Date of intake:: 12/16/2024

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (1 year)

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 1 child (5 year old)

Behavior toward strangers:: Cane will alert bark, playful

Behavior toward children:: Cane is playful

Behavior toward dogs:: Cane is friendly and outgoing with familiar dogs and unfamiliar dogs on leash

Behavior toward cats:: Cane will alert bark

Resource guarding:: Cane will hard bark or growl with valuable items such as food

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Very high (more active than most)

Other Notes:: Cane's previous owner describe him as a very active and playful dog that loves care rides. Cane may know the cues sit, stay, and wait.

Date of assessment:: 12/19/2024

Summary:: Cane has been observed to hard bark, snap, and muzzle punch the door while in kennel. When out with handles Cane has been observed to remain tense with a low tail. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety displayed. Cane is not a candidate to receive a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 12/19/24: Cane is standing at the front of his kennel as handlers approach. He begins barking and gives a low growl as handlers stand in front of the kennel. He is offered treats but continues to stare at handlers growling and barking. He stops as handlers unlock the kennel door and allows handlers to place him on a double leash, he is then walked out to the yard for his walk. Once out in the back he is brought into one of the play yards. He stops and stands in place for a while and is offered more treats but does not take them. He turns to one of the handlers at one point with a slightly wagging tail and attempts to jump towards them, he is kept away by second handler. After a while Cane is brought back inside, clipped and returned to kennel without issue. 12/18/24: Cane is at the front of the kennel with a tense body growling towards handlers. Handler offers Cane multiple high value treats such as treats, viennas, ham, and cheese; he is not receptive. Handler presents the leash and Cane continues to growl. He attempts to dodge the leash, however he is easily leashed. Handler opens the kennel door and Cane readily exits, and is taken to the yard. In the yard Cane relieves himself quickly and sniffs around while remaining tense. Handler offers treats and Cane is not receptive. Cane will occasionally approach a handler and lightly sniff their leg. When returning to kennel cane baulks outside of the kennel door. Handler tosses treats into the kennel, Cane is not receptive. Cane has to be muscled into kennel. 12/16/24: Cane is at the front of the kennel, when handler approaches. When the hander places the hand near the kennel door Cane begins hard barking and snapping, then muzzle punches the door. Handler ends interaction.

Date of intake:: 12/16/2024

Summary:: Leash biting, had to be muscled into kennel

Date of initial:: 12/17/2024

Summary:: Low growling and hard barking in kennel. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: Cane 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 Cane.

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 behaviors such as hard barking and snapping 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,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting

Potential challenges comments:: House Soiling: Cane's previous owner states that he very rarely has accidents in the home. We recommend positive reinforcement, reward-based training only. Accidents should never be punished as this will likely make the problem worse. Please see handout on House Soiling. Basic Manners; Cane's previous owner states that he jumps up oftens or nonstop. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Sit" and "Off" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach them to control their impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward-based training only is recommended. Please see handout on Basic Manners. Handling Sensitivity: Cane's previous owner states that he will bark and growl when held/restrained. Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Cane to be more comfortable with this. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity. Fearful Defensive: During his stay in the care center Cane has been observed to be highly fearful. Noted to hard bark, growl, and muzzle punch the kennel door. Cane's previous owner states that when startled he will bark and growl. It is important to move slowly with Cane, 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. Anxiety: Cane's previous owner states that he anxious noted to pace, whine, and be unable to settle. If Cane 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. Please see handout on Generalized Anxiety. On Leash Reactivity: Cane's previous owner states that he will hard bark and growl towards strangers that approach while on leash. Cane will need reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than other people. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration. Leash Biting: During intake Cane was observed to briefly bite the leash. 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.