Date of intake:: 5/9/2026

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

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 1 cat

Behavior toward strangers:: bit shy with strangers but if contact is on his terms is tolerant. visitors he will become playful.

Behavior toward children:: no experience

Behavior toward dogs:: bark at and avoid unfamiliar dogs, but will become tolerant.

Behavior toward cats:: shy at first with cats but quickly becomes friendly, outgoing, and playful.

Resource guarding:: No known reports of Resource guarding.

Bite history:: No known reports of a bite history.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Ace is noted to have a very high energy level in the prior home.

Other Notes:: Ace has a lot of anxiety and can be fearful of loud noises and being alone. Ace pulls on the leash during walks and will growl or jump at strangers and large dogs that approach. Ace is fearful of being restrained and having his feet touched. He tends to jump up on people with excitement. Ace is a big, energetic lovebug! He is social and affectionate, and is vocal about telling you he wants to play. In the home Ace can be found where the people are, asking for love and playtime. The things he loves most are rubs and cuddles! Ace has lots of energy and enjoys walks at least 1-2 times per day. He is very food motivated and has mastered sit, bed, and stay. Need to drive somewhere? No problem! Ace is a big fan of going on car rides (although climbing in can be a bit nerve-wracking). Ace is also a fan of bathtime, he does not allow nail trimming but enjoys being scrubbed and brushed.

Date of assessment:: 5/14/2026

Summary:: 5/14/26:Ace is taken to the behavioral office for a handling assessment. Ace displays avoidant behavior of the handlers and during collar attempts. He seeks exit and displays whale eyes and a tucked tail. Due to this, a handling assessment will not be condcuted at this time. 5/13/26: Ace is taken to the behavioral office for a handling assessment. Ace displays avoidant behavior of the handlers and during collar attempts. Due to his persistent avoidance behaviors and discomfort with handling, the assessment is not conducted he is given time to decompress.

Summary:: According to Ace's previous owner(s), he will bark at and avoid unfamiliar dogs but will become tolerant. 05/11/26 Ace is introduced to a novel female on a loose leash due to not allowing collaring. Ace will approach and sniff the female at the gate with a slightly tense frame and tucked tail. He walks away, displacement sniffing along the grass before returning to the gate and walking close by but not interacting with the female.

Summary (6):: 05/31/26: Ace is at the back of his kennel as the handler approaches. He walks to the front of the kennel and immediately allows the handler to clip his collar without using any treats. He is brought to the office where he engages with a snuffle mat and leans into the handler for pets. He is returned to his kennel without any issues. 05/30/26: Ace is at the back of the kennel as the handler approaches. The dog in the kennel next to him was taken out beforehand, so Ace shows significantly more interest in the handler. He comes forward quite a few times, but backs up whenever he sees the leash. The handler presses a slice of cheese onto the side of the kennel frame and clips Ace's collar while he is looking up and eating cheese. In the office, Ace eats treats and leans in for pets. He is returned to his kennel without further issue. 05/29/26: Ace is at the back of his kennel when the handler approaches. He approaches the kennel door a few times, backing away any time the handler shows him the leash. He takes treats, but is extremely distracted by the dog in the kennel next to him. The handler throws treats into the neighbouring kennel, and Ace returns his attention to the handler. The handler is eventually able to clip Ace's collar by feeding him peanut butter and chicken. This whole process takes about 10-15 minutes. In the room, Ace eats treats and allows other handlers to pet him. He is returned to the kennel and his collar is unclipped with no issue. 5/28/26: Ace is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He retreats to the back of the kennel as the handler unlocks it. He would constantly avoid the leash by dodging, ducking, and backing away. He would shake off the leash each time the handler attempted to lasso him. He begins to fixate on the dog that was jumping up next to him and would jump up at the wall to try to get to the dog. The handler then returns with another handler. He is comfortable approaching the front to eat high-value cheese but would then keep backing away when the handler goes to move the leash. He then begins to try to eat the cheese as the first handler has it up in the air. The second handler is able to then successfully clip the collar without him noticing. He is then taken outside to the yard. In the yard, he is comfortable approaching the handler to receive pets and takes treats. He would stare at the dogs and people who would pass by. He pulls hard on the way back to his kennel and quickly thrashes the leash off after he enters the kennel.

Summary (7):: 5/26/26: Ace is at the front of the kennel as the handler approaches. He is avoidant of the leash. Handler will feed him treats on the floor through the leash loop. Every time the handler lifts the leash a bit, he will back away. he will do the same when cheese is used. The handler will then attempt to drape the leash over his head which he will also avoid and dodge. He is eventually leashed and is brought out to the play yard. Once in the play yard he will walk around sniffing and then lift his head to look out onto the sidewalk as people and dogs pass by. He has a neutral body throughout. At one point, the leash is slightly loose so the handler tightens it gently but he will shake the leash off of his head. The handler attempts to put the leash on him twice but he will thrash and jump backwards quickly. When another handler comes back with chicken, they are able to lure him through the loop and quickly tighten it. He will thrash and back away but the leash is still on. He is then walked back to his kennel where he is secured safely. 5/25/26: Ace is reported to be thrashing intensely while being taken outside for a walk. Once outside, he no longer gives any issues. 5/24/26: Ace is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He backs away when the handler unlocks the door and would dodge the leash as the handler attempts too leash him. The handler then removes the leash and tosses treats inside. He would quickly eat the treats and leap to the back of kennel when the handler presents the leash loop. When the handler tosses more treats they are able to quickly get the loop over his head, but he then snarls and shakes it off. He then refuses to eat more treats. The handler then closes and locks the door and ends the interaction. 05/13/26(BA): Ace is standing in the back of his kennel avoiding the handler while attempts are made to leash him. Handler uses treats to coax him toward the front; however, Ace repeatedly backs away as handlers attempt to secure the leash around his neck. Ace is eventually successfully lassoed and brought to the assessment room, though he continuously avoids both the leash and collar placement. Due to his persistent avoidance behaviors and discomfort with handling, the assessment is not conducted and Ace is returned to his kennel safely without any further issues. See Behavior Assessment for more details. 5/11/26: Ace is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is able to be slowly leashed while being distracted with treats, and is then taken to the play yard of playgroup. In the yard, he greets the other dog at the gate with a tense body and then disengages. Please see dog to dog notes for more details. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues.

Date of intake:: 5/9/2026

Summary:: Fearful but friendly

Date of initial:: 5/11/2026

Summary:: shaking, backs away when approached, flinches with being touched, side- eyed, turned head quickly to

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Ace fearfulness and allowing minimal handling, we recommend he be placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Ace has not acclimated well to the kennel environment and has allowed only minimal handling since intake. We recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Fearful,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Strength/leash pulling

Potential challenges comments:: Basic manners/poor impulse control: Ace is noted to jump on people often. Training should focus on reinforcing calm, appropriate greeting behaviors and teaching alternative ways to seek attention. Please see the handout Basic manners/poor impulse control. Fearful: During Ace medical exam shaking, backs away when approached, flinches with being touched, side- eyed, turned head quickly toward me when they went to touch chest. Ace is fearful of being restrained and having his feet touched. Fearful of loud noises and being alone. These responses indicate a heightened sensitivity to handling and unfamiliar stimuli, requiring slow, controlled interactions and a supportive, predictable environment.Please see the handout decompression period. Anxiety: Ace is noted to display generalized anxiety. Ongoing support should include consistent routines, environmental management, and enrichment to help promote relaxation and emotional stability.Please see the handout generalzied anxiety. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Ace pulls on the leash during walks and will growl or jump at strangers and large dogs that approach.Training should emphasize distance management, engagement with the handler, and reinforcing calm responses during encounters.Please see the handout On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration. Strength/leash pulling: Ace is noted to hard pull on the leash. Structured leash training, appropriate equipment, and consistent reinforcement of loose-leash walking will be important to improve control and safety.Please see the handout Strength/leash pulling.