Date of intake:: 11/21/2024

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

Previously lived with:: Adults

Behavior toward strangers:: friendly/outgoing, will alert bark, is playful with visitors. Has been noted to bite at strangers.

Behavior toward children:: no experience

Behavior toward dogs:: actively avoids unfamiliar dogs and familiar dogs (on or off leash).

Behavior toward cats:: will hide at first

Resource guarding:: food, treats, random objects are a valuable item, will have a tense body and hover over them if approached.

Bite history:: She had a bite incident on 03/03/21, resulting in shallow wounds as she bit and released immediately. Before biting, she showed her teeth and growled. These incidents began after a change in the home. Additionally, she bit a neighbor who petted her on the head, again showing her teeth and growling before biting and releasing immediately.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: general anxiety and barks a lot. Is fearful and will bark/growl when restrained. Is fearful when startled. Will bark/growl when collar is grabbed. Isn't bothered when paws are touched and when disturbed. Does not allow nail trimming.

Date of assessment:: 11/27/2024

Summary:: In the care center, Mocha has displayed fear-based behaviors escalating to growling, snapping, and alligator rolling, particularly during handling or leashing attempts. Due to this Behavior believes she is not a good candidate for an assessment at this time.

Summary (5):: 12/03/24: Mocha is lying on her bed with a loose frame as handler approaches. She is sightly avoidant of leashing but is lured with a squeaker and leashed with ease. Mocha's behavior while in the room remains consistent with her previous behavior in the room from the note on 12/02. 12/02/24: Mocha is standing on her bed with a loose frame as handler approaches. As handler attempts to leash Mocha, she becomes avoidant and will bark. On one attempt, Mocha jumps up and nips handler's hand before being successfully leashed. Mocha walks to the Canine Behavior Office with a loose frame. Because she is not collared, Mocha is kept on handler's lead and is free to explore. Handler sits down on the couch and Mocha will jump up and sit on handler's lap. Handler does not attempt to pet Moca due to her touch sensitivity. She sits on handler's lap for several minutes before being returned to kennel safely.

Summary (6):: 11/29/24: Mocha is lying at the back of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. She comes forward as handler cracks open the kennel door and is lured into the leash with a treat. Mocha walks with a neutral frame to the Canine Behavior Office. She will readily approach familiar handlers and place her front paws onto their legs to solicit attention. At times, Mocha will solicit attention but will lip curl as handler attempts to pet the side of her neck. Mocha is guided up onto the couch and she climbs up onto handler's lap, sitting there for several minutes. She is guided off of handler's lap and is returned to kennel safely. 11/26/24 Mocha is spinning in kennel as the handler approaches. The handler will offer Mocha treats in which she declines, pacing back and forth. The handler will attempt to leash her in which she dodges the lead, before eventually being leashed. The handler will proceed to the training room with her. Mocha will display a slightly tucked tail as she hyper-vigilantly scans her surroundings. Mocha enters the training room, immediately exploring. She will gravitate towards the handler who took her out of kennel, gently climbing up their leg and taking high values treats from them when administered. Mocha will allow the handler to stroke her back as she remains still and aloof. Mocha will circle around the room with the handler as they grab a collar to attempt to put on her. The handler will graze the collar on her back making her uncomfortable, so she growls at the handler. The handler will allow her to explore some more before returning her to her kennel. Mocha will allow clipping to her lead followed by trotting over to her kennel and jumping inside with no issue. 11/25/24: Mocha is lying in her bed with a soft frame as handler approaches. She comes forward as handler cracks open kennel door. Mocha stands at the front of kennel but will retreat each time the lead is presented. Handler lures her forward with a squeaker but each time they attempt to leash her, she will head whip out of it and vocalize. Handler drops the lead loop from the top of kennel while distracting Mocha with the squeaker and she is leashed. Mocha exits the kennel readily and walks to the Canine Behavior Office. Handler kneels on the ground and she will approach, turning her body and lightly leaning in to handler's leg. Handler speaks to Mocha with a soft voice. A second familiar handler enters the room and Mocha begins wagging her tail and will readily approach as they kneel down. She will place her front paws onto handler and displays a loose frame but will still side eye and become tense with extended contact. Neither handler attempts to pet Mocha due to her previous discomfort with touch. After her session in the room, Mocha is returned to kennel safely.

Summary (7):: 11/24/24: Mocha is standing at the front of kennel as handler approaches. As handler unlocks the kennel door, she will become tense and begin trembling. As handler attempts to leash, Mocha retreats to the back of kennel and will whip her head out of the lead when it makes contact. Handler attempts to leash her again and she will hard bark. Mocha is leashed around her chest and walks with a slightly tense frame to the Canine Behavior Office. Mocha stands in the middle of the room and begins scenting along the front of the couch. Handler kneels down and she will slowly approach and sniff handler before backing away. She becomes uncomfortable and will squirm causing the lead to slip down around her torso. A second handler slowly attempts to leash her and she will thrash and avoid leashing. She is eventually leashed and the lead around her torso is removed. Mocha will take cheese gently from hand and scent second handlers foot. After her session in the room, she is returned to kennel safely. 11/23/24: Mocha is at the back of her kennel laying down, growling at the handler when approached. Mocha is offered treats, but ignores them and continues to growl. Mocha is attempted to be leashed multiple times, but will snap, thrash, scream and alligator roll once the leash is on. Every time the leash lands, she will continue to do the same thing, but the leash will go around her chest area. The handler decides since she is not fond of the leash being around her neck, they walk to the behavior office with the leash around her chest, to which she is low bodied, but tolerates it. Mocha does not interact with the handler at all even with coaxing, high value treats, and praise. Mocha will shy away from the handler, huff and pace around the room. Mocha after a bit is walked back to her kennel due to her FAS, and is placed into the kennel and she shakes the leash off immediately. 11/22/24: Mocha is at the back of her kennel laying down when the handler approaches, and begins to growl. Mocha is attempted to be coaxed with treats, but ignores them and continues to growl. As the handler attempts to leash Mocha, Mocha begins to snap at the leash, snarl and bare teeth at the handler. As the handler begins to retrieve the leash, Mocha will lunge forward towards the handler with a forward body, still snarling and snapping at the rope. Once the rope is on Mocha's torso, he begins to scream very loud, alligator roll and thrash intensely. Mocha at some point stops, and slowly makes his way out of the kennel on his own. The handler attempts to towel Mocha, he will turn around and snap, vocalizing slight. Due to Mocha' quick escalation to snapping in attempts to handle, he is put on a bottom kennel for safety.

Date of intake:: 11/21/2024

Summary:: When staff tried to get up, Mocha would growl and bare teeth to indicate she did not staff to move.

Date of initial:: 11/22/2024

Summary:: Alarm barking, alligator rolling in kennel. Was able to get out of kennel with a towel. Throughout e

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13)- Due to Mocha Potential behavior challenges we recommended she is placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner- Mocha came into the care center as an owner surrender due to her owner passing away and the next of kin not being able to house her due to living in a no- pet policy building. In the care center, Mocha has displayed fear-based behaviors escalating to growling, snapping, and alligator rolling, particularly during handling or leashing attempts. These behaviors have increased in frequency and intensity, indicating significant handling sensitivity and stress in the care center. Mocha often retreats to the back of her kennel when approached, growling and avoiding interaction. Attempts to leash her frequently result in defensive behaviors such as lunging, thrashing, and vocalizing. She shows discomfort with physical contact, particularly around her neck and torso, and has reacted by snapping when handlers attempt to leash or touch her. Due to her handling sensitivities, fear-based behaviors, and escalating behavior, she is available through rescue through one of our new hope partners.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,Anxiety,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Resource In the prior home it is reported that she will guard food, treats, random objects are a valuable item, will have a tense body and hover over them if approached.I t is essential to work on desensitizing her to having her possessions handled by using techniques like trading up for higher-value items and practicing "drop it" and "leave it". Please see handout on Resource guarding Handling/touch sensitivity/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression- She becomes fearful and will bark or growl when restrained or startled. She also reacts with barking or growling when her collar is grabbed. However, she is not bothered when her paws are touched or when she is disturbed. She does not allow nail trimming. In the care center, Mocha Alarm barking, alligator rolling in kennel. Was able to get out of kennel with a towel. Throughout her medical examination, she was growling, alarm barking, and lunging. Anxiety- In the prior home it is reported that She has general anxiety and barks frequently. Managing her 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. Please see the handout on Generalized anxiety. Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression/Bite history (human)-She had a bite incident on 03/03/21, resulting in shallow wounds as she bit and released immediately. Before biting, she showed her teeth and growled. These incidents began after a change in the home. Additionally, she bit a neighbor who petted her on the head, again showing her teeth and growling before biting and releasing immediately.