Date of intake:: 2/25/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender, 9 Months

Previously lived with:: adults, children (8, 15)

Behavior toward strangers:: Playful, friendly, and outgoing. Playful, friendly, and outgoing.

Behavior toward children:: Playful, friendly, and outgoing.

Behavior toward dogs:: No experience.

Behavior toward cats:: No experience.

Resource guarding:: None reported.

Bite history:: None reported.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Very High

Other Notes:: Knows to relieve himself outside during walks but can have accidents in the home. He leash bites, is mouthy, pulls hard on his leash, is fearful of loud noises, and can be anxious when left alone. On walks he gets very excited when he sees strangers and children and tries to play with them. He is fearful when held, restrained, or when his paws are touched. He is unbothered by being disturbed while sleeping and has never been purposely startled or moved from furniture. He can be playfully mouthy when his collar is being removed but is mostly unbothered. He is described as a very friendly, outgoing, active, and playful dog who spends most of is time in the bedroom of his home when he is not following his family around. He is not a fan of nail trims but knows the cue "Siéntate" (sit) and is not picky with food. His favorite toys are plushies and he is an instant fan of any treat he is offered. He loves going for walks and has never been crate trained.

Date of assessment:: 3/12/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: None Reactivity to humans: Ignores Reactivity to dogs: Ignores Leash walking comments: Reported to leash bite in kennel when returned Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Highly Social Call over: Approaches readily Sociability comments: Loose, wiggly, highly social, licking handlers hands, very jump/exuberant, panting moderately, distracted at times Handling Soft handling: Seeks Contact Exuberant handling: Seeks Contact Handling comments: leans in for petting, social Arousal Jog: Follows loose, jumps on handler a couple times Arousal comments: Knock: Loose on approach, jumps Knock Comments: Toy: Sniffs toy, loose body, walks away Toy comments:

Summary:: The previous owner reported that Ricky had not been exposed to other dogs while in their care, so his behavior around unfamiliar or familiar dogs is currently unknown. 02/27/26: Ricky was introduced to a novel female dog. At the gate, he approached with a loose, wiggly posture and engaged in mutual greetings. Ricky remained at the gate with a loose frame and ears back throughout the interaction. Due to operational limitations, the gate was not opened and both dogs were separated, concluding the interaction.

Summary (6):: 3/15/26: Ricky is at the front of his kennel sitting and wagging his tail quickly as the handler approaches. He is leashed with ease and brought to the behavior office. His collar is clipped with a drag leash and he is free to run around the room and greet the handlers. He will jump up and mouth on their arms and hands lightly but is able to be refocused with treats. He will sit on approach occasionally when the handler lures him. Ricky will also briefly play with toys, shaking them and throwing them around the room. After a while, Ricky is returned to his kennel with no issue and secured safely. 3/14/26: Ricky is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed while being distracted with treats and is then taken to the behavior room. In the room, he has a loose and wiggly body and would constantly jump up on the handlers with an open mouth. He is able to be redirected when treats are tossed on the ground. He engages in licking cheese off of the couch. On the way back to his kennel, he would jump up on the handler and try to grab the leash. He is able to be redirected when treats are tossed on the ground. He is able to enter his kennel with no issue.

Summary (7):: 3/12/26: Ricky is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He begins jumping at the door as the handler unlocks it. He is able to be leashed while being distracted with treats and is then taken to the behavior room. In the room, he has a loose and wiggly body and would constantly jump up on the handlers with an open mouth. He is able to be redirected when treats are tossed on the ground. He engages in a snuffle mat full of treats and would lick cheese off the couch. He is able to sit to receive treats and would catch them in the air. He pulls on the way back to his kennel and enters with no issues. 3/9/26: Ricky greets handler at front of kennel with a loose and wiggly body. When handler put leash into kennel, Ricky tried to bite and grab the leash but handler was able to use treats to distract and get him leashed and pulled from kennel. In the room Ricky tries to jump on other handlers. At one point handler is holding the leash and Ricky jumps and lunges at handler. When handler goes to clip the leash Ricky head snaps and tries to mouth the handler's hand. When returning to kennel Ricky walks back into kennel and when handler tries to unleash Ricky bites at the leash and once again handler uses treats to redirect from the leash. The interaction is ended. 03/09/26: It's reported that Ricky is leash biting with ACS and redirecting on to the handler's pants and does not refocus with treats or toy. 03/06/2026: Ricky is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He begins jumping at the door as the handler unlocks it. He is able to be leashed with treats and he then pulls moderately on the way out. Ricky is excited to interact with his surroundings and the handler however Ricky sometimes gets over aroused and goes for the handlers treat pouch with no real success with treats or toys. Ricky displays great communination and handler awareness while on walks. When returning from walks Ricky went back into kennel with no issues 2/27/26: Ricky is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He begins jumping at the door as the handler unlocks it. He is able to be leashed with treats and he then pulls on the way to the play yard for play group. In the yard, he has a loose and wiggly body as he would constantly jump up on the handlers with an open mouth. He begins to mouth a handler's jacket sleeve and treat pouch and has to be taken away. He greets the other dog at the gate with a loose body and wagging tail. Pease see dog to dog notes for more details. On the way back to his kennel, he would constantly jump up on the handler and try to grab their leash. He is able to be redirected when treats are tossed on the ground and he is able to quickly enter his kennel with no issues. 2/27/26: When the handler passes his kennel, he is heard screeching and vocalizing at the front corner of his kennel door.

Date of intake:: 2/25/2026

Summary:: very friendly and excited. He greeted staff with a loose wiggly body

Date of initial:: 2/25/2026

Summary:: Otitis externa

ENERGY LEVEL:: Ricky is described as active and enthusiastic. He will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend only force-free, reward-based training techniques for Ricky

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Ricky's exuberance and leash biting, we recommend he goes to an adult-only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Ricky was surrendered to the care center by his owner due to a no-pet policy rule at their residence.He is described as a very friendly, outgoing, active, and playful dog who spends most of is time in the bedroom of his home when he is not following his family around. In the care center Ricky enjoys engaging with enrichment such as snuffle mats and treats and is able to sit for rewards. Ricky has shown in the care center to become easily over-aroused, which has resulted in frequent jumping, leash biting, and mouthing at handlers, clothing, and treat pouches.He is often able to be redirected with treats or enrichment. Ricky would benefit from a New Hope placement that can provide structure, impulse control training, and outlets for his high energy. Continued work on leash manners and managing arousal levels.

Potential challenges: : House soiling,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety,Leash-biting,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: House soiling: Ricky is noted to have accidents in the house and will likely need guidance with house training. We recommend positive reinforcement, reward-based training only. See handout on House Soiling. Basic manners/poor impulse control: Ricky quickly becomes over aroused in the presence of people, jumping up and mouthing. Positive reinforcement, force-free training should be used to teach Ricky to remain calm when people and other exciting things are around. He should be rewarded with treats when calm. If he escalates to jumping or mouthing, people should immediately walk away from and separate themselves from Ricky. Low threshold for arousal/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: It's reported that Ricky is leash biting with ACS and redirecting on to the handler's pants and does not refocus with treats or toy. When handler goes to clip the leash Ricky head snaps and tries to mouth the handler's hand.Training should prioritize slow, low-pressure leashing routines, using protective equipment as needed, reinforcing calm behavior at a distance, and gradually desensitizing him to leash handling to reduce risk and promote safer interactions. Please see the handout on Low threshold for arousal/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Anxiety: Ricky is a bit anxious in the care center. We recommend long walks and puzzle toys to help alleviate his anxiety. See handout on Generalized Anxiety. Leash-biting: Ricky is quick to grab the leash in his mouth. We recommend walking him with a toy to dissuade him from grabbing the leash. Positive reinforcement, force-free training is advised to teach him to focus on you rather than grabbing the leash.