Date of intake:: 9/5/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 2 children, 1 dog

Behavior toward strangers:: Coco will hide at first, can be friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward children:: Coco will hide at first, can be friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Coco is friendly, outgoing and playful

Behavior toward cats:: No experience

Resource guarding:: Coco will resource guards toys

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Coco is noted to have a Very High energy level in the prior home.

Other Notes:: Coco is fearful of loud noises, anxious when left alone, and can pull hard on the leash. Owner emphasized that she is fearful of being startled. Coco is social, affectionate, active, and playful. She enjoys being where the people are and the living room best. She allows to be bathed and brushed but does not like her nails being trimmed. Understands: sit, paw, lay down, and stay. Owner stated, "Very active, playful, great cuddles! She loves running around off leash and anything containing meat".

Date of assessment:: 9/9/2026

Summary:: Coco has been observed to be highly fearful while in care. Noted to growl at handlers and vocalize. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety, Coco is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 09/07/26: Coco is at the front of her kennel laying down facing away from her kennel door as handler approaches. Handler unlocks the kennel door and lassoes her but she quickly flinches at the last second and dodges the leash. She retreats to the back of kennel and begins vocalizing in an anxious/fearful manner. When finally leashed Coco freezes and does not move, handler waits a while for her to exit kennel on her own but she does not. Handler waits a while before using leash pressure to get Coco out of kennel. She yelps at the leash pressure and vocalizes for a bit but once outside of kennel she walks with handler out to the street. She walks outside and baulks randomly and yelps a bit when baulking but follows light leash pressure forward. Coco is walked past She begins walking with a neutral body and follows handler around, stopping occasionally to sniff spots. She is eventually brought back inside, and follows handler to her kennel slowly. She stands at the front and is eventually coaxed inside by handler without the use of leash pressure. A hook is used to retrieve her leash which she tolerates well and interaction is ended. 9/6/26: Coco is lying down, curled up at the back of the kennel on her kuranda bed. She has a tense face. Handler tosses some high value treats towards her and she remains in her bed. Handler sits down at the front of the kennel. She can be heard low growling. Handler spends some time at the front and Coco remains lying down. Handler stands up and steps away. Upon returning to Coco's kennel, Coco is observed to be at the front eating the tossed high value. Handler waits at a distance until she finishes eating and reapproaches. They fill her water bowl before sitting down at a distance. Coco remains at the front staring at the handler. Handler offers her more high value and she eats them from the handler's hand. She drinks water before returning to the back of the kennel. She has a tightly tucked tail and lays down in the back of the kennel. Leashing is not attempted due reports of defensive behaviors when handlers attempt to leash. 9/06/26: Coco is laying down at the front of her kennel when handler approaches. She is tense and displays whale eye. Handler tosses treats in the kennel but she immediately flinches after. Handler starts coaxing her and uses a soft voice; Coco starts growling and turning her head away. Her mouth is tight. When handler attempts to unlock the kennel door, Coco immediately gets up and retreats all the way back. She turns her head toward the handler and shows teeth while growling. She is not approaching closer and is not receptive. Handler ends interaction to avoid any possible escalation

Date of intake:: 9/5/2026

Summary:: Tense, flinching

Date of initial:: 9/5/2026

Summary:: Tense, tail tucked, whale eyeing. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: Coco is described as very high energy. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them engaged and exercised. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for them.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): We recommend coco be placed in a home without children due to her high level of fearfulness. Place with a New Hope partner: Because of Coco's fearfulness in the care center and in the home, we recommend placing her with one of our New Hope Partners.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Separation anxiety,Strength/leash pulling

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: In the prior home, Coco was reported to resource guard toys; however, specific behaviors associated with the guarding were not provided. Continued management and observation are recommended to better understand her behavior around valued resources and to promote safe interactions. Please see the handout on Resource guarding. Handling/touch sensitivity: Coco has been observed yelping in response to leash pressure while in the care center. Interactions involving leashing should be approached gently, with efforts made to build positive associations with leash pressure and handling. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. Fearful Defensive: In the prior home coco is noted to become fearful of loud noises and when startled. Coco has been observed to be tense in kennel, low growling and vocalizing. It is important to move slowly with Coco, 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. Separation anxiety: In the prior home Coco is noted to become anxious when left alone. Supporting Coco with gradual independence building exercises, enrichment, and predictable routines may help reduce separation-related distress. Please see the handout on Separation anxiety. Strength/leash pulling: In the prior home Coco is noted to pull hard on the leash. Continued training should focus on reinforcing loose-leash walking, rewarding engagement with the handler, and promoting calm walking behavior. Please see the handout on Strength/leash pulling.