Date of intake:: 1/19/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: Yes

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, No known history

Date of assessment:: 1/23/2025

Summary:: When brought into the assessment room Tepig remained tense and fearful. Noted to have a tense body and hard staring towards the handlers when they attempted to interact. In the assessment room Tepig was observed to pace and seek exit. During intake officers reported that when they attempted to transport Tepig in a crate he became "aggressive" and they needed to call for assistance. No further details about him behavior was reported. Another handling assessment is attempted. Tepig remains tense with raised hackles in the assessment room. When the handler attempts to interact Tepig becomes increasingly tense and hard stares towards the handler. He is receptive to treats when they are tossed however he will not eat them from the handlers hand.After attempting an interaction Tepig begins to maintain his distance from the handler and will no longer approach. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety displayed. Tepig is not a candidate to receive a handling assessment at this time.

Summary:: 1/28/25: Tepig is tense bodied when he enters the pen. He does not approach the gate to greet the other dog readily. He is coaxed forward by handler and remains tense.

Summary (6):: 2/8/25- Tepig is at the front of his kennel barking when handler approaches with a wiggly body. He is easily leashed and taken for a street walk. When handler goes into the elevator Tepig lowers his body and slowly approaches sniffing. Handler soft talks to him and pats their thight, he slowly comes into the elevator. He attempts to run back out but handler was further back in to prevent him from exiting. Once on the street he pulls hard sniffing around and has a slight pull towards people that pass with a neutral body. He is offered treats and gently takes them from handler. He allows handler to pet his head, neck and back, he leans his body forward when his rear is being scratched. After he uses does both for the bathroom, he has a moderate pull returning to the building. He went into the elevator with some hesitancy but didn't try to escape. He was easily clipped and returned to kennel without issue.

Summary (7):: 2/4/25: Tepig is observed to be hard barking at the front of kennel as handler approaches. He is pushing up against the kennel bars whilst hard barking, pupils dilated, and heavily panting. 1/24/25: Tepig is observed to be hard barking at kennel door when handler approaches. 1/22/25: Tepig is laying on his bed at the back of his kennel. He comes forward when handler approaches. He does not engage with treats offered. As handler leashes him, his hackles are raised. He is walked on the street where he is hypervigilant, looking around and towards noises or movements. As people pass by, he will stop walking, watch them and pull in there direction. He can not be lured or called away. In the behavior room, he remains hypervigilant, pacing around and standing by the door. He is not interested in treats and is eventually collared using squeaker and a slow approach. He returns to kennel without issue.

Date of intake:: 1/19/2025

Summary:: Reported aggression by police, allowed all handling

Date of initial:: 1/21/2025

Summary:: Body relaxed; easily examined…nervous, did not take treats, tense body

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Tepig so we cannot be certain of their behavior in a home environment. However, they will need daily mental and physical activity to stay 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.

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: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Tepig is reported to show "aggressive" behaviors but there are no details further elaborating. During his stay in the care center Tepig has been observed to be highly fearful noted to seek exit, become tense, and hard stare towards handlers when they attempt to interact. It is important to move slowly with Tepig, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow them to initiate interactions with new people. They should never be forced to greet or to interact if they are not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression.