Date of intake:: 8/13/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray; history unknown

Date of assessment:: 8/16/2026

Summary:: Ford Explorer has remained highly fearful, shut down, and avoidant. He has escalated to growling, is reluctant to leave his kennel, and can be avoidant of leashing. Once out of the kennel, he remains tense, hunched, and will remain in a corner of the room while trying to put as much distance between himself and handlers. Out of concern for his stress levels, a handling assessment is not attempted.

Summary:: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-dog history recorded. 08/16/26 Ford Explorer is introduced to a novel female while on a loose leash (does not tolerate collaring). He slowly approaches with a low frame, tucked tail. He will initially side-eye the female as he walks by the gate. On the second approach he will briefly sniff and offer a light tail wag before walking away.

Summary (6):: 8/30/26: Ford Explorer is at the back of his kennel on his kuranda bed. He is curled up tightly and will look up with wide eyes as he begins to shake intensely. The handler will baby talk him as they drape the leash around his neck. They will then take a few steps into the kennel room towards the exit and he will then begin to exit slowly with his posture low to the ground. He will look up at the handler with wide yes periodically throughout the walk and on some occasions will lick their hand if it is hanging by their side. He is then returned to kennel with no issue. Ford will eat a treat in front of the handler.

Summary (7):: 08/25/26 (Trainer Note): Ford is laying down in his kuranda bed trembling as handler approaches. He takes treats tossed towards him and allows to be lasso leashed. Handler has to apply consistent leash pressure on him to get him up and walk out of his kennel. He has a crouched body, lip licks occasionally, and has whale eyes as he is walked outside. In the yard he briefly sniffs around and flinches when there is a loud noise. He does not take treats outside, but allows handler to pet him under the chin. He does not lean in or solicit more, but approaches handler and lays down. He remains laying down until he is returned to his kennel without issue. 8/21/26: Ford Explorer is laying down on his bed at the back of his kennel with a tense body as handler approaches. He begins to tremble and lower his head as the handler unlocks the door. He has no interest in treats and allows the handler to slowly lasso him. Once leashed, he continues to remain laying down on his bed with a tense body when the handler opens the door wider. The handler squeaks a toy and tosses more treats, but he has no interest. When the handler applies slight leash pressure, he then gets up on his own and he then slowly walks out of the kennel while crouching to the ground. He then has a tense body and tucked tail as he slowly walks to the elevator to be taken outside to the yard. Once outside, he would constantly stop walking behind the handler when he heard sudden sounds. Once in the yard, he then slowly walks around to explore while still having a tense body. He has no interest in approaching the handler and would sit down with his paw raised as he looks around. On the way back into the building, he baulks the ground when he sees someone pass by. He would then constantly look behind himself as he slowly walks back into the building. He is then slowly taken back to his kennel and is able to enter with no issues. 8/19/26: Ford Explorer is at the back of his kennel laying on his kuranda bed as the handler approaches. The leash is draped over his head and will exit the kennel slowly, walking with a low crouched posture out to the play yard. He will continue to walk slowly throughout the walk, periodically turning around to look at the handler with wide eyes, the whites of his eyes showing. He is then returned to his kennel with no issue and is secured safely. 8/16/26 (playgroup - late entry): Ford Explorer is at the center of the kennel as the handler approaches. He is curled up and will avoid looking at the handler. The leash placed on his head but he will stay in the same spot. The handler uses some leash pressure to guide Ford Explorer out of kennel as he is not eating food. He will begin to walk. He stops walking periodically, needing encouragement all the way to the yard. He is brought to the in and will not engage with the dog through the gate. He is returned to his kennel and secured safely. (see dog-dog for more info)

Date of intake:: 8/13/2026

Summary:: fearful, ran to the back of the car

Date of initial:: 8/14/2026

Summary:: very tense/frozen, continuously low/crouched and tense, unwilling to walk, occasionally taking treat

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression