor. Pepper Jack continues to hard bark at the assessor and is removed from the room and placed in his kennel where he puts on the breaks not wanting to go inside.*** 12/6/2024: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Loose Reactivity to humans: Inconclusive-didn't walk pass people Reactivity to dogs: Inconclusive-didn't walk pass dog Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Explores room- sniffs, neutral body, aloo Call over: Comes when coaxes- gently takes treats the neutral body Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: Allowed handling- stiff, lip licks Exuberant handling: Allowed handling- stiff, lip licks Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow- neutral body Arousal comments: Knock: Approaches- stiff Knock Comments: Toy: Sniffs neutral body Toy comments: 12/5/2024: Pepper Jack displays heavy panting and begins to growl when at handlers in the room. He is taken back into his kennel and is given extra time to decompress.

Summary:: Due to Peper Jack entering the facility as a stray there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 12/12/24 Pepper Jack is introduced to a novel female dog while off leash at the care center. Pepper jack greets the novel female dog but is nervous as he displays paw raises. Pepper jack will proceed to displace sniff away from the novel female dog as they remain at the gate. Pepper Jack will return to the gate with a still frame, displaying look aways. Due to Pepper Jack's nervousness, a face-to-face wasn't conducted. Pepper Jack is returned kennel.

Summary (5):: 01/09/24: Pepper Jack greets the handler with a loose frame laying on hos cot. As the handler opens his kennel door Pepper Jack approaches. Pepper Jack is easily leashed and escorted out for walks. As Pepper exits his kennel he immediately begins barking consistently throughout the halls until he exits the care center. When on leash Pepper Jack will loosely walk a head of the handler with a relaxed frame. Pepper Jack will spend his time exploring his surroundings and scenting what ever may arouse his interest. Pepper Jack is escorted back to the care center where he is unleashed and secured safely. 1/2/25: Pepper Jack was lying down on his blanket as handler approached his kennel. He then approached the door and started whining. He was able to be leashed with ease and was barking and pulling on the way to the behavior room for a re- assessment. He was kept on lead and would approach the handler/assessor with a tense body each time he tried to interreact. He then proceeded to bark with a tense body and stiff tail at the assessor and the handler took him back to his kennel. He was unable to be reassessed. He pulled on the way back to his kennel and was whining as the handler was locking the door to his kennel. 12/27/24: Pepper Jack was on his bed as handler approached his kennel. He then approached the door and started whining. He was able to be leashed with ease and was barking and pulling on the way to the live room for enrichment fun. He engaged in the snuffle mat and liked finding random treats on the ground. He liked to sit under the handlers legs as the handler was siting in a chair. He pulled on the way back to his kennel and was whining as the handler was locking the door to his kennel.

Summary (6):: 12/20/24: Pepper Jack is lying at the back of kennel with a soft frame as handler approaches. He is leashed with ease and pulls mildly to the Canine Behavior Office. Pepper Jack is clipped to a drag lead and free to explore the space. Pepper Jack is social with multiple handlers throughout his time in the room and accepts petting with a soft frame. He readily engages with a snuffle mat but shows no interest in licky mat or toys. He will sit in front of handlers to solicit treats without prompting. After his session, Pepper Jack is leashed and returns to kennel safely. 12/12/24: Pepper Jack was sitting at front of kennel when handler approached. He was leashed with ease and walked to the yard for a gate greet (see dog-dog summary.) Pepper Jack was social with handlers and spent time sniffing around the yard. He was returned to kennel room with ease and was patient as handler switched out bedding. Handler noted he had not eaten his breakfast or engaged with peanut butter Nylabone. 12/06/24: As handler is in the room, they hear Pepper Jack growl at another member of staff when they walk by. Later in the morning, Pepper Jack is standing at the front of kennel with neutral frame as handler approaches. He readily takes treats and will push his head into the crack in the door as it is opened. Pepper Jack is leashed with ease and walks with a soft frame to the Canine Behavior Office. Pepper Jack accepts petting with a soft frame and allows handler to collar him with no issue. He is clipped to a drag lead and free to explore the space. Pepper Jack spends time exploring the room and will take treats gently from hand. After his session, he is leashed with ease and returns to kennel safely

Summary (7):: 12/05/24: Pepper Jack at the front of his kennel, shaking and growling at the handler when approached with a high tail wag. Pepper Jack is coaxed with treats, and into the leash where he attempts to push his head out quickly. The handler drops the leash as he pushes his head out and enters the behavior office pacing with a neutral body and mid level tail wag. Pepper Jack will explore different areas of the back area of the room, and begin to tuck his tail and remain aloof. Pepper Jack is brought back to his kennel due to his uncomfortable body language. 12/05/24 (PM) Pepper Jack is standing in front of his kennel door with a neutral frame. Pepper Jack will attempt to force his way out and the handler uses this to their advantage, having Pepper Jack Walks into the loop of the lead on his own. They proceed outside for a walk. Upon arriving outside, Pepper Jack urinates a lot. They will commence their walk. Pepper Jack maintains a neutral frame while trotting beside the handler moderately. Pepper Jack remains aloof, not really engaging with the handler all while remaining relaxed. Pepper Jack will explore by sniffing different places during the walk. Pepper Jack is returned to the facility where he enters the building with no issue. Pepper Jack will enter his kennel willingly, heavily panting as the handler locks the kennel door. 12/05/24: (AM) Pepper jack greets the handler standing in front of his kennel with a loose frame and wagging tail. Pepper jack is easily leashed and escorted to the "Live room" when in the room Pepper Jack will investigate the room scenting around before beginning to whine. The handler notices that pepper jack has a broken toe nail. The handler returns pepper back to his kennel. 12/04/24: (AM) Pepper Jack greets the handler standing in front of his kennel door with a neutral frame and a slow swagging tail. The handler tosses treats which Pepper jack doesn't take interest in. He remains present as Pepper is easily leashed and escorted out of the care center to the play yards. When on leash Pepper will walk beside the handler with a loose frame and loose leash. In the yard the handler the handler offers treats which Pepper continues to ignore as he spends his time exploring the yard

Date of intake:: 12/2/2024

Summary:: Fearful

Date of initial:: 12/3/2024

Summary:: . Readily takes treats.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13)- Due to Pepper Jack potential challenges we recommend he is placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner- Pepper Jack arrived at the care center as a stray, so his history is unknown. He shows a mix of social and anxious behaviors, often engaging with enrichment activities, exploring spaces, and displaying soft body language during interactions with familiar handlers. However, Pepper Jack has also shown a low threshold for arousal, as evidenced by his growling when staff walk past his kennel. When interacting with new handlers, he will exhibits a tense body, growling, lunging, and hard barking. Due to these behaviors, Pepper Jack is available for rescue through one of our New Hope partners.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety,Kennel presence,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Low threshold for arousal/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression- Pepper Jack is reported to growl when staff members walk pass him. Pepper Jack is taken to the behavior office for a handling assessment. Pepper Jack hard pulls his way into the room and quickly approaches the assessor he quickly sniffs the assessor's legs and displays a tense body, the helper walks him away and he begins to growl and lunge toward the assessor. Pepper Jack continues to hard bark at the assessor and is removed from the room and placed in his kennel where he puts on the breaks not wanting to go inside..Reward him with treats or praise when he remains calm as people walk by, gradually exposing him to the trigger at a safe distance while pairing it with something he loves. Ensuring a safe environment with tools like leashes or muzzles can help manage the situation during training. Establishing a consistent routine with regular exercise and mental stimulation can also reduce his anxiety. Consulting a professional dog trainer or behaviorist for tailored strategies can be very beneficial. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression and Low threshold for arousal. Anxiety-Pepper Jack exhibits signs of anxiety in the care center, displaying behaviors such as heavy panting and pacing. These behaviors indicate that Pepper Jack may feel stressed or unsettled in his current environment. It's important to address Pepper Jack anxiety with patience and understanding, providing him with a calming and reassuring atmosphere. Implementing strategies such as enrichment activities, comforting items in his kennel, and regular exercise can help alleviate pepper jack anxiety and promote relaxation. Additionally, consulting with a veterinarian or animal behaviorist may provide further insight and guidance on managing Pepper Jack anxiety effectively. Kennel presence- It is reported in kennel Pepper jack will growl in his kennel when handlers approach.