Date of intake:: 5/19/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: 1 adult, 1 child (13yrs old), 1 cat

Behavior toward strangers:: Famous will bark, growl, and snap

Behavior toward children:: Famous is tolerant

Behavior toward dogs:: Famous growls, lunges, snaps

Behavior toward cats:: Famous will snap

Resource guarding:: Famous is reported to become tense, hover over food, treats, and random objects

Bite history:: During his intake, the handlers tilt the crate back and attempt to leash him while wearing bite gloves. Famous repeatedly lunges out of the crate, snapping at handlers and biting them repeatedly on the hand. Staff member noted the glove didn't have any punctures but did have a small wound on middle finger that did bleed. It was self-treated onsite but not reported at the time of incident.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Very High

Other Notes:: Famous has general anxiety, is fearful of loud noises, and has destructive tendencies. He also tends to pull hard on the leash. On walks he will growl or hard bark, lunge, and bare teeth and strangers who approach and dogs. Held restrained: lunges Disturbed while sleeping: unbothered Startled: fearful Pushed off furniture: unbothered Feet touched: unbothered Collar grabbed: unknown Previous owner also notes: Famous is a very active and playful dog. He is a vocal and independent guy who can usually be found in the living room. He allows for bathing and brushing but not nail trimming. In the past he has escalated while attempting grooming. Famous is used to going on 2 walks per day and pulls moderately on the leash. He's a smart guy and knows sit, stay, and stop. Famous does not like car rides. According to a prior owner, he is very protective of his people.

Date of assessment:: 5/20/2026

Summary:: Famous was brought into the shelter via carrier. When staff attempted to handle him, he began hard barking, growling, and snapping. Canine Behavior team was called to assist, and again Famous became highly defensive in the carrier. When leashing him, Famous begins lunging out of the crate, and repeatedly snapping at handlers. These bites did not break skin but left bruising. Due to highly fearful and defensive behaviors, Famous is not eligible for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 05/29/26: Famous is laying at the center of his kennel as handler approaches, he looks up at handler but does not move. He is offered chicken by handler but does not approach, handler begins slowly introducing the leash into kennel and places it on the kennel floor, Famous briefly sniffs it before laying back down. Handler begins approaching with the leash and Famous is tense and his lip begins quivering. He lip licks but allows handler to put the leash over his head, flinching when he feels it on his neck but not escalating. He is walked out of kennel and into his new kennel. A hook is used to retrieve his leash. 5/20/26: Famous is lying down facing the front of the kennel as the handler approaches. He looks up at them then around. They offer their hand for a sniff through the bars and he ignores it. He is overall tense. The handler walks away for a minute then returns, and he stands up, wags his tail for 2 seconds, and then stretches. They offer treats and he turns his head away from them. The interaction is ended.

Date of intake:: 5/19/2026

Summary:: growling, attempting to bite, thrashes when on leash

Date of initial:: 5/20/2026

Summary:: Tense, but walks in on double leash. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: His previous owners describe Famous as a high-energy dog. He may have a low threshold for arousal and needs guidance to learn how to appropriately channel that energy when she becomes overstimulated. He will need daily mental and physical stimulation and exercise, and force-free, positive reinforcement-based training may help him to learn impulse control and to train desirable behaviors that can be rewarded.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),No cats,Single-pet home,Recommend no dog parks,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No Children: Due to previously reported behaviors in the previous home, we recommend a home with no children. No Cats: Despite living with a cat, Famous was reported to snap towards unfamiliar cats. We recommend that Famous be in a single pet home. Single Pet Home/ No Dog Parks: Due to growling, lunging, and snapping towards other dogs we recommend a single pet home with no trips to the dog park. Place with a New Hope Partner: Famous was reported to be highly fearful and defensive, during his intake he attempted to bite staff that attempted to hand him. Due to all noted concerns displayed in a home environment and in the Care Center, the canine behavior department recommends Famous be placed with an experienced New Hope partner. A period of decompression is recommended to allow Famous to acclimate comfortably to his new environment; force-free, reward based training only is advised when introducing Famous to new and unfamiliar situations. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended for guidance to safely manage/modify any behavior Famous presents with outside of the care centers.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Famous' previous owner notes that he may growl when his food bowl or items in his possession are approached. We recommend that Famous be left alone while eating or while in possession of toys, and that resource guarding behavior modification steps (available at ASPCApro.org) be utilized if this behavior is problematic in his future home. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Famous' mouth mouth, and any time something is removed he should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. He should be taught the "drop" cue and trade-up games.. Please see hand-out on Resource Guarding. Fearful/Potential for Defensive Aggression: Famous' previous owner reported he will hard bark, growl, and snap towards unfamiliar people. He was also very fearful and defensive during his intake to the Care Center. It is important to move slowly with Famous, 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. Bite History (Human): During his intake, Famous was reported to bite a staff member when trying to remove him from a carrier. These bites did not break skin. Please see bite history above for more details. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression. On-Leash Reactivity: Famous is reported to growl, lunge, and snap towards people and animals. Famous may need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach him to look at you rather than other dogs, cats, or people. We recommend a front clip harness or head halter to help manage this behavior. Please see hand-out on On-leash Reactivity.