Date of intake:: 9/5/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: 1 adult

Behavior toward strangers:: Finn will bark and lunge

Behavior toward children:: Finn is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Finn will bark

Behavior toward cats:: No experience

Resource guarding:: Finn will growl and bark over toys.

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Finn is fearful of loud noises. He growls or hard barks at strangers. Finn will bark or growl when restrained. Finn's previous owner described him as active and affectionate.

Date of assessment:: 9/16/2026

Summary:: Finn came in as an owner surrender due to his owner moving and being unable to take him with them. In his home his previous owners report that he will bark and lunge at strangers. His previous owners note that he will bark at dogs and will resource guard toys by growling and barking. in the care center he has snapped at handlers when pulled away from other dogs. In one instance, he bites a handlers pants, biting and releasing with no blood drawn. He continues lunging towards the handler with a lot of force, he pulls on their sleeve by biting and releasing it. Due to this the canine behavior team believes he is not a good candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (5):: 9/11/26: Finn is at the front of his kennel when the handler approaches. As the handler begins unlocking the kennel, Finn starts hard barking and constant vocalization. When handler opens the kennel and presents the leash, Finn avoids it by dodging it away. He is not receptive to treats so handler uses a squeaker toy to redirect his attention, and the handler is able to put the leash on the second attempt. Finn exits the kennel with strong forward pulling and leash tension. He does not display any reaction toward the dogs in the neighboring kennels. While walking through the hallway, Finn continues to pull with his weight shifted in front. He does not show interest in the pop-up crates or staff members and is focused on moving forward. Once in the driveway, Finn relieves himself and quickly resumes pulling toward the gates. He does not display reactivity toward passing people. When he sees another dog, Finn immediately becomes tense, directs his attention toward the dog, and begins hard barking while pulling toward them. He is not receptive to treats or verbal recall and is eventually moved away with leash pressure. Finn is not responsive with handler and is not seeking any additional interactions. After some time, when handler gets with Finn to the end of the block, Finn out of nowhere (no triggers, no stimuli) starts pulling with extreme force and low body back toward the shelter. Two dogs are walking on the same street (long distance) and are getting closer so handler have to pull Finn back away to prevent him get to them. While handler is redirecting Finn, he turns his head and body toward the handler’s leg. He snaps directly at the handler and makes contact with the handler’s pants leg, biting through the pants (bite onto the pants and release; no contact or broken skin). Handler is able to straight arm Finn to create a distance. Finn continues lunging toward the handler with forceful forward movement. He reaches the handler’s arm and grabs the sleeve, pulling it down (he grabbed and released as well). His mouth remains directed toward the handler, and his body is tense. Handler straight arm him again, and, using a stronger grip and firm leash tension, is able to prevent Finn to make another contact and keep his head and body away. While being brought down and held away from the handler’s body, Finn bares his teeth, snarls, and maintains a hard, fixed stare toward the handler. Once he gets calmer and starts regulating his breath, handler resumes walking while maintaining an extended arm and firm leash control to prevent another Finn's attempt to make a contact or bite. Finn follows but continues looking back toward the handler with wide eyes. He remains tense, but he does not make another snapping or lunging attempt for the rest of the walk. During return handler is able to pre-clip the leash and bring Finn back into the kennel with no further issues or escalation.

Summary (6):: 09/10/26: Finn is laying near the front of his kennel as handler approaches, he is offered treats and sniffs but does not accept them. Finn is leashed and taken to the street for his walk, he exits kennel and walks without issue passing dog crates without reaction and walking with handler out to the street. Outside Finn pulls forward moderately, stopping frequently to sniff areas and relieve himself. He passes people without issue and walks for a while, he is eventually brought back inside and follows handler, pulling mildly toward kennel and allowing handler to clip them before returning without issue. 9/09/26: Finn is at the front of his kennel when handler approaches. Handler offers some treats and Finn sniffs it but ignores it. He still allows leashing and exits the kennel and the room with no issues. He has no reactivity toward pop-up crates or staff members in the hallways. Once outside, Finn immediately relieves himself in the driveway. He continues walking slightly ahead of the handler with moderate leash tension. Finn is not seeking interaction and is not interested in treats or any type of engagement but is responsive and following the handler. Finn has no reaction to other dogs or people passing by. His body remains neutral most of the time. During return handler is able to pre-clip the leash; while approaching the kennel Finn plants, refusing to go back and had to be muscled inside. Handler is able to get the leash back after with no further issues.

Summary (7):: 9/8/26: Finn is at the front of the kennel with a neutral body. Handler unlocks the kennel and he jumps up and down slowly, his tail wagging softly. Finn is easily leashed and pulls out of the kennel with a lowered body. He is taken towards the street where he pulls moderately. Finn relieves himself. A dog passes by him and he begins to lean forward, vocalizing in a bellowing bark, his tail is stiffly wagging and his hackles raise. He is then taken back towards the shelter. He is returned to the kennel room. He walks with a lowered body back into the room, pressing against the kennels, he tries to crawl under his kennel door. He is then returned to kennel without issue. 09/07/26: Finn is at the front of his kennel laying down as handler approaches. He is offered treats by handler who kneels down facing away from Finn to display a less intimidating demeanor but Finn does not accept any. Handler waits a moment before unlocking the kennel door, Finn stands and begins pawing at the kennel door. He is leashed without issue and walks out of kennel following handler outside for his walk. Outside Finn is neutral bodied and pulls mildly, but as the walk progresses his pulling also increases to a more moderate pull. He walks with handler and ignores treats and remains aloof throughout the interaction. Finn passes a police car and stares at it, as one of the officers exits the care Finn spots them and begins pulling toward them. The office begins attempting to coax Finn forward, he pulls hard and then begins barking toward them. The office walks the other way and Finn redirects back to the walk. He follows handler and passes people/dogs without issue. After a bit he is brought back inside and returns to kennel without issue. 9/5/26: K9 behavior is called to assist with Finn's intake; both handlers have the owner bring him indoors. The handlers give the owner their leashes; they place both of them on Finn. In the midst of placing the leashes on him, Finn headwhips and retreats repeatedly; he also thrashes. Once the leashes are secured, both handlers walk Finn through the hallway; he initially thrashes but walks with them. once in the room, Finn baulks as the dogs begin to bark; the first handler pulls Finn and he continues to walk towards his kennel. The handlers muscle Finn into kennel and they remove the leashes with a hook.

Date of intake:: 9/5/2026

Summary:: Lunging and barking

Date of initial:: 9/6/2026

Summary:: Persistently seeking exit. Tense body for exam. Low growled for tasks. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: Finn is described as active and enthusiastic. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in addition to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for Finn.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Single-pet home,Recommend no dog parks,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to the risk of redirection we recommend an adult only home. Single Pet Home/ No Dog Parks: Due to the redirection risk, we recommend a single pet home with no trips to the dog park. 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: : Resource guarding,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Finn's previous owner states that he will growl and bark over while in the possession of toys. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Finn's mouth, and any time something is removed they should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Handling Sensitivity: Finn's previous owner states that he will bark or growl when restrained. Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Finn to be more comfortable with this. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity. Fearful Defensive: Finn's previous owner states that he is fearful of loud noises and will growl or hard bark at strangers. While in care, Finn has been observed to have a tense body, persistantly seeking exit, and growled during medical tasks. It is important to move slowly with Finn, 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. On Leash Reactivity/ Arousal: When pulled away from another dog Finn redirected onto the handler and began biting their pants before continuing to lunge at them. Finn will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than other dogs. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration.