Date of intake:: 3/25/2025

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, no prior history

Date of assessment:: 3/26/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Moderate/Hard Reactivity to humans: Reactivity to dogs: Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Moderately Social/Aroused Call over: Approaches with coaxing Sociability comments: panting heavily throughout exam, dilated pupils, strained expression, able to focus on treats, allows collaring Handling Soft handling: Accepts Contact Exuberant handling: Tolerates Contact Handling comments: initially neutral body, head whips a bit, hard to keep in position, panting, tenses with more exuberant handling Arousal Jog: Follows neutral bodied, aroused quickly, begins to mouth ankles with mild pressure as handler is running Arousal comments: Knock: Approaches neutral, unable to settle Knock Comments: Toy: Sniffs, ignores Toy comments:

Summary:: Due to Donnie entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 05/23/25: When off leash at the Care Center Donnie is introduced to a greeter male dog. Donnie will approach with a loose and wiggly frame. Both dogs will scent one another. The novel male will mark the gate while Donnie remains present with hackles displayed. Both dogs will offer play bows at the gate with loose and wiggly frames with Donnie displaying a flagging tail. The greeter male is moved to the back to the back of the pen to make space for Donnie to enter. Both dogs will pull towards one another and meet face to face, scenting each others muzzles. Both dogs will begin to play wrestle with one another, gripping and pawing at one another. The greeter male will at first mouth at Donnie's ears and neck which she is tolerant of. The handlers separate the dogs to give a moment of decompression. Both dogs pull towards one another and begin another session. The greeter male will become mouthy of Donnie's leg which she responds with being mostly tolerant but displays lip licking. Both dogs are separated, ending the interaction. 05/14/25 Donnie is used as today's greeter dog, introduced to two novel male dogs and a novel female dog at the gate, all while off leash at the care center. All three interactions are separate from each other. Donnie will greet the first male dog with a soft frame, remaining self-present as the male dog appears nervous. Donnie will walk away, ignoring the male dog, exploring away from the gate. In the next interaction, due to that male dog's hyper-arousal, Donnie is uncomfortable, ultimately hard barking at said male dog. That male dog is returned to kennel due to their arousal peaking. Donnie is introduced to female dog at the gate, approaching with a softer frame this time and giving the female dog muzzle licks through the gate. As the female dog walks away and returns to the gate appearing conflicted, Donnie tracks her, following her back and forth. The female dog is returned to kennel, followed by Donnie, concluding the interaction.

Summary (1):: 05/12/25 Donnie is introduced at the gate to a novel female dog while off leash at the care center. Donnie will approach the gate with a soft, wiggly body with a high fast-wagging tail. The novel female dog will offer Donnie bounces and play bows, presenting well at the gate. Donnie is escorted into her pen to meet face-to-face. Donnie will enter the pen with a soft frame, remaining self-present until the novel female dog acknowledges her. As she attempts to scent the novel female dog's genitals, the female dog will do the same, however, Donnie will protect her genitals by sitting gently. She will protect her genitals while exchanging body contact with the novel female dog. The female dog becomes frustrated, disengaging in order to displace while Donnie remains self-present with a soft body. They will re-approach each other, exchanging body contact once more as Donnie solicits play. The female dog becomes frustrated, vocalizing at Donnie and snarling. The two are separated and the female dog is taken out of the pen. Donnie is returned to kennel, concluding the interaction 04/24/25: When off leash at the Care Center Donnie is introduced to a novel female dog. At the gate Donnie approaches the gate stalking the novel female, with hackles displayed. Both dogs will scent one another at the gate. Donnie will remain stiff with a knot in her tail and full hackles displayed. The novel female will walk away in avoidance, displacement scenting. Donnie begins lip licking with ears forward. Both dogs are separated, thus ending the interaction. 03/30/25 Donnie is introduced at the gate to a novel male dog while off leash at the care center. Donnie doesn't greet the novel male dog at the gate, keeping her distance from it, appearing aloof. As the novel male dog stands on the gate, attempting to solicit her attention, she seeks attention from one of the handlers present. As she displays raised hackles and a high pointed tail, she ignores the novel male dog. Donnie is returned to kennel, concluding the interaction.

Summary (4):: 05/25/25 (playgroup): Donnie is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. She is leashed with ease and trots along next to handler on her way to the yard for playgroup (see Dog-Dog Summary for further details). Donnie is social with handlers throughout her time in the yard but appears to lower energy than usual. After her session, she is leashed and returns to kennel safely. 05/24/25: Donnie is observed to jump up onto her kennel door repeatedly while heavy panting and hypersalivating. Her kennel door is coated in saliva. 05/23/25 (Trainer Note): Donnie is standing at the front of her kennel with a neutral body as the handler approaches. She is easily leashed and pulls moderately to the canine training room. Donnie is loose and social with staff, leaning into contact with a soft body and sweeping tail wag. She readily engages with the various enrichment, orienting towards the handler between items. She is easily leashed and returned to the kennel without issue.

Summary (5):: 05/23/25 (Play Group Note): Donnie is standing at the front of her kennel, jumping up and down and displaying signs of arousal. As the handler begins to leash her, Donnie initially attempts to leash bite but quickly redirects and does not follow through. She is brought to the play yard for a interaction. During the nose-to-nose greeting at the gate, Donnie displays a play bow, loose body, and wagging tail. Once the gate is opened, and the dogs are in the yard together, Donnie displays a high level of tolerance, allowing her playmate to playfully bite her neck and ears, and she reciprocates appropriately, matching play styles. Donnie is escorted back to the care center and returned to her kennel safely. See Dog-to-Dog note for more information. 05/19/25 (trainer note): Donnie was standing at the front of her kennel panting with a neutral frame. She approached handler and jumped at the door as she was being leashed. She walked to the behavior office and was placed on a drag leash. She slowly explored the room with a loose frame. She would approach handler with a loose tail wag when called and would lean in for pets. She had difficulty engaging with enrichment items and was not interested in lower value treats and favored spray cheese and sausages. She was easily leashed and returned to kennel without issue. 05/18/25 Donnie is at the front of her kennel jumping up and down in onto her kennel door. The handler will cue her to sit, and she does firmly, being leashed with ease and taken outside for a walk. Donnie will exit her kennel displaying a loose frame and wagging tail. Donnie maintains a moderate pace as they exit the facility. Donnie and the handler will go for a lengthy walk where she will explore dirt and grassy patches along. She will stop to relieve herself during the course of the walk. Donnie will allow handling as she remains soft when pet as well as take treats gently when administered. Donnie is returned to the facility where she enters the building and her kennel with no issue. 5/14/25: Donnie was being removed from kennel by another staff member as handler entered room. Handlers switched over their leashes and Donnie walked to the yard for a gate greet (see dog-dog summary.) Donnie was highly social and solicited frequent contact with handlers. As other dogs were entering the adjoining yard, Donnie would sit right at the fence and wait patiently for them to approach. Donnie was loose and wiggly throughout interaction. She was returned to kennel with ease.

Summary (6):: 05/12/25 (trainer note): Donnie was standing on her hind legs with saliva smeared on her kennel door as handler approached. She was easily leashed and walked to the live room with mild pulling. When loose in the room and placed on a drag leash, she immediately loosened up as she slowly explored the room. Her body was loose and wiggly, and she leaned into handler for pets and engaged with enrichment items. At one point, she was sniffing a chair and climbed up continuing to sniff the chair and its pillow. She began to position her body over the pillow and appeared to begin to clamp her forelegs around it to mount it. Handler used a squeaky toy and light leash pressure to redirect her attention, and she immediately disengaged and oriented towards the handler. She was easily leashed and returned to kennel. 05/03/25 (Trainer Note): Donnie is jumping on her kennel door and it is covered with saliva as the handler approaches. She is loose and wiggly as the handler opens the door and is easily leashed and pulls mildly to the training room. When inside she leans into contact and is very social with everyone in the room. She begins to engage with a snuffle mat and a licki mat. she then engages in some polite exchange with the handler with two tennis balls. She takes one to the sofa, lies down and begins to destroy it. When she is finished she takes the next tennis balls and begins to rip it apart. Donnie continues to solicit pets and takes treats with a soft mouth. Donnie is safety returned to her kennel. 05/01/25 (trainer note): Donnie is lying down in her kennel as handler approaches. She stands up with a loose frame and is easily leashed and walked to the behavior office. She is kept on leash as she slowly explores around the room. Her body is neutral and she picks up a tail wag and leans into the handler when spoken to in baby talk. She was offered enrichment items and would engage briefly before losing interest. Another staff member entered the room while Donnie was eating spray cheese off of the licky mat. Her body appeared to stiffen up and her eating slowed down, however she loosened up once the staff member spoke to her in baby talk and Donnie approached them with a loose, wiggly body for pets. She was easily leashed and returned to her kennel.

Summary (7):: 04/28/25: Donnie is observed to jump up on her kennel door repeatedly, panting heavily. Her kennel door is coated in saliva. 04/24/25 (trainer note): Donnie is standing at the front of her kennel panting with a neutral frame. She had feces smeared around her kennel, as well as saliva on the kennel door. She is easily leashed and walked to the behavior office. She is placed on a drag leash and given free roam of the room to explore. She is provided treats and enrichment items, but she has no interest. She begins to pace and orient towards the doors while she continues to pant. Handler initiates play with squeaky toys. Donnie's body begins to soften up and her tail begins to wag as she gently mouths the toy. Her body is loose and wiggly as she carries the toy around with her throughout the room. She approaches the hander and leans in for pets with a wiggly body while still holding the toy. She is leashed and returned to kennel with no issues. 4/24/25: Donnie is siting at the front of her kennel as handler approaches. She is able to be leashed with ease, and she is taken to the play yard for playgroup. She would approach the handlers to receive treats and attention. When greeting the other dog, she had a loose body while she sniffed and would walk off and come back. Please see dog to dog notes for more details. She begins to pull hard in the building on the way back to her kennel and entered with ease. 04/07/25: Donnie is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. She is leashed with ease and walks with a loose lead to the Live Room where she is clipped to a drag lead and free to explore the space. Donnie is loose and social with handler throughout her time in the room and will readily approach and lean into petting. Handler tosses a squeaky toy which she will carry around and chew on for several minutes. After her session, she is leashed with ease and returns to kennel safely. 03/30/25 (playgroup): Donnie is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. She is leashed with ease and slowly walks to the yard for playgroup (see Dog-Dog Summary for further details). Donnie is social with handlers throughout her time in the yard, readily accepting petting with a soft frame. After her session, she is returned to kennel safely.

Date of intake:: 3/25/2025

Summary:: growling with ARS, control poled

Date of initial:: 3/26/2025

Summary:: Panting, whale eye, tucked tail. Warmed up quickly for pets and treats

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

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 3

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Donnie's mouthiness and low threshold for arousal, we recommend he goes to an adult-only home.

Potential challenges: : Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition: Donnie has began to mouth when becoming over aroused in the care center. We recommend never playing with bare hands – always with a toy – and ending play or attention whenever Donnie puts teeth on skin. He should be rewarded with attention and treats when he stops and/or when he is seeking attention in alternate ways. Handling/touch sensitivity/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Donnie has escalated to growling at ARS staff when being retrieved from his prior home. Donnie should never be forced to approach anything that he is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Donnie’s choice to approach a new person or thing. Donnie may do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to his new surroundings. Anxiety: Donnie has been highly anxious in the care center. We recommend long walks and puzzle toys to help alleviate his anxiety. See handout on Generalized Anxiety. Low threshold for arousal: Donnie when aroused, begins to mouth handlers. When Donnie becomes aroused, it’s important to recognize that his low threshold of arousal means he can get excited or overstimulated quickly, even with small triggers like movement or sudden changes in his environment. This low threshold indicates that he becomes reactive or impulsive faster than a dog with a higher threshold, which can lead to behaviors like mouthing or jumping. To help Donnie manage this, focus on teaching him calm behaviors through positive reinforcement, such as rewarding him when he stays calm in situations that would typically trigger his excitement.