Date of intake:: 1/3/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (no behavior history)

Previously lived with:: cats, other dogs

Behavior toward cats:: reported to do well with cats

Bite history:: Yes. Royal was being bitten by the other dogs in the home, causing broken skin. He did escalate to biting another M SMB dog, but the bite was defensive and did not break the skin.

Summary:: Royal has only tolerated minimal handling in care. When attempting to collar him, he escalated to growling and hard staring at one staff member, keeping focus on them until they leave the yard. Royal remains with primary handler, still tense but tolerating some touch on his back. He is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary:: 1/11: Royal stands about a foot from the gate as a F LMB dog approaches. He stares at her and when she moves closer, he low growls. Royal lived with other dogs but was having on-going issues where the other dogs were biting Royal, eventually he did bite back but the bite did not break the skin.

Summary (6):: 1.13 Royal is at the front of his kennel with a soft and exuberant body jumping against the door as approached. When staff attempt to leash him, he sits calmly and allows staff to leash him. Royal is taken for a brief walk, where he and the staff stop at a bench. Royal climbs onto the bench and leans into gentle pets, with a soft body for an extended amount of time. Royal remains soft and engaged while being pet. Royal ignores people who walk past him while staff member is petting him. Royal ignores the dog in the yard as he walks past and is easily returned to his kennel. 1/12 When staff approaches the kennel, Royal begins to lunge at the door hard barking. He follows the staff through the transfer door and lunges at the next door, hard barking and bearing teeth. 1.11 Royal is at the front of his kennel with a soft body. He jumps up towards the leash as the staff is attempting to leash him, but is easily leashed. Royal easily walks out of the shelter and is responsive to staff. Royal walks with a neutral body, but becomes slightly tense when cars drive by. Royal is responsive to the handler and walks with either a slack leash or mild pulling. Royal is then brought to the yard and kept on a leash. While in the yard royal approaches the staff holding the leash and leans into soft pets with a somewhat wiggly body. Royal explores the yard and relieves himself several times. Royal is brought back to the shelter and is easily clipped and returned to his kennel. Once in the kennel, Royal begins barking and jumping at the side of his kennel in response to another dog's barking.

Summary (7):: 1.09 Royal is at the front of his kennel and is easily leashed. He walks through the hallway and stops when they reach the door. He balks and pulls himself further back before sitting down. He thrashes his head as he sits. Staff attempts to walk him out another door, and he again balks and backs up. His body is tense. Royal then lies down and rests his head on the floor. Staff stand with him, and then he is returned to his kennel. 1/8: A staff member is reading aloud in the room, and after about 10 mins, Royal comes to the front of his kennel, lying down with a relaxed face. He is easily leashed by an unfamiliar handler and brought on a walk. He is tense, walking on his tiptoes and easily spooked by passing cars. He is tolerant of being clipped, although he turns when he feels the handler make contact. He sits at the kennel front, avoiding entering on his own. The more familiar staff leads him into the kennel, and he walks in on his own. 1/7: Royal is easily leashed and brought to the yard for his assessment. The primary handler walks him to the bench, and Royal begins to shake with a tucked tail, remaining close to the handler. The second staff member approaches him with a martingale collar, and he tenses. The collar is about halfway around him, and he hard stares with a loud growl. The second staff member steps away, creating space. He remains focused as they leave the yard. While with the primary handler, he moves closer, seeking comfort. 1.4.26 Royal is at the front of his kennel when approached. He lunges and growls when the staff initially attempts to leash him. After continuing growling and snapping at the leash he moves to his bed and freezes, until the staff is able to land the leash around their head. Once leashed Royal stays on his bed and does not leave the kennel until some pressure is applied to the leash. Once out of the kennel Royal walks with a neutral body, and a down tail. He ignores people passing on the walk and is responsive to the handler. He allows the leash to be clipped, and staff are able to walk him into the kennel. PM: Royal has his head lowered, sitting at the kennel front. He is easily leashed and brought on a walk. He is hypervigilant, turning his head at every noise or passing truck, remaining close to the handler. He allows to be clipped, but when they approach his kennel. He sits down firmly. Handler attempts to guide him in, but he is persistent. Treats are tossed, then a toy is tossed, and he ignores them. Another staff member secures a slip lead, and when pressure is applied, he thrashes. A stronger staff member assists in returning him to the kennel.

Date of intake:: 1/3/2026

Summary:: barks at ACO, fearful, tolerates being lifted into van

Date of initial:: 1/6/2026

Summary:: Fearful, tail tucked, whale eyes, growling, muzzled as a precaution

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Royal is escalating to higher level warnings in care, growling at staff. He should go to an adult only home. Single-pet home/Recommend no dog parks: Royal has lived with other dogs but was surrendered due to having issues which escalated to them biting each other. Royal was reported to have been the victim but did eventually bite back. In the care center, he growled at a female LMB dog through the gate. Should Royal go to a home with another dog they would require slow, careful introductions. We recommend he does not visit the dog park at this time. 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: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Kennel presence,Bite history (dog)

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity: Royal escalated to growling and hard staring at staff when they attempt to collar him. He is only allowing minimal handling at this time. Royal requires a hands-off approach, allowing him to come to you on his own terms. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity. Fearful Potential for Defensive Aggression: Royal gives clear warnings when he is uncomfortable and does seem to choose to avoid or retreat when given the opportunity, but if prevented from moving away there is a potential to escalate to higher-level warning behaviors and possible fear-based aggression. It is important to move slowly with Royal, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow him to initiate interactions with new people. He should never be forced to greet or to interact if she is not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful Potential for Defensive Aggression. Bite history (dog): Royal has a bite to the other resident dog in the home M SMB. Royal was defending himself as the other dog bit him first, leaving a puncture. Royal's bite to the other dog did not break the skin. Please see handout on Bite History. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration/Kennel presence: Royal is reactive to people through a barrier. Initially lunging at staff, baring teeth in kennel. His kennel presence has shown some improvement as he is slowly adjusting. He will react to other people while in the yard, hard barking. Please see handout on On-Leash Reactivity & Barrier Frustration.