Date of intake:: 6/1/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray; history unknown

Date of assessment:: 8/1/2026

Summary:: 08/01/26: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Mild Reactivity to humans: No reaction Reactivity to dogs: No reaction Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Explores room- distracted, panting, paces Call over: Readily approaches- allow petting, panting, distracted Sociability comments: paces in room, heavy panting Handling Soft handling: Allowed-sit, looks back, heavy panting Exuberant handling: Allowed-sit, looks back,open mouth panting Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow- distracted, sniffs floor, pulls zig-zag Arousal comments: Knock: No response Knock Comments: Toy: Grips walks away Toy comments: ***06/24/26: Behavioral assessment upon request*** 06/09/26: Due to the concerning nature of Bello's healing injuries, his defensive escalations, and reluctance to be leashed, a handling assessment is unable to be conducted.

Summary:: Bello arrived as a stray to the care centers so his behavior with other dogs is unknown. 6/28/26: Bello greets a novel female dog off leash through a barrier. Bello greets initially, sniffing briefly before immediately going to a staff member and offering sit cues for treats. The female stays at the gate with a tense body, closed mouth and forward leaning body the entire time Bello is trying to solicit attention from staff. Bello's hackles raise and he does not reapproach.

Summary (5):: 8/15/26: Bello is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed with ease and is then taken to the play yard. In the yard, he is able to be transferred to a drag leash and he engages in chasing treats around the yard that the handler would toss on the ground. He also engages in playing with a few toys. He is comfortable jumping in and out of the pool full of water back-and-forth and would dunk his head into the water to eat treats that was inside. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. 7/28/26: Staff reported that Bello was barking in kennel but quieted and sat patiently upon seeing handler approach for his AM walk. Bello was leashed with ease and was easily guided from the building on a relaxed leash. On the walk Bello showed no reaction to his surroundings and would occasionally sniff along the path. Bello continued this behavior when led back into the building and was returned to kennel without incident. Handler noted that Bello sneezed multiple times on the walk and had nasal discharge. 7/25/26: Bello showed excited as the handler approached kennel to take him out on his walk. Bello sat patiently as handler was unlocking kennel door and allowed handler to leash him. While on his walk Bello had loose body and stayed close to handler. Bello showed minimal interest in other dogs in the area. Bello was easily and safely returned to his kennel once his walk was over and allowed handler to remove leash from body.

Summary (6):: 07/20/26: Bello is jumping on his kennel door and barking as the handler approaches. Once the door is open, Bello stands and allows the handler to leash him. He pulls hard through the building and outside on his walk. He sniffs as he walks and frequently checks in with the handler. Bello will chase pigeons when passing by them. After his walk, Bello is returned to his kennel with no issue. 6/28/26 (Playgroup): Bello is at the front of the kennel as the handler approaches. He will start to jump up and bark as the handler approaches. Bello is distracted with treats while he is leashed and is brought out of kennel. He will turn around a few times to jump onto the handler but the handler will redirect his focus onto treats, tossing them ahead so he will continue to walk. Once in the yard he will greet with a novel dog at the gate. He is then returned to his kennel with no issue and is secured safely. (see Dog-Dog for more info). 06/24/26(BA): Bello is brought to the assessment room and eats treats while handlers place a drag leash and collar on him. He displays heavy panting throughout the assessment, indicating elevated anxiety. He allows handling and runs without becoming aroused. He does not respond to the knock portion and hovers over and body blocks the toy. For more information, see Behavioral Assessment. 6/23/25: Bello's kennel presence is worsening as he is jumping up and down trying to see other dogs from other kennels. He is also knocking down his water container constantly due to this behavior. Leashing Bello is also becoming a bit more of a challenge for the handler because of Bello's increased excitement when the handler approaches. 06/22/26: Bello is at the front of his kennel as the handler approaches. He barks and bounces off of his kennel wall. The handler lures him through the leash with treats, and Bello exits the kennel, pulling mildly through the hallways. While waiting for other dogs to pass, Bello walks in circles around the handler, wobbling that whole time. He continues to wobble through the hallway. Outside, Bello continues to pull mildly and pants the entirety of the walk. He often turns around to look at the handler and will walk back in the handler's direction. The handler uses treats to keep his attention ahead of him. When walking back into the building, Bello begins wobbling again. He falls on the floor at one point, but quickly gets on his feet again and continues walking. The handler uses treats to distract him while clipping his leash, then tosses treats into his kennel upon his return.

Summary (7):: 6/15/26: Bello was sitting in front of his kennel quietly with wagging tail when handler approached. He was leashed easily and walked around exploring and sniffing his surroundings. He played in some plants and grass. He licked handler's hands and took treats gently. He was returned easily after. 06/05/26: Bello is in the middle of the kennel as the handler approaches. He comes forward to the front of the kennel to take treats. He is easily coaxed through the leash with more treats. He is brought outside to the play yard where he sniffs around and presses his head into the handler's treat pouch for more sausages. He takes treats roughly, so the handler tosses the treats for him. The handler scatters treats on the ground before clipping his leash. He is returned to his kennel without issue. 6/4 (AM) [late entry]: Bello stands when he sees a hadnler enter. He comes to the front with slow tail wags, sniffing their treats. He is fed treats through the lead a few times before the handler closes the loop. Bello flinches once but quickly recovers. The hadnler walks him up the street and into the play yard. He relieves himself before approaching the handler, seeking treats. Bello shakes off after hearing a loud/shouting conversation outside the yard and presses himself into the handler's lap. The handler does short pets due to the nature of his injuries, but Bello continues to press himself closer, folding his body between their legs. Bello shows no interest in toys and alternates between trying to take treats out of the handler's pouch and brief petting. When treats are tossed into the pool, he slowly steps in and begins fishing the treats out. Once he's done, he is returned to kennel without issue. 6/3 (PM) [late entry]: Bello is curled up in his bed when a handler approaches. He slowly raises when he sniffs chicken from the handler. Bello flinches and moves back when he sees the lead. The hadnler makes a trail back to the front of the kennel with the chicken, and he slowly comes forward again. The handler places the loop of the lead in the kennel and continues to feed him. He flinches, putting his head through, but the hadnler repeats this a few times before attempting to close the loop. He steps back again once the lead is secured, but then readily walks out the kennel. Bello is taken to the behavior office, and he explores the room, taking treats from other handlers. Due to his healing injuries and sensitivity, the handlers do not attempt to pet him or collar. He is briefly taken outside for a relief walk. Once his kennel is clean and he relieves himself, Bello returns to his kennel without issue. 6/1: Bello was reported to growl and bite the syringe pole when attempting to sedate him for his medical exam. He would then growl at anyone that approached his kennel.

Date of intake:: 6/1/2026

Date of initial:: 6/1/2026

Summary:: growling when approaching kennel, bit syringe pole at the time of sedation

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 3

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Bello's potential for defensive escalations and handling/touch sensitivity, we recommend that he be placed in an adult-only home at this time. Recommend no dog parks: Due to Bello's body language in playgroup, we recommend he does not visit dog parks.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Bello is noted to body block over toy during the resource guarding portion of his handling assessment. Practice "trading up" games, where Bello voluntarily gives up the item in exchange for an even higher-value treat. Avoid forcing Roxy to give up items or punishing him for resource guarding, as this can escalate his behavior. Consistency, patience, and positive reinforcement will be key in helping Bello feel more comfortable sharing resources in his new home. Please see the handout on Resource guarding. Handling/touch sensitivity | Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Bello has been fearful and uncomfortable with handling during his stay in care and has escalated, needing sedation for his medical exam. There is potential for these behaviors to be associated with his injuries. It is important to avoid touching around these areas at this time and to be cautious when touching him in other areas, as we do not know where he may have other sensitivities. His signs of discomfort must be respected; Bello should never be forced to interact; he should always be given the opportunity to walk away from situations or people he finds uncomfortable. We recommend a slow approach, and we recommend ONLY force-free, reward-based training methods for Bello. More aversive techniques are likely to increase fear, increase the risk of aggression, and decrease Bello's quality of life. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression and Handling/touch sensitivity. Anxiety: Bello began to display heavy panting and pacing during his assessment. Managing his anxiety will require creating a calm environment, providing enrichment activities, and using stress-reducing techniques like puzzle toys and regular exercise. Please see handout on generalized anxiety.