Date of intake:: 2/6/2025

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

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 2 children (15,11 y/o), 1 cat

Behavior toward strangers:: time to warm up she will Hard barks and/or growl

Behavior toward children:: Playful, Friendly & Outgoing, and Lunges in a playful manner to request more playtime

Behavior toward dogs:: Playful

Behavior toward cats:: Playful

Resource guarding:: When Rain encounters valuable items like food or treats (bones, rawhides, etc.), she may growl, bark loudly, or snap and attempt to bite.

Bite history:: No known reported bite history.

Housetrained:: No

Energy level/descriptors:: Rain is reported to have a High energy level and often playful/busy.

Other Notes:: Rain goes potty outside on walks (grass, cement, dirt, etc.) and very rarely has accidents, but may urinate if not taken out enough. Rain pulls hard on the leash and is anxious when left alone. On walks, Rain reacts to strangers, moving objects (bikes, skateboards, cars, etc.), and small animals (squirrels, birds, rats, etc.) by lunging and growling or barking loudly. Rain isn't bothered when disturbed while resting, startled, pushed/pulled off furniture, or when paws or collar are touched, but reactions to being held/restrained are unknown.

Date of assessment:: 2/8/2025

Summary:: 2/19/25: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Mild - Moderate pulling Reactivity to humans: inconclusive - did not pass Reactivity to dogs: inconclusive - did not pass Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): pants, wanders, checks in with familiar handler, soft-bodied, wary initially of unfamiliar assessor, but does take treats Call over: approaches with heavy coaxing Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: wary, seeks out familiar handler, moves away Exuberant handling: stands till, low tail, lip licks, starts to lean in but then shakes off Handling comments: has to be reset a few times before could get into position Arousal Jog: follows, distracted Arousal comments: Knock: pauses, body stills, slight head tilt Knock Comments: body loosens when sees familiar handler Toy: grips, moves away Toy comments: 2/8/25: Attempts to leash her using a lasso technique have resulted in low growling, snapping, and vocalization, indicating extreme discomfort with handling. When successfully leashed, Rain walks with a tense frame but shows brief moments of softening, such as taking treats gently and standing near the handler. However, she remains highly sensitive to new people, staring tensely at unfamiliar handlers until they exit the room. Due to this handling assessment is not conducted at this time.

Summary:: According to Rain's previous owner(s), Rain has interacted with different dogs and is often described Playful. 02/19/25: When off leash at the Care Center Rain's is introduced to a novel male dog. At the gate Rain's approaches pulling towards the gate with a stiff frame. Rain fixates on the novel male and begins Barking. Rain scents the novel male and returns to barking. Rain gestures to prey bow and continues barking. The novel male creates distance walking away from the gate in avoidance. The handler attempts to guide Rain away to give her a break before a reintroduction but Rain attempts to plant down, continuing to fixate. Rain follows the handler. After a brief break Rain returns pulling to the gate. As the novel male walks along the gain Rain chases behind him barking. Both dogs are separated.

Summary (4):: 2/20/25: Rain is at the front of her kennel as handler approaches. She is able to be leashed with ease and taken outside for a walk. On the walk, she would prance ahead and stop at every tree that was passed. After relieving herself, she was taken to the play yard. In the yard, she was transferred to a drag lead and she became loose and wiggly as she explored around. She would jump up on the handler and chase after treats the handler would toss on the ground. She was able to be transferred back to a slip lead and taken to her kennel with no issues. 02/19/25 (playgroup): Rain is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. She is leashed with ease and pulls mildly to the yard for playgroup (see Dog-Dog Summary for further details). Rain is loose and social with familiar handlers throughout her time in the yard. Upon leaving, Rain pulls hard to the dog in the other yard with a tense frame and doesn't settle until they are out of sight. Rain is returned to kennel safely and as handler closes the kennel door, she jumps up onto the door low growling and hard barks.

Summary (5):: 2/17/25 (PM): Rain is lying on her kuranda bed with a soft frame as handler approaches. She is leashed with ease and pulls mildly to the Canine Behavior Office. Rain is clipped to a drag lead and free to explore the space. She is social with multiple handlers throughout her time in the room and will jump up onto them to solicit attention. After her session, Rain is returned to kennel safely. 2/17/25 (AM): Rain's behavior in care remains the same as noted 2/16. 2/16/25: Rain was lying on kuranda bed when handler approached. She came to front of kennel and allowed handler to place slip leash over head without issue. She walked outside on a loose leash and relieved herself (seems housetrained.) Rain was clipped to a drag leash and sniffed around the yard. She engaged in fetch with handler and would switch balls back and fourth each time, dropping them on cue. Handler used treats to lure her back onto slip leash and clipped her leash to a figure 8 without issue before reentering the care center. Rain was returned to kennel with ease. Her kennel was kept covered for her comfort. 02/14/25 (PM): Rain comes to the front of kennel with a loose frame as handler approaches. Handler kneels down and clips Rain's collar. She walks to the Canine Behavior Office where she is free to explore the space. Rain readily approaches handler and will lean into their legs, accepting petting with a neutral frame. Rain slowly approaches a second handler who enters the room and will engage in a pattern game with them. She takes treats gently from hand. A third handler enters the room and Rain becomes slightly tense, and is wary of them, keeping at a distance. She still engages with familiar handlers and takes treats gently from hand. After her session, Rain is returned to kennel on drag lead, maintaining a neutral frame as handler unclips it. 02/14/25 (AM): Rain is lying at the back of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. She is leashed with ease and walks on a loose lead to the Canine Behavior Office. Rain is collared, clipped to a drag lead, and free to explore the space. She slowly approaches handler and accepts petting with a soft frame. Handler tosses a tennis ball and Rain becomes loose and bouncy and will retrieve the tennis ball, trading it for another. Rain remains social with handler throughout. After her session, Rain is walked back to kennel on a drag lead and allows handler to unclip it once she is returned to kennel.

Summary (6):: 2/13/25: Rain is laying down at the back of her kennel as handler approaches. She then approaches the door and is very eager to come out of kennel. While being leashed, she would shove her snout the through the open gap to get out. She bolted out of kennel and stopped at the door and waited to be leashed properly. She then was taken to the behavior room. In the room, she is kept on lead and would slowly explore around the room. When other handlers would enter the room, she would become tense and hard stare. She was not comfortable receiving treats. She was able to be taken back to her kennel with no issues. 02/11/25: Rain is sitting at the back of kennel with a slightly tense frame as handler approaches. Once Rain sees handler, she walks forward and remains at the front of kennel as handler kneels down and slowly cracks the kennel door. Handler presents the lead, and Rain will slowly walk through, being leashed with ease. Rain is walked to the Canine Behavior Office. She is kept on lead and is free to explore at her own pace. She scents along the room and will slowly approach other handlers and sniff them before walking away. Her frame loosens a bit as she explores. Handler sits on the couch and Rain will stand close, allowing light petting along her head, neck, and body. As Rain scents along the room again, a second handler will offer her squeeze cheese from their finger. She sniffs it and then backs away, stress yawning. Second handler attempts to call her back over again and as they present their finger, Rain pulls forward and growls. Second handler immediately disengages and gives Rain her space. Rain is walked back over to the couch where she will lean her back end into handler's legs and allows brief petting with a neutral frame. After her session, Rain is returned to kennel safely. 02/10/25: Rain is sitting at the back of kennel with a slightly tense frame as handlers approach. She slowly comes to the front of kennel but once the slip lead is presented, Rain backs away and sits in the corner of her kennel. Handler opens up kennel door and speaks to Rain with a soft tone. She will come to the middle of kennel but backs away again once the lead is in view. Handler uses a lasso technique in an attempt to leash her, and she will low growl and duck her head as the leash makes contact. Handler continues attempt to leash to Rain's kennel being soiled. She begins low growling and will snap as the lead touches her but remains at the back of kennel throughout. After multiple attempts, Rain is leashed and guided out of kennel. She walks with a tense frame out to the play yard. Rain is kept on lead and is free to explore at her own pace. She spends time scenting and relieves herself. Rain remains aloof to handlers but her frame does loosen as the explores her surroundings. After her session, Rain is returned to kennel safely.

Summary (7):: 02/08/25: Rain is sitting at the back of kennel with a tense, trembling body as handler approaches. Handler kneels down at kennel door and speaks to Rain with a soft tone. Pieces of cheese are tossed to Rain, and she will sniff them but does not eat. Handler presents the lead and calls to her, but she stays planted. As handler opens the door a bit wider, Rain will stand up and slowly approach but stops as the lead is slowly presented. She retreats to the back of kennel again and cannot be coaxed forward again. Handler uses a lasso technique to drop the lead over Rain's head, but she will dodge and begin to low growl. Two more attempts are made to leash her, but as the rope touches her, she will snap at the lead and vocalize. Handler decides not to push Rain's discomfort further and tosses pieces of cheese to her before covering her kennel and exiting the room. 02/07/25 (PM): Rain is sitting at the back of kennel with a tense trembling body as handler approaches. Handler speaks to her with a soft voice, and she remains planted. Handler cracks open the kennel door and tosses Rain treats which she shows no interest in. Handler pushes the kennel door inward and uses a lasso technique to leash Rain. As the loop drops around Rain's neck, she will snap and vocalize. Handler stands to the side and gives Rain a minute to decompress. She exits kennel slowly and walks with a tense frame to the Canine Behavior Office. Rain spends several minutes scenting along the room and will stand near handler as they sit on the couch. She takes pieces of cheese gently from hand and relieves herself, her frame softening slightly. As a second handler enters the room, Rain becomes tense again and will stare at them until they exit the room. Rain walks around the room scenting again and will stand close to handler as they sit in a chair, allowing light, brief petting along her side. After her session, Rain is guided back to the kennel room where she plants herself right outside the kennel room door. Handler tries to encourage her in, but Rain remains planted. Moderate directional leash pressure is used to guide her back into kennel safely. 02/07/25 (AM): Rain is lying in the back of kennel with a tense trembling body as handler approaches. Handler speaks to her with a soft tone and tosses treats to her. She shows no interest in the tossed treats while handler is present. Handler kneels down and slowly cracks open the kennel door. Handler keeps their side facing Rain and will continue to speak to her with a soft tone. She watches handler and maintains a tense, trembling frame throughout. Handler offers Rain a tray of high value treats which she leans forward to sniff but does not further engage with. Rain's kennel is tidy, so handler decides not to push her comfortability trying to remove her at this time. Handler locks the kennel door and exits the room.

Date of intake:: 2/6/2025

Summary:: tense body and tail tucked , lunging, snapped,growled at staff

Date of initial:: 2/6/2025

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Rain Potential challenges we recommend she is placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Rain came into the care center as an owner surrender due to moving into a no pet policy home. Rain has displayed significant fear-based behaviors and avoidance in the care center. She is consistently observed sitting at the back of her kennel with a tense, trembling body and does not take treats when offered. Attempts to leash her using a lasso technique have resulted in low growling, snapping, and vocalization, indicating extreme discomfort with handling. She remains highly sensitive to new people, staring tensely, and has been reported to snap, growl, and lunge at staff on intake. Given her heightened fear response Rain is available for adoption through one of our new hope partners.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Separation anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Strength/leash pulling

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding- When Rain encounters valuable items like food or treats (bones, rawhides, etc.), she may growl, bark loudly, or snap and attempt to bite.To address Rain's resource guarding, gradually desensitize her to valuable items by practicing "trade-up" exercises, offering higher-value treats in exchange for the guarded item, and rewarding calm behavior. Please see the handout on Resource guarding. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression/On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration- In the prior home Rain takes time to warm up to strangers and she will Hard barks and/or growl. On walks, Rain reacts to strangers, moving objects (bikes, skateboards, cars, etc.), and small animals (squirrels, birds, rats, etc.) by lunging and growling or barking loudly. Rain has been reported to snap, growl, and lunge at staff on intake.For her fearful and defensive aggression, introduce Rain to strangers and new environments slowly, using positive reinforcement to build her confidence and reduce reactivity. On walks, use distraction techniques and reward her for calm behavior when encountering moving objects or small animals. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression/On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration. Strength/leash pulling-Rain pulls hard on the leash. To manage leash pulling, practice loose-leash walking with frequent stops and direction changes, rewarding her for walking calmly beside you. Please see the handout on Strength/leash pulling. Separation anxiety- Rain is anxious when left alone.Gradually increase the time she spends alone, providing engaging toys and creating a calm environment to help her feel secure. Please see the handout on Separation anxiety.