Date of intake:: 12/10/2024

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, No known history

Date of assessment:: 12/12/2024

Summary:: Due to hard barking, growling and lunging towards handlers, Chico is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (6):: 12/16/24: Chico is at the front of the kennel when handler approaches. Chico is not receptive to treats, however he is easily leashed and taken to the play yard. In the yard he immediately relieves himself, Chico remains tense and will occasionally stare at the handler. When returning to kennel Chico briefly baulks then moves around the handler to be closer to the dogs. He then begins to lunge and pull towards the other dogs in the kennel room. Chico has to be muscled back into kennel. 12/15/24: Chico is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is offered treats but does not accept them. He is leashed without issue and taken to the street for his walk. While outside he walks slightly in front of handler and pulls moderately. He walks quickly and with an alert demeanor, with ears high and tail still. He will hyperfixate on certain sounds or people and will actively try to avoid and walk away from them. Chico is walked outside for a bit before being brought back inside. Upon returning to kennel Chico lunges and attempts to cage fight with the dog next to his kennel but is pulled away and quickly put back in his kennel. 12/13/24: Chico is laying at the center of his kennel as handlers approach. He is offered treats which he sniffs but does not take them, he leashed while second handler distracts him with a squeaker. Chico is brought out of kennel and pulls hard out to the play yard and handlers observe his movements to be frantic. Once outside he begins focusing on secondary handler and will occasionally turn to primary handler, sniffing towards their leg. He is not easily redirected with treats or a squeaker. Chico begins to slightly jump whenever he hears noises of varying levels. Due to Chico becoming more frantic and turning/ head whipping and becoming visibly uncomfortable during his walk he is brought back inside and returns without issue.

Summary (7):: 12/12/24: Chico is laying at the front of his kennel as handlers approach. He is offered treats and sniffs them but ignores them, he is offered the leash to sniff which he does before handler attempts to leash. He is slightly hesitant and moves away from the leash slowly at first but allows handler to place the leash over his head. He is brought out to the play yard and spots two dogs while outside, he will stop and stare at dogs and people he sees in the play yard as well as the second handler following behind them. He does not take treats outside and does not respond to the squeaker. Handler decides to take Chico to the driveway to allow a less stressful walk with less stimuli. While in the driveway Chico begins sniffing around and uses the bathroom while outside, he does not pull and after walking for a bit more, Chico is brought back to kennel and returned without issue. 12/11/24: Chico is at the front of the kennel with a tense body and begins to hard stare towards the handlers. When handler bends forward to speak in a soft tone, Chico begins to snarl and hard bark towards handler. Handler backs up to create space, and offers a piece of chicken. Chico muzzle punches the kennel door while hard barking and growling towards the handler. Handler ends the interaction. 12/10/24: Chico is at the front of the kennel when handlers approach. The primary handler offers Chico a treat which he is not receptive to. Chico begins to hard stare towards the second handler. Handlers has the second handler back up. Handler offers a piece of chicken and he is receptive, taking the treats with a soft mouth. Handler attempts to leash Chico however he backs up when the leash touched the top of his head. Handler uses a piece of chicken to guide Chico's head through the leash, and he is taken to the play yard. Chico remains tense and is no longer receptive to chicken. When walking in the yard Chico would frequently looked back towards the second handler and hard stare at them. Chico was returned to kennel with no further issue.

Date of intake:: 12/10/2024

Summary:: Growling and baring teeth

Date of initial:: 12/10/2024

Summary:: Whale eyed with furrowed brow, Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Chico so we cannot be certain of their behavior in a home environment. However, they will need daily mental and physical activity to stay engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to hard barking, lunging, and growling we recommend an adult only home. We recommend placement with a New Hope rescue partner who is able to provide an experienced, adult-only foster home. Force-free, reward based training and/or consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Chico has been observed to hard bark, lunging and growl towards handlers. In kennel Chico has been observed to run the front and muzzle punch the kennel door. It is important to move slowly with Chico, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow them to initiate interactions with new people. They should never be forced to greet or to interact if they are not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression.