Date of intake:: 7/7/2026

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

Other Notes:: While in his crate, Nino Bell was reported to snap and lunge at the neighbor when they attempted to feed him. When Field arrived to pick up Nino Bell, he was receptive to treats, and was easily leashed and led to the vehicle with treats. Mild leash biting was reported.

Date of assessment:: 7/12/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: None Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Distracted Call over: Approaches handlers readily Sociability comments: Low threshold for arousal, jumping up on handlers persistently, attempted to mount, head whipping Soft handling: Fearful Exuberant handling: Fearful Comments: Head whipping persistently Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler readily Knock Knock comments: Approached handler readily, jumped up Toy Toy comments: Became tense, hovered over the toy and then moved away

Summary (6):: 7/22/26 (AM): Nino Bell is at the front of his kennel with a neutral body and chattering mouth; the handler feeds him treats as they leash him. Before bringing him out the kennel, the handler presents a handful of treats to Nino, which he shows interest; as Nino exits his kennel, the handler tosses the treats on the ground. Nino eats some, but pulls hard, slightly towards the other kennels; he turns his head towards the handler's treat pouch with a slightly opened mouth. The handler straight arms the leash until they are out the room; Nino frantically walks out of the building. On the street, Nino walks with moderate to hard leash tension; he doesn't react to dogs or people on the street. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and walks Nino to his kennel; he pulls hard going back but enters on his own, and the handler easily removes their leash.

Summary (7):: 7/21/26 (PM): Nino Bell is at the front of his kennel with a neutral body; the handler feeds him treats and then leashes him. while walking out the room, Nino slightly pulls towards the kennels; he jumps up towards the leash once, but the handler pulls him away. While waiting for the elevator, the handler feeds Nino treats. On the street, Nino walks with moderate leash tension; he doesn't react to people or dogs. Nino looks back at the handler a few times with soft eyes. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and walks Nino to his kennel. He slightly pulls towards the kennel; as he enters his own, the handler tosses treats into it. The handler removes their leash with ease. 7/21/26 (midday): Nino Bell is reported to jump up high and leash bite, almost getting the handler's hand. 7/17/26: It is reported on the behavior board that Nino Bell is jumpy and did a "minor leash grab" but was redirected with treats. 7/12/26 (Assessment): Nino was at front of kennel with a neutral body as handler approached. He was easily leashed and pulled from kennel. Coming out of kennel Nino pulled hard to the point of causing himself to cough. He continued to pull hard through out his walk before his assessment (Please see assessment notes for details). Nino displayed no reactivity to the dog that he saw nor the people. While in the behavior room he was fitted for a harness due to his pulling and handlers struggled to properly fit him for one due to his constant moving. He was returned to kennel with no issue.

Date of intake:: 7/7/2026

Summary:: Easily leashed, mild leash biting

Date of initial:: 7/8/2026

Summary:: Wiggly and seeking attention. Allows all handling for exam until his abdomen, started growling

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to fearful behavior 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: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful,Leash-biting,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Handling Sensitivity: During his medical exam, when his abdomen was palpated, Nino Bell began growling at the handler. Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Nino Bell to be more comfortable with this. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity. Fearful: During the handling portion of the assessment, Nino Bell was observed to head whip persistently. They should never be forced to approach anything that they are uncomfortable with or submit to petting or handling. It should always be their choice to approach a new person or thing. Nino Bell would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to their new surroundings. Please see handout on Decompression Period. Leash Biting: During pick up it was reported that Nino Bell was leash biting. This behavior is reported to be easy to redirect with treats. We recommend walking them with a toy to dissuade them from grabbing the leash. Positive reinforcement, force-free training is advised to teach them to focus on you rather than grabbing the leash. Please see handout on Leash Manners. Arousal/ Basic Manners: During his assessment, Nino Bell was observed to jump up on handlers frequently and wrap his front paws around them as if to mount. Positive reinforcement training should be used to teach Nino Bell to remain calm during arousing situations. If they begin to escalate, people should pause the interaction, and create distance from the trigger. Pattern games such as 1-2-3 treat and the cue “mat” can be used to reinforce calm behaviors. Please see handout on Arousal.