Date of intake:: 9/17/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: Adults, children, other dogs

Behavior toward children:: Faith is friendly and outgoing

Bite history:: Recent bite history as of 09/17/26, bit the owner and the dog in the home. Faith and the resident dog Prime have a history of fighting in the home that results in multiple bites and scratches. The owner states that the fights began in May after Faith gave birth to their third litter. The owner cannot specify what has led to these incidents and most of the time the owner states that they are not able to stop the fights. The owner reports that the dogs have given each other multiple wounds. The bites and scratches break skin. The most recent incident occurred on the 17th of September. Faith and Prime began fighting each other before the owner returned home. The client attempted to break up the fight and Faith bit them on the finger. The owner was not able to break up the fight and they stated they had to let the dogs continue to fight until “they got tired”. The owner is unsure if the bite from Faith was a bite and release or a bite and hold.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Date of assessment:: 9/23/2026

Summary:: Faith was surrendered to the care center following a bite incident in the home. Faith and the resident dog Prime have a history of fighting in the home that results in multiple bites and scratches. The owner states that the fights began in May after Faith gave birth to their third litter. The owner cannot specify what has led to these incidents and most of the time the owner states that they are not able to stop the fights. The owner reports that the dogs have given each other multiple wounds. The bites and scratches break skin. The most recent incident occurred on the 17th of September. Faith and Prime began fighting each other before the owner returned home. The client attempted to break up the fight and Faith bit them on the finger. The owner was not able to break up the fight and they stated they had to let the dogs continue to fight until “they got tired”. The owner is unsure if the bite from Faith was a bite and release or a bite and hold. Due to the multiple bite incidents reported, Faith is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (3):: 10/10/26: Faith is standing at the front of her kennel and gives mid level wags with a loose body when the handler approaches. She takes a treat gently through the bars and is leashed without issue. She walks with minimal pulling and no reaction to other dogs or people. She is taken to the behavior office and sniffs independently, allowing the handler to place a drag leash on her with no reaction. She hops up on the couch next to the handler, sitting leaning into them. She sniffs a chew but does not take it, allowing the handler to remove it from her without issue. She leans in for gentle head, back, and chest scratches, placing her front legs on the handlers lap. She leans into their stomach/chest, closing her eyes. She will occasionally paw at the handler for more pets. She takes treats gently and rests on the handler while they work. After a while, she hops off the couch and sniffs around the office, looking for treats. A second handler has her sit for treats, she sits and gives paw, and engages in balance training and a puzzle. She walks back to kennel with minimal pulling, looking to other dogs with mild curiosity, and then enters kennel on her own.

Summary (4):: 10/5/26 - Faith is standing at the front of the kennel when handler approaches, she is easily leashed up and taken to the yard. In the yard she sniffs around, relieves herself and and then comes to handler soliciting pets, continuously urinates around the yard kicking her back legs, she comes to handler sitting for treats. When handler leashes her up and removes dragline, Faith bites the handler's leash and begins to tug, she jumps up regripping onto the leash and pulling, handler tosses treats, even using spray cheese, second handler was there bringing toys to redirect her but nothing is working. She continues to jump up biting the leash and starts vocalizing (whining) when biting down on the leash pulling, nothing is working to distract and redirect her then and as she jumps more she gets closer to the handler's face while snapping for the leash becoming further aroused. Handler pulls out pet corrector and sprays twice she does not let go then. Another handler comes out and uses the air horn, then she let's go of the leash and she is double leashed up and in the process she bites the same leash again while being taken back to her kennel where we used a hook to get both leashes back through the kennel. 10/4/26: Faith is standing at the front of the kennel when the handler approaches. She is easily leashed and taken to the yard. Faith sniffs around and relieves themself. When returning to kennel the handler is easily able to clip their leash, and Faith is returned to kennel with no issue. 10/2/26: Faith is reported to leash bite close to the handler's hand after they clipped the leash to return her; they are in the play pen when this happens. The handler drops the leash to avoid any bites. By the time K9 Behavior is called, Faith stops leash biting and the handler is able to pick up the leash. K9 behavior takes the leash and walks Faith to her kennel; she returns to her kennel with ease. 09/29/26: Faith is at the front of her kennel as handler approaches, she accepts a few treats gently from handler before being carefully leashed by handler while distracted. She is hesitant to put her head through the leash loop but eventually concedes allowing leashing with a tense body. She exits kennel without issue and follows handler out to the yard for her walk. Outside she is neutral bodied and sniffs around, accepting more treats from handler and tolerating petting around the chin and body. Faith is walked around the perimeter of the yard and sniffs around briefly, she passes dogs in neighboring kennels without interest and after a while is brought back inside, she follows treats back into kennel and interaction is ended shortly after.

Summary (5):: 9/28/26 - Faith is at the front of her kennel when handler approaches she has slightly pinned back ears and tucked tail but she takes treats fine through the door and easy to leash up, and no issues when exiting the building to the driveway for her walk. During her walk she would fixate on dogs passing by with a tense body and tucked tail, but no lunging or barking and with high value treats and verbal cues she is easy to redirect. She spent most of the walk in the driveway vigilant of her surroundings in the driveway and takes pets during the walk, otherwise was easy to walk with no issues, and able to return back to kennel with ease. 9/27/26: Faith is sitting at the front of her kennel when the handler approaches. She readily accepts an offered treat with a gentle mouth. She is leashed with a treat lure and slowly exits the kennel. Faith walks slowly through the room and hallway without reacting to dogs in pop-up crates or passing staff members. Faith is taken to the yard. Faith enters the pen and briefly sniffs the surrounding area before jumping onto the bench and sitting. She is constantly turning her head in different ways and scanning her surroundings. She avoids eye contact with the handler and briefly lip licks. Her body remains slightly lowered, with her tail tucked between her legs. She shows no interest in dogs or people in neighboring pens. Faith allows handler to pet her and sits close to the handler but does not seek additional attention or initiate interaction herself. During return handler clips the leash and returns Faith to her kennel with ease. 9/26/26: Faith is lying down near the front of her kennel looking at the handler with wide eyes, low growling when the handler approaches. She takes a treat tossed and stops growling, but retreats to the back when the door is cracked open. She comes forward for treats, laying down in the middle of her kennel. She flinches when the leash is slowly slipped on her, but is non reactive. Once leashed, Faith exits kennel without issue. She pulls towards neighboring kennels with a tucked tail and perked ears, but is easily held away. She is brought to the behavior office and sniffs with a tucked tail and lowered tense body. She does not take treats tossed, continuing to explore on her own. The handler sits on the couch and Faith hops up on her own, lying down. She lip licks and gives whale eye often with handler's moving around the office. She allows gentle head and back pets but does not solicit more. After a few minutes, the handler offers treats again and Faith begins taking them. She begins soliciting pets, nudging the handler's hand and leaning into them. She rolls in their lap, rubbing her snout on their hands and gives low wags. She displays her belly and chest, frequently repositioning herself to lean farther in towards the handler, placing her head on their chest. She enters kennel without issue, taking another treat through the bars.

Summary (6):: 9/25/26: Faith is sitting at the front of her kennel when the handler approaches. Her body is slightly lowered, and her tail is tucked. Handler speaks to her in a soft voice, and Faith looks up. She accepts an offered treat with a gentle mouth while maintaining eye contact. Handler continues offering treats while slowly opening the kennel. As the door begins to open, Faith immediately lowers her body further and retreats toward the back of the kennel, cowering herself. Handler continues using a soft voice to encourage her, and Faith eventually returns toward the front. Handler tosses additional treats to the front of the kennel, which helps keep her closer. Handler slowly puts the leash on; once leashed, Faith looks up toward the handler again and briefly freezes. After a few seconds, she starts sniffing and searching for additional treats. With continued handler’s soft verbal coaxing, Faith begins exiting the kennel and walking out of the room. She walks slowly behind the handler through the hallway and shows no reaction to dogs in pop-up crates or staff members. Faith is taken to the yard where she follows the handler slowly on a loose leash with no tension. After entering the pen, she briefly sniffs her surroundings and then remains at one spot while looking around and scanning the environment. She shows no interest in dogs or people in neighboring pens. Her body remains slightly lowered with her tail tucked between her legs. Faith does not actively seek interaction with the handler but tolerates petting and, a few times, responds to the squeaker toy. She jumps on the bench and sits, allowing the handler to pet her. No vocalization or reactivity is observed during the time outside. Upon return, handler clips the leash and brings Faith back into her kennel with ease.

Summary (7):: 9/21/26: Faith is lying near the back of the kennel when the handler approaches. The handler speaks in a soft tone and tosses treats. Faith begins to lip lick and show whale eye. The handler continues to toss treats, and Faith begins to eat the treats that land close to her. The handler continues to speak in a soft tone and Faith slowly approaches the front of the kennel. The handler continues to offer treats, and Faith is receptive. The handler ends the interaction. 8/18/26 [late entry]: Faith is lying down at the back of her kennel; her body is in crouched posture with tucked tail as the handler approaches (room is loud). She maintains a hard stare toward handler while they speak to her in a soft voice. Treats are tossed into the kennel but Faith does not approach them, remaining in the same crouched position. Handler leaves for a minute to get high value; after return was noticed Faith has moved closer to the front and ate previously tossed treats. Handler offers more high value (chicken) and she accepts and takes it gently. Faith whole time sits in front without attempts to retreat and watches the handler. Handler continues giving her treats and starts slowly opening the kennel door. Faith immediately responds by lowering her body again and retreating toward the back of the kennel. Her tail is tucked, and her ears are pinned back. However she does not attempt to vocalize, snap or lunge. She slowly returns to a lying position with a fixed stare at the handler. When the handler attempts to coax her using a soft voice, Faith turns her head away while maintaining visual contact from the side displaying whale eye. Handler tosses more treats for Faith and ends interaction to avoid any possible escalation.

Date of intake:: 9/17/2026

Summary:: Fearful

Date of initial:: 9/17/2026

Summary:: Tense whale eyed and growling in kennel. Opted to sedate

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Single-pet home,Recommend no dog parks,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the potential for redirection and fearful behavior observed while in care we recommend an adult only home. Single Pet Home/ No Dog Parks: Due to the multiple bite incidents towards another dog we recommend a single pet home with no trips to the dog park. 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,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,Bite history (human),Bite history (dog)

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Faith has been observed to be tense, show whale eye, and growl while in kennel. She has allowed limited handling while in care. It is important to move slowly with Faith, 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. Multiple Bite History/ Bite History (Human/ Dog): Escalating to biting is a behavior that Faith has rehearsed repeatedly over their life. This behavior is likely to continue as it has become part of Faith's repertoire, and will need careful management to work toward reducing triggers for Faith and reducing the resulting bites. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression.