Date of intake:: 12/24/2024

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray ( unknown History)

Date of assessment:: 12/27/2024

Summary:: **1/2/2025:Tinsel will remain New Hope due to him becoming tense with the helper and began to leash bite when taken back into his kennel not wanting the helper to go near the familiar handler, he began to hover and block his body so the helper won't come near.*** Leash Walking Strength and pulling: loose Reactivity to humans: Ignores Reactivity to dogs: Ignores Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Stays near familiar handler, leans in to petting, tense body doesn't approach helper, gently takes treats Call over: Readily approaches familiar handler Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: Allowed- leans into touch, stiff body, conflicted Exuberant handling:Allowed- leans into touch, stiff body, conflicted Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow- neutral body Arousal comments: Knock: Approaches- stiffens Knock Comments: Toy: sniffs ignores Toy comments: 12/27/2024: A handling assessment can not be conducted at this time due to Tinsel displaying baring teeth and not allowing handling. 12/25/2024: Due to his fearfulness and him baring teeth at the handler, he is given time to decompress.

Summary (4):: 1/7/24: Tinsel greeted handlers at front of kennel and appeared eager to exit kennel. When handler presented leash Tinsel low growled. When handler made additional attempts to leash he began hard barking and snapping at it. Handlers tossed treats over top of kennel to move him away from door but he would rush back. When handler 2 made attempts to leash he continued to bark and snap and began leash biting. Tinsel's pupils were dilated and he was focused on the leash. When handlers closed kennel door Tinsel would jump up on it. A staff member notified VS that there was dilute blood all over Tinsel's bedding and blood spatter on the walls from an unknown source. Since VS planned to sedate and examine him, handlers opted to leave him in kennel to avoid any additional stress.

Summary (5):: 1/5: ACS staff report that they are unable to leash Tinsel due to him esclating to lunging, snapping, growling, and biting at their lead. He is given a few minutes before handlers approach to check on him. Tinsel begins growling at the first handler as they unlock his kennel but does slowly come to the front when another handler approaches with cheese. He takes the cheese from Handler 2 while Handler 1 attempts to leash him. It takes a few tries due to him dodging and snapping while trying to still feed him cheese. Once the lead is secured, Tinsel steps out of the kennel only to begin wailing while flailing and gator rolling, snapping, and biting at the lead, making his mouth and top of his nose bleed. Hander 2 quickly checks his kennel to make sure it's clean so he can be returned due to his behavior. Tinsel immediately runs back into his kennel. A hook is used to remove the lead but Tinsle continues to gatror roll and bite at the lead and hook while in the kennel, getting himself tangled further. It is difficult to get the lead removed due to his behavior. 1/2/25: Tinsel was at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He was able to be leashed with ease and he walked slowly to the behavior room for his assessment. He would look at the handlers with a tense body frame and was able to be transferred to a drag lead with a collar. Please see behavior assessment notes for more details. After assessment was complete, he was siting next to one of the handlers, and proceeded to lip curl as the the handler was slowly re-leashing him with a slip lead. He then started to nip at the lead once he was leashed. He was able to walk slowly back to his kennel with no issues. 01/01/25: Tinsel is lying on his kuranda bed as handler approaches. Handler cracks open the kennel door, and he will come forward, being leashed with ease. Tinsel is walked to the Canine Behavior Office where he is slowly collared, clipped to a drag lead, and free to explore the space. He will follow second handler around the room and approaches slowly, leaning into petting, but maintains a stiff, still frame throughout. When handler discontinues contact, he will lean in towards them slightly to solicit again. Tinsel takes high value treats gently from hand. After his session, he is leashed and returns to kennel safely.

Summary (6):: 12/31/24: (AM) Tinsel greets the handler standing at the front of his kennel door with a neutral frame and a high curved tail. Tinsel is easily leashed and he follows the handler out of the kennel. Once in the hallway Tinsel attempts to stop The handler makes themself smaller and coax's Tinsel forward. He cautiously approaches. This happens a few time when exiting the building. Once outside Tinsel loosens up and follows the handler and only attempts to stop once. The handler escorts Tinsel to the play yards. When in the yard Tinsel will spend most of his time staring off into the street or checking in with the handler. The handler escorts Tinsel back to the care center where he moderately pulls towards. Tinsel is returned to his kennel and unleashed without issue. 12/30/24: Tinsel is standing at the front of kennel with a neutral body as handler approaches. He is leashed and tenses as the lead drops around his neck. Tinsel exits the kennel and walks down the hall with a slightly tense body. Handler turns off floor fan due to Tinsel cowering at the corner of the stairs. After fan is off, he walks behind handler out to the play yard. Tinsel spends time scenting along the yard and relieves himself. He takes pieces of chicken gently from hand and will accept petting along head and neck with a soft frame. Tinsel becomes a bit looser and will jump around playfully. After his session, he is returned to kennel safely. 12/29/24 PM: Tinsel is lying in the back of his kennel as the handler approaches. He quickly rushes to the front of the kennel when the handler unlocks the door. Handler 2 tosses treats into his kennel which he eats off the floor. Handler 2 holds a treat through the lead and handler 1 is able to leash him. When the kennel door is opened, Tinsel is hesitant and does not come out. Handler 2 is able to lure him into the hallway with Churu treats and a slight jog until he stops in the hallway to urinate for a long time. After he urinates, Tinsel does not want to continue forward and attempts to go back to kennel. Handler 2 lures him a few feet up the steps to go outside until he stops again and takes no more treats as he attempts to thrash slightly and pull back. Handler 2 switches places with handler 1 to take his leash and pretends to start jogging and Tinsel follows outside. Tinsel immediately defecates outside and attempts to go back inside again but follows the handler to the play yard. Tinsel urinates and defecates a second time and then taken to the play yard to sniff around. He ignores treats from handlers and explores the yard before heading back inside. He allows the handler to clip him but Tinsel is stiff. He is returned to his kennel with no issues.

Summary (7):: 12/29/24: Tinsel is standing on his bed as handler's approached his kennel. He was able to approach the front of his kennel as the handler tossed treats for him. He was able to be leashed with ease, and was hesitant to walk out of his kennel. He stood in the middle of the kennel room with a stiff body, head was low the ground and tail was tucked. He was able to get to almost the of the stairs after many hesitations and stopping. He liked the high value cheese and ham treats. He would keep looking at the handlers with a hard stare and looking back in the direction of all the dogs barking and his kennel. While he was back in his kennel, the handler was sliding in a blanket for him and he lunged forward towards the door and was baring his teeth. Handlers covered his kennel with a blanket. 12/27/24: Tinsel is at the front of the kennel laying down staring at the handler, when Tinsel's kennel door is being opened he begins to stand up and pee. Tinsel is finished peeing, is leashed slowly and is brought out for a walk. Tinsel refuses to walk in some parts of the way, and will just freeze and stand with a tense body and hackles raised when coaxed. Tinsel sniffs around a very small amount before the handler just brings him back to kennel due to his discomfort. Tinsel readily walk into kennel and shakes the leash off his head before the handler leaves his kennel. 12/26/24: Tinsel is at the front of the kennel laying down, when the handler approaches. Tinsel begins to growl and lip curl in the position she is on without moving. Tinsel continues to do so, and instead of making her uncomfortable, the handler leaves her to lay down for the morning. 12/25/2024: Tinsel is lying in the front of his kennel in a ball. They approach he begins to bar his teeth and growl at their handler. the tosses treat into his kennel in which he begins to take them. The handler opens up his kennel door and easily leashes him. A treat trail is made due to him not wanting to walk and follow the handler. The handler leads Tinsel to the behavior room where he was given a snuffle mat filled with treats he began to take them. Tinsel doesn't allow touch and will grow stiff if the handler for too close. Tinsel is later taken back into his kennel and placed inside without issue

Date of intake:: 12/24/2024

Summary:: low growling and he struck play pose with a tightly tucked tail, lifting his lip, while low growling

Date of initial:: 12/24/2024

Summary:: low-growling

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13)- Due to tinsel Potential challenges we recommend he is placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner- Tinsel came into the care center as a stray so his history is unknown. In the care center, he struggles to adjust to the care center environment, displaying intense fearfulness and defensive aggression. He exhibits consistent discomfort when approached by handlers, often growling, lip-curling, and remaining stiff to avoid interaction. While he has occasionally taken treats during interactions, he generally does not allow handling and will grow tense or defensive when a handler approaches him or gets too close. Due to this Tinsels is available through rescue through one of our new hope partners.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression- In the care center, he struggles to adjust to the care center environment, displaying intense fearfulness and defensive aggression. He exhibits consistent discomfort when approached by handlers, often growling, lip-curling, and remaining stiff to avoid interaction.To help a dog struggling with intense fearfulness and potential defensive aggression in a care center, start by identifying and minimizing triggers in the environment. Create a safe, quiet space where the dog can retreat and feel secure. Gradually desensitize the dog to human interaction by approaching slowly and offering high-value treats to build positive associations. Use positive reinforcement to reward calm behavior and avoid punishment, which can increase fear. Consistent routines and gentle handling are crucial. Consulting a professional trainer or behaviorist for personalized strategies can also be beneficial. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression.