Date of intake:: 6/11/2025

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray( Limited History)

Other Notes:: Dog was fearful and barking but settled down after giving food and treats. Able to leash and he responded well to it except for fear of going down stairs. Able to lift into vehicle without incident.

Date of assessment:: 7/3/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: loose Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Seeks exit, tucked tail whining, checks in with handler Call over: Readily approaches- whining, tucked tail, whale eyes, allows petting, conflicted Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: Allowed- tucked, whale eyes, stiff Exuberant handling: Allowed- tucked, whale eyes, stiff Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow- tucked tail, lip licks Arousal comments: Knock: No response Knock Comments: Toy: No response Toy comments:

Summary:: Due to Finn entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 06/20/25: While off-leash at the Care Center, Finn was introduced to a novel male dog. At the gate, Finn approached with a loose body posture and a flagging tail. Both dogs engaged in mutual scenting through the gate. During the interaction, Finn’s tail shifted from flagging to being held high and straight. The novel male appeared aloof but remained present, standing in front of the gate and panting. After marking near the gate, Finn began displaying displacement scenting behaviors. In response, the novel male emitted low-pitched whining and checked in with the handler. The interaction concluded with both dogs being separated. 06/14/25: While off-leash at the Care Center, Finn is introduced to a greeter female dog. At the gate, he approaches with ears back and a flagging tail. Both dogs engage in mutual scenting through the gate. Finn displays lip licking before walking away, showing displacement behavior. The greeter female remains at the gate as Finn briefly returns. Upon returning, Finn exhibits toe tapping, appearing sexually motivated, and marks near the gate. He then walks away again, appearing conflicted, and does not return to the gate. Both dogs are subsequently separated, concluding the interaction.

Summary (6):: 07/01/25: When the handler approaches, Finn is standing at the front of his kennel with a loose but aroused posture. As the handler opens the kennel door to leash him, Finn jumps up and paws at the door in a demanding manner. The handler waits for Finn to settle and sit before proceeding. Finn is easily leashed and follows the handler out of the kennel, walking with a loose trot and a wagging tail beside them. While passing a staff member who reaches toward a cone near him, Finn’s body quickly becomes stiff; he growls and escalates to a snarl, lunge, and air snap directed at the staff member’s hand. The handler immediately moves Finn away from the situation and continues escorting him to the play yard. Once in the yard, Finn spends his time marking and kicking back on the turf, while displaying red eyes and panting. He is later escorted back to his kennel, where he is safely unleashed and secured.

Summary (7):: 06/20/25: Finn is standing at the front of his kennel and will allow the handler to leash him with ease. He is then brought to the yard to meet a playmate. During this session, both dogs are to be monitored closely, so a drag leash is not necessary. Finn displays a wagging tail and a loose body while engaging in a nose-to-nose greeting with his playmate. He then walks away and begins marking around the yard. The session ends shortly after, and Finn is brought back inside and returned to his kennel safely without any issues. 06/18/25: Finn is noted to lunge, hard bark and growl when handlers pass his kennel. When the handler approaches his kennel he is noted to growl tense and display a flushed face. Finn is distracted with treats but still remains with stiff body when taking them. 6/17/25: Finn is standing at the front of kennel with a flushed face and heavy pant as handler approaches. He is leashed with ease and walks to the Canine Behavior Office where he is clipped to a drag lead and free to explore the space. Finn initially scents and marks along the room, afterward, engaging with a snuffle mat offered to him. He will approach handlers, lean into petting, and place his front paws into their laps to solicit attention. After his session, he is returned to kennel safely. 06/13/25: Finn is standing at the front of his kennel with a neutral frame and allows the handler to leash him with ease. He is then brought to the assessment room, where a drag leash is placed on him, and he is set free to roam. While in the room, Finn approaches handlers and allows touch, maintaining a neutral demeanor. However, he displays occasional flinching in response to sudden noises or quick movements. For more information, see behavior assessment notes. Finn is returned to his kennel safely without any issues. 6/12/25: Finn was laying in kennel as handler approached and crouched down. He was leashed with ease and exited kennel. Finn walked the short distance to the BA room for his assessment. Finn appeared uneasy and backed away from attempts to collar. His assessment was postponed and he was returned to kennel with ease. Handler brought him a knuckle bone for in kennel enrichment, which he lay down and began engaging with.

Date of intake:: 6/11/2025

Summary:: fearful and barking but settled down after giving food and treats.

Date of initial:: 6/12/2025

Summary:: loose body on arrival, side eye and stiff body during exam, went slow and offered treats - allowed

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Finn fearful behavior, we recommend he is placed in an adult only home at this time Place with a New Hope partner:Finn arrived at the care center as a stray, so we are uncertain about his behavior in a home environment. In controlled settings, Finn engages with handlers, solicits attention, and enjoys scent-based enrichment. However, Finn exhibits a low threshold for arousal and reactivity, particularly in the kennel and when startled by sudden movement or proximity. He has escalated to growling, lunging, and snapping in at least one instance when a staff member reached toward a nearby object a wet floor cone. Finn would benefit from placement with a New Hope partner experienced in managing and modifying defensive and barrier-related behaviors. He will need time to decompress, a consistent routine, and ongoing training to help build positive associations and improve impulse control.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Kennel presence,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Anxiety: During handling assessment, Finn is noted to whine and display a tucked tail, whale eyes but allows petting. Training should focus on creating a calm, predictable routine, using gentle handling, and reinforcing relaxed behavior to help him feel more secure and reduce anxiety and fearfulness over time.Please see the handout on generalized anxiety. Low threshold for arousal/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression/On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration:While passing a staff member who reaches toward a cone near him, Finn’s body quickly becomes stiff; he growls and escalates to a snarl, lunge, and air snap directed at the staff member’s hand. The handler immediately moves Finn away from the situation. Kennel presence: Finn is noted to lunge, hard bark and growl when handlers pass his kennel. When the handler approaches his kennel he is noted to growl tense and display a flushed face. Finn is distracted with treats but still remains with stiff body when taking them.