Date of intake:: 6/9/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 6/15/2026

Summary:: Ahoy Matey has been observed to be highly fearful while in care. Noted to quickly escalate to biting and snapping at the handler when they attempt to interact and handle him. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety observed, Ahoy is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 6/16/26: Ahoy Matey is sitting up at the front of his kennel when the handler approaches. He has a neutral expression. The handler offers him a treat and he sniffs it, licks his nose, and doesn't take it. He is offered a different treat and takes that one. The handler offers him their hand across the bars to investigate and he leans forwards and sniffs. He remains neutral and the interaction is ended. 6/11/26 (Am walks): Ahoy Matey is lying down in his kennel as the handler approaches. When the handler brings the leash inside, Ahoy retreats to the back of his kennel. Once the leash is on him, Ahoy high pitch vocalizes; when the handler opens the door to allow Ahoy to exit, he doesn’t. The handler then gently applies leash pressure to encourage Ahoy to approach the front, but then he vocalizes, thrashes and bites the leash. This is repeated a couple more times before the handler tosses the leash into kennel. They attempt to remove the leash from Ahoy with a hook, but anytime it makes contact, he shrieks and bites it. The handler ends the interaction and removes the leash later on as it’s off of him. 6/11/26: While Ahoy is in the behavior office waiting for his kennel to be cleaned, the handler is attempting to place a slip lead on him. However, when the handler attempts to remove the slip leash, Ahoy quickly escalates to growling, vocalizing, and snapping at the handler. Biting them on the hand multiple times. These bites did not break skin. The handler continues holding Ahoy and after a few moments Ahoy stops biting them. The handler then carries him back to kennel. 06/11/26: Ahoy Matey is at the front of his kennel as handler approaches, he is tense and does not initially approach handler but accepts high value treats from handler slowly. He is slowly coaxed forward and eventually allows brief petting from handler while remaining tense in kennel. Ahoy Matey begins eventually allowing more prolonged contact and eventually they allow handler to lift them out of kennel. He produces a quiet grubmle when lifted and is carried in handlers arms into the behavior office and placed on the couch. Handler then begins offering chicken while simultaneously placing a leash on Ahoy. He is very tense and avoids the leash but eventually he is leashed and he curls up on the couch with a tense body and lays down. He does not solicit social interaction and remains on the couch for the interaction, refusing to walk on leash. Handler then lifts Ahoy Matey carefully and begins attempting to remove the collar. Ahoy Matey begins vocalizing in a high pitch while air snapping and lightly mouthing handler while they remove the leash. Once removed he is lifted and returned to kennel without issue.

Date of intake:: 6/9/2026

Summary:: Growl, snap, leash bite, thrash, and alligator role once leash was on

Date of initial:: 6/10/2026

Summary:: Shrieking and thrashing on leash. Leash biting. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Ahoy Matey 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 addition 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 the potential for defensive behaviors, 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: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Ahoy Matey has been observed to quickly escalate to growling, snapping, leash biting, thrashing, alligator rolling, and biting handlers when they attempt to interact with him. It is important to move slowly with Ahoy, 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.