Date of intake:: 12/31/2025

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

Previously lived with:: 4 adults

Behavior toward strangers:: nervous around strangers and will growl/bark at them.

Behavior toward children:: has been around 1 child and was tolerant/friendly.

Behavior toward dogs:: No known experience with other dogs.

Behavior toward cats:: No known experience around cats.

Resource guarding:: No known reports of Resource guarding.

Bite history:: No known reports of a Bite history.

Housetrained:: No

Energy level/descriptors:: Knightly is noted to have a very high energy in the prior home.

Other Notes:: Previous owner stated that King has only ever used wee wee pads and has little to no experience being outside of the house. Since he is unfamiliar with being outside, he will growl, bark, and lunge when he sees people. Knightly has neck sensitivity and will try to bite when a stranger touches/grabs his collar. Knightly is very active and playful once he is comfortable. He also can be independent and is partially crate trained (can be left alone for about 3 hours). Knightly does not allow being bathed, brushed, or groomed. Knightly loves to play with ball toys and toys he can tug on.

Date of assessment:: 1/3/2026

Summary:: 01/03/26: Due to Knightly denfensive and fearful behavior, a handling assessment will not be condcuted at this time.

Summary (6):: 01/7/26: Knighty is lying in the back of his kennel, trembling, with his tail tucked, looking away from the handler and displaying side eye. The handler calls to him and tosses treats into the kennel; Knighty does not respond and does not attempt to eat the treats. The handler disengages and walks away, leaving Knighty in his kennel safely and securely.

Summary (7):: 01/04/26 (PM): First handler (AH) brings Knightly to the Canine Behavior Office, and he immediately pulls towards second handler (DW) who is familiar to him. Knightly backs under second handler's legs as they sit in an office chair with a tense trembling frame and begins to loosen slightly and lean into petting. Knightly suddenly charges forward towards first handler (who is holding the leash) while growling and second handler grabs the leash, pulling him away. Knightly begins hard barking, lunging, and growling at first handler, fixating on them the whole time they are in the room. Knightly does not settle until first handler is out of the room. He then leans into petting but pants heavily and whines throughout his time in the room. Whenever Knightly hears first handler's voice outside in the hallway, he begins hard barking and lunging in the direction of their voice. Once his kennel is clean, Knightly is returned to kennel safely. (AM): Knightly is lying at the back of kennel as handler approaches. He comes forward, his frame softens and he takes treats gently from hand. Handler clips his collar and walks him to the Canine Behavior Office where he is kept on leash due to snapping at a second handler the day before. Knightly walks around the room sniffing and ignores two handlers who are in the room. Handler sits in an office chair and Knightly sits between their legs, leaning into petting with a loose frame. As a third handler walks past, Knightly appears interested and approaches as they're walking by before quickly lurching forward toward the back of their foot. Handler quickly pulls Knightly back, and he begins to huff, hard bark, and lunge towards third handler while still on lead. Handler walks Knightly outside and he settles, sniffing around the yard with a neutral frame. After his session, he is returned to kennel safely. 01/03/26: Knightly is standing at the back of kennel with a tense trembling frame as handler approaches. He hard barks and growls as handler kneels to coax him to the front. Knightly does not take any treats offered. Due to his kennel being heavily soiled, handler lasso's him and he slowly exits kennel. Knightly walks with a tense frame and tucked tail to the Canine Behavior Office. He slowly walks around the room sniffing and when handler sits down on the couch, Knightly will sit between handler's legs and leans into petting, becoming increasingly loose bodied. He will rub into handler's legs and lean his head back to solicit petting when handler disengages. Knightly allows handler to collar him. A second handler walks by a few feet away and Knightly approaches with a neutral frame but then lunges forward and snaps at their hand (does not break skin). Handler moves Knightly away and he leans into them to solicit attention again. He is returned to kennel safely.

Date of intake:: 12/31/2025

Summary:: fearful/shut down and struggled to walk on leash with staff.

Date of initial:: 1/3/2026

Summary:: very scared and nervous, trembling, no signs of aggression, backing up - seems to bond to one perso

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): We recommend that Knighty be placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Knighty came into the care center as an owner surrender due to being too big for the apartment and having no time for him anymore.Knightly is a fearful, handler-sensitive dog who seeks comfort from familiar people but struggles with unfamiliar handlers and movement nearby. He often presents with a tense, trembling body and may hard bark, lunge, or snap when startled or when unfamiliar individuals enter his space. Knightly would benefit from a calm, predictable home with experienced adopters who can limit exposure to unfamiliar people, and continue confidence-building using positive reinforcement. Knightly is available for rescue through one of our new hope partners.

Potential challenges: : House soiling,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Low threshold for arousal/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: In the prior home Knighty is noted he will growl, bark, and lunge when he sees people due to him not having experience. On intake he is noted to be very fearful/shut down and struggled to walk on leash with staff. His tail was tucked the whole time, he was shaking, and he started to lay flat on the ground. Knighty is noted to have attempted to lunge and snap at staff. Training should focus on slow, gentle desensitization to new people and environments, reinforcing calm behavior at safe distances, and avoiding pressure or forced interactions. Using high-value rewards, predictable routines, and low-stress handling can help build trust and reduce fear-based reactions over time. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Handling/touch sensitivity: Knighty has neck sensitivity and will try to bite when a stranger touches/grabs his collar. Recommended strategies include gradual collar-handling desensitization using high-value treats, teaching cooperative care behaviors such as offering his neck voluntarily, and avoiding sudden or direct grabs. Using tools like slip leads or harnesses during early stages can help keep interactions safe while building positive associations with touch. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity.