Date of intake:: 7/29/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 8/4/2025

Summary:: **8/4/25** When brought into the assessment room Pitaya he was sniffing around with a neutral body. The handler was called to his and he approached the handler with a neutral body. Handler offered treats and Pitaya was mildly receptive. When placing the collar on Pitaya became increasingly tense and began to show whale eye. After placing the collar on Pitaya became avoidant of the handler. He would take a treat from the hander but then began to hard stare towards them with a tense body and high flagging tail. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety displayed. Pitaya is not a candidate to receive a handling assessment at this time. **07/31/25** Pitaya has been observed to be fearful during their stay in the care center. During intake he was observed to escalate to growling, baring teeth and lunging towards handlers. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety Pitaya is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary:: 8/5/25: Pitaya greets another dog at the gate with a tense body while barking and moving along the fence line.

Summary (7):: 8/4/25- Pitaya is at the front his kennel with a neutral body, handler presents a treat which he gently takes. He is easily leashed and taken for a street walk. When he was relieving himself in the small garage, he sees another dog. He has a tense body, fixates and barks. Handler tugs him away. He has a moderate pull and has no reaction to any stimuli. He continuously takes treats gently through out the walk. Another staff member comes by to take pictures, Pitaya slightly pulls towards them with a neutral body. Handler tugs him away and he walks with them. He is taken for his assessment as one handler cuts a band around his neck, he has a tense body. When other handler approaches to collar Pitaya has a tense, stiff body side eyeing handler. Other handler kept pressure on the leash and he was collared. He explored the room, sniffing around. When other handler calls him over he just stares at them from across the room with a stiff body. Handler tosses a treat and comes forward. When they offer a treat by hand, Pitaya again just stares at handler with a stiff body. He is releashed and returned to kennel without issue. 07/31/25: Pitaya is at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He tail is wagging and his body is loose but when offered treats he is still and refuses the treats. Pitaya is a bit head shy and he dodges the leash, handler softly places the leash over his neck and slips the leash over his head. Once secured he exits kennel and walks with handler to the street, he immediately uses the bathroom once outside. Pitaya walks past people on the street without issue and stops to sniff around spots on the street. He pulls mildly and when seeing dogs is loose and excitedly pulls toward them. He walks around for a bit more and is brought back to the care centers and allows his leash to be clipped before being returned to kennel. 07/30/25: Pitaya is at the front of her kennel as handlers approach. Her ears pin back as handlers arrive but she is quickly offered a treat which she sniffs but does not accept. She becomes tense when handlers move and will quickly whip her head in the direction of whichever handler is moving while grumbling. Pitaya lays down on her stomach, looking up at handlers with whale eye and stops accepting treats from handlers. Handlers attempt to present a leash to Pitaya, it is placed in between the kennel bars a bit away from her and left there for her to approach it. Pitaya remains laid near the front shaking slightly and she begins to low growl at handlers. Handlers decide to end interaction. 07/29/25: Pitaya is at the front of the crate when the handler approaches. The handler crouches and speaks in a soft tone. Pitaya begins growling and the handler ends interaction to lower FAS.

Date of intake:: 7/29/2025

Summary:: Growling and baring teeth

Date of initial:: 7/29/2025

Summary:: Growling in back of crate, showing teeth, lunged in crate

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Pitaya 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 additional to physical exercise, to positively direct their 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 fearful behavior we recommend an adult only home. 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: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Pitaya has been observed to escalate to growling, baring teeth and lunging towards handlers when approached. It is important to move slowly with Pitaya, 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: Pitaya has been observed to become tense and bark when seeing another dog while on leash. Pitaya 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.