Date of intake:: 3/28/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: 1 adult, 2 children, 1 dog, 1 cat

Behavior toward strangers:: Nipsey is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward children:: Nipsey is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Nipsey is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward cats:: Nipsey is friendly and outgoing

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Nipsey pulls hard on the leash and is anxious when left alone. He alert barks at knocks on the door and strangers who approach. He is unbothered by all physical stimuli. Previous stay 6/16/26: Stray, No known history *Previous assessments can be given upon request*

Date of assessment:: 4/1/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Moderate Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Moderately social Call over: Approaches handler readily Sociability comments: Neutral body, receptive to treats Soft handling: Accepts contact Exuberant handling: Accepts contact Comments: Loose and wiggly body Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler readly Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily Toy Toy comments: No interest, No reaction

Summary:: According to Nipsey's previous owner, he was noted to be friendly and outgoing. 6/16/26: Nipsey greets a novel female dog at the gate off leash through a barrier. Nipsey will initially greet the female, who is slowly walking to the gate, sniffing through the barrier towards him and wagging her tail slowly. Nipsey will briefly tail tag, but sit next to the gate for treats from the staff member and whale eyes the female. Both dogs sit at the gate, waiting for the staff member to give them a treat. Both dogs meet on leash, Nipsey will remain towards the staff member as the female approaches him from behind, slowly wagging her tail and greeting him properly as Nipsey turns, tenses and vocalizing at the female who does not escalate and is pulled away. Nipsey will shake off and is moved out of the yard due to his discomfort. 6/11/26: Nipsey entered the yard and jumped on handlers in a social manner, soliciting treats. When novel female approached the gate, he sniffed in her direction but backed away in response to her display of high hackles and lunging at the gate, barking. He then disengaged, walked away, shook off, and accepted treats. The novel female dog is taken out from the yard due to continued barking and lunging. 4/6/26: Nipsey greets another dog at the gate with a neutral body. He is leaning forward with his wagging tail. He disengages on his own and reapproaches, remaining neutral. Previous stay: 6/25/25: Nipsey fka Nickels greets another dog at the gate with a neutral body and hackles raised.

Summary (3):: 7/10/26: Nipsey is at the front of his kennel with loose body when handler approaches. He starts barking and jumping on the kennel door while handler is unlocking it. He is leashed with a treat lure and taken out of the room. He immediately attempts to jump high onto handler but is distracted with a treat and cued to "sit". On the way outside Nipsey pulls hard and, once he gets to the driveway, he immediately relieves himself. Nipsey continues walking slightly ahead of the handler with moderate leash tension. Nipsey repeatedly continues looking back and jumping on the handler, but they are able to redirect him with treats. After some time, Nipsey calms down and starts walking slower; he is salivating and heavy panting. His body remains neutral, but pupils are dilated. Nipsey doesn't react towards other people passerby. When he sees another dog, he will attempt to pull harder towards them, but handler is able to distract him with treats and recall. After some time, handler takes Nipsey back and, before entering the room, they make him sit again and he follows the command. Handler is able to pre-clip the leash and Nipsey readily goes back into his kennel by his own. 7/3/26: Nipsey was lying down at front of kennel as handler approached. He was easily leashed and pulled from kennel. Due to high heat handler took Nipsey to a shaded location on worked on the Touch command. Nipsey did well. Nipsey was then taken for a brief walk where he relieved himself. He was returned to kennel with no issue.

Summary (4):: 6/26/26: Nipsey is at the front of his kennel with neutral body when handler approaches. He is leashed with a treat lure and taken out of the room. Once in the hallway, Nipsey immediately attempts to jump on the handler, but they are able to straight arm him. He continues pulling hard all the way outside making himself choking due to leash pressure. Once in the driveway, he immediately relieves himself and continues pulling hard towards the street. Nipsey continues walking with moderate pulling ahead of the handler. He continues jumping onto handler but is redirectable with straight arming and tossing treats. When he sees another dog, he will stare at them with tense body, but hander is able to distract him with a recall. When handler engages with Nipsey - he engages back (following command "sit" allows petting, active in pattern games) but eventually ends up jumping high again on them. He is panting a lot, but his body remains neutral. During returning handler is able to pre-clip the leash and bring Nipsey goes back into his kennel by his own. 6/18/26 (Trainer note): Nipsey was jumping up at kennel on approach. Trainer threw treats in back of kennel to facilitate leashing. Once in the room Nipsey began engaging with ping pong pattern games moving quickly onto a breath work game. Nipsey was able to breathe and hold for a max of 3 to 4 seconds before moving to working on place. He was able to successfully complete several rounds before beginning to demand bark. Trainer returned to ping pong game before returning to kennel. Kennel return was unremarkable. 6/16/26: Nipsey is at the front of his kennel, jumping up exuberantly with a loose, wiggly body as handler approaches. He is easily leashed and brought out to the street for a walk; he pulls hard on the way through the hallway and immediately relieves himself when he gets outside. Handler transitions their slip lead to a harness easily and they exit the driveway to the street. Nipsey pulls hard ahead of handler and sniffs his surroundings, checking in with handler frequently. About halfway through the walk handler turns around to walk back to the shelter, and Nipsey is focused on sniffing something on the ground. Handler squeaks a squeaker to redirect Nipsey's attention and he becomes very exuberant, rushing ahead of handler and then turning around to jump towards them. He does this twice, reaching handler's face level. Handler throws treats and his attention is redirected; once he eats the treats he looks back at handler expectantly. Handler continuously throws treats ahead of him to keep him walking; as people pass by handler brings him to the side and cues him to sit, which he does. Handler rewards him with a treat; however, if handler waits to throw a treat he will jump up at them. Handler brings him back to shelter throwing treats ahead of him and he is returned to his kennel without issue.

Summary (5):: 6/12/26: Nipsey is at the front of his kennel with loose body when handler approaches. He is easily leashed and taken out of the room. On the way out he pulls hard and jumps on the pop-up crates in the hallways. Once outside, he immediately relieves himself and after continues walking with moderate pulling slightly ahead of the handler. Nipsey looks back and jumps on the handler, but distracted with treats. He continues jumping few times after and handler have to continue using treats for redirection. After some time he calms down and walks slower, following the handler. His body is loose and he is social with handler: follows command "sit" and allows petting. Nipsey doesn't react towards other people but will stare at other dogs with tense body. On the way back he pulls harder and makes himself panting a lot. He pulls towards pop-up crates in the hallways with tense body so handler uses a treat and makes him sit. Handler is able to pre-clip the leash and Nipsey goes to his kennel back by his own. 6/11/26: It's noted on the whiteboard that Nipsey likes to walk with toys. 6/7/26: Nipsey is observed to be barking in kennel persistently all morning. Even when the room is quiet. 6/5/26: Nipsey was at front of kennel vocalizing as handler approached. He is easily leashed and pulled from kennel. Once out of kennel he pulls hard to the neighboring kennel and when in hallway he pulls towards the crates with dogs. While on a street walk he jumps up at handler several times. He accepts treats with a soft mouth. He is returned to kennel with no issue. 5/22/26: Nipsey was at front of kennel with a neutral body. He was easily leashed and pulled from kennel and taken for a street walk. Coming out of kennel Nipsey pulled hard and continued to pull hard during his walk. Handler engaged Nipsey in a game of Up Down and he did very well. He was returned to kennel with no issue.

Summary (6):: 5/9/26: Nipsey is at the front with a neutral body; he then barks and jumps on the kennel door repeatedly. He is easily leashed and brought out the room. Initially, he pulls hard towards stores relieve himself once he’s outdoors, but, on the street, Nipsey walks with moderate leash tension; he doesn’t react to dogs or passersby. He occasionally looks back at the handler and stops to sit facing them; he allows pets and eats tossed treats. Nipsey begins to jump on the handler repeatedly when they don’t give him treats; he jumps on nearby cars while looking at the handler. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash; Nipsey pulls hard to eat treats nearby, but he enters his kennel. 5/7: Playful, energetic, happy boy! His engagement level is top notch! He kept his tail wagging through the whole interaction and was so eager to connect. He knows sit and paw, takes treats gently, and is very treat-motivated. He can get excited, but he listens well to his handler. Even in excited mode, he followed the “sit” cue right away, which was very impressive. 4/23/26: Nipsey is at the front of his kennel with a soft body; he is easily leashed and brought out the room. While walking in the hallway, Nipsey pulls toward a nearby crate, but the handler pulls him away. On the street, Nipsey walks ahead with mild to moderate leash tension; he doesn't react to dogs or passersby; he does present a wiggly body to a familiar handler, jumps high towards their face, and allows pets from them. Nipsey also engages with the handler by allowing pets, following the 'sit' and 'paw' command, and taking treats softly. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and returns Nipsey to his kennel. 4/15/26: Nipsey is laying down, soft body as handler approaches. Nipsey stands with neutral body as handler unlocks kennel door, he is kept on a short leash while exiting, he pull toward one of the neighboring kennels with moderate pressure, briefly stands on hindlegs with tense body (the dog in kennel is barking notably intensely that Nipsey is pulling towards.) Once outside of kennel room Nipsey recovers to neutral frame, walks with mild pull shows no interest in crated dogs. On sidewalk Nipsey walks with loose body, loose leash. Nipsey is social with handler, he approaches when verbally cued, wags tail with loose body when being pet. He sees a small dog with member of public, he pulls toward with neutral body (undetermined if this was in a social manner or not) slow wagging tail. He is easily called back verbally to refocus on handler. Nipsey is walked around the block, easily re-enters MACC and kennel.

Summary (7):: 4/15/26: Nipsey has been observed to be intensely kennel reactive to the first two kennels in the front. While exiting, Nipsey pushes off the wall to get close to them. Also, he attempts to pull hard towards the dogs in crates. BB/KP 04/12/26: Nipsey is at the front of his kennel as handler approaches, he jumps up and barks at handler as they unlock the kennel door but is distracted using treats and leashed. Once leashed Nipsey pulls moderately toward dogs he passes but exits out the room to the street for his walk. He relieves himself quickly and walks with handler, slowing down as the walk progresses. Nipsey accepts treats from handler while out and attempts to jump on handler but will sit for treats and allow handler to gently pet him. Nipsey will stare at dogs from afar and pull mildly toward them but is redirectable. He walks for a while before being brought back inside, he returns to kennel following a treat. ER 3/31/26: It is reported that while on a drag leash in the yard, Nipsey became overaroused while running around. While the handler was sitting on the bench Nipsey ran up to them and began mounting them vigorously. When the handler attempted to straight arm Nipsey to remove him from their leg, Nipsey began hard barking at them. CD 3/30/26: Nipsey is at the front of the kennel with a neutral body and wagging tail. He is easily leashed and is removed from his kennel, while he has a moderate pull ahead of the handler. He is then taken for a street walk, where he would begin to walk alongside the handler and would not react towards any passing dogs or people. After his assessment, he is easily returned back to his kennel with no issues. DZ 3/27/26: It is reported on the behavior board that Nipsey may be housetrained. PK 6/17/25: Nickels is at the front of the kennel with a neutral body and a stiff wagging tail. He is easily leashed and walks out of the room. Nickels is taken to the street where he walks with a loose leash besides the handler. Pulling mildly towards smells that interest him. He is then brought to the assessment room where he greets the assessor with a soft body and wagging tail. He allows collaring but does not take treats. After his assessment, Nickels is easily re-leashed and returned to his kennel without issue.

Date of intake:: 3/28/2026

Summary:: Allowed all handling, loose wagging tail

Date of initial:: 3/28/2026

Summary:: Neutral body, with wagging tail

ENERGY LEVEL:: Nipsey is described as medium 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:: Level 3

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

Recommendations comments:: No young children: Due to on leash reactivity and potential for social hyper-arousal, we recommend an adult only home. Recommend no dog parks: Due to Nipsey's behavior in playgroup, we recommend he does not visit dog parks.

Potential challenges: : Social hyperarousal,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: Social Hyperarousal: Nipsey has been reported to mount handlers when in the play-yard. Nipsey at times has difficulty staying calm around people and exiting things. People should step away from Nipsey if he tries to mount, jump on, or get mouthy. Force-free, positive re-enforcement is recommended. Please see hand-out on Arousal. On Leash Reactivity: Nipsey's previous owner states that he will alert bark when people approach. Nipsey 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.