Date of intake:: 8/6/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray(Unknown History)

Other Notes:: Pulls very hard on leash

Date of assessment:: 8/8/2026

Summary:: 08/08/25: Benz is taken to the behavioral office for a handling assessment he will flinch when touch and will lip licking, yawns, displaying a tense body and tucked tail. when the assessor attempt to collar him he whines and quickly moves away. Due to this a handling assessment will not be conducted at this time.

Summary (7):: 8/14/26: Bena is lying down on his blankets at the back of kennel. When kennel is opened he comes forward where he is easily leashed and pulled from kennel. On the walk thru the hallway to the back yard he walks a slack leash and next to handler with a neutral body. In the play pen he is aloof. When he sees another dog enter the backyard he watches the other dog but stays where he is and then losses interest and just looks around. he starts to walk around the play pen where he sniffs and investigates the area. He is returned to his kennel with no issue. 8/08/26: Benz is at the front of his kennel with lowered body when the handler approaches. He sniffs the offered treat but ignores it. When the handler attempts to place the leash on, Benz dodges the leash and retreats. Handler is able to lasso him, and Benz slowly exits the kennel. He walks out of the room without reactivity toward dogs in neighboring kennels. In the hallways, Benz pulls strongly forward with consistent leash tension. Once outside, Benz continues pulling hard toward the street. He stops to sniff certain areas and relieves himself. His body remains tense; Benz is not responsive to verbal cues and shows no interest in offered treats. His body stays tense throughout the walk, with continued strong leash pulling. Benz doesn't react toward other dogs or people passerby. Once the walk is done, Benz is taken to the Canine Behavior office for the assessment (see notes). During return, handler is able to pre-clip the leash and bring Benz back into the kennel with no issues.

Date of intake:: 8/6/2026

Summary:: Friendly

Date of initial:: 8/7/2026

Summary:: thrashed and snap when muzzled tense body

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Benz so we cannot be certain of his behavior in a home environment. However, he is a young, enthusiastic dog who will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Benz fearfulness and noted defensive behaviors we recommend he is placed in an adult only home at this. Place with a New Hope partner: Benz entered our care center after his owner left him with a family friend and never returned to reclaim him. Benz has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and has allowed only minimal handling since intake. He noted to allow petting but will begin to whine and move away. 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,Strength/leash pulling

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: During Benz medical exam he is noted to display a neutral body upon entering exam room, tense when pet, persistently dodges muzzle but eventually able to place. Freezes but allows exam. When attempting to place id band collar he thrashed and pawed at muzzle incessantly until stuck in mouth, when attempting to unclip muzzle thrashed and snapped while vocalizing. Eventually able to unclip but snapped an additional time. Relaxed at conclusion and able to be placed in kennel. During his behavioral assessment when touch around his back or attempting to collar he will whine and flinch. Continued support should focus on low-stress handling techniques, careful observation of his body language, and gradual desensitization to handling and equipment. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Strength/leash pulling: Benz is noted to hard pull on the leash. Continued leash training should focus on reinforcing loose-leash walking, rewarding engagement with the handler, and promoting calm behavior to improve his walking manners. Please see the handout on Strength/leash pulling.