Date of intake:: 12/29/2025

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (approx 9 years

Previously lived with:: 1 Adult, 1 child (15 years), 1 dog

Behavior toward strangers:: Grace will hard bark, growl, snap, bite and hide from strangers

Behavior toward children:: Grace is playful

Resource guarding:: Grace will growl or hard bark when in possession of toys, food, treats, and bones

Bite history:: The owner states that she has bitten more than six times in the past four years. The bites are all bite and release and leave one to two puncture wounds and bleeding.

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Grace is fearful of loud noises, pulls hard on leash, and is anxious when left alone. When strangers approach Grace will growl or hard bark.

Date of assessment:: 12/31/2025

Summary:: Grace 244550 Grace was surrendered to MACC due to behavioral reasons in the home. Owner reports that Grace has a history of biting them and the resident dog. The new resident dog was introduced about four years ago and that’s when Grace’s bite incidents began. The owner states that she has bitten more than six times in the past four years. The owner was bitten when giving Grace a bath, when putting the harness on, when attempting to brush her teeth, and other circumstances where it involves them touching Grace. The owner stated that Grace does not give much warning, she will briefly growl and then snap. The bites are all bite and release and leave one to two puncture wounds and bleeding. These wounds have not needed medical treatment and have all been taken care off at home. Grace is also having hip issues, it is reported that is anyone touches her hip she will show teeth and growl. Grace also resource guard food and toys from the resident dog and will escalate to biting. The owner also states that Grace will “randomly attack” the resident dog so they have to be kept separate. During intake Grace is in a crate when the handler approaches. Grace begins to growl, when the handler reaches to grab the crate Grace lunges with teeth bared towards the handler’s hand. The crate has to be tilted in order for Grace to be transferred to the kennel. Due to the multiple bite incidents towards the owner and the resident dog the behavior team feels that Grace is not a safe candidate for a handling assessment.

Summary (7):: 12/29/25: Intake Behavior: K9 Behavior staff approached a carrier where the dog is being held in. Handler can see the dog through the top of the carrier. Grace can be observed to become tense and low growl. Handler reaches out to grab the carrier's handler and Grace lunges with teeth bared towards the handler's hand. The owner lifts the carrier and hands it towards the handler. Grace is brought in the carrier towards her kennel. The door is opened and Grace does not exit the carrier. Treats are tossed and she stays inside. The crate is tilted forwards and Grace leaves the kennel. The door is closed and the kennel is locked without issue.

Date of intake:: 12/29/2025

Summary:: low growl, fearful, used carrier to place into kennel

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children and Place with a New Hope Partner: Due to Grace's repeated history of escalating to biting, we recommend placement with an experienced New Hope Partner in an adult-only home.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,Bite history (human),Bite history (dog)

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Grace's previous owner notes that she may growl when her food, treats or toys are approached. We recommend that Grace be left alone while eating, and that food guarding behavior modification steps be utilized if this behavior is problematic in his future home. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Grace's mouth, and any time something is removed she should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. She should be taught the "drop" cue and trade-up games. Please see hand-out on resource guarding. Handling/Touch Sensitivity: Grace has been noted to become uncomfortable with handling. It is important to always go slow and give Grace the option to walk away from any social interaction. Grace should never be forced to approach anything that she is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Grace’s choice to approach a new person or thing. Grace may do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to her new surroundings Fearful/Defensive aggression: Grace gives clear warnings when she is uncomfortable but if prevented from moving away there is a potential to escalate to higher-level warning behaviors and possible fear-based aggression. It is important to move slowly with Grace, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow Grace to initiate interactions with new people. She should never be forced to greet or to interact if she is not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see hand-out on Fearful Defensive Aggression. Multiple Bite History/Bite History Human and Dog: Escalating to biting is a behavior that Grace has rehearsed repeatedly. This behavior is likely to continue as it has become part of Grace's repertoire, and will need careful management to work toward reducing triggers for Grace and reducing the resulting bites. Please see hand-out on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression.