Date of intake:: 5/25/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 5/28/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: None Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Low body, tucked tail, flinches during loud stimuli Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Highly social Call over: Approaches handler readily Sociability comments: Soft body wagging tail, receptive to treats Soft handling: Accepts contact Exuberant handling: Accepts contact Comments: Soft body wagging tail Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler, neutral body Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily, soft body wagging tail Toy Toy comments: Sniffs, No reaction

Summary:: Butterscotch Blondie arrived at the care centers as a stray, so his behavior with other dogs is unknown. 6/6/26: Butterscotch Blondie greets a novel male dog on leash through a barrier. As the interaction begins, Butterscotch Blondie approaches the gate and gradually becomes tense, eventually growling toward the novel male. The novel male displays tense body language, raised hackles, and a high flagging tail throughout the interaction. Due to the uncomfortable body language displayed by both dogs, the interaction is ended and both dogs are separated from the barrier.

Summary (5):: 6/8/26: When moving Butterscotch to a new kennel she is at the front of the kennel barking persistently at the handler. The handler is easily able to place the first leash on Butterscotch. However, once it is on she begins biting and tugging the leash into kennel. Butterscotch braces her front paws on the kennel door and attempts to tug the leash harder. The secondary handler has to lasso her and she is removed from kennel. Once out of kennel Butterscotch headwhips and thrashes mildly, attempting to bite the leash. She is easily placed in her new kennel. Once in kennel Butterscotch turns around and begins biting and tugging the leash into kennel. This behavior is unable to be redirected using squeaky sounds. Butterscotch continues tugging on the leash, causing the kennel door to bend inwards. A hook is used to remove the leashes. Once the hook is in the kennel Butterscotch darts towards it and begins biting and holding the hook. With moderate difficulty, the leashes are removed, and the interaction is ended. 6/8/26: It is reported that Butterscotch attempts to bite the handler when they go to leash the dog in the kennel above her. During this instance, she was able to grab the handler's treat pouch. 6/7/26: Butterscotch Blondie is at the front of the kennel pacing back and forth and jumping up and pressing against the kennel. Handler sprays cheese on the bars. She sniffs and licks the cheese but does not engage in it. Handler presents the leash and she is easily leashed. Butterscotch slowly exits the kennel and walks slowly out of the room. She is taken to the driveway where she walks around slowly. Handler tosses some treats on the ground. She sniffs them but does not eat them. Butterscotch wanders around the driveway sniffing. Handler sits down on a nearby bench. Butterscotch approaches the handler and rests her head on the handler's hand. She allows gentle petting on her head and under her chin. She solicits attention for awhile, allowing petting on her head and back. When dogs pass, Butterscotch watches them with a neutral body and forward ears. Handler then walks Butterscotch Blondie back into the shelter. She walks slowly towards her kennel. Handler tosses treats into the kennel and Butterscotch enters. She sniffs the treats before quickly turning around and jumping towards the front of the kennel. Butterscotch grabs the leash and begins pulling and tugging it into the kennel. Handler tosses treats and she is briefly distracted before returning to biting and tugging the leash with a high intensity. The leash is eventually able to pulled from the kennel. The interaction is then ended.

Summary (6):: 6/6/26: Butterscotch Blondie was at front of kennel barking as handler approached. He was easily leashed and pulled from kennel for a street walk. While on his walk Butterscotch pulled moderately. He walked ahead of handler and sometimes in a zig zag pattern. When being returned to kennel he turned around and grabbed the leash and started tugging. Handler had to get assistance by someone distracting him with treats while halter used hook to get leash back. 06/01/26: Butterscotch Blondie is at the center of her kennel as handler approaches. She is slow to approach and does not initially accept the treats offered to her and when handler leaves to get higher value treats she is observed to bark at handler. However after accepting some sliced cheese she is greeted by handler and approaches slowly. She is still hesitant with handler so handler remains near the front of the kennel interacting slowly with Butterscotch building trust. Eventually she is carefully lifted out of kennel and is placed on a couch inside the behavior office. A leash is placed on Butterscotch and she is walked outside to the street. She walks slowly and passes people cautiously. She is fearful of loud noises and walks with a slightly tucked tail. Butterscotch will stop to sniff and at times pull in directions she wants to walk. She is walked around for a while before being brought back inside. She is carefully lifted and returned to kennel. 5/31/26: Butterscotch Blondie is lying down. She approaches the front of the kennel with a soft body and wagging tail. She is leashed slowly with spray cheese and treats. When handler reaches to lift her out she ducks away. She remains soft bodied with a soft wagging tail and allows gentle petting. The handler is able to lift her out of the kennel as she avoids handling and is placed on the ground. She walks slowly out to the street. On the street, Butterscotch walks slowly, trotting besides the handler. She stops to sniff various objects as she is walked back to the shelter. In the hallway, her tail is tucks and paces back and forth frantically. Handler tosses treats into the kennel before lifting her and placing her inside. She eats the treats and as the leash is removed she begins to bite the leash gently. Spray cheese is used to redirect. The leash is removed and the interaction is ended.

Summary (7):: 5/31/26: (Mid-day walk) Butterscotch is lying down in her kennel as handler approaches. A treat is fed through the bars, which she would softly take. Handler then leashes her and once the leash is on her, she would begin to flee towards the back of the kennel. Handler applies leash pressure forward, which she would follow she is then carried out of her top kennel with ease. Butterscotch is then taken to the yard, where she is placed on a drag leash. She would slowly explore and come towards the handler soliciting pets. She would not react towards any dogs or people passing by, shortly after she is re-leashed and brought back inside. Outside of the kennel room, she is easily carried and placed back into her top kennel. Once inside she would quickly turn towards the handler and attempt to snap at them, she would then tug the leash and handler is able to quickly pull the leash out. As handler quickly shuts the door, she would charge the front and snap at the handlers hand, as the lock is being placed back onto the kennel she would attempt to snap again towards the handler's hand. Interaction was then ended. 5/31/26: It is reported that Butterscotch will charge towards the front of the kennel when handlers return them. It is noted that Butterscotch is in a top kennel. 5/30/26: (Late entry) It is reported that when being returned to kennel Butterscotch will attempt to bite the handlers fingers. 5/29: Volunteer Note: She was easily carried in and out from her upper kennel. She was loose and wiggly throughout our street walk, with great leash manners overall. She walked nicely with only an occasional mild pull when she wanted to sniff something. She loves treats, knows “sit,” and takes treats gently. She also leaned her whole body into me for snuggles, such a sweet and lovely girl. We spotted two dogs passing by. She watched them until they walked past, with her tail held low and no wagging, but she did not react otherwise. Overall, she was sweet, affectionate, and almost puppy-like, but without the chaos. 5/28/26: Butterscotch Blondie is at the front of her top kennel with soft body. Handler offers a treats and she gently takes it. When handler attempts to take her out she starts avoiding the leash and going at the back of her kennel. Handler uses more teats and soft baby voice and eventually is able to pick her up and take out for a street walk. Blondie remains fearful outside. Her body is low with tucked tail but she still is social with handler and allows petting. She doesn't react on other dogs or people. Blondie flinches after loud noises and starts pulling back to the shelter. During returning handler is able to pre-clip the leash, pick Butterscotch Blondie up and bring her back into her kennel with no further issues.

Date of intake:: 5/25/2026

Summary:: Friendly

Date of initial:: 5/28/2026

Summary:: Very friendly food motivated

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Butterscotch Blondie 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),Recommend no dog parks,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior we recommend an adult only home. Recommend no dog parks: Due to Butterscotch Blondie's behavior in playgroup, we recommend she does not visit dog parks. 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,Leash-biting

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Butterscotch Blondie has been observed to be fearful while on the street. Noted to have a low body and tucked tail. Recently, Butterscotch has been observed to charge towards the front of the kennel when handlers return them. It is important to move slowly with Butterscotch, 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: Butterscotch has been observed to bite and tug the leash into kennel intensely. This behavior is not easily redirected. 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.