Date of intake:: 8/13/2026

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

Previously lived with:: Atleast 1 adult

Behavior toward strangers:: shy/prefer contact on own terms; will bark when approached

Behavior toward children:: unknown

Behavior toward dogs:: hard bark, lunge

Behavior toward cats:: unknown

Resource guarding:: Ruby is reported to guard food, treats, and toys. With food and treats, he will growl and snap. With toys, he will become tense and growl; he has not bitten.

Bite history:: In 2025, has bitten one of his caretakers due to his resource guarding. One of the caretakers was attempting to refill Ruby's food bowl while he was eating. Ruby was noted to growl before escalating to biting. The bite was reported to be a quick bite and release that resulted in a small scratch that broke the skin.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Ruby is reported to have a high energy level.

Other Notes:: Reported to jump up often, has general anxiety, pulls hard on the leash, and is anxious when left home alone. Noted to have been under-socialized around other dogs and strangers. He will bark hard and lunge at familiar and unfamiliar dogs and barks at strangers. Reported to lunge at small animals, other dogs and strangers on walks. Is not bothered by being woken up, startled or when paws are touched.

Date of assessment:: 8/16/2026

Summary:: Due to the behavior concerns reported in the previous home and the behaviors displayed during his stay in care, Ruby is not an appropriate candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (6):: 09/25/26: Ruby is observed to be spinning and barking at the front of kennel as handler walks past. 9/23: It is reported that Ruby is beginning to move toward another dog's kennel when taken out for walks, as if positioning himself to fight with the other dog. He is easily triggered by another neighboring dog that is stressed in their kennel. Another ACS reported that when returning Ruby from a walk, after being placed in his kennel, Ruby whips his head out of the lead and then snaps at it. 09/23/26 (Trainer Note): Ruby is standing at the front of his kennel with a neutral body and barking as handler approaches. Handler uses the bulls-eye method to leash him. He is taken to the yard for a training session and is put on a drag leash. He is mainly interested in sniffing around the yard, avoidant of handler and uninterested in treats and toys offered. Towards the end of the session handler is able to get his focus and work on 123. He participates and is receptive. Handler is able to use 123 as he continues sniffing around. Ruby is returned to his kennel without issue.

Summary (7):: 09/16/26 (Trainer Note): Ruby is lunging at the front of his kennel door as the handler approaches. He backs away from the leash and the handler uses a treat to lure him through. Ruby pulls hard to the canine training room. He sniffs the room intently, showing no interest in the handler or food. After a few minutes, he is returned to kennel without issue. 9/16/26: Ruby was reported to slam her body against the kennel door. 09/15/26: Ruby is observed to lunge at his kennel door as handler walks past, he begins to hard bark as handler approaches. Handler extends their hand towards the kennel door and Ruby continues hard barking, escalating to showing teeth. Handler creates distance and tosses some treats, Ruby consumes them. Handler approaches once more and offers treats through the kennel door, he ceases barking and takes them gently. Interaction is ended. 09/11/26: Ruby is observed to hard bark and spin continuously in kennel as handler enters the room with another dog, during quiet time. 09/08/26: (1) Ruby is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. He is leashed with ease and walks to the Canine Behavior Office where he takes treats gently from hand and will sniff along the room. Ruby does not show any response to multiple handlers entering the room. Handler lightly pets along his back once, but Ruby will look back at them warily so handler disengages. Ruby is returned to kennel safely. (2): As a handler enters the room to put their dog back into their respective kennel, Ruby is hard barking and hitting the kennel glass with his front paws at the other dog as they pass his kennel. 8/17 (AM): Ruby is standing quietly at the front of his kennel when a handler approaches. He is easily leashed and taken outside for his walk. Ruby pulls lightly to mildly on the leash, spending the majority of his walk exploring scents. He sees 2 other large dogs across the street, and he pauses briefly before continuing to walk of his own accord. The handler would stand off to the side when strangers would pass; he tenses briefly when noticing them but otherwise ignores them. When the walk is complete, he returns to his kennel without issue.

Date of intake:: 8/13/2026

Summary:: stopped repeatedly and began thrashing when being walked to kennel

Date of initial:: 8/14/2026

Summary:: tense, hard staring and barking in kennel, allow leashing with slow approach, sedated for exam

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the reported behavior concerns in the previous home and those displayed during his stay in care, we recommend that Ruby be placed in an adult-only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to all noted concerns displayed in a home environment, the behavior department recommends Ruby be placed with a New Hope placement partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow Ruby to acclimate comfortably to his new environment; force-free, reward-based training only is advised when introducing Ruby to new and unfamiliar situations. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended for guidance to safely manage/modify any behavior Ruby presents with outside of the care centers.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Separation anxiety,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Strength/leash pulling,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding | Bite History (human): Ruby is reported to guard food, treats, and toys. With edible items, he will growl and snap. He has escalated to biting one of his caretakers when they attempted to refill his bowl while he was eating. The bite was a bite-and-release, leaving a small scratch that broke the skin. With toys, Ruby becomes tense and growls. Please see the handout on resource guarding. Basic manners/poor impulse control: Ruby was reported to jump up often in the previous home. Please see handout on basic manners / Poor impulse control. Handling/touch sensitivity: during his intake, Ruby was reluctant to walk, repeatedly stopping on his way to the kennel. He escalated to thrashing and had to be double-leashed in order to be brought to his kennel safely. Can you see Hannah on handling/touch sensitivity. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression |On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Ruby is reported to hard bark, growl, and lunge at strangers as well as during walks. During walks, Ruby is reported to lunge at small animals and other dogs. Some other behaviors have been displayed during his stay in care. Please see handout on fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Separation anxiety: Ruby is reported to become anxious when left alone in the home, although his previous owner did not detail how this behavior manifested or if any steps were taken to modify this behavior.