Date of intake:: 3/2/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray (No Known History)

Date of assessment:: 3/8/2026

Summary:: Since arriving at the care centers Sunny Dance has displayed fearful defensive behaviors. She frequently growls at staff when attempting to leash her for walks and has bared teeth in kennel. When first arriving at the care centers she would alert bark toward staff that attempted to approach her. Due to her high levels of FAS and need for contact on her own terms, she is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (5):: 3/11/26 (late entry): Sunny Dance is at the front of her kennel with a soft body, jumping around in kennel. She is easily leashed and brought out the room. The handle brings her to the yard and places her on a drag leash. There, Sunny runs and sniffs around the pen. She also looks at the other dogs in the adjacent pens. Sunny then begins to salivate. The handler gets her attentions and gives her treat, but she doesn’t eat. When another dog walks past the pen and quickly presses their snout through the gap, Sunny attempts to mouth/bite it. The handler switches the leash, brings Sunny inside, and returns her to her kennel with ease.

Summary (6):: 3/8/26: Sunny is jumping up and hard barking on the kennel door as the handler approaches. They are easily leased, but she head whips and pushes the leash off. The handler tries again with a treat lure, and they’re able to easily leash them. Once exiting kennel, Sunny pushes off the wall once and attempts to get closer to the other dogs. Sunny is taken to the yard where she sniffs around and does not interact with the handler. She is noted to be hypersalivating, and saliva is dripping out of her mouth. The handler is able to clip their leash without issue and Sunny is returned to kennel.

Summary (7):: 3/7/36: Sunny Dance is at front of kennel with a tense body as handler approaches. When handler stops in front of kennel and goes to unlock the door, Sunny growls and barks at handler. However she is easily leashed and pulled form kennel. In the back yard handler sits on the bench and Sunny comes over and sits in front of handler, handler then pets Sunny and she leans into the handlers legs. Handler also engages in 1,2,3 game with Sunny. She is returned to kennel with no issue. 3/4/26: Sunny Dance is growling at the front of her kennel, but then stops and presents a wiggly body as the handler approaches. She is easily leashed and brought out the room. On the street, Sandy walks ahead with moderate to hard pulling on leash. She doesn't react to any people or passersby. She also allows pets and take treats from the handler. While walking back to the shelter, Sunny eases up on the leash tension. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and returns Sunny Dance to her kennel with ease. 3/3/26: Sunny is laying in her kennel at the front. She growls when handler approaches. Handler kneels down, sideways to kennel and slowly extends their arm offering a treat. She takes the treat and softens. Handler stands and unlcoks the kennel. Sunny stands soft with wagging tail and jumps on the kennel door. She dodges the leash a few times beofre it can be secured. She is walked on the street once leashed and pulls ahead of handler, moderate pull on leash. She is soft bodied and will jump onto handler a few times remaining loose. She is brought to the behavior room waiting for the kennel to be cleaned and will sit for treats and jump onto handler. Another staff member enters and she becomes tense but softens when the staff member offers treats. She is easily returned to kennel. 3/2/26: Staff reported to K9 Behavior that Sunny Dance was growling and baring teeth at them in kennel. Upon approach, Sunny Dance is curled up tightly in the back of the kennel tense and whale eyed. She can be heard low growling that quickly increases in volume. Handler baby talks her and she lip curls. Interaction is ended.

Date of intake:: 3/2/2026

Summary:: Panting, alert barking and head whipping when collar is touched, enters kennel without issue

Date of initial:: 3/2/2026

Summary:: not interested with treats; high FAS, low growl

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Sunny Dance so we cannot be certain of her behavior in a home environment. However, she will need daily mental and physical activity to keep her engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct her energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No Children: Due to Sunny Dance's fearful disposition and need for contact on her own terms, we recommend a home with no children. Place with a New Hope Partner: We recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety,Kennel presence

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/Potential for Defensive Aggression/Kennel Presence: Sunny Dance has displayed high levels of FAS since arriving at the care centers. She frequently growls and bares teeth at handlers when attempting to take her out for walks and is tense, she will also alert bark at unfamiliar people who approach her. It is important to move slowly with Sunny, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow Sunny to initiate interactions with new people. She should never be forced to greet or to interact if she is not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression. Anxiety: During her intake it was reported that Sunny Dance was panting, whining and jumping on handler frequently throughout the interaction, displaying signs of stress and anxiety. We recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and giving her other things to focus on to alleviate her anxiety. Positive reinforcement, force-free training only should be used. Please see handout on Generalized Anxiety.