Date of intake:: 4/12/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Bite history:: 7/8/19: Mia was observed to have multiple bite wounds on their chest. The officers also stated that there were 2 other dogs in the residence, that "might have had bite wounds" on them. No further details were provided.

Other Notes:: Reports from previous foster (in-home for almost 4 months; May-August 2025) - -Lived with 2 adults During the first week in the home, Mia was reported to: -With other dogs during walks, Mia sometimes she barks and tries to move towards them (easily redirected), other times she ignores them. Dogs have come up and sniffed her and she did not react and walked away. -She sleeps in a spare bedroom and stays there when the fosters were out. Reported to not bark, whine, chew on items, or have accidents when alone. She willingly goes into into the room with positive encouragement. -When a visitor came over, Mia was reported to be relaxed, but on another occasion, when a 9-year-old relative came to visit, Mia's hackles raised and she began barking while having a toy in her mouth. It took her some time to warm up to both visitors before showing any sociable behaviors. -When taken to the park and she sees groups of people playing, Mia whines and lunges. Foster believes this is due to Mia wanting to play. On 5/14/25, the foster parent and Mia returned from their nighttime walk. The foster was cleaning Mia’s paws as is their usual routine after every walk. The foster was kneeling in front of Mia who was sitting in front of them, with a relaxed body. The foster's partner walked behind her to get to the bathroom, and when the partner reached for the doorknob, Mia jumped up from a sitting position and nipped the partner in the chest, causing a small scrape wound. The foster gently pushed their partner down, but they stood back up confused by what was happening, and Mia continued to jump/lunge at the partner. Mia was still leashed at the time, so the foster grabbed the leash and was able to redirect her. Throughout the incident, Mia’s tail was wagging, but the hair on her haunches was raised. Mia sat and allowed the foster to take off her collar with ease, and then returned to her bed, Mia’s hair stayed raised for a while. The wound did not require medical attention but did break skin and draw blood. June 2025: The foster reported that there was another incident with Mia and the foster's partner. Mia jumped at the partner when they leaned over the foster to get their phone. Mia was lying down next to the foster when the partner leaned over. Mia immediately sat up and was alert. She jumped at the partner but the foster cued Mia to sit, and she did. No contact was made. 4/12/25: Second stay; surrendered as a stray 7/5/19 Precious stay: Stray

Date of assessment:: 8/4/2025

Summary:: 8/9/25: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Mild Reactivity to humans: N/a Reactivity to dogs: N/a Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Explores room- sniffs around room, ignores treats offernd to her, distracted Call over: Aloof- sniffs around room, neutral body Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: Allowed- neutral body, stays in handling position Exuberant handling: Allowed- sniffs, pulls away moving out of handling position Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow- neutral body, distracted Arousal comments: Knock: Distracted Knock Comments: Toy: Ingores Toy comments: 8/3/25: A handling assessment was not conducted due to not being able to remove Mia from her kennel. When attempting to remove Mia from her kennel for a handling assessment, she began growling. She continues growling while her lips quiver during attempts to leash her. She escalates to head-whipping as her growling grows louder. The handler closes the kennel door and walks away after securing it. Mia then lunges and barks hard at the glass of her kennel. 8/2/25: A handling assessment could not be conducted due to the concerning level of resource guarding Mia displayed in her kennel over a toy and escalation towards handlers when attempting to leash her. She is initially given some time to settle before making another attempt with a second handler for assistance. Mia resumes guarding her toy while running to the back of her kennel. She escalates to charging to the front of the kennel with attempts at leashing. Once the kennel door is closed, she launches up at the glass, snapping at the second handler she sees through the glass. ***previous assessment available upon request***

Summary:: 4/22/25L Mia greets another dog at the gate with a tense body, growling.

Summary (3):: 8/12/25 (PM): Mia was sitting quietly in kennel as handler approached. She was disinterested in treats tossed into kennel and came forward to be leashed. She walked to the yard via the elevator. Mia was loose bodied and wagged her tail when handler spoke to her. Mia consistently seems housetrained and relieved herself once outside. Mia was clipped to a drag leash and spent time scenting in the yard. She rolled around on her back in the grass. Handler crouched down beside Mia who accepted many pets. She was calm and relaxed as she sat with the sun on her face. Mia was returned to kennel via the elevator. While still leashed, she allowed handler to reach into her kennel to adjust her water bowl so that it was accessible to her with her cone on. Mia then ate the jerky treats left earlier.

Summary (4):: 8/12: Mia is sitting quietly in her kennel when a handler approaches. The handler is updating her kennel card when she begins growling at them. They reach into their treat pouch, and then she begins hard jumping on the door. The handler drops the treats into the kennel, and she follows them downward as the handler walks away. 08/10/25 Mia is sitting softly when the handler approaches. She comes forward maintaining a soft frame, being leashed with a large loop due to her cone. The handler is successful, proceeding outside for a walk. Mia will trot her way outside maintaining a moderate pace beside the handler. She will explore the sidewalk during her time out. Mia is returned to the facility, entering through the second floor, taking the elevator down. Mia remains relaxed, displaying a neutral frame. Mia will enter her kennel with no issue. 08/09/25: When the handler approaches, Mia will demand bark at the handler before she is leashed and escorted out of the care center. When on leash Mia will exuberantly walk beside the handler as she explores her surroundings. Mia is escorted back to the care center where she is unleashed and safely secured. 08/08/25: Mia is observed standing with a neutral body posture and allows the handler to leash her with ease. She is then escorted to the assessment room, where she socializes comfortably and allows handling without issue. For more information, see behavioral assessment. Mia is returned to her kennel safely without any issues. 08/08/25: Mia is easily leashed and escorted out of the care center for a walk. When on leash Mia will mildly pull to scent. After a few steps Mia will halt and is reluctant to continue walking. The handler will kneel down and attempt to coax Mia forward. Mia will remain still. When the handler dogs a round about Mia will follow the handler towards the care center, The handler will turn around again and Mia will follow the handler back on the walk. Mia will continue the walk with a loose frame as she continues to explore her surroundings. Mia is escorted back to the care center where she is unleashed, kenneled and safely secured. 8/7/25: Mia is siting in her kennel as handler approaches. She comes forward to the front as the handler unlocks the door and she begins hovering over her blanket and empty food tray while growling. The handler is able to leash her and she slowly comes out of kennel with no issues. She is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, she would walk quickly ahead of the handler and stop to relieve herself. She was comfortable siting for treats and was then slowly taken to the live room due her kennel still being cleaned. In the live room, she would walk around and stop to sit periodically due to getting tired. She was comfortable siting in front of the handler and would take treats gently. She is then slowly taken back to her kennel and she enters with no issues.

Summary (5):: 08/06/25: (AM) As the handler approaches Mia's kennel door, Mia will do the same. Mia will then retreat to her cot and and hover over a pig ear, whale eyed she will begin barking at the pig ear with full body hackles displayed. The handler will drop treats from the the top of the kennel door. Conflicted, Mia will hesitantly approach, taking treats before retreating back to the cot and bark at the handler. Mia will toggle between approaching and consuming treats and returning to the Pig ear. Eventually while she eats the treats at the door the handler is able to easily leash her and escort her out of the care center. When on walks she will walk beside the handler as she explores her surroundings. She has a loose frame throughout. Mia is returned to kennel where she is unleashed, kenneled and safely secured. When the handler approaches, Staff reports that Mia was displaying guarding behavior over her Cot. When the handler looks into Mia's kennel she will remain hunched over her cot, hackles raised and barking at her cot. The handler will drop treats at the door but Mia will approach them, consume them and rush back to her cot, sitting hunched over it and barking, hackles raised. Eventually the handler is able to leash Mia as she consumes treats at the door. Mia is easily leashed and escorted of the the room and handed over to medical staff. 8/5/25 (PM): Mia was quiet in kennel, lying on kuranda bed as handler approached. She did not immediately get up, but did so when handler tossed a handful of treats over top of kennel. She approached leash loop at front of kennel and was leashed with ease. Mia walked to the BA room where she was clipped to a drag leash. Mia approached handler (seated) and accepted pets. She was taken to the yard for a relief walk and to have her photo taken. Mia relieved herself as soon as she got outside (consistently seems housetrained.) She took a short break on her way up the ramp to the yard. She appeared social when a staff member greeted her from a distance. Once in the yard, she panted (possibly due to exertion/weather) as she observed passers by with a neutral frame. She greeted handler 2 at the gate and offered a sit for her photos. Mia was returned to the care center via the elevator. She was neutral when a staff member entered the building at the same time. Once in kennel she was offered a beef lung which she took onto her bed and lay down.

Summary (6):: 08/04/25 Mia is lying down in her kennel as the handler approaches. Mia will approach the front of her kennel as the handler speaks to her in a soft voice. She remains soft in frame as the handler leashes her and she is taken out side to relieve her self. She maintains a neutral frame as she trots alongside the handler, exploring on her way out and marking in different areas. As she exits the building, she continues to explore intensely, sniffing in many different areas. She continues to make different areas as well. She is returned into the building, returning back to kennel with no issue. 8/3/25: Mia is observed to be at the front of her kennel door growling at the handler when approached, Mia is spoken to in a soft tone as they handler crouches to open her door and present the leash. Mia will continue to growl and lip quiver as the handler attempts to leash her, she head whips and growls louder. Mia's door is closed to end the interaction, and begins to hard bark and lunge at the glass of the kennel. 08/02/25: Mia is lying at the back of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. Handler kneels down and talks to Mia with a soft tone. She comes to the front of kennel and will eat tossed treats but tenses and runs to her kuranda bed, tensing over her toy and low growling at handler. They speak to Mia with a soft tone and attempt to coax her forward again, but she remains hovering over her toy. Handler exits and returns a few minutes later with second handler. She is standing at the front of kennel again but quickly runs to her kuranda bed to hover over her toy, growling and starts to rub the toy with her neck. Handler kneels at the front of kennel and tosses treats to lure her forward. Mia quickly charges to the front of kennel. Handler closes kennel door, and Mia launches up onto the glass, snapping at second handler who is close by. She launches up to the glass a second time and both handlers disengage.

Summary (7):: 06/27/25 (Trainer Note): Trainer had their fourth session with Mia today. Mia is doing great with the drop and leave it cues. She still jumped at the trainer when they held a high value toy, but a lot less than in previous sessions. The foster has remained consistent with Mia's training and her impulse control is improving. The foster is using the cue 'leave it' in various scenarios and she is very receptive. 06/19/25 (Trainer Note): Trainer had their third session with Mia today. They worked on engage/disengage in the park with people playing in the park with basket balls. We initially needed a lot of distance and higher reinforcers (cheese) and over the course of the session, Mia was disengaging at about half of the session she was at the start. Also worked on some leave it and introduced the clicker. 06/12/25 (Trainer Note) The trainer has their second session with Mia. She is progressing with the cue “leave it”. Toys are still challenging, but she is able to perform the behavior a distance. She jumped several times at the trainer when they held the toy. the foster was coached in how to progress with leave it and to work on an additional foundational behavior of “touch” in the next week. 06/02/25 (Trainer Note): The trainer met with both fosters today. There was another incident where Mia jumped at the foster's partner when they leaned over the foster to get their phone. Mia was lying down next to the foster when the partner leaned over. Mia immediately sat up and was alert. She jumped at the partner, and the foster asked Mia to sit and she did. No contact was made. The trainer and Mia worked on some general impulse control, starting with the cue leave it. Mia did great applying this to a fist full of treats, and eventually an open palm of treats. Mia will look away from them and orient to the handler and this was marked and rewarded. The trainer tried to apply this to toys with varying success, even the sight of a ball instantly made aroused Mia, she became jumpy and her pupils were dilated. The ball was taken out of Mia’s sight and they worked with lower-value toys. Mia did great and they will work their way up the toy hierarchy over the coming sessions. Both fosters also worked on approach and retreat with the partner approaching the foster. Mia maintained a loose frame throughout and was marked with a “yes” and rewarded the partner when moved towards the foster to maintain positive associations with her approaching the foster. The trainer also coached the fosters on positive reinforcement and watching for Mia to take a breath (a nostril flare) to encourage her to pause and self-regulate. *Older notes available upon request*

Date of initial:: 4/12/2025

Summary:: Tense but allows all handling

IN SHELTER OBSERVATIONS:: During previous stay in 2019: Upon approach, Mia was standing, chewy on her blanket. She was easily removed from her kennel. She allowed a handler to pet her briefly and then returned to her kennel without issue. She has been really social with handlers up until recently when she has begun to snap at handlers when trying to leash her. However, this coincides with the presence of a reactive large dog in the kennel next to hers.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Mia's potential to escalate to higher level warnings, resource guarding, handling sensitivity, and bite history, we recommend that she be placed in an adult-only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to all noted concerns displayed in a home environment nd during her stays in care, the behavior department recommends Mia be placed with a New Hope placement partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow Mia to acclimate comfortably to her new environment; force-free, reward-based training only is advised when introducing Mia to new and unfamiliar situations. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended for guidance to safely manage/modify any behavior she presents with outside of the care centers.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Mia has been observed to guard a toy in her kennel. She becomes tense, hovers, and growls when approached with a toy. She has escalated to charging handlers, hard barking, and lunging when they attempt to leash her while she has the toy or approaches her while she has it. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Handling/touch sensitivity | Bite History (human): During her stay in her foster home, she escalated to jumping up and biting one of her fosters when they reached over her towards a doorknob and then lunged at them on a second occasion when they reached across their partner for a phone but did not make contact. It is important to always go slowly and give Mia the option to walk away from any social interaction. She should never be forced to approach anything that she is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Mia's choice to approach a new person or thing. She may do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to her new surroundings. Please see handout on handling/touch sensitivity. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: During her previous stay, Mia was observed to escalate to snapping at handlers when they were attempting to leash her. During her current stay, Mia has displayed similar behaviors towards handlers. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression.