Date of intake:: 3/4/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 3/8/2026

Summary:: Peppy has been observed to be highly fearful during his stay in the care center. Noted to hide from handlers while barking and growling as they approach to leash him. Due to the highly level of fear, stress, and anxiety Peppy is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (5):: 3/10/26: Peppy is at the back of his kennel growling. As the handler reaches the pole leash inside, Peppy retreats by running back and forth. Once the leash is on him, Peppy starts thrashing around. The handler gently adds leash pressure, which brings him to the front, but he continues to thrash. Once Peppy is at the front, he exits the kennel and the handler brings him to the yard. Peppy immediately relieves and enters a pen. The handler places a drag leash on Peppy. He runs around, and mostly jumps on the handler soliciting attention. As the handler sits on the bench, Peppy immediately climbs on their lap and allows pets with a soft body. After a few minutes, the handler switches their leash and returns Peppy to his kennel with ease.

Summary (6):: 3/7/26: Peppy is at the back of his kennel hiding under his kuranda bed, barking and growling. As the handler approaches, he stays hidden. Chicken is tossed, which he takes, but he remains hidden. He takes treats as well, but does not come out from under the bed. The bed is carefully removed and Peppy now comes to the front of the kennel. He has his paws up on the kennel door and lip licks. He dodges the leash some, cowering mildly, but is leashed quickly and brought out to the yard. He is tense and jumps up on the handlers leg and leans in many times. He walks around a little bit. He accepts petting. He allows his leash to be clipped and is lead back to his kennel and gets in willingly. 3/6/26: Peppy is at the back of his kennel as th handler approaches. The handler reaches into his kennel and makes several attempts to leash him once the leash is on him, Peppy slowly comes to the front but thrashes when leash pressure is added. Once he is lose to the front of his kennel, the handler adds more leash pressure and he steps out. The handler brings Peppy to the yard. There, he tries walk right behind the handler; he also jumps on the handler with a soft body, soliciting and allowing pets. The handler runs back and forth with Peppy, and he follows, after a few minutes, the handler brings Peppy inside and returns him to kennel.

Summary (7):: 3/5/26: Peppy dodges the leash as handler attempts to leash him. Once secured and the door is opened, he comes forward but does not step out. Handler kneels and offers treats but he retreats and looks around. Some pressure is placed on the leash and he steps out and walks to the yard. He walks behind handler hitting the back of their legs with his cone. At once point there is a tug at the back of handlers sweatshirt . Unknow if it got caught in the seem of the cone or nipped by Peppy. HE is tense tucked tail throughout interaction but will climb on the bench and lean into handler when they sit allowing petting. He is difficult to return to kennel, walking behind handlers legs and needing muscle to return to kennel. 3/5/26: When a staff member walked by Peppy was curled up on their kuranda bed in the back of the kennel growling. They continued growling until the staff member left. 3/5/26: Peppy is at the back of his kennel trembling. The handler reaches inside and leashes him. Initially, Peppy approaches the front, but as the room gets louder, he immediately retreats. The handler applies leash tension to get him closer to the front, but Peppy thrashes. Eventually, once his front paws are outside the kennel, Peppy steps out, and walks with the handler to exit the room. The handler brings Peppy to the street, but as they walk, peppy continuously walks into the handler's legs. When the handler stop[s walking, he sits in between their legs. He doesn't seem to mind passersby. The handler then brings Peppy to the office. there, he sits in between the handler's leg as they are seated. A familiar handler tosses a treat at him, but he doesn't eat it. Peppy also growls at an unfamiliar staffer who slowly brings their head into the r5oom; he does it as an un familiar stands up on the other end of the room, but doesn't do so as they walk past him. Peppy eats treats given by the handler and occasionally looks back at them. He also eats treats from the other familiar handler. The handler then brings peppy to his room and returns him to his kennel. 3/4/26: Peppy is observed to be at the back of his kennel, standing but pressed up against the transfer door. He growls when handler approaches initially but then stops, he is tense and tucked tail. He is not interested in treats offered. A little while later the same handler approaches his kennel and he is at the front laying down and growls upon approach. He does not move from his spot.

Date of initial:: 3/5/2026

Summary:: Biting at the kennel bars, leash biting and tugging at leash. opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Peppy 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 an adult only home. 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,Leash-biting

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Peppy has been observed to bark and growl at handlers when they approach. He is also noted to hide under his bed when handlers attempt to leash him. It is important to move slowly with Peppy, 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. Leash Biting: Peppy has been observed to bite and tug the leash into kennel. We recommend walking them with a toy to dissuade them from grabbing the leash. Positive reinforcement, force-free training is advised to teach them to focus on you rather than grabbing the leash. Please see handout on Leash Manners.