Date of intake:: 9/1/2024

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 9/5/2024

Summary:: When brought into the assessment room Butch remained tense and fearful. Keeping distance from handlers, seeking exit with a tense body and tucked tail. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety displayed. Butch is not a candidate to receive a handling assessment at this time.

Summary:: 9/10/24: Butch greets another dog at the gate with a neutral body.

Summary (7):: 9/5/24: Butch is laying with their head down in kennel as handler approaches kennel. He is offered treats which he takes and is leashed without issue. Butch is taken to the street for a walk, he is a bit tense and his tail is slightly tucked. While on the street Butch will stare at passing people and looks slightly hesitant but walks past them without issue and walks near handler, not pulling when walking. Butch does not stop to smell often and will turn around to look at handler occasionally. He is brought into the behavior office for an interaction soon after. Once in the office Butch is more tense and his tail is tightly tucked. Even moderate level sounds will startle him, but he takes treats intermittently and tolerates being put on a drag leash. Butch refuses contact from handlers, attempting to stand and jump at the door, seeking exit. He is flighty and will move towards handlers halfway before moving back to the door and continuing to seek exit. Handler returns Butch back to kennel where he hears a dog barking which startles him causing him to dash quickly into kennel. 9/5/24: Butch is observed hard barking, growling and snapping at an acs in pop up crate. He is offered treats which he takes which stop the growling. When attempting to remove him from the crate he lays low and growls again at handler but is offered more treats and is leashed without further issue. 9/2/24: Butch is laying in the back of the kennel curled up when the handler approaches. He stands and slowly comes forwards with his head low, ears back, and tail tucked. He is easily leashed and is taken to the backyard. He walks quickly with a tense body, vigilant of his surroundings. He is brought into a pen where he relieves himself. He is aloof to the handler and wanders, sniffing a bit but mostly just looking around nervously. He sniffs treats offered to him but does not take them. When the handler sits on the bench he approaches to briefly sniff before disengaging to watch his surroundings. He is clipped easily and hesitates slightly on return to kennel but is returned without much issue. 9/1/24: It is reported that Butch was growling on intake and staff were unable to remove his leash while putting him in kennel.

Date of intake:: 9/1/2024

Summary:: Fearful

Date of initial:: 9/1/2024

Summary:: Whale eye, trying to climb up wall. Allowed muzzle, but thrashed when head was touched or covered

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Butch 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 high levels of fear we recommend a home with no children. 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: Butch has been observed remain tense with a tucked tail, during his assessment he was observed to seek exit and maintain his distance from handlers. During his stay in shelter he has been observed to hard bark and growl at handlers. It is important to move slowly with Butch, 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.