Date of intake:: 11/14/2024

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (5 months)

Previously lived with:: 3 adults, 1 child (12) , 1 medium sized dog, 1 cat

Behavior toward strangers:: prefers contact on own terms, but can be social and playful with time, jumps up often, alert bark

Behavior toward children:: plays rough but social and outgoing with resident child

Behavior toward dogs:: Was resident dog hard bark, growl, bit; with unfamiliar dogs will hard Mark, growl, snap, lunge

Behavior toward cats:: Prefers contact on own terms, tolerant

Resource guarding:: Rhino is reported to snap and bite when his food, treats, and toys are touched. He has also guarded these items from the resident dog.

Bite history:: Rhino is reported to have bitten the other dog in the home as a result of resource guarding. His owners reported that they had to feed Rhino and the other resident dog separately but the other dog got too close and Rhino bit the dog in the face/mouth and close to its eye.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Rhino is reported to have a high energy level.

Other Notes:: Rhino's previous owner reports he jumps up non-stop, has general anxiety, is mouthy/takes treats rough, pulls hard on leash, has separation anxiety, and has destructive tendencies. He isn't bothered when he is held/restrained, disturbed when sleeping, push/pulled off furniture. He is fearful when his paws are touched, will hard bark/growl and lunge when frightened, and is fearful when his collar is grabbed. He has access to a backyard and when he goes on walks he pulls very hard and goes on 30-minute walks 1-2x daily. Getting in the car makes him nervous.

Date of assessment:: 11/17/2024

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: mild pulling Reactivity to humans: inconclusive- did not pass Reactivity to dogs: inclusive- did not pass Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): loose body, explorers room, checks in with handlers, except treats Call over: approaches readily Sociability comments: Handling Soft handling: conflicted- leans in, lip licks, wide eyes, ears back, tail low Exuberant handling: conflicted - leans in, lip licks, wide eyes, ears back, tail low, head wips with rear touch Handling comments: jumps up often, difficult to position, tenses with collar touched Arousal Jog: follows, soft body Arousal comments: Knock: approaches, loose body Knock Comments: Toy: nervous backs away from assessing hand; inconclusive response to toy Toy comments: 3 passes

Summary:: According to Rhino's previous owner(s), Rhino has interacted with different dogs and is described as "With resident dog would hard bark, growl, bit; with unfamiliar dogs will hard Mark, growl, snap, lunge." 11/20/24: When off leash at the Care Center Rhino is introduced to a greeter female dog. At the gate Rhino approaches loose and wiggly. The greeter female is moved to the back of the pen to make space for Rhino to enter. Once in the pen Rhino pulls over to the greeter female and they greet face-to-face, scenting one another. Rhino and the greeter female of play bows before engaging in a series of start and stop chase play. They take frequent breaks giving each other a to scent and to create distance before reengaging. Rhino is escorted from the yard.

Summary (6):: 12/01/24 (AM+PM) Rhino is sitting in the front of his kennel with a soft, relaxed body. Rhino is administered treats in which he takes gently followed by being leashed with ease. While exiting the kennel room, Rhino will slightly bite his lead before being tossed treats in which he goes after. Upon arriving outside, Rhino is fixated on treats, sitting down excessively throughout the walk in order to receive treats. When Rhino sits firmly, he is administered a treat in which he takes gently. Rhino will jump onto the handler attempting to solicit more treats, but the handler will have him sit, in which he does. When returning to the facility, Rhino will slightly pull. He enters the building and his kennel with no issue. His PM Walk went the same way, this time with less leash biting. The handler anticipates Rhino's leash biting when his arousal peaks, so the handler tries to keep Rhino occupied with treats and a series of cues such as "paw" and "sit". 11/30/24: ACS report that Rhino was leash biting intensely returning to kennel, and when being stiff armed, redirected onto the staff members arm, leaving no marks due to heavy clothing they were wearing. Rhino was double leashed by another staff member and escorted into kennel with the leashes still on, behavior staff were notified and retrieved the leashes with a tool, which Rhino was distracted while eating treats. 11/27/24 Rhino is sitting firmly as the handler approaches the kennel. Rhino is leashed with ease and he will force his way out of kennel, proceeding outside for a walk. Rhino displays a loose frame, slightly pulling on lead. He will jump onto the handler playfully, soliciting treats, and being rewarded for when he sits. Rhino will take treats gently when administered. Rhino and the handler will commence their walk as Rhino slows his pace down and is walking moderately beside the handler. They will return back to the facility where Rhino maintains his calm pace, entering both the facility and his kennel with no issue. 11/24/24: Rhino is observed to bite at his leash when being returned to kennel, able to be refocused with treats but takes very hard. 11/20/24: Rhino is standing at the front of his kennel and will be leashed with ease and brought out to the play yard to meet a play mate, upon entering the yard the handler will place a drag leash on Rhino and he will be walked up to the greet gate to sniff his playmate, Both play mate will display a loose and wiggly 'frame while also play bowing and will be allow to enter the same pin to interact with each other. Rhino and his play mate will demonstrate a stop and play off and on as they are in the yard. Rhino will be escorted back to his kennel safely.

Summary (7):: 11/17/24: Rhino is standing the front his kennel with a neutral form upon handler's arrival and will be leashed with ease and brought to the BT room. A drag leash is placed on Rhino and he will be free to roam the room. Rhino is uncomfortable when handler touches body, head whips a little looking back at handler as the rub his side. Rhino will be brought back to his kennel safely. But as he reenters, he begins leash biting mildly. 11/16/24: Rhino is standing at the front of kennel with a loose body as handler approaches. He will attempt to push his head out of kennel but is leashed with ease. Rhino is walked to the Canine Behavior Office where he is clipped to a drag lead and free to explore the space. He is loose and social with handlers throughout his time in the room and will lean in to solicit petting along the side of body. Rhino is leashed and returned to kennel safely. 11/15/24 Rhino is at the front of his kennel with a loose body and wagging tail. Rhino will force his way out as soon as the handler unlocks the kennel door and attempts to leash him. The handler stops Rhino from exiting with the door, throwing the loop of the lead over Rhino's head in the process. They will proceed to the live room. Rhino slightly pulls his way to the live room, panting lightly. As they arrive, the handler tosses a few treats onto a snuffle matt so Rhino can engage. Rhino is more interested in other treats such as beef livers. Rhino will take them gently when administered. Rhino will sit on his own when wanting a treat, being rewarded for it. Rhino will jump playfully onto the handler as well as offer "paw". Rhino will be rewarded for that as well. Rhino and the handler will engage with a ball that's present, but Rhino will quickly disengage to solicit treats. Rhino is returned to his kennel where when arriving, Rhino will come to a halt. Rhino is guided into kennel. Rhino will whimper as the handler locks the kennel door, pawing at the kennel door as well.

Date of intake:: 11/14/2024

Summary:: body low to ground as walked, puts on brakes, looks back

Date of initial:: 11/14/2024

Summary:: timid, warms up quickly, accepts handling with treats

ENERGY LEVEL:: Rhino's previous owners describe him as a high-energy dog. In the care center, she has been active and enthusiastic. He will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in addition to physical exercise, to positively direct his energy and enthusiasm. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend only force-free, reward-based training techniques for Rhino.

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 Rhinos' resource guarding, handling/ touch sensitivity, anxiety, lack of manners and mouthiness will you recommend for him to be placed in an adult only home. Single-pet home/Recommend no dog parks: While Rhino has shown some social behavior in playgroup which is a highly controlled setting, due to the reported reactivity in the previous home in addition to his bite history due to his resource guarding, we recommend for Rhino to be the only dog in the home and not attend dog parks. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to all noted concerns displayed in a home environment, the behavior department recommends Rhino be placed with a New Hope placement partner who can provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow Rhino to acclimate comfortably to his new environment; force-free, reward-based training only is advised when introducing Rhino to new and unfamiliar situations. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended for guidance to safely manage/modify any behavior Rhino presents with outside of the care centers.

Potential challenges: : House soiling,Resource guarding,Destructive behavior,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Separation anxiety,Anxiety,Leash-biting,Bite history (dog)

Potential challenges comments:: House soiling: Rhino is noted to have accidents in the house, and will likely need guidance with house training. We recommend positive reinforcement, reward-based training only. Please see handout on House Soiling. Resource Guarding & Bite History (dog): Rhino is reportedly to snap and bite when touching his food, treats, and toys. He has also guarded these items from the resident dog and escalated to biting over food. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Destructive behavior & Sepeartion Anxiety: Rhino is reported to have destructive tendencies in the previous home but details/context about this behavior was not provided. Please see handout on Destructive Behavior & Sepeeration Anxiety. Basic Manners/poor impulse control: Rhino's previous owner reported that he jumps up often; similar behaviors were displayed during his assessment. Please see handout on Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition. Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition: Rhino is reported to become mouthy and take treats rough by his previous owner. Please see handout on Basic manners/poor impulse control. Handling/touch sensitivity: Rhino is reported to be fearful when his paws are touched and is frightened when his collar is touched/grabbed. Similar behaviors were observed during his assessment. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Rhino is reported to hard bark/growl and lunge when frightened. It is important to go slow with Rhino and respect his social cues. Please see the handout on Fear/potential for Defensive Aggression. Anxiety: Rhino is reported to have generalized anxiety - pacing, unable to settle, etc.- in his previous home. Please see handout on generalized anxiety. Leash Biting: Upon completion of his assessment, Rhino began leash biting once returned to his kennel. Please see handout on Arousal.