Date of intake:: 1/1/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 1/3/2025

Summary:: Dwight was brought in as a stray so his past behaviors is unknown. Dwight is highly fearful in the kennel, and was noted to snap, low growl and back away when staff approach. Due to stress of attempting to to interact with him, Dwight will not get a handling assessment.

Summary (5):: 1/8/25: Dwight is at the front his kennel pacing left to right quickly as handler approaches. He dodges the leash multiple times and does not accept treats when leashing but eventually allows leashing before being brought to the street for his walk. Dwight pulls lightly to the street and once outside begins using the bathroom almost immediately. He pulls moderately during his walk and ignores most people passing on the street, Dwight is walked around for a bit and frantically zig zags left and right while walking. He is brought back after a while and allows clipping before being brought back to kennel without issue. 1/8/25: Dwight is observed to bare teeth and mouth the leash when handlers are attempting to leash him.

Summary (6):: 1/7/25: Dwight is pacing back and forth in front of his kennel, pacing very rapidly and jumping up on the kennel walls as handler approaches. He continues this behavior as handler attempts to leash. He dodges the leash and briefly mouths the leash, then proceeds to bare his teeth for a second, all while jumping and pacing in kennel. Handler is able to lasso him and take him out to the yard for a walk. He remains frantic, panting heavy, pacing, jumping on handler as displacement. Towards the end of the walk he begins to take treats and is receptive to the "Sit" cue. Handler returns him to kennel without issue. 1/5/25: Dwight is at the front of his kennel as handlers approach. He is leashed without issue and offered treats which he takes but does not eat. He is brought to the yard for his walk, and pulls hard on his walk. He pants heavily and trots forward frantically. Second handler attempts to offer treats to Dwight who turns and accepts them quickly. He continues to pull forward and whines frantically, approaching play yards with dogs and pressing his nose against the gate. Dwight is brought into the central play yard, he begins jumping on handler frantically. Second handler continues tossing treats to distract Dwight but is unsuccessful. Handlers decide to bring Dwight to the Driveway for his walk, when he reaches the driveway there are multiple dogs on all sides of handlers. They are able to coordinate a move to allow other handlers into the building while giving Dwight space away from the dogs. After they move Dwight he begins to frantically spin and jump on handler and hard barks at the second handler. Handlers decide to end interaction, and begin returning Dwight. He continues frantically jumping at handler so he is double leashed. This causes Dwight to begin flailing and tangling himself in the leash, handlers stop occasionally to untangle Dwight as they continue down the hall as he continues to vocalize. Handlers are able to return him to kennel and interaction is ended.

Summary (7):: 1/4/25: Dwight is at the front of his kennel as handlers approach kennel. Almost immediately he turns and moves to the back of the kennel. His ears lower and his body is hunched over, handlers produce treats and begin tossing to Dwight. Dwight does not accept these but when second handler kneels down and produces some treats which they hold out, Dwight very slowly and cautiously approaches the kennel door and sniffs the treats but again does not accept them. He moves back again towards the back of the kennel and continues sitting fearfully in the back. Handlers produce a hook which they attach the leash to in an attempt to leash Dwight. He sniffs and licks the leash and cowers when it is moved over his head, he moves his head out the way from it and will make small but powerful flinches when the leash touches him. When attempting to leash with the hook, Dwight begins coming to the front of kennel, so handler with hook swaps with first handler, who is able to lasso Dwight. He exits kennel and walks with handlers to the yard, once outside Dwight uses the bathroom and shakes off. He walks with a neutral body posture and chases birds he sees while walking in the yard. He pulls forward moderately when walking around the perimeter of the yard and ignores dogs passing in other play yards. He enters one of the play yards and sniffs around, giving a play bow and occasionally approaching and jumping on handler. He is redirected by being called over by second handler. Dwight does not take treats while out in the yard and after a while is brought back inside. He is walked back to kennel and enters without issue. He is unleashed using a hook which he is weary of and attempts to avoid, but is eventually unleashed and interaction is ended. 1/3/25: Dwight is at the back of his kennel as handlers approach. He is offered high value treats by handlers and encouraged to approach the front of kennel. He is tossed a plethora of treats, toys are used and his kennel door is cracked open but he refuses to move forward. Dwight's ears are low and his body is hunched over. He begins to produce a low growl and stares intently at handlers. Handlers decide to end interaction to not further stress Dwight. 1/2/25: Dwight is at the back of his kennel as handlers approach. He immediately moves further back and begins to low growl as handlers stand in the front of the kennel tossing treats. He continues to low growl with pinned back ears and does not accept treats offered by handlers. After a moment Dwight stops growling and sits near the back of his kennel. Handler unlocks and cracks the door open, but Dwight remains in the back with a slightly hunched over posture, so handlers decide to end interaction to not further stress Dwight.

Date of initial:: 1/2/2025

Summary:: Growling, biting leash, opt to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Dwight 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 Dwight fearfulness, Dwight should go to a home with older children. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to all noted concerns displayed in the Care Center environment, the behavior department recommends Dwight be placed with a New Hope placement partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow Dwight to acclimate comfortably to his new environment; force-free, reward based training only is advised when introducing Dwight to new and unfamiliar situations.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Leash-biting

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Dwight was observed to low growl and snap in his kennel. Positive reinforcement should be used to help Dwight associate people with things he likes such as treats and toys. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression. Leash Biting: Dwight has been observed to bare teeth and mouth the leash when handlers are attempting to leash him. We recommend leashing 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.