Date of intake:: 9/26/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Other Notes:: *Previous assessments can be given upon request*

Date of assessment:: 10/21/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Hard Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Hypervigilant, panting heavily Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Call over: Sociability comments: Takes treats hard, Stiff body and tail, raised hackles all along his back Soft handling: Fearful Exuberant handling: Did not conduct Comments: Becomes extremely tense when handler initiates contact, stiff tail and raises hackles, shows whale eye with tense face and begins lip licking intensely Due to previous escalation during assessment, the assessment was ended Arousal Jog comments: Did not conduct Knock Knock comments: Did not conduct Toy Toy comments: Did not conduct

Summary:: 10/2/25: Two Paws greets another dog at the gate with a tense body and raised hackles.

Summary (5):: Two Paws is at the front of his kennel upon approach, as he looks at both handlers he would begin to jump onto the bars with a loose body. He is easily leashed and removed from kennel with no issue. He is then taken out to the street, he would walk around with a tense body and pull hard towards spots he wants to sniff. As second handler is walking some distance ahead of the handler, Two Paws would pull hard towards them and jump on them with his hackles raised. Handler muscles him away and Two Paws would fixate on the handler, however, he is then easily redirected with treats tossed the opposite direction. Throughout the duration of the walk, Two Paws wouldn't react towards any passing stimuli and is then returned to his kennel with ease.

Summary (6):: 10/23/25: Two Paws is at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is leashed while distracted with treats and exits kennel while pulling moderately. He walks down the stairs with handler before being brought out to the street for his walk. While outside he stops to sniff spots on the street and to relieve himself. He passes people on the street without issue and when seeing dogs will stare at them with a tense body but does not react further. After walking for a while he is brought back inside and his leash is clipped before he is returned to kennel without issue. 10/22/25: While a handler was in the elevator with Two Paws he jumped up on them with a soft body and wagging tail. The handler began to pet him, Two Paws immediately began growling and snapping at the handler. Due to the hander being almost out of treats, they threw their treat pouch at Two Paws. Two Paws began engaging with the treat pouch, once the elevator doors opened the handler was able to return Two Paws to kennel without further escalation. 10/18/25: Two Paws is sitting at front of kennel, looking at handler with soft eyes, neutral frame. Two Paws is wearing a large medical cone, he is somewhat difficult to leash due to the cone, but take treats and is easily leashed on second attempt. Two Paws exits kennel with neutral body, pulls mildly but consistently out of kennel. Two Paws is treat motivated, takes treats for sit commands. Two Paws maintains neutral frame, is walking ahead of handler consistently pulling mildly. A MOP riding a skateboard passes within 7-8 feet of her, no interest or reaction. Upon re-entry to kennel room, Two Paws is waiting with handler in hallway while a staff member is working to place a MMB in a top kennel. Two Paws looks at the MMB, becomes somewhat tense, and pulls toward. Two Paws is treat motivated, once line of sight is broken Two Paws stays in sit position focused on handler, takes treats. Two Paws re-enters kennel without issue. Two Paws takes treats through kennel door.

Summary (7):: 10/15/25: Two Paws is at the front with a soft body and wagging tail. He is easily leashed and taken to the street. Two Paws hard stares a dog with a tense body and continues walking. He walks ahead of the handler pulling moderately to hard. He relieves himself. Two Paws will spot a few dogs throughout the walk and hard stares them, he is redirected with treats which he takes with a firm mouth. Two Paws is then walked back to the shelter and returned to kennel without issue. 10/14/25: Two Paws is at the front of his kennel with a neutral body upon approach. Handler would feed him a treat through the bars, and he would take it with a hard mouth. He is then easily leashed and removed from the kennel, where he would have a mild pull ahead of the handler, not reacting towards any stimuli. Two Paws is then kept in the driveway for his walk; due to his CIRDC, he would slowly walk around and relieve himself and easily relieve himself. He would not react to any dogs that would pass by to go towards the street and would remain focused on the handler once his name is called. Handler would toss him treats and he would take them easily. He is then returned to his kennel with no further issue. 10/13/25: Two paws is observed to be at the front of his kennel pushing his nose constantly against the bars, which is resulting in his snout area being covered in blood. 9/29/25 (late entry)- Two paws is at the front of his kennel with a neutral body, he is easily leashed and taken for a street walk. He is offered treats and takes them very hard, handler tosses or gives with an open palm. He has a mild pull to various spots to sniff. He sees another dog and pulls hard towards them, handler has to present a treat in front of him to refocus. They toss the treat and Two paws goes to the treat. He has no reaction to people passing. He is taken for his assessment where he is collared and during a part of assessment he growls at the handler. He has neutral body throughout. He is easily releashed and when returning to kennel, he pauses at his door. Handler tosses treats in and he goes in without further issue.

Date of initial:: 9/29/2025

Summary:: Very tense and will growl with restraint and handling for exam

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Two Paws 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 and growling with handling 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: : Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Mouthiness: Two Paws has been observed to take treats with a hard mouth. We recommend giving treats with a flat hand and to use force-free, reward-based training methods to teach Two Paws to take treats with a softer mouth. Please see handout on Mouthiness. Fearful Defensive/ Handling Sensitivity: Two Paws was observed to growl with restraint and handling during his medical exam and during his assessment. During one instance he began growling and snapping when a handler attempted to pet him. It is important to move slowly with Two Paws, 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. Please see handout on Handling Sensitivity.