Date of intake:: 3/17/2025

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray( Unkown History)

Date of assessment:: 3/19/2025

Summary:: 03/19/25: Desdemona exhibits significant fear, characterized by growling, lunging, and hard barking at staff, as well as thrashing on the lead during intake. Due to her high level of fearfulness, a handling assessment will not be conducted at this time.

Summary:: Due to Desdemona entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 03/20/25: When off leash at the Care Center Desdemona is brought to the play yards to be introduced to a novel male dog when Desdemona enters the yard she immediately seeks exit. Desdemona remains as distant as possible from the gate before the handler attempts to guide her over to the gate. Desdemona approaches but stops midway seeking exit again. Due to Desdemona discomfort and avoidance she is returned to kennel thus ending the interaction.

Summary (5):: 03/27/25 (trainer note): Desdemona was lying down in her kennel when novel handler approaches. She slowly stands up with a loose body and low tail wag. Desdemona approaches handler but backs away when attempting to leash. Handler tosses Desdemona treats to coax her to come closer to be able to loop her, but she still backed away. Handler was able to lasso her and walk to the behavior office. To reduce stress, handler kept Desdemona on leash instead of clipping a drag leash to her collar. Desdemona slowly explored around the room with a neutral frame and low tail. When passing by other staff members, she would briefly sniff them and then continue walking around the room. Handler sat down and began to toss her treats which she ate. After some time, handler offered Desdemona treats from their hand, and she slowly approached and gently took the treats from hand. When being brought back to kennel, she put on the breaks but then went in easily with treats.

Summary (6):: 3/27/25: Desdemona is lying down on her bed as handler approaches. She then approaches the door as the handler unlocks it. Once the door opens, she sniffs the leash and backs away. She then returns back to siting on her bed, and the handler lassos her to be leashed. Once leashed, she is slowly taken outside for a walk. On the walk, she would walk by the handler's side and walk ahead when she was more comfortable exploring around. On the way back to kennel, she tries to pull away from the entrance door, and plants down to the ground on the stairs. Once she was comfortable again, she was able to walk slowly back to her kennel and enter with ease. 03/25/25 (AM): Desdemona's behavior remains consistent with her notes from 03/24/25 (please refer below). 03/24/25 (PM): Desdemona's behavior remains consistent with her AM note. She loosens and begins engaging with a tossed toy. (AM): Desdemona is lying on her kuranda bed as handler approaches. She slowly comes forward and allows handler to clip her collar, maintaining a neutral frame. Desdemona walks with a slightly tense frame to the Live Room where she is free to explore the space. She scents along the room and relieves herself before slowly approaching handler and standing next to them. Handler lightly pets her hind end and when they discontinue contact, she leans in to solicit again. Desdemona allows petting along her head, neck, and body with a soft frame and begins to place her head into handler's lap. After her session, she is returned to kennel safely. 3/23/25 (PM): Desdemona is lying on her kuranda bed as handler approaches. She slowly comes forward as handler unlocks kennel door and will briefly sniff their lead before returning to lay on her bed. Handler uses tossed treats and a soft tone in an attempt to coax her forward, but she shows no response. Due to Desdemona being housebroken, handler pushes the kennel door inward and drops the lead over Desdemona's head. She remains planted on her bed and mild directional leash pressure is used to guide her out of kennel. Desdemona slowly walks up to the play yard where she relieves herself. She becomes tense heading back to the building so second handler walks ahead of her to encourage her forward. Handler slowly clips their lead into a figure 8 and Desdemona cowers, recovering quickly and continuing inside. Desdemona is returned to kennel safely.

Summary (7):: (AM): Desdemona was lying on kuranda bed as handler approached. She came to front of kennel before handler had even unlocked door. Desdemona's kennel was unsoiled. She was slowly leashed and walked to the BA room. Desdemona was clipped to a drag leash and relieved herself while in the room. She was easily startled and displayed FAS by panting. Desdemona would approach handler briefly on her own terms, sometimes making light contact with her nose before walking away. Desdemona favored ham which she would gently for the most part, but grew impatient at times and would jump up to take it roughly. Desdemona would walk away when handler approached with slip leash. Handler 2 held her drag leash while handler 1 threaded their slip leash loop over head. Desdemona was uneasy and leaned away from handler as they unclipped drag leash. She walked back to kennel and onto her kuranda bed. 03/19/25 (AM): Desdemona greets the handler lying on her cot in the back of her kennel. The handler is able to lasso her while she lies still. Once leashed Desdemona willingly approaches the kennel door and is escorted out of the care center for a walk. When out Desdemona will walk ahead of the handler with a still frame as she scans her surroundings. Desdemona will frequently check in with the handler while lip licking as well as would stare at other dogs. Desdemona is escorted back to the care center where she kenneled and safely secured. 3/18/25 (PM): Desdemona was lying on kuranda bed when handler approached. Her hind leg was trembling and she did not get up. Handler stepped one foot into kennel to place leash over head. Handler attempted to verbally coax her while crouched down but Desdemona did not get up. Handler slowly slid kuranda bed closer to the door but she did not move. Handler crouched in doorway for some time, talking to her in a soft voice. A volunteer also spoke to her in a soft voice. Desdemona's bedding and kennel were unsoiled, and her food and medication trays untouched. Handler slid kuranda bed back into place and slowly removed leash with mini hook. Desdemona remained lying down. Handler slid meal tray closer to her and let her be.

Date of intake:: 3/17/2025

Summary:: began low growling and hard barking at staff loose wiggly body with finder. thrashed when staff took

Date of initial:: 3/17/2025

Summary:: Nervous, thrashing, growling- sedated for exam

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to her high level of fear we recommend she is placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Desdemona came into the care center as a stray due to this her history is unknown. In the care center, she has shown reluctance to engage, often remaining on her bed and needing extensive coaxing to leash. She has also exhibited signs of stress, including lip licking, trembling, and avoiding interaction. Desdemona has low-growled and hard-barked at staff during intake when they entered a room, then lunged when they attempted to scan her for ID. When being transferred to the care center, she thrashed multiple times, refused to walk, and had to be guided into her kennel. Though she has displayed brief moments of affiliative behavior, Desdemona's fear-based reactions and potential for escalation she is available for rescue through one of our new hope partners. She will benefit from a low-stress environment and work on confidence-building and handling desensitization.

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

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression:Desdemona has low-growled and hard-barked at staff during intake when they entered a room, then lunged when they attempted to scan her for ID. When being transferred to the care center, she thrashed multiple times, refused to walk, and had to be guided into her kennel. In the care center, she remains fearful and avoids contact. Use positive reinforcement to build her confidence and create positive associations with being handled. Approach her slowly and calmly, avoiding sudden movements that may startle her. If she growls or shows signs of discomfort, take a step back and proceed more slowly. Provide a safe space where she can retreat when feeling overwhelmed. Consistency and patience are crucial in helping Desdemona feel more comfortable with handling and reducing her fear responses. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression.