Date of intake:: 9/1/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, No known history

Date of assessment:: 9/9/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: None Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: Mild Leash walking comments: Stares at other dogs with alert body, able to be redirected verbally Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Distracted Call over: No approach Sociability comments: Aloof, does not interact with handler Soft handling: Accepts contact Exuberant handling: Accepts contact Comments: Aloof with handle Arousal Jog comments: Balks, does not follow Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily with wagging tail Toy Toy comments: Becomes tense and hovers over the toy while growling. When the assess-a-hand gets closer Tommy begins growling louder, baring teeth, snarling, lunges, and charges towards the handler. As the handler moves away, Tommy remains fixated on them while growling. The handler tosses treats and he is not able to be redirected

Summary:: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 9/19/26: Tommy is introduced to a novel intact female and is loose at the fence with mid level wags. He is let into the yard and the other dog flags over and stands on her hind legs. Tommy does the same and gives a vocal correction. They are separated and Tommy hard barks towards the other dog while at a distance, pulling towards her with a mid level sideways wagging tail. He is led out of the yard without issue but is heavily panting. 9/8/26: Tommy is introduced to a novel intact male and is loose at the fence with mid level wags and perked ears. He sniffs nose to nose, following the other dog along the fence line, then disengages and interacts with his handler. The other dog is let into the yard and Tommy snarls and lunges towards them from a distance. He remains forward leaning with mid level wags and when the other dog spins playfully, Tommy hard barks. He redirects his attention without issue and the meet is ended. 9/5/26: Tommy is introduced to a novel intact female and approaches the fence with a loose body and helicopter wagging tail. He sniffs nose to nose through the fence remaining loose and then disengages without issue when the other dog retreats.

Summary (6):: 9/19/26: Tommy is at the front of his kennel with a loose body; he is easily leashed and brought out the room. Once they're outside, the handler feeds a treat to Tommy and he takes it with a soft pressure and body. Tommy walks with mild to no leash tension and no reactivity to dogs or people. When the handler speaks to them, Tommy presents a soft body and eyes. Tommy is brought inside. When he sees a familiar handler, he presents a wiggly body and jumps on them; he attempts to lick their face as he receives pets. Once he jumps down, the handler clips their leash and returns Tommy to his kennel with ease. 9/14/26: It is reported that when a handler attempted to take a food item (a ball of wet food with his meds in it) with the hook, Tommy began to bite the hook several times and another hook was needed to remove the first hook. 9/9/26: Tommy is at the front of the kennel with a soft body and soft wagging tail. He is easily leashed and taken out of the kennel. Tommy walks out of the kennel and to the street. He walks slightly ahead of the handler, keeping a steady pace with a slack leash. Tommy does not takes treats that are offered. Tommy relieves himself before being walked back to the shelter. He is brought towards the assessment office where he greets the assessor aloof with a soft wagging tail. After his assessment, Tommy is returned to kennel without issue. 9/05/26 [D2D]: Tommy is lying down at the back of his kennel when handler approaches. He gets up and willingly comes closer to the front; he is easily leashed and taken out of the room. Tommy slowly walks slightly behind the handler in the hallways with no reaction to pop-up crates or staff members. Tommy is taken to the yard for the playgroup (see notes). During return handler is able to pre-clip the leash and bring Tommy back into his kennel with no issue

Summary (7):: 9/4/26: Tommy is lying down in the back of his kennel and comes to the front with soft eyes when the handler approaches. He is leashed and exits kennel without issue, walking with no leash pressure. He is non reactive to people and dogs and immediately uses the bathroom when outside. In the yard he takes a treat gently and allows the handler to collar him and place him on a drag, remaining neutral. He explores the yard independently and then approaches the handler, leaning into pets. He stands between their legs looking to them with soft eyes and mid level wags for more pets. He lies down between their legs and sunbathes. He walks with no leash pressure going back inside and enters kennel without issue, taking a treat gently through the bars. 9/3/26: Tommy is lying at the front of his kennel with widened eyes as the handler approaches; the handler begins to toss treats into his kennel. They also hand feed the treats to Tommy, and he hesitantly takes them with mild pressure. As the handler tosses treats into his, the handler slowly opens the kennel; they use a treat as a lure and slowly place the leash on Tommy. He is brought out the room. Tommy walks with mild leash tension and no dog or people reactivity. Tommy is mostly aloof, as he ignores the handler when they call him and use their squeaker; he also shows no interest in presented treats. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and returns Tommy to his kennel. 9/2/26: (PM WALK) Tommy is lying down at the front of the kennel with whale eyes. Handler tosses treats into the kennel and he eats them. Handler unlocks the kennel and he stands up. Handler continues to toss treats and Tommy walks around eating them. Handler is able to place the leash over his head slowly. He exits the kennel and walks with a tucked tail and a slack leash. He is brought towards the driveway and paces back and forth, stopping to sniff his surroundings. When observing dogs he looks towards them with perked ears. He does not take treats tossed towards him. Tommy is then walked back inside the shelter and is returned to kennel without issue. 9/2/26: Tommy is reported to growl as handlers approach and attempt to leash him. This is done both in the morning and afternoon. 9/2/26: Handler approach Tommy's owner and ask them to enter the lobby. They take the leash from the owner and walk to his kennel. Tommy has a neutral body, and the handler is easily able to clip their leash. Tommy enters kennel without issue

Date of intake:: 9/1/2026

Summary:: Growling, hard staring, tense body

Date of initial:: 9/2/2026

Summary:: Growling when approached in kennel. Escalated to baring teeth and snapping. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Tommy 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 addition to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to resource guarding, we recommend an adult only home. Recommend No Dog Parks: Due to the concerning behaviors that Tommy has shown during playgroup (see DOG-DOG SUMMARY), we feel that he should not visit dog parks. The Behavior Department recommends that he be socialized in a more controlled setting until his behavior towards other dogs can be further addressed. Reward-based, force-free training can be utilized to help Tommy associate dogs with things he enjoys like toys or treats. We recommend placement with a New Hope rescue partner who is able to provide an experienced, adult-only foster home. Force-free, reward based training and/or consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Tommy has been observed to quickly escalate to growling, baring teeth, snarling, lunges, and charges towards the handler while in the possession of a toy. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Tommy's mouth, and any time something is removed they should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Fearful Defensive: During intake Tommy was noted to hard stare and growl at handlers. While in kennel, Tommy has been observed to escalate to baring teeth and snapping. It is important to move slowly with Tommy, 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. On Leash Reactivity: Tommy has been observed to have an alert, forward body when seeing other dogs while on leash. This behavior is able to redirected easily. Tommy will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than other dogs. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration.