Date of intake:: 7/28/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 8/5/2026

Summary:: Sylvana has been observed to be fearful while in care. Noted to growl during intake and has snapped at handlers while in care. Due to the high level of fear, stress, and anxiety, Sylvana is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary:: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 8/22/26: Sylvana is introduced to a novel neutered male and approaches the fence with a tense body and low tail, sniffing through the fence with soft eyes. She is let into the yard and she engages in mutual sniffing with a tense body and outstretched neck and low curved tail. She disengages and sniffs in the yard and then reapproaches, sniffing the other dog from behind. She follows him while he walks in the yard, and then he attempts to initiate play, giving one play bow and bounce and she flinches, lip licks, and walks away. She follows him slowly across the yard but when he turns towards her, she retreats and walks to the yard exit. 8/6/26: Sylvana is introduced to a novel intact female and approaches the fence with a tense body and low slow wagging tail. She sniffs in the catch pen and then flinches back when the other dog begins high pitched demand barking through the fence. She walks away remaining tense and does not reapproach.

Summary (5):: 9/02/26: Sylvana is at the front of her kennel when the handler approaches. She is leashed with a treat lure and exits the kennel. Once in the hallway, she pulls strongly toward the exit but does not show reactivity toward pop-up crates or staff members. Once outside, Sylvana immediately relieves herself in the driveway. She continues walking ahead of the handler, remaining slightly tense body. She pulls with strong leash tension, shifting her weight forward. She pants heavily and displays wide eyes. She continues monitoring her surroundings, frequently looking around and switching her attention between different stimuli. After spending additional time outside, she slows her pace, and her body becomes more neutral. She is visibly calmer and her breathing becomes more regulated. She does not react to other dogs or passing people. Sylvana does not seek additional interaction with handler and remains aloof. During return handler is able to pre-clip the leash and bring Sylvana back into her kennel with no further issues. 8/31/26: Sylvana is reported to be highly kennel reactive. Noted to push off the wall and fixate on the other dogs while growling and pulling hard towards them. 8/28/26: Sylvana is standing at the front of her kennel with a neutral body where she was easily leashed and taken for a street walk. Coming out of kennel Sylvana pulls hard until she gets our of the room. While walking she walks ahead of handler pulling moderately. When a dog being walked by another person is coming towards Sylvana on the sidewalk she stops and hard stares at the dog. Handler quickly does a U turn and keeps her moving away from the dog, she looks over her shoulder at the other dog a couple times while walking away. She is returned to kennel with no issue. 8/22/26: Sylvana is at the front of her kennel with a loose body, jumping up and barking; she is leashed and brought out the room, in which she pulls significantly as she does so. On the street, Sylvanna walks with mild to moderate leash tension. While walking, Sylvanna fixates on a large dog a few feet ahead while pulling forward; she only disengages when the handler pulls her away and walks her in the opposite direction. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and walks Sylvanna into the room; she pulls significantly while slightly facing the kennels, but returns to her kennel with ease.

Summary (6):: 8/15/26: Sylvana is at the front of her kennel, barking and pacing back and forth when handler approaches. She is easily leashed with a treat lure and taken out. She pulls hard all the way out of the room but has no reactivity toward neighboring dogs. Once in elevator, she continues circling and heavy panting. When she gets outside she immediately relieves herself in the driveway. Sylvana visibly calms down and continues walking next to the handler with no leash tension. She doesn't react towards other dogs or people passerby. She is social with handler, allows petting, gently takes treats and looks back at them frequently for check-ins. She remains slow pace and neutral body during the walk. Upon return handler is able to pre-clip the leash and bring Sylvana back into the kennel with ease. 8/07/26: Sylvana is lying down at the front of her kennel when handler approaches. She slowly gets up and does body shake when hander starts unlocking the kennel. She is easily leashed and taken out. Once in the hallways Sylvana walks slowly alongside the handler with no reactivity toward pop-up crates or staff members. When she gets outside she continues walking next to the handler with no pulling. She stops and stays at certain spot for a little bit and then relieves herself. She doesn't react towards other dogs or people passerby. She looks back at the handler for check-ins and follows verbal cues. She frequently scanning surrounding while remaining neutral body. During return handler is able to pre-clip the leash and bring Sylvana back into the kennel with no issues. 8/01/26: Sylvana is at the front of her kennel with lowered body when handler approaches. She sniffs offered treat but ignores is. She comes closer when handler calls her and is easily leashed and taken out of the room. In the hallways Sylvana walks slowly behind the handler with no interest toward pop-up crates or staff members. Once outside, she continues walking in slower pace next to the handler on the loose leash with no tension. She doesn't react towards other dogs or people passerby. She is not responsive with handler, ignores treats and remains aloof most of the time. Her body is slightly lowered during the walk. She shows whale eye when handler attempts to pre-clip her but tolerates it and goes back to her kennel by her own with ease.

Summary (7):: 7/31/26: (Late Entry) It is reported that when a handler went to clip their leash, Sylvana snapped at their hand. 07/31/26: Sylvana is at the front of her kennel as handler approaches, she is offered a treat and stares at it with a high wagging tail and a tense body. Handler places the treat down and unlocks the kennel before leashing (on a preclipped leashed) and walking with Sylvana to the street for her walk. Outside Sylvana is slow moving and she creeps forward sniffing spots on the street occasionally. She walks with handler and as she comes closer to the corner of the street where more activity and traffic are present she begins pulling forward hard and frantically. She is walked for a bit more but has difficulty settling, she is walked back inside and returned to kennel without issue. 7/30/26 (PM walk): Sylvana is at the front of her kennel with a neutral body; she is easily leashed and brought out the room. Sylvana walks with moderate leash tension. Any time some walks past, she slightly pulls towards them; she doesn't react to dogs. The handler calls Sylvana a few times, but she only looks at them once. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and returns Sylvana to her kennel; she briefly hesitates but enters her kennel on her own. 7/30/26 (AM walk): Sylvana is at the front of her kennel with lowered body and tucked tail when handler approaches. Handler offers a treat but she ignores it. Handler still is able to put the leash on and take Sylvana out with ease. Once in the hallways, Sylvana walks slowly with lowered body and head alongside with handler without reactivity towards pop-up crates or other staff members. When she gets outside she continues walking next to the handler on the loose leash with no tension. Sylvana doesn't react towards other dogs or people passerby. Handler offers a treat again but she is not receptive. She is not responsive when called; when handler attempts to pet her, she tolerates it, but shows whale eye. She remains lowered body during the walk and stays aloof most of the time. During return handler is able to pre-clip the leash and bring Sylvana back into her kennel with no issues.

Date of intake:: 7/28/2026

Summary:: Fearful, growling

Date of initial:: 7/29/2026

Summary:: Thrashed and backed away when muzzle was placed, very tense/whale eyed, Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Sylvana 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),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: Sylvana has been observed to escalate to growling and snapping when fearful. Noted to snap a a handler when they went to clip their leash. It is important to move slowly with Sylvana, 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.