Date of intake:: 10/14/2024

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

Date of assessment:: 10/16/2024

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Loose Reactivity to humans: Approaches- neutral body Reactivity to dogs: Timid Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Call over: Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: Tolerant- tucked tail, stiff body hale eyes slick back ears Exuberant handling: Tolerant- tucked tail, stiff body hale eyes slick back ears Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow- looks at the handler, whale eyes Arousal comments: Knock: back away slick back ears tucked tail Knock Comments: Toy: sniffs Toy comments:

Summary:: Due to Rudolph entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 01/03/25: When off leash at the Care Center Rudolph is introduced to a greeter male dog. At the gate Rudolph approaches hard pulling. Rudolph scents the greeter male with tail wags. Rudolph mirrors the greeter males behavior as he chases the greeter male along the gate. The greeter male is moved to the back of the pen to make space for Rudolph to enter. Once in the pen Rudolph hard pulls to the greeter male and they meet face to face, scenting one another. Rudolph begins drooling as he attempts to mount as well as paws at the greeter males face. Although he is tolerant of it the greeter male attempts to avoid Rudolph's pawing. Both dogs are separated but Rudolph continues to fixate on the greeter male. Due to the greeter males discomfort interaction was ended. 10/15/24: When off leash at the Care Center is introduced to a novel female dog. At the gate Rudolph approaches soft. Rudolph lightly scents the novel female and displays light tail wags. The novel female is moved to the back of the pen to make space for Rudolph to enter. Once in the pen Rudolph begins displacement scenting. When the novel female approaches they begin scenting one another. The novel female paws at Rudolph, who responds by retreating. Rudolph approaches again, When the novel female paws at him again Rudolph lips tighten and bares front teeth. They are separated for a moment before Rudolph shows interest leaning in the novel females direction and attempting to approach. They are introduced again, When the novel female attempts to mount Rudolph quickly and light "chomps" at the novel female. Rudolph is escorted out of the pen to avoid further stress.

Summary (4):: 02/14/25 (Trainer Note): Rudolph is standing at the front of the kennel with a loose, wiggly body. He is easily leashed and pulls moderately to the canine training room. Rudolph engages readily in the various enrichment items. He is able to orient towards the handler and breathe between items. Rudolph leans into contact with a loose body. Another handler enters the room and he jumps on them repeatedly, but is easily redirected. Rudolph is returned to kennel without issue. 2/11/25: Rudolph greeted handler at front of kennel with a loose, wiggly frame. He was leashed with ease and pulled on the way to the BA room. Handler was not wearing a treat pouch and Rudolph did not jump up on them. Once in the room, Rudolph was fitted for a harness while distracted with sausages and a cheese lick mat. Rudolph was highly social with familiar and novel handlers and leaned his whole body into pets. Rudolph appeared at ease in the room as he lay down and calmly engaged with a Pupsicle puzzle toy filled with a frozen treat for some time. He played independently with a squeaker ball with a loose, bouncy frame. Rudolph continued to pull but did not jump up on handler as he was returned to kennel while clipped to his harness. He allowed handler to unclip his harness once back in kennel without issue. Handler brought Rudolph some toys for in kennel enrichment.

Summary (5):: 02/09/25 (PM) When taken for a walk, his high treat motivation drives him to nip at treat pouch excessively. Manageable with treats during the course of the walk, however, when running out, Rudolph will still demand more. 02/09/25: Rudolph is standing at the front of kennel with a loose wiggly frame as handler approaches. He jumps up on kennel door and is easily redirected with tossed treats. Rudolph is leashed with ease and pulls hard to the Canine Behavior Office. He is clipped to a drag lead and free to explore the space. Rudolph jumps up on handler excitedly and is easily redirected with tossed treats. He spends several minutes engaging with a puzzle feeder, licky mat, and treat ball. After his session, Rudolph is leashed and returned to kennel safely 02/07/25: As behavior handler is returning to the building with a dog, they observe Rudolph jumping up and biting onto staff's treat pouch repeatedly. Staff attempts to stiff arm him to create distance, but he continues jumping up. Behavior handler is able to briefly distract him with a squeaker and he settles momentarily. As handler is directing staff to toss handfuls of treats from their pouch in front of Rudolph to redirect him, he jumps up and grabs onto the pouch again and staff is not able to retrieve their treats to redirect. Behavior handler clips their dog to the fence line and takes Rudolph from staff, instructing staff to take the other dog back to kennel. Rudolph jumps up to grab handler's treat pouch but is redirected with tossed treats multiple times. He is returned to kennel safely.

Summary (6):: 02/06/25 (Trainer Note): Rudolph is sitting in his kennel as the handler approaches. He is easily leashed and pulls moderately to the canine training room. He engages readily in the enrichment items and orients towards the handler, taking a deep breath, before the handler moves them to the next item. Rudolph leans into contact with a lowered body and low tail, but re-initiates when the handler pauses. Handler introduces the Give Me a Break game and Rudolph engages for a few repetitions before opting out. He is easily leashed and returns to kennel without issue. 2/3/25: Rudolph was observed jumping up on handler to get treats out of their pouch. 1/23/25: Notes on the board state that Rudolph has began to leash bite midly during play. 1/16/25: Rudolph is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approach. He was able to be leashed with ease and he pulled hard on the way to the live room for enrichment fun. He instantly flipped over the snuffle mat to get all the treats that were inside. He would sniff all around and jump up on the handler for more treats. He also like to play fetch with the stuffed toys and would catch the zoomies with them in his mouth. He was able to be taken back to his kennel with no issues. 01/09/25: Rudolph is standing on his hind legs at the front of his kennel, eagerly awaiting the handler’s arrival. He is leashed with ease and escorted to the live room for enrichment. The room is prepared with a calming scent, and a snuffle mat filled with hidden treats and will be placed on the floor. Once dressed in a drag leash, Rudolph immediately takes off toward the room, sniffing the Kuranda bed before discovering the snuffle mat. He eagerly devours the hidden treats and begins shredding the snuffle mat in his search for more snacks. When another handler knocks on the door and enters the room, Rudolph becomes alert but remains calm, maintaining a loose frame as he observes the handler. He continues to explore the room, occasionally approaching the handler and standing in front of them expectantly, waiting for treats to be tossed his way. Rudolph is safely re-leashed and escorted back to his kennel without any issues.

Summary (7):: 01/06/25 (PM) Rudolph is lying down in his karanda bed as the handler approaches. Rudolph will rise and come forward, being leashed with ease. They proceed outside for a walk. Rudolph will prance moderately alongside the handler, displaying bounces and slightly pulling on lead. Rudolph will sit willingly when soliciting treats from the handler, taking them gently when administered. Rudolph will also catch treats when tossed. Rudolph will allow petting on his pack along with pets to his head. Rudolph exuberantly will pull his way back to the facility, entering the building as well as his kennel with no issue. 1/6/25: Rudolph was sitting down in his kennel as handler approached. He then started to jump and paw at the door as the handler was unlocking it. He was able to be leashed with ease, and then proceeded to pull hard on the way outside for a walk. He pulled hard to sniff everything and would pull harder when he saw a dog. He was able to sit for treats. The handler would toss treats on the ground for him when he would jump up at their treat pouch. He pulled hard on the way back to his kennel and was able to enter with no issues. 01/05/25 (PM) Was walked by staff member. Treat motivated throughout his walk along with poor manners, excessively climbing staff member. Staff member works on sitting exercises with Rudolph directed by handler who is spotting the staff member. The exercises are successful and gradually Rudolph will sit willingly. Rudolph is returned to kennel with no issue. 1/4/25: Rudolph is jumping on his kennel door with a wagging tail as the handler approaches. He is easily leashed and goes for the handlers treat pouch when exiting the kennel. The handler is able to redirect him with leash pressure and he pulls hard to the play yard for play group (please see dog-dog notes for more details). Rudolph makes it hard for himself to breathe due to pulling so hard, so the handler stops a few times on the way to the yard to give him a break and let him catch his breath. He offers a sit for the handler, and they toss a treat that he catches. In the yard, he immediately pulls to the gate where the other dog is. After play group, Rudolph occasionally jumps on the handler, and they redirect him with leash pressure and then he will offer a sit. Rudolph is then safely returned to his kennel with no issues.

Date of intake:: 10/14/2024

Summary:: friendly

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),No cats,Recommend no dog parks

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13)- Due to Rudolph's fearfulness we recommend he be placed in an adult-only home or a home with dog-savvy children who can go slow and respect his boundaries. No cats: Due to Rudolph's attempts to chase smaller dogs, birds, and squirrels we recommend for Rudoplh to be placed in a home without cats or smaller animals.

Potential challenges: : Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Fearful,Anxiety,Leash-biting,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition- During the assessment treats are tossed due to him taking treats roughly. Teaching him to take treats gently by rewarding calm behavior and using a clicker or marker word can help. Please see handout on Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition Fearful/Anxiety- To help Rudolph overcome his fearfulness, use gradual desensitization and positive reinforcement. Identify the specific triggers that cause him fear and introduce them at a low intensity while pairing them with high-value treats. Gradually increase the intensity of the trigger while ensuring Rudolph remains comfortable. This process will help him build positive associations with previously fearful stimuli. Always allow Rudolph to approach new situations at his own pace, and never force him into uncomfortable situations. Using a calm and patient approach will help reduce his fear and build his confidence. Please see the handout on decompression period and generalized anxiety. Low threshold for arousal/leash biting: Rudolph becomes aroused when leashing him in kennel for walks. While he does take plush toys, his intensity remains concerning. Please see handout on Arousal.