Date of intake:: 10/7/2025

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, no prior history

Date of assessment:: 10/11/2025

Summary:: 10/11/25: Due to Triscuit's fearfulness and defensive aggression displayed in care, a handling assessment will not be conducted at this time.

Summary (6):: 10/12/25: Triscuit continues to opt in to put head through the leash with treats, but will actively avoid and growl at the leash, hard barking whenever it is presented. Triscuit appears to be heavily panting, with the mark on his nose bigger than before. Triscuit does respond to the words "outside/walk" head tilting and pushing the door with the muzzle while whining, but whenever the leash is presented begins to growl, back away and at times bare teeth. 10/10/25: Triscuit is at the front of the kennel laying down and when approached, does not growl and approaches the front of the kennel. Once he sees the leash, he begins to growl a bit does eat through the kennel bars. Triscuit is very slowly leashed as he is comfortable with treats through the leash. Triscuit is leashed, and he backs away growling but when the door is opened immediately comes out and pulls moderately. Triscuit outside is highly anxious, looking around constantly and breathing heavily. Triscuit is aloof the the handler, and the handler does not pay any mind to Triscuit to allow him to process everything at his pace on the walk. Triscuit is walked back to kennel shortly after due to there being alot of commotion near another business, and walks into kennel with no issue, shaking off the leash.

Summary (7):: 10/09/25: Triscuit is at the front of his kennel laying down when approaches, with visible new marks on his nose from possible kennel stress. Triscuit will growl, but once approached begins to just stare at the handler with a tense, body, allowing the handler to hand treats to him through the bars. Triscuit's kennel door is opened, and continues to just stand and stare at the handler with a tense body, but allows the handler to place the leash inside of the kennel. Triscuit will growl a bit and back away, but once treats are thrown in the circle, begins to walk towards it to sniff. Triscuit will slowly lean his head reluctantly into the leash loop, and overtime is allowed to interact if he wants. Triscuit opts to continue putting his head in the loop for treats and the handler does this for around 10 min, where Triscuit begins to become uncomfortable and back away. Triscuit is given some treats and begins to quiver his lip and staff behind the handler. Triscuit is left alone for the evening to relax. 10/08/25: Triscuit is at the front of his kennel standing with his hackles raised and immediately begins to growl and lip quiver. Triscuit is tossed several treats which he begins to slowly sniff, and then eat. Triscuit continues to eat treats tossed to him, and the handler keeps the same distance to maintain the threshold he is at. The handler will slowly come closer to Triscuit, and will back away if he begins to give warning signals, but continues to stare at the handler, still with a tense body. Overtime, Triscuit allows the handler to approach the kennel bars and give him pieces of treat through the bars, where he takes them very slowly. Triscuit is attempted to be leashed due to his kennel being soiled, and will growl and bare teeth with being displayed, but when going around his neck will shake it off and huff. The handler opts to clean his kennel by taking a tool to pull the dirty bedding out, and place new ones in. Which Trisucit allows and just watches from the back of his kennel. Triscuit is tossed a few more and left alone to enjoy them. Later in the day Triscuit is passed in his kennel and begins to stare, but does not immediately growl and quiver his lip.

Date of intake:: 10/7/2025

Summary:: sedated, poled by police, growling, hard barking

Date of initial:: 10/7/2025

Summary:: sedated, poled by police, growling, hard barking

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Triscuit 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 additional 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 Triscuit's intense fearfulness and defensive aggression, we recommend he goes to an adult-only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to Triscuit's intense fearfulness and defensive aggression, we recommend he is placed with one of our New Hope Partners.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Triscuit has escalated to growling and lunging on multiple occasions both at intake and during his time in the care center. His signs of discomfort must be respected; Triscuit should never be forced to interact, and he should always be given the opportunity to walk away from situations or people he finds uncomfortable. We recommend a slow approach and ONLY force-free, reward-based training methods for Triscuit. More aversive techniques are likely to increase fear, elevate the risk of aggression, and decrease Triscuit’s quality of life.