Date of intake:: 6/6/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 6/11/2025

Summary:: Bewildered arrived as a stray. Throughout his stay he has remained tense and fearful. Noted to show handlers whale eye and flinch when the leash touches him. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety displayed. Bewildered is not a candidate to receive a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (6):: 6/16/25: Bewildered is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral body as handler approaches. He is leashed without issue and removed from kennel. In the yard he keeps his distance from handler while slightly tense, whale eyeing, and lip licking if approached. When handler attempted to pet he flinched, and lip licked more intensely. Handler returned him to kennel without issue. Once kennel was secure handler attempted to feed him treats through the kennel bars, he became stiff, tail in a horizontal and tense position, whale eyeing, lip curling, and growling. He charged the front and handler ended interaction. Appropriate signage was updated. 6/15/25: It is reported by an ACS that Bewildered is resource guarding his food. Handler approaches his kennel and he is pressed up at the front, body postured forward with his chest puffed out, very tense, growling, hard barking, and baring all his teeth whilst intensely whale eyeing. Handler offers treats but behavior continues. Interaction is ended.

Summary (7):: 6/13/25: Bewildered is laying down at the back of his kennel as handler approaches. He comes forward to the front as the handler unlocks the door. He is not interested in treats and has a tense body and widened eyes. He is able to be leashed with ease and he is taken to the yard. In the yard, he has a tense body and would sniff around to explore. He would approach the handler to sniff them and then would disengage when making eye contact with the handler. He had no reactions to dogs or people. He is taken back to his kennel with no issue. 6/11/25: Bewildered is standing at the front of the kennel with a neutral body and wide eyes. He lowers his head a allows the leash to be secured. He flinches when the leash touches him. He is easily walked to the yard where he relieves himself and explores the yard. He is aloof with handler, not seeking attention and keeping his distance. He flinches when the leash is clipped but allows for it to happen and goes into kennel without issue. 6/9/25: Bewildered is laying down in the back of his kennel with a neutral body as handler approaches. He begins to lip lick, whale eye, and dart his head in different directions as door is unlocked. As handler attempts to leash he flinches and begins to seek exit. He does not approach using treats, squeakers, or baby voice, handler has to lasso him. He is very head shy and flinches anytime leash touches him. He is removed from kennel and taken to the yard. He keep his distance from handler and retreats quickly when attempting to walk onto the pen. He pulls hard towards the back fence where he remains for the entirety of his walk. He paces back and forth briefly until he begins to relieve himself. He continues to lip lick, whale eye, and dart his head back and forth. Handler returns him to kennel without issue. 6/7/25: Bewildered is laying at the front of the kennel, tense body and whale eying handler as they approach the kennel. Handler kneels and outstretches their handler to offer a treat but Bewildered lifts his lip. Interaction is ceased due to stress levels.

Date of intake:: 6/6/2025

Summary:: Growling, barking, and snapping at handlers. Thrashed on leash

Date of initial:: 6/7/2025

Summary:: Growling in kennel and bearing teeth. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Bewildered 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 fearful behavior we recommend an adult only home. 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

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Bewildered has been observed to growl, bark, bare teeth and snap at handlers. It is important to move slowly with Bewildered, 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.