Date of intake:: 2/26/2025

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray; history unknown

Date of assessment:: 3/2/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: mild pulling Reactivity to humans: none - ignores Reactivity to dogs: none - ignores Leash walking comments: fearful - tail tucked, body tense and hunched, wide eyes, ears pinned Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): nervous, paces, seeks exit, does approach for treats from a distance but then retreats Call over: approach with heavy coaxing Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: tense, lip lick, holds breath, tucked tail, whale eye Exuberant handling: tense, lip lick, holds breath, tucked tail, whale eye Handling comments: Arousal Jog: reluctant to follow, maintains aforementioned fearful body language Arousal comments: Knock: no response Knock Comments: Toy: no response Toy comments:

Summary:: Due to Nugget entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 03/02/25 Nugget is introduced to a novel male dog while off leash at the care center. Nugget will not approach the ate to greet the novel male dog. She will sniff away from the gate as a form of displacement, remaining avoidant. Nugget is returned to kennel, concluding the interaction.

Summary (6):: 3/25/25: Nugget greeted handler at front of kennel and climbed up with her front paws. She got down when asked and was leashed with ease. Nugget walked to the live room where she was clipped to a drag leash. Nugget was highly social with handler and solicited many pets. She was playful and fetched a large soft toy a number of times that she would prance around with. Nugget was highly treat motivated and would offer a sit. She would climb onto the kuranda bed and offer a sit for more treats. Nugget calmly engaged with a snuffle mat. She was able to jump up on top of a crate with ease where there was another snuffle mat with some leftover crumbs. Nugget climbed down when asked. When handler sat on chair, Nugget would jump up on their lap with her front paws and lean her whole body into pets. Nugget was returned to kennel with ease. 3/23: Staff report and handlers observe Nugget attempting to bite at other dogs' paws/legs when handlers are placing them back in their kennels above Nugget's. 3/21/25: Nugget is seen hard barking and lunging and at handlers and dogs walking past the kennel room. 3/19: Nugget was seen darting left to right in her kennel alternating between screeching and hard barking at other dogs when they pass her kennel. Attempts are made to cover her kennel to reduce her stress and visual triggers, but she pulls them into her kennel or rips them apart. 03/17/25: Nugget is lying at the front of kennel with a soft frame as handler approaches. She is leashed with ease and pulls mildly to the Live Room. She's clipped to a drag lead and free to explore the space. Nugget maintains a soft frame throughout and readily approaches handler, leaning into them to solicit petting. She takes treats gently from hand and will pick up a soft toy and carry it over to the bed to chew on. After her session, she is leashed with ease and returns to kennel safely. 3/16/25: Nugget is observed to rebound off her kennel walls, pace side to side and lunge/hard bark at equipment and staff that pass her kennel. 03/10/25 Nugget retreats through her transfer door as the handler approaches. She peaks her head out, remaining soft, with a soft face. The handler will clip her collar, and they proceed outside for a walk. Nugget will display a tucked tail, appearing nervous as she exits the building. Nugget is hunched over, hyper-vigilant of her surroundings as well as easily startled. Nugget and the handler will commence the walk where she stays real close to the handler and will hide behind them when afraid. Zooming bikes as well as cars will startle her so the handler takes her to a less busy sidewalk and will kneel down on one knee to pet her. She allows the petting, sitting with a soft body. Nugget is returned to the facility where she will stay close to the handler maintaining a moderate pace. She will quickly enter the facility as well as her kennel with no issue.

Summary (7):: 3/4: As a handler is returning a dog to its' kennel, they hear screeching and rapid hard barking coming from a kennel. They attempt to find the source and see Nugget lunging at another dog while in her kennel. She then begins darting back and forth still hard barking at another dog she sees exiting the room before finally hitting the kennel door hard enough to make the kennel back shake. 03/03/25: As handler is standing to the side of the room with their dog, Nugget begins vocalizing and running from side to side, focused in on the dog standing in the room. She continues until handler has moved away and dog is out of sight. 03/02/25 (assessment): Nugget is lying at the back of kennel with a slightly tense frame as handler approaches. She remains at the back of kennel as the door is opened and is not able to be coaxed forward. Handler slowly reaches in and clips their lead to Nugget's collar. She readily exits kennel, walking with a slightly tense frame to the Canine Behavior Office for assessment (see Behavior Assessment for further details). Nugget is clipped to a drag lead and free to explore the space. She spends time scenting and will slowly approach handlers to scent them as well. After her assessment, Nugget is leashed with ease and returns to kennel safely. 03/02/25 (playgroup): Nugget is standing in the middle of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. As handler unlocks the kennel door, Nugget tenses and lowers herself, hunching into the back corner. Handler kneels down and speaks to Nugget with a soft tone. They toss treats to her, but she shows no interest. Handler slowly drops their lead over her head, and she readily exits kennel. Nugget walks with a slightly tense frame out to the yard for playgroup (see Dog-Dog Summary for further details). She slowly approaches as handler kneels down and allows a collar to be placed. Once on a drag lead, Nugget loosens slightly and will spend time exploring the yard. After her session, she is returned to kennel safely.

Date of initial:: 3/1/2025

Summary:: very timid, slightly crouched when approached, likes spray Cheese - takes from a distance

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 4

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Single-pet home,Recommend no dog parks

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the behavior seen in the care center, we feel that Nugget may be intimidated by children. She needs a slow approach and time to warm up. She should never be forced to interact with new people, and should be allowed to greet and initiate an interaction at his own pace. For this reason, we recommend for Nugget to be placed in an adult only home at this time. Single-pet home/recommend no dog parks: Due to Nugget's concerning behaviors during her stay, we recommend for her to be the only dog in the home and not attend dog parks at this time.

Potential challenges: : Fearful,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful: Nugget has been fearful during her stay in care. While she does accept treats, she does not initiate or seek out interaction or attention from handlers. It is important to always go slow and give Nugget the option to walk away from any social interaction. She should never be forced to approach anything that she is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Nugget’s choice to approach a new person or thing. She would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to her new surroundings. Please see the handout on the Decompression Period. Barrier Frustration: While in her kennel, Nuggert has become highly reactive to other dogs when they pass her kennel. She darts back and forth or bounces off her kennel walls while screeching, hard barking, or growling. Please see handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration.