Date of intake:: 5/21/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, No known history

Date of assessment:: 5/25/2026

Summary:: Prospector has been observed to be highly fearful while in care. During intake he was observed to growl, lip curl, and snap when handlers were attempting to leash him. While in care he is noted to urinate on himself when handlers interact with him. Due to the high level of fear, stress, and anxiety observed, Prospector is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (5)::

Summary (6):: 6/1/26: Prospector was at back of kennel and came forward once kennel door was unlocked. When the door was cracked open he pushed hard with his muzzle trying to get out. He was easily leashed and pulled from kennel. While on street walk was in front of handler with moderate leash pressure and walking in a zig zag pattern. He was not interested the treats that handler offered him. He was returned to kennel with no issue. 5/31/26: Prospector was lying down at back of kennel as handler approached. When kennel door was opened he slowly came forward to be leashed and pulled from kennel. Handler escorted him to the back yard for his walk. While outside handler sat with him and petted him for the duration of his walk. While returning to kennel Prospector balked and didn’t want to walk thru room back to his kennel. /30/26: Prospector is curled up at the front of the kennel. Handler crouches down at the front and offers high value treats. He takes the treats while still lying down. Handler offers more high value before unlocking the kennel. Prospector stays at the front. He stands up and handler attempts to leash him he backs away and stands and lip licks repeatedly. Handler offers more high value and he remains still for a moment not taking them. Prospector then eats the high value after a moment. He is then lured through the leash with the high value. Prospector exits the kennel slightly tense and walks quickly out of the room. Prospector is taken out to the backyard. He walks around the yard sniffing his surroundings. He is aloof towards the handlers. He is walked around the perimeter of the yard where he continues to sniff around. He observes a dog in the neighboring pen, look towards them with a neutral body before disengaging and walking around the perimeter back to the building. His body softens as he looks back to the handlers and presents a soft brief tail wag. Prospector is then brought back to his kennel and is returned. As the leash is removed, Prospector attempts to exit the kennel again. He is left with more high value and the interaction is ended. 5/23/26: It is noted on the behavior board that Prospector won't move over for cleaning. 5/23/26: Prospector is curled up lying down at the back of his kennel. The handler tosses treats which he sniffs then ignores. He is tense. They then toss chicken which he eats. He slowly follows the trail of chicken the handler makes to the front of the kennel, but backs all the way up again when the leash is presented. The handler gets the pole leash and brings it close to him and he urinates. the interaction is ended due to FAS.

Summary (7):: 05/22/26: Prospector is laying at the back of his kennel on his kuranda bed as handler approaches. He is tossed pieces of chicken near the front of his kennel in order to coax him forward but he remains curled up on his bed. Handler begins tossing treats further into kennel which Prospector begins sniffing toward. Treats tossed to him on his bed are accepted, but he refuses to get off his bed for other treats. Handler begins slowly introducing a leash into kennel, Prospector is tense and begins licking his genital region. As handler begins bringing the leash closer Prospector begins urinating while still curled up in bed, handler notices and immediately removes the leash from kennel and ends the interaction to decrease further FAS. 5/21/2026 (intake behavior): Prospector is brought in by the police in a crate. Handler kneels with the side of their body facing the crate, speaking to Prospector in a baby voice while offering treats. Prospector is sitting in the middle of the crate with a neutral body and does not come forward for treats; handler cracks open the door and presents their leash. Prospector then tenses, retreats, and begins to low growl. Handler takes their leash away and closes the door; a secondary handler returns a few minutes later with chicken and then cheese. Prospector shows no interest in the chicken offered but does come forward and start eating cheese when it is thrown into the crate. Both handlers kneel by the crate, talking in baby voice and giving Prospector cheese. He retreats any time the secondary handler opens the door and attempts to leash. Secondary handler gets a fishing-rod style leash and slowly tries to place it over Prospector's head while a third handler offers cheese at the back of the crate. Prospector continuously dodges the leash while growling, eventually curling his lip and once snapping at the leash when it touches him. Handler is eventually able to loop the leash over Prospector's head, securing it on his neck. He thrashes briefly when the leash is placed but then freezes, remaining tense and pressed into the corner of the crate while peeing. Handlers open the door wide and Prospector exits; as he does so, primary handler places a second leash over Prospector's head. He is very tense and whale-eyed, reluctant to move. He begins to thrash any time leash pressure is applied; handlers coax him very slowly and he will take a few steps before freezing again. Handlers move slowly with him to the kennel room and then run him into the room; some muscle is required to get him into kennel. Handlers leave their leashes on him and they are removed later with a hook.

Date of intake:: 5/21/2026

Summary:: Growling, lip curling, and snapping during leashing

Date of initial:: 5/22/2026

Summary:: Started retreating and growling when approached with leash in kennel. Snapping at syringe pole

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Prospector so we cannot be certain of their behavior in a home environment. However, they will need daily mental and physical activity to stay engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in addition to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior We recommend placement with a New Hope rescue partner who is able to provide an experienced, adult-only foster home. Force-free, reward based training and/or consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Prospector has been observed to growl, lip curl, and snap when handlers are attemping to leash him. While on leash Prospector is observed to thrash. It is important to move slowly with Prospector, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow them to initiate interactions with new people. They should never be forced to greet or to interact if they are not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression.