Date of intake:: 5/9/2026

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

Previously lived with:: adults

Behavior toward strangers:: tolerant around new people but prefers contact on his own terms

Behavior toward children:: KJ does not have experience with children.

Behavior toward dogs:: KJ does not have experience with other dogs.

Behavior toward cats:: KJ does not have experience with cats.

Resource guarding:: No known reports of Resource guarding.

Bite history:: Previous owner stated that the dog bit her mother 3 days ago on her finger, leaving a small puncture wound that was self-treated at home. KJ was jumping on her in excitement because she was feeding him dinner and she "gently" hit him on the head to settle down and he bit her after being startled. KJ has bitten in the past when people try to pick him up, past bites have been a bite and release as well on the finger/hand and self-treated. It was stated that this behavior started happening within the past year and before that KJ had no behavior issues.

Housetrained:: Yes

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

Other Notes:: KJ is potty trained and will go while outside on walks at least twice a day. He is also crate trained and is used to being in one for up to 8 hours. KJ prefers to not be picked up, if attempted to he will snap immediately. He also does not like to be restrained so it is hard to bathe him properly. KJ is a couch potato that enjoys lounging all day. He is low maintenance and likes to be independent. KJ is great on the leash and does not pull or react to things while on walks. He loves all types of food, and his favorite treat is chicken.

Date of assessment:: 5/19/2026

Summary:: 5/19: KJ has only allowed minimal handling; due to this a handling assessment will not be condcuted at this time.

Summary (7):: 5/26/26: KJ is at the front of his kennel with a loose frame as the handler approaches. He is avoidant of the leash but it is eventually draped over his head and he is leashed. He will then jump out of kennel and will walk beside the handler on a loose leash through the Care Center. He is then taken outside on a walk where he will walk on a loose leash and sniff around and explore. He will spend time sniffing objects and plants and then marking. After his walk, he is returned to kennel with no issue and secured safely. 5/24/26: KJ is laying down in his kennel as handler approaches. He slowly stands up as the handler unlocks the door and he would dodge from the leash when the handler attempts to leash him. He is able to be leashed when he tries to shove his head out of the door gap. Once leashed, he is then taken to the behavior room. In the room, he has a neutral body frame is comfortable approaching the handlers to receive treats. He is able to be clipped to the leash while being distracted with treats on the ground. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. 5/19: KJ is lying down in front of his kennel when a handler approaches. He attempts to exit before the handler leashes him. KJ is neutral-bodied but dodges the lead twice before the handler finally secures it. Once out, KJ pulls towards the office. He immediately relieves himself and then ignores the handler. KJ does not attempt to interact with the hadnler unless they offer him treats. KJ then races back to his kennel and jumps right in. 5/18/26: KJ is at the front of the kennel as the handler approaches. He will avoid the leash but the handler is able to leash him gently. He will begin to eat his food once leashed so the handler will wait for him to finish and he will then exit the kennel and walk to the behavior office where he will sniff around. He is also given treats by multiple staff members and after a while is given a treat scatter so that the handler can clip the leash ring. He is returned to his kennel with no issue and secured safely. 5/16/26: KJ is laying at the front of the kennel as the handler approaches. He is avoidant of the leash and will back away and dodge it briefly. He is leashed eventually and will pause before jumping out of the kennel. He will baulk briefly in front of a crate but will continue to move after some light leash pressure is applied. He will sniff around outside and relieves himself and begins to pull back inside. He is then returned to his kennel and secured safely.

Date of intake:: 5/9/2026

Summary:: flinched while staff put leash on but once on, he walked back to medical with ease

Date of initial:: 5/11/2026

Summary:: loose body walking but tries to bite at leash and towel/ us if trying to pick up

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to KJ's bite history, we reccomend he be placed in an adult-only home Place with a New Hope partner: Kj came into the care center as an owner surrender due to his owner losing housing. Kj has a bite history in the prior home. In his prior owners noted that he prefers not to be picked up, if attempted to he will snap immediately.KJ is a couch potato that enjoys lounging all day. He is low maintenance and likes to be independent.Due to these concerns, we recommend that KJ be placed in an adult-only home through 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: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity/Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: : In the prior home KJ is noted to prefer not to be picked up, if attempted, he will snap immediately. He is noted not to like to be restrained, which has made it difficult for his prior owners to bathe him.During KJ medical exam he is noted to have a loose body walking but tries to bite at leash and towel/ us if trying to pick up. These behaviors indicate significant sensitivity to physical handling, particularly when he feels controlled or confined. Interactions should prioritize minimal restraint, gradual desensitization, and allowing KJ to have a sense of choice and control during handling. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity and Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Bite history (human): KJ owner stated that KJ bit their family member/victim 3 days ago on their finger, leaving a small puncture wound that was self-treated at home. KJ was jumping on the victim in excitement because the victim was feeding him dinner and they "gently" hit him on the head to settle down and he bit them after being startled. KJ has bitten in the past when people try to pick him up, past bites have been a bite and release as well on the finger/hand and self-treated. It was stated that this behavior started happening within the past year and before that KJ had no behavior issues.