Date of intake:: 7/10/2025

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray(spent time with finder)

Resource guarding:: Finder stated that the dog will growl or lip curl if they try to take something away from him, including food, toys, or shoes.

Date of assessment:: 7/12/2025

Summary:: 07/26/25: Ziggy began to leash bite and mount the handlers during his reassessment. 7/17/25: Ziggy is taken to the behavior office for a reassessment. Once in the room, he quickly lunges forward to mount the helper, then when distracted by the assessor, he goes to grip the assessor's leg with his front paws he is quickly pulled away and taken back to his kennel. Due to this a handling assessment will not be conducted at this time. 7/12/25: Due to Ziggy not wanting to walk on lead and fearfulness, a handling assessment will not be conducted at this time. ***7/11/25: Due to Ziggy fearfulness and not wanting to walk, a handling assessment will not be conducted at this time. Ziggy is given more time to decompress.***

Summary:: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-to-dog history recorded. 07/17/25 Ziggy is initially introduced at the gate to a novel female dog while off leash at the care center. Ziggy will approach the gate bouncy, displaying a soft wiggly frame. The novel female dog is conflicted, approaching the gate slowly, appearing nervous as she displays a neutral frame and paw raises along the gate line. The novel female dog will run to and from the gate lines Ziggy remains self-present, offering play bows, soliciting play. The novel female dog will re-approach the gate offering bounces to Ziggy, also soliciting play. Ziggy is moved to the back of his pen as the novel female dog enters in order to greet each other face-to-face. The novel female dog will approach Ziggy as he remains still with a neutral frame. He remains still, salivating as she scents him. The novel female dog will paw slap Ziggy, initiating play and Ziggy will engage, offering a play bow before creating distance, soliciting chase play. Ziggy will start/stop and the novel female dog will mirror that, proceeding to chase play. The two will exchange mild body contact while chasing each other around the pen. Ziggy gradually ducks and dodges the novel female dog paws, as she attempts to paw slap. Both dogs remain soft in frame. Ziggy will create distance in order to decompress, and the novel female dog will follow suite, creating distance as well in order to explore. Before reengaging, Ziggy shakes off and the novel female dog will follow him around the pen. Both dogs are returned to kennel, concluding the interaction.

Summary (3):: 07/29/25 Ziggy is lying down in front of his kennel door as the handler approaches. Ziggy will approach the front of his kennel with a soft, loose frame, remaining still as he is leashed. Ziggy exuberantly exits his kennel, bouncing his way towards the exit of the room. They proceed outside to the play yard. Ziggy maintains his loose frame as he trots alongside the handler and starts to pull as they gets closer to the play yard. As he enters the play pen, he has a drag leash placed onto him, allowing him to free roam. Ziggy will spend his time engaging with toys that are lying around, growing found of one particular, rubber toy. Ziggy will toss the toy around and also engage with a ball as well when the handler tosses it. When re-leashing to return Ziggy back to kennel, Ziggy will pancake. With some encouragement and coaxing, Ziggy will proceed to exit the yard. Ziggy is very interested in the toy he engages with, gently biting and tugging on the lead, so the handler retrieves the toy so Ziggy can take it back to kennel. This makes Ziggy commence walking, trotting back to the facility. Ziggy will enter the building as well as his kennel with no issue.

Summary (4):: 7/28/25 (PM): Ziggy's behavior remains consistent with note from 07/27/25. (AM): Ziggy is laying down on his bed as handler approaches his kennel. He is able to be leashed with ease while being distracted with treats. He is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, he would slightly pull ahead with a loose body and wagging tail. While across the street on the way back to kennel, he begins to mouth and try to bite at the leash a few times. He is able to be redirected when the handler tossed treats on the ground and when the handler slightly stiff arms him. After a few attempts, he is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. 07/27/25: Ziggy is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral frame as handler approaches. His body loosens as handler unlocks the kennel door and he is leashed with ease, using treats. Ziggy pulls mildly to the Canine Behavior Office where he will sniff along the room and engage with multiple enrichment items including a licky mat, snuffle mat, and soft toys. He leans into handler's legs as they sit on the couch and accepts petting with a neutral frame. After his session, Ziggy is returned to kennel safely. 7/26 When the handler approaches, Ziggy is standing at the front of his kennel with a neutral posture. He is easily leashed and escorted to the Behavior Assessment (BA) room. Through out Ziggy will display a stiff frame, hackles at the base of his high curved tail. Upon entering the room, Ziggy immediately lunges forward and attempts to mount the handler. When redirected by the assessor, he shifts his attention and tries to grip the assessor’s leg with his front paws. He is promptly removed from the situation and escorted back to his kennel. On approach, Ziggy makes multiple attempts to bite the leash. The handler uses treats and toys for redirection. Once inside the kennel, Ziggy quickly turns and attempts one final leash bite but releases promptly. He is then safely unleashed and secured.

Summary (5):: 7/21: As Ziggy is walked back into the building after a walk, he can be seen jumping up and biting at a handler's lead mildly as he goes down the steps. He stops when he hears another handler squeak a toy. 7/17/25: Ziggy is at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed with ease is taken to the behavior room for his assessment. In the room, he approaches a handler and sits in front of them. The handler offers a treat and he does not take them. He then jumps up on the handler and starts to sniff them intensely. He then approaches another handler by jumping up and gripping their leg. When the handler tries to clip their lead to his collar, he begins to jump up and try to mount the handler. He is able to be taken away and it brought back to his kennel with no issues. 7/17/25: Ziggy is laying down on his bed as handler approaches. He comes forward to the front and is able to be leashed while being distracted with treats. He is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk he would slightly pull ahead to sniff his surroundings and would stare at dogs as they passed by. He was able to still continue walking with the handler. On the way back to kennel, he lowers his body to ground before walking down the hill. He is able to continue walking as the handler used an high pitch voice and he was able to return to kennel with no issue. 07/16/25 (PM) Ziggy is lying down in his karanda bed as the handler approaches. Ziggy comes forward, shake off and jump onto the kennel door with a loose body. Ziggy is easily leashed as he comes forward, allowing the loop of the lead onto him and pulling his way out of kennel in a bouncey like manner. As they proceed outside for a walk, Ziggy displays a loose, wiggly frame, slightly pulling on lead as very mild like tension is applied from the handler. Ziggy explores the side-walk eagerly, displaying tail wags and a soft frame. He continues to walk, almost galloping his way across the street, exploring dirt/grassy patches. Ziggy is returned to the facility where he is taken through the second floor entrance, proceeding without any hesitation. Ziggy will enter the elevator remaining loose, maintaining a loose body as it goes down. Ziggy is returned to his kennel with no issue. As the handler is retrieving their lead Ziggy will come forward, attempting to exit his kennel softly, pawing at the door and whining.

Summary (6):: 07/15/25 Ziggy slowly rises out of his karanda bed trotting forward with a soft frame. Ziggy is easily leashed as he remains still, followed by proceeding outside for a walk. Ziggy maintains a soft posture as he trots moderately beside the handler. Ziggy will find a scent on the side-walk he becomes interested in, stopping to explore the scent, chattering in the process. The handler and Ziggy will commence their walk. Ziggy is taken to the play yard where he is reluctant to enter. With directional leash pressure he is lead into the play pen where he will explore. As he i exploring the handler will gently collar him. Ziggy remains still, shaking off once the collar is on. Ziggy will continue to explore, remaining aloof with the handler, displaying a relaxed frame. Ziggy is returned to the facility where he will pump the brakes while heading down the ramp of the building, but with coaxing and directional leash pressure, Ziggy will begin trotting. Ziggy enters the building as well as his kennel quickly. 07/13/25 Ziggy is at the front of his kennel with a neutral frame. The handler will toss him treats in his kennel and as Ziggy is collecting them from the ground, the handler will attempt to guide the lead onto him. Ziggy sees the lead and will duck and dodge, reluctant to be leashed. The handler will lasso him and at this point, Ziggy comes forward, exiting the kennel and proceeding outside for a walk. Ziggy maintains a neutral frame, trotting alongside the handler. Ziggy will explore throughout his walk, stopping in grass/dirt patches. During the walk, he sees birds in which he will pull towards. Ziggy will not take treats when administered, more interested in scenting while outside. Ziggy is returned to the facility entering the facility as well as his kennel with no issue.

Summary (7):: 07/12/25: Ziggy is laying down on his bed when the handler approaches. He comes slowly to the front with a slightly tense body, small tail wag, and creased brow. Ziggy is reluctant to be leashed and refuses to follow a lure through, backing away when the handler comes near with the leash. Handler places it at the entrance to the kennel and Ziggy paces back and forth, eventually vocalizing due to frustration. He eventually walks through the leash and is led outside. Ziggy pulls mildly and pulls towards dogs with a neutral body and wagging tail. He maintains a neutral body and sweeping tail wag up to the play yard. The handler bends down and Ziggy approaches and leans into contact. He takes treats from another handler and allows some petting. Ziggy balks at the front of the kennel and does not take treats. The handler uses mild leash pressure to guide him into kennel. (Assessment) As the handler approaches, Ziggy is observed standing at the front of his kennel with a neutral body posture. When the leash is presented, Ziggy begins to bounce and pace around the kennel in avoidance, vocalizing in protest. The handler is eventually able to lasso him, and Ziggy is escorted to the Behavior Assessment (BA) room. In the BA room, Ziggy displays avoidant behavior, consistently tracking the handlers' movements with a tense, focused expression. He remains wary of being collared, retreating each time the collar is presented. Upon returning to his kennel, Ziggy initially halts and shows reluctance to enter. The handler applies light pressure on the leash to guide him inside. Once Ziggy willingly steps into the kennel, he is rewarded with vocal praise. He is then unleashed and safely secured. 7/10/25: Ziggy is reported to be head shy of the leash, going to the back of his crate and avoiding the staff members while paw raising and giving other appeasing signals. Ziggy when the handlers approach was low bodied, but tail slightly wagging when baby talked at the front of the crate. Ziggy would approach, but avoid the leash going towards the closest handler. Ziggy is coaxed with chicken into the leash, walks out and is reluctance of entering his kennel but is helped in and puts up minimal resistance.

Date of intake:: 7/10/2025

Summary:: backed away and gave whale eye when microchip scanner was brought close. Dog allowed finders to leas

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),No cats,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Ziggy fearfulness, we recommend he be placed in an adult-only home at this time. No Cats: Due to Ziggy displaying prey drive while in our care, we recommend that Ziggy be placed in a home without cats. Place with a New Hope partner: Ziggy came into the care center as a stray, Ziggy was noted by the finder to Resource guard food, toys, or shoes; he will display lip curing and growling. In the care center Ziggy displays fearful behavior and avoidant behaviors around handling, particularly with leashing and collaring. He is head-shy and often ducks, dodges, or retreats when presented with the leash, sometimes vocalizing in protest or pacing in his kennel. However, Ziggy has shown the ability to recover with time, gentle coaxing, and the use of high-value treats. Once outside, he generally presents with a soft or neutral body posture, explores his environment calmly, and occasionally engages socially, leaning into petting or taking treats when comfortable.Ziggy has also shown moments of reluctance returning to the kennel, occasionally needing gentle leash guidance or encouragement. Ziggy is available for rescue through one of our new hope partners.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful,Anxiety,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Finder stated that Ziggy will growl or lip curl if they try to take something away from him, including food, toys, or shoes.Training will focus on building trust through trade-up exercises, desensitization to approach, and reinforcing calm behavior around valued items. Please see the handout on Resource guarding. Basic manners/poor impulse control/Low threshold for arousal: Ziggy is taken to the behavior office for a reassessment. Once in the room, he quickly lunges forward to mount the helper, then when distracted by the assessor, he goes to grip the assessor's leg with his front paws he is quickly pulled away and taken back to his kennel. Handling/touch sensitivity/Fearful: Ziggy is noted to be head-shy and often ducks, dodges, or retreats when presented with the leash, sometimes vocalizing in protest or pacing in his kennel. When going back into the center from walks he is noted to pull on the brakes, not wanting to go back inside.Training will include gentle desensitization to handling and leashing, using positive reinforcement to create more comfortable and cooperative experiences. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. Anxiety: Ziggy is noted to display pacing and panting, vocalizing during leashing.