Date of intake:: 12/2/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Other Notes:: *Previous assessments can be given upon request*

Date of assessment:: 12/9/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: None Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Fearful Call over: Approaches with coaxing Sociability comments: Fearful, retreats quickly from handler when they move towards him, highly reluctant to allow handler to clip leash to collar, hard stares towards the handler Soft handling: Did not conduct Exuberant handling: Did not conduct Comments: The handler is able to coax Arden to them however, when the move towards him to grab the drag leash he becomes very tense and hard stares at the handler. The secondary handler is unable to regain his attention. Arousal Jog comments: Did not conduct Knock Knock comments: Did not conduct Toy Toy comments: Did not conduct **12/4/25** Arden has been obsvered to be fearful in kennel, noted to growl when the handler presents the leash. He is also obsvered to be reluctant to exit the kennel. Due to the high level of fear, stress, and anxiety obsvered Arden is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (6):: 12/9/25: (For AM walk) Arden is laying down quietly toward back of kennel, he approaches, takes a treat and is toward the front of the kennel as handler approaches. He momentarily retreats from leash, after brief moment steps forward and is easily leashed. Arden exits kennel slowly, steadily. Arden walks out of kennel room with neutral-soft frame, loose leash walking just ahead of handler. Arden takes treats offered on sidewalk, allows gentle petting of torso and back area with neutral frame. Arden ignores two SMBs with MOP that are within 10-12 feet of him. Arden is walked back into MACC, he baulks just outside of kennel, moderate leash pressure is used to pull him in, he enters and begins eating treats that were dropped in pre-emptively. 12/9/25: Arden is lying down in kennel and approaches the front with a neutral body as the handler approaches. He is easily leashed and brought out the room. A small dog is nearby, but Arden doesn't react. On the street, Arden walks behind and then ahead of the handler, with no leash tension. He watches a passerby walk past him. When the handler attempts to pet his head, Arden retreats from them; they gently pets his back and then his head, which he tolerates. While walking back to the building, Arden sees another dog, but he doesn't react. He is then brought in for his assessment (see assessment notes). Afterwards, the handler places a pre-clipped leash on Arden. When they attempt to remove the drag leash from his collar, Arden hard stares and presents a tense body. The handler tries again and unclips the leash quickly. They return Arden to kennel with ease. 12/8/25: Arden is at the back of the kennel when handler approaches. He stands up and approaches the front. Handler is able to leash Arden and he is taken out of the room towards the street. On the street, Arden walks slowly besides the handler. He slowly stops and sniffs various spots on the ground and relieves himself. Arden is then walked back to the shelter and brought into the office until his kennel is ready. He is placed on a drag leash and wanders around the office sniffing various objects in the room. He jumps onto the couch and lies down. He rolls around on his back in the couch. He then jumps off the couch and approaches the handler. The handler extends their hand and he ducks away with a whale eye. He remains besides the hander for a moment. The handler offers him various treats and he takes them gently. A familiar handler enters the room and he stretches his front paws out in their direction. He approaches them with a soft body and wagging tail. He allows petting on his head and rear. An unfamiliar staff member enters the room, he walks to the front and stretches his front legs out towards them. He stands and stares at the staff member with a neutral body until they leave. After, he is easily re-leashed, he lip licks when the drag leash is removed and is returned to his kennel without issue.

Summary (7):: 12/05/25: Arden is at the center of his kennel as handler approaches. He is offered treats but does not approach, handler then begins unlocking the kennel door and Arden slowly stands and approaches the front allowing handler to slowly leash him without issue. He exits kennel and walks with handler slowly out the room, stopping a few times to look behind him. He walks with a tense body and nervous demeanor, Arden slowly walks with handler out to the street for his walk. Outside he remains slow moving, walking behind handler and frequently looking behind him to see if people are going to walk past him. When people do pass he stops momentarily till they pass, he shows no interest in dogs during his walk. Arden stops occasionally to sniff spots on the street, after a while he is walked back toward the building. He follows handler back inside and allows handler to clip his leash, when returning to the kennel room he walks very slowly and stops a few times to look around nervously, handler waits for Arden to continue and after a bit eventually returns to kennel without issue. 12/04/25: Arden is at the center of his kennel as handler approaches. He is offered high value treats near the front of kennel but he does not approach. Handler slowly unlocks the kennel door and produces a pole leash which they begin slowly introducing to kennel. Handler slowly leashes Arden with the pole leash and though he moves away from it he is leashed successfully. Handler waits at the side of the kennel for Arden to exit but he remains frozen, staring at handler. He is eventually coaxed to the front of kennel and using moderate leash pressure, is removed from kennel. He walks with handler out to the street, hesitating once in the hall but continuing to walk when called. Outside Arden walks without issue and passes people and dogs on the street without issue. He stops to sniff occasionally and will relieve himself during his walk. After a while he is brought back inside, he again hesitates when re-entering the hallway but is coaxed forward and returned to kennel without further issue. 12/3/25: Arden is laying at the back of his kennel. He is not interested in treats tossed. Handler tosses pieces of chicken which he eats and will get up for. He will come to the front, tense body, wide eyes, for the chicken however when the kennel door is opened and leash presented, He moves to the back of the kennel and sits. Handler kneels down, away from the kennel door and talks to him. He still will not come to the front. Handler leans in the gently place the leash on him but he turns his head to the back and growls. Leash is removed and he turns forward again. Leash is presented he growls. Interaction is ceased due to stress levels.

Date of intake:: 12/2/2025

Summary:: Tense body, whale eyes, pinned ears

Date of initial:: 12/2/2025

Summary:: Sitting near door with head down, stares at handler. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Arden 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 fearful behavior 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: : Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Mouthiness: Arden has been observed to take treats with a hard mouth. We recommend giving treats with a flat hand and to use force-free, reward-based training methods to teach Arden to take treats with a softer mouth. Please see handout on Mouthiness. Fearful Defensive: Arden has been obsvered to be fearful in kennel, noted to growl when the handler presents the leash. He is also obsvered to be reluctant to exit the kennel. It is important to move slowly with Arden, 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.