Date of intake:: 7/7/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (2 years)

Previously lived with:: 3 adults 1 child age 10, 2 guinea pigs and a turtle

Behavior toward strangers:: Xylo will actively avoid

Behavior toward children:: Xylo is playful

Behavior toward dogs:: Xylo is playful with familiar and unfamiliar dogs

Behavior toward cats:: Xylo is shy

Resource guarding:: Valuable items: Food, Toys Reaction: Growls or hard barks

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: High (often playful/busy)

Other Notes:: Goes potty on: Wee-wee pads Accident frequency: Few times a month Behavior concerns: General anxiety (paces, whines, unable to settle) Reacts to on walks: Strangers that approach you/family members Reaction type: Snaps Additional info: Not reported How this dog reacts when... - Held/restrained: Fearful - Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Fearful - Startled: Fearful - Pushed/pulled off furniture: Isn't bothered - Paws are touched: Isn't bothered - Collar grabbed/touched: Fearful

Date of assessment:: 7/10/2025

Summary:: Xylo has been observed to be fearful during his stay in the care center. He has been observed to lunge towards the front of the kennel while hard barking and growling. While on leash Xylo is observed to thrash and alligator roll. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety Xylo is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (6):: 07/18/25: Xylo is at the back of his kennel as handler approaches. He approaches the front as handler begins unlocking the kennel door and while slightly hesitant, allows leashing on a pre-clipped leash and exits kennel with handler out to the street for his walk. During Xylo's walk he is observed to walk with a slightly tucked tail and will flinch/dart when hearing loud noises. Otherwise he walks without issue and passes people on the street without issue and does not pull. He will occasionally stop to sniff spots on the street and accepts small treats during his walk. After a while he is brought back inside and returns without issue. 07/16/25: Xylo is at the back of his kennel as handler approaches. He is offered a treat which handler tosses near where he lays down, but he does not accept it. Handler begins slowly unlocking the kennel door and crouches down slightly to get a better look inside the kennel. Xylo approaches the front of the kennel on his own with a neutral body posture, handler presents the leash and Xylo sniffs it. He is still slightly hesitant with the leash and leans away slightly as handler slowly cranes the leash over his neck but he quickly allows leashing. Xylo exits kennel and walks with handler out to the street, his posture is slightly hunched over until reaching the street where he loosens and walks more confidently. While outside Xylo stops to use the bathroom and passes people on the street without issue, he does not pull when walking. When spotting dogs on the street Xylo will either ignore them or stop and stare at them with a neutral body until they pass. After walking for a while he is brought back to the care centers, Xylo flinches at one point when handler opens a door for them but recovers and walks back into kennel without issue.

Summary (7):: 7/12/25: Xylo is at the back of the kennel with a tense body. Handler unlocks the kennel and Xylo slowly approaches the front with his body lowered and still tense. Handler slowly brings the leash close to Xylo's head and he suddenly lunges vocalizing loudly. Handler quickly closes the kennel door. Interaction is ended. 07/10/25: Xylo is at the back of his kennel as handler approaches. He is curled up with a tense body and looks up at handler as they begin unlocking the kennel door. Xylo begins growling as handler slowly introduces their leash into kennel, a hook is attached to kennel to reach further into kennel. Xylo begins snapping and vocalizing at the leash but he is leashed after a few attempts. Once leashed Xylo plants in the back of kennel, handler waits a while with the door left open for Xylo to exit. Handler uses mild leash pressure to remove Xylo who vocalizes as the are exiting kennel. Once out of kennel however, he loosens slightly and looks around the room before walking out with handler. Handler walks with Xylo down the stairway and observes him hesitate to go down the stairs but continues after being called forward and giving him a moment. Xylo walks with handler out to the street slowly and does not pull while outside. When he sees people passing he will sometimes stop and stare at them as they pass but more often than not passes them without issue when walking. He stops to sniff spots on the street and uses the bathroom while outside, Xylo is observed to stop and stare at dogs he sees with a neutral body and wagging tail. Xylo walks for a bit more with handler before being brought back inside, he is hesitant to re-enter the building through the laundry area but handler allows Xylo to enter in his own time and he eventually walks through the room and up the elevator back to kennel. Handler uses mild leash pressure to encourage him back into kennel, a hook is used to remove the leash from Xylo which he initially avoids but quickly settles to allow it to be removed. Interaction is ended shortly after. 7/9/25: PM: Staff reported that Xylo is in the back of the kennel with a tense body. He is leashed slowly and as soon as the leash touches him, he begins alligator rolling. The leash is not on Xylo. Xylo then runs towards the leash and bites and shakes it. Staff ends interaction. 7/9/25: Xylo is laying at the back of his kennel. Handler approaches and tosses in a treat. He growls then barks while lunging forward in his kennel. Interaction is ceased due to stress levels. 7/8/25: ACS reports that when they attempted to pull Xylo's dirty linens with a hook he charged the front of the kennel.

Date of intake:: 7/7/2025

Summary:: Fearful, growling, and barking

Date of initial:: 7/8/2025

Summary:: Hard barking; tense, attempted to bite leash. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: Xylo is described as active and enthusiastic. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for Xylo.

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: : House soiling,Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting

Potential challenges comments:: House Soiling: Xylo's previous owner states that he will have accidents a few times a month. Accidents should never be punished as this will likely make the problem worse. Please see handout on House Soiling. Resource Guarding: Xylo's previous owner states that he will growl or hard bark while food and toys are in his possession. We recommend that Xylo be left alone while eating. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Xylo's mouth, and any time something is removed they should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Handling Sensitivity: Xylo's previous owner states that he will become fearful when is collar is grabbed and when held/restained. Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Xylo to be more comfortable with this. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity. Fearful Defensive: Xylo's previous owner states that he is fearful when disturbed and when startled. During his stay in the care center Xylo has been observed to charge the front of the kennel, while hard barking and growling. While on leash Xylo has been observed to thrash and alligator roll. Xylo should never be forced to interact, they should always be given the opportunity to walk away from situations or people they find uncomfortable. We recommend a slow approach and force-free, reward-based training methods for Xylo . Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression. Anxiety: Xylo's previous owner states that he has general anxiety. If Xylo displays anxious behavior in their future home, we recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and giving them other things to focus on to alleviate their anxiety. Positive reinforcement, force-free training should be used. Please see handout on Generalized Anxiety. On Leash Reactivity: Xylo's previous owner states that he will snap when people approach him while on leash. Xylo will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than other stimuli. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration. Leash Biting: Xylo has been observed to bite the leash when handler are attempting to handle him. 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.