Date of intake:: 11/30/2025

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

Previously lived with:: 4 adults, 2 children, 2 other dogs

Behavior toward strangers:: initially low growl at strangers/visitors, keeping his distance until comfortable. Once comfortable

Behavior toward children:: friendly and outgoing as well as playful around children.

Behavior toward dogs:: familiar dogs Friendly and outgoing.unfamiliar dogs on leash: Avoids interaction, hard bark or growl

Behavior toward cats:: no experience with cats or any other animals.

Resource guarding:: Nipsey has no recording of resource guarding.

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

Housetrained:: Yes

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

Other Notes:: With familiar dogs: Friendly and outgoing. With unfamiliar dogs on leash: Avoids interaction, may hard bark or growl; prefers contact on his own terms. With unfamiliar dogs off leash: Shy; prefers contact on his own terms. Nipsey has some behavior concerns such as general anxiety - paces, whines, unable to settle as well becoming anxious when left alone at home. Nipsey will react to strangers that approach his home and or owner when out for a walk; Nipsey will growl and/or bark. Nipsey responds better to female dogs. Nipsey is not bothered when his owner/family holds/restrains him, disturbs him while resting/sleeping, pushed him off of furniture. When startled Nipsey is fearful and will bark and/or growl. Nipsey has no experience with getting his paws touched as well as getting his collar grabbed/touched. Nipsey is a social/affectionate, very active and playful, vocal, fearful, lazy/couch potato dog. Nipsey enjoys spending most of his time where people are or in the bedroom portions of the house. Nipsey loves bath time/water. Nipsey is a level 3 while out for a walk meaning he has mild to moderate pulling (off or on during walk). Nipsey would go for walks around 1-2 times a day for about 40 minutes each. Nipsey has been crate trained and does well in a crate. Nipsey loves going for car rides but getting in will make him nervous. Nipsey knows the commands of sit, stay and be quiet. Nipsey's previous owner stated their favorite thing about Nipsey is that he is a sweetheart once he warms up and will become very energic and playful but can also be lazy and loves to cuddle; also stating he's a goofy guy. Nipsey's favorite activities, favorite toys, and favorite food/snacks are - to run, chew on tired toys/hard toys, break down trees, eat, and mark his territory

Date of assessment:: 12/3/2025

Summary:: 12/18/25: Nipsey was taken to the behavioral office for a handling reassessment. He sniffs around the room and gently takes treats from the handler; he doesn't allow the handler to collar him. Nipsey begins to panic in the office, seeking exit, displaying whale's eyes, tucked tail, lip licking. Due to this, a handling assessment will not be condcuted at this time. 12/03/25: Nipsey was taken to the behavioral office for a handling assessment. Once inside, he began to shake, displayed whale eyes, and stayed near the exit door, cowering and avoiding the handlers. Due to this a handling assessment will not be condcuted at this time. 12/02/25:Nipsey was taken to the behavioral office for a handling assessment. In the office, he showed whale eyes, a tucked tail, and stood near the exit door. He did not approach the handlers, even when they coaxed him with baby talk and high-value food. He was returned to his kennel to allow more time to decompress.

Summary:: Around familiar dogs Nipsey is friendly and outgoing. Around unfamiliar dogs on the leash Nipsey will actively avoid, hard bark and/or growl, as well as preferring contact on his own terms. Around unfamiliar dogs off the leash Nipsey is shy preferring contact on his own terms. Nipsey prefers contact with female dogs over male dogs as per owner. 12/04/25 Nipsey is introduced at the gate to a female helper dog while off leash at the care center. Nipsey approaches the gate initially with a low-head and whale eyes, displaying paw raises along the gate line. Nipsey will display some tail wags as he sniffs the female dog and will disengage by walking away to displace, sniffing away from the gate. Nipsey is reluctant to return to the gate. 12/03/25 Couldn't conduct due to the lack of staffing today. Will revisit at a later date.

Summary (7):: 12/18/25 (reassessment): Nipsey is sitting at the back of crate with a neutral frame as handler approaches. He comes forward slowly and is leashed with ease, walking with a tucked tail to the Canine Behavior Office for assessment. Nipsey spends time sniffing around the room and takes treats gently from hand. Handlers attempt to slowly collar Nipsey three times, but he will become tense, whale eye, and back away. Nipsey becomes increasingly anxious and begins to whine and seek exit, displaying whale eye, lip licks, and a low tense frame. Due to his high-level FAS, an assessment is not completed at this time. 12/04/25 (PG Note): Nipsey is sitting in the back of his kennel with his tail tucked, avoiding the leash at first before allowing the handler to slip it over his head. He is escorted to the play yard to meet a playmate. Once inside the yard, Nipsey avoids handlers as they attempt to place a drag leash on him. He begins displacement sniffing around the yard, avoiding both handlers and the playmate, despite seeing the other dog clearly. Eventually, Nipsey approaches the gate on his own and participates in a nose-to-nose greeting with a loose and wiggly frame, then immediately begins marking. Afterward, he disengages and returns to avoiding handlers. Nipsey is returned to his kennel safely without any issues. See Dog to Dog notes for additional information. 12/3 (assessment): Nipsey is lying down at the front of his crate when a handler approaches. He takes treats with a soft mouth but moves to the back of the crate once the door is unlocked. The handler uses a trail of treats and coaxing to lure him to the front for leashing. Once out of the crate, he bolts forward, and the handler walks him to the behavior office to make another attempt for a handling assessment. Once in the office, Nipsey maintains a tense, low body, tail tucked, with whale eyes. He is easily startled and attempts to bolt even though he remains on the lead. Due to his behavior, the handlers do not attempt to collar and he is returned to his crate once a photo is taken. 12/02/25 (Assessment) Nipsey slowly rises and backs into his crate as the handler approaches. Nipsey is trembling, displaying whale eyes as the handler attempts to coax him forward with treats. Nipsey doesn't take any treats when administered, he remains still. He allows the handler to slowly guided the loop of the leash onto him and they proceed towards the behavior office. He appears fearful when walking over, displaying a tucked tail and low-head. He enters the room and is avoidant of the assessor, still trembling. He begins to displace, sniffing around the room, visibly uncomfortable to touch. He is returned to his crate, unable to conduct his behavior assessment. He enters his crate quickly and willingly.

Date of intake:: 11/30/2025

Summary:: Low growl when counselors approached but after a while and help from client, he warmed up

Date of initial:: 12/1/2025

Summary:: Tense, shaking, gives whale eyes. Does not accept treats in room. Able to examine with minimal restr

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): We reccomend Nispsey be placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner: Nipsey came inot the care center as an owner surrender due to not being able to keep him anymore due to moving in with family, and the resident dog in the home not getting along with Nipsey. Nipsey presents with ongoing anxiety, both in the home and during daily activities. He is described as pacing, whining, and having difficulty settling, and he becomes increasingly anxious when left alone. Nipsey also shows reactivity toward unfamiliar people, growling or barking when strangers approach his home or his owner on walks. Nipsey enjoys spending most of his time where people are or in the bedroom portions of the house. Nipsey loves bath time/water.Nipsey's previous owner stated their favorite thing about Nipsey is that he is a sweetheart once he warms up and will become very energic and playful but can also be lazy and loves to cuddle; also stating he's a goofy guy. Due to Nipsey's high level of fearfulness in the care center, he is available for rescue through one of our new hope partners.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Separation anxiety,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression:In the prior home when startled Nipsey is fearful and will bark and/or growl. During Nipsey intake he Low growl when counselors approached but after a while and help from client, he warmed up becoming friendly but still shy.During his medical exam he displays Tense, shaking, and gives whale eyes.Training should focus on confidence-building and cooperative care, using slow, predictable approaches and pairing handling with high-value rewards. Avoid sudden movements and restraint; implement desensitization to touch and environmental stimuli. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Separation anxiety/Anxiety:Nipsey is noted in the prior home to have general anxiety paces, whines, unable to settle as well becoming anxious when left alone at home.Training should include gradual desensitization to absences, enrichment activities, and creating a safe space. Reinforce calm behaviors and avoid punishment, as it can worsen anxiety. Please see the handout on Separation anxiety and generalized Anxiety. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Nipsey will react to strangers who approach his home and or owner when out for a walk; Nipsey will growl and/or bark. He is also noted to hard bark and growl at unfamiliar dogs. Training should focus on counter-conditioning and desensitization to people and dogs at a safe distance, reinforcing calm engagement with the handler. Use management strategies like visual barriers and structured exits to prevent rehearsal of reactive behaviors. Please see the handout On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration.