Date of intake:: 9/4/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray (No Known History)

Date of assessment:: 9/6/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Moderate Reactivity to humans: none Reactivity to dogs: inconclusive Leash walking comments: hyper-vigilant Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Fearful Call over: Approaches with coaxing Sociability comments: tucked tail, high value treats effective Soft handling: Tolerates Exuberant handling: Fearful Comments: Tucked tail, head whips during exuberant handling, tense body Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler, neutral Knock: No response Knock comments: looks at door during knock, furrowed brow, approaches secondary handler slowly with coaxing, low body Toy Toy comments: No response

Summary (7):: 9/8/25: Assistance is requested in the yard for Stuart Little. When the handler approaches he is laying down in the yard. He is not receptive to treats, vienna sausage, coaxing or squeakie sounds. A second handler is able to place a belly band on while the primary handler uses leash pressure. Stuart head whips towards the secondary handler persistent. The handlers attempt to coax Stuart forward, he continues to baulk and plant. The handlers continues to coax, Stuart is not receptive. When approaching the kennel the handler has to use the belly band to lift him into kennel. Handler ends the interaction. 9/6/25: Stuart Little is laying in his kennel, tense shaking body. Treats are tossed but he does not engage. He stands and comes forward head down looking around. When leashed, he flinches as the leash touches him but comes out of kennel easily. He is walked on the street where he is tense, low tense tail. He is hypervigilant, looking side to side not stopping to sniff or relieve himself. He pulls hard back to shelter. In the behavior room he remains tense low tense tail. He approaches handlers slowly but moves away from treats offered. When second handler approaches he backs into main handlers legs and sits. Main handler is able to collar using slow approach. He flinches hard when the clasp on the collar clicks. He takes vienna sausages from main handlers hand and looks over his shoulder at the second handler as that handler is near. Off leash in the room, he'll approach second handler who pets him under his chin. He is tense body and lip licking at times. He is releashed using vienna as a lure and the drag leash is removed using a slow approach. He returns to kennel without issue.

Date of intake:: 9/4/2025

Summary:: Tense body, allowed leashing, whining and baulking, lifted into kennel

Date of initial:: 9/7/2025

Summary:: Tense body but allowed for examination

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Stuart Little so we cannot be certain of his behavior in a home environment. However, he will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No Children: Due to highly fearful behaviors and concerns about handling sensitivity, we recommend an adult only home. We recommend placement with a New Hope rescue partner who is able to provide an experienced, adult-only foster home. Force-free, reward based training and/or consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/Touch Sensitivity - Stuart Little has been noted to become uncomfortable with handling at times. It is important to always go slow and give Stuart Little the option to walk away from any social interaction. Stuart Little should never be forced to approach anything that they are uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Stuart Little’s choice to approach a new person or thing. Dog may do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to his new surroundings. Please see hand-out on Handling/Touch Sensitivity. Fearful - Stuart Little is a bit fearful at the care center. It is important to always go slow and give Stuart Little the option to walk away from any social interaction. Stuart Little should never be forced to approach anything that he is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be his choice to approach a new person or thing. Stuart Little would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to his new surroundings. Please see hand-out on Decompression Time.