Date of intake:: 3/31/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray (limited information provided)

Bite history:: 3/10: Blue was involved in a bite incident with the resident dog over food resources. He bit the other dog on the lip leaving a puncture wound. As the finder was breaking up the fight, Blue bit him leaving a scratch and crack in the fingernail. 3/30: There was another incident with the resident dog in which Blue was receiving attention from the owner, the resident dog reacted and Blue bit the other dog on the side, there was no broken skin.

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Hard Reactivity to humans: None - ignores Reactivity to dogs: Inconclusive Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Moderately social - explores on his own, also approaches seeking attention Call over: Approaches with coaxing Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: Tolerates - tail raises, whale eyes Exuberant handling: Accepts - softens, curves body, pulls paw away Handling comments: Blue was initially uncomfortable with his collar being held but once pets began, he loosened up Arousal Jog: Engages in play (rough, exuberant) Arousal comments: Knock: Approaches, loose, jumps up Knock Comments: Toy: No response Toy comments: Highly interested in squeak, did no engage with toy

Summary:: 4/6: Blue approaches the gate with tense body, tail high, front half of his body lowered. He attempts to sniff F LMB dog under the gate. After about 30 seconds, he loosens, wags his tail begins to sniff around and is able to be walked away.

Summary (5):: 5/13 Blue is at the front of his kennel and is easily leashed and taken on a walk. Blue pulled mildly on the leash and accepted pets from staff member. Blue was then taken to the yard, where he explored the yard and played with toys. After the yard session was over, Blue was taken back to the kennel, pulling mildly on the leash

Summary (6):: 5/11: Blue is easily leashed and rushed past barking dogs. He pulls hard and they enter the yard. Blue is put on a drag leash and he explores on his own. He approaches staff member and leans into pets with his body in a C shape. He has soft eyes as he looks up at the handler, appreciating attention. He engages in a game of ping pong and returns without issue. 5/9: Blue is standing at the front of his kennel when staff approaches. He is easily leashed and brought out to the yard, pulling hard all the way out. In the yard, Blue explores, relieves himself and rubs up against staff heavily leaning into pets. He chases a couple of thrown toys until they stop moving then ignores them. He comes over and stands on the bench next to staff accepting more pets. Blue is easily returned to his kennel. 5/1: Blue is at the kennel front when staff approaches. He is easily leashed and pulls hard out of the room. At the door, he calms somewhat and staff ties a harness with the slip lead. Blue walks with less leash tension this way but still pulls significantly. When ready staff brings him inside but stops him at Meet & Greet in order to undo the rope harness. Blue is eager to go back inside and pulls very hard, clawing at the floor to try and claw his way back to his kennel. Staff is finally able to clip him, and he pulls hard back to his kennel. Staff retrieves their leash and closes the door. 4/26: Blue is easily leashed and pulls hard out of the building and is taken to the yard. He explores a bit of the yard and then runs over to staff on the bench at full speed and then jumps sideways and skids a little into the bench next to staff's legs. He accepts and leans into pets while standing there. Later staff picks up a toy that's 3 rings attached to each other and Blue jumps up at full height with his mouth closed and boops the rings with his nose 3 times. Blue is easily returned to his kennel. 4/18: Blue is easily leashed but pulls hard out of the building. He is taken to the yard and has a drag leash attached. He initially explores the yard on his own. Staff finds a toy that they know he interacted with previously and enjoyed. They toss the toy and he goes after it, holding it in his mouth and squeaking it. He comes to staff with a very wiggly body and wagging tail, leaning into their laps and accepting pets and showing off his toy. When it's time to leave, he is leashed and returned to his kennel without issue.

Summary (7):: 4/16: Blue is easily leashed and pulls hard through the building. Blue was taken to the small yard, and a drag leash was placed on him. Blue explored the yard and played with toys. Blue accepted pets from staff, then was taken back to the kennel and again pulled staff walking into the building back to his kennel. 4/14: Blue is easily leashed and pulls hard through the halls. He goes right into the small yard once out the door. A drag leash is clipped, and he explores on his own. He comes when called over and leans into pets, enjoying scratches on his neck. He engages in an Up/Down game, readily returning his attention to the handler. He returns without issue. 4/9: Blue is at the front of the kennel with a loose body easily roped and taken on a walk with staff. Blue walked with a loose leash and accepted pets from staff. Blue was taken back to his kennel with no issue. 4/2/: Blue is easily leashed and pulls hard through the building. At the top ramp, he allows to be rope harnessed and brought on a walk. He is much more manageable on the harness, walking with a relaxed body. He returns without issue. 4/1: Blue is at the front of his kennel with a soft body and is easily roped. He ignores the other dogs as he is walked out of the room. Blue is then taken for a walk. On the walk, Blue pulls a moderate amount, sometimes walking with a slack leash, but occasionally pulling with high strength. Blue walks with a soft body, open mouth, and back ears. Blue ignores people passed during the walk. Blue stops regularly during the walk to sniff smells, but a squeaker is able to easily get his attention. Blue's leash is easily clipped, and he balks when returning to his kennel, but staff is able to walk him in.

Date of initial:: 4/1/2026

Summary:: nervous,but allowed handling

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: Level 4

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Single-pet home,Recommend no dog parks

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to potential challenges, we recommend a home with no children. Single-pet home/Recommend no dog parks: While in the finder's home, there were 2 incidents with the resident dog, seemingly over resources. The finder reported that the other dog instigated the incidents however, Blue did escalate to biting the other dog on 2 separate occasions. Blue does well when greeting other dogs at a gate however, due to the bites incidents we recommend he be the only dog and does not visit the dog park.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,Strength/leash pulling,Bite history (human),Bite history (dog)

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Blue was involved in 2 bite incidents over resources. The first involved food and the other bite was over attention from the owner. He should be left alone when eating or engaged with items he finds of a high value. Nothing should ever be taken directly from Blue's mouth. We recommend always trading for something of an equal or higher value. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Basic manners/poor impulse control: Blue has been becoming more comfortable with staff. During socialization he can lack basic manners. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Leave it", "Sit/Stay", "Down" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach him to control his impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward-based training only is recommended. Please see the handout on Basic Manners and Impulse Control. Fearful Potential for Defensive Aggression: Blue was growling as staff approached the van to remove him when he arrived at the shelter. He gives clear warnings when he is uncomfortable and does seem to choose to avoid or retreat when given the opportunity, but if prevented from moving away there is a potential to escalate to higher-level warning behaviors and possible fear-based aggression. It is important to move slowly with Blue, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow him to initiate interactions with new people. He should never be forced to greet or to interact if she is not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful Potential for Defensive Aggression. Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression Bite history (dog): Blue was involved in 2 bite incidents with the resident dog. Both bites seem to be over resources. Because he has escalated to biting before, we recommend he be the only dog in the home. Please see handout on Bite History and Risk of Future Aggression. Bite history (human): When the finder was separating the two dogs, Blue bit his finger leaving a scratch and cracking his fingernail. Please see handout on Bite History and Risk of Future Aggression. Strength/leash pulling: Blue is a large, strong dog with the capability to pull over an average adopter. His adopter must be prepared and able to handle a dog of this size and strength. It is recommended that he be walked on a front clip harness or head halter, which help diminish his strength through leverage, and that he be trained using positive reinforcement, reward based training to not pull on leash. Please see handout on Strength/leash pulling