Date of intake:: 12/16/2024

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

Previously lived with:: 1 adult and 1 child(5)

Behavior toward strangers:: friendly and outgoing, alert barks but is playful afterwards

Behavior toward children:: Unknown

Behavior toward dogs:: Unknown

Behavior toward cats:: Unknown

Resource guarding:: No known reports of resource-guarding

Bite history:: No known bite history.

Housetrained:: Partially

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

Other Notes:: jumps up often, anxious when left alone, barks a lot and has some destructive tendencies. will bark at moving objects such as bikes, skateboards and is reactive to smaller animals such as squirrels, birds, rats, etc. he is a friendly dog that usually wants to jump on people for belly rubs. is not bothered when restrained, disturbed, moved from furniture, paws touched or collar grabbed. will however bark when startled

Date of assessment:: 12/19/2024

Summary:: Harlem exhibited tense and hyper-vigilant behavior, intermittently raising his hackles and licking his lips when touched. While he seeks attention, he tends to tense up and become conflicted. Due to this, a handling assessment has not been conducted at this time.

Summary (6):: 12/20/24: Harlem is hard barking at the back of his kennel when the handler approaches with hackle raised along his back and base of his tail. Harlem is thrown treats to which he begins eating, but when the leash comes close to him he flinches, hard barks and retreats while hard barking. Harlem will begin to lip curl when the leash comes close but is slowly coaxed with treats through the leash and brought outside for a walk. Harlem is aloof the entire walk from the handler, exploring his surroundings, relieving himself and pulling hard throughout. Harlem does not react to any dogs, or birds that pass when he's walking and remains highly fearful and aloof. Harlem after a while is brought back into kennel with no issue. 12/19/24: Harlem was barking at novel handler when they approached. He came to front of kennel and continued barking and whale eyeing when a second handler approached. While focused on handler 2, handler 1 tossed slip leash over head with ease and Harlem exited kennel willingly. Harlem displayed hackles intermittently throughout interaction. Upon entering the room Harlem immediately gravitated towards a handler seated at a desk and jumped up on their lap with his front paws. Harlem was conflicted as he was tense but appeared to seek comfort from handler and accepted pets. He was placed on a slip leash with stopper and free to move around the room. Harlem was selective with treats and favored cheese. He gradually warmed up to other handlers in the room and eventually sat at handler 1's feet and tolerated collaring without issue, despite being tense. He was returned to kennel where he balked but was guided in with ease using mild directional leash pressure. 12/18/24 (PM) Harlem is standing in front of his kennel barking at the handler. As the handler unlocks the kennel, Harlem slowly backs into his kennel, still barking. The handler will show Harlem his lead and Harlem will growl and begin hard barking. Harlem will bare his teeth a bit but allow for the lead to stroke the side of his face. As he continues to protest the handler quickly lassoes him, taking him out for a walk. Harlem will display a neutral frame as he pulls his way outside. After defecating a few times, he will begin to trot alongside the handler. Harlem maintains this pace as he explores along his walk. Harlem will check in quite often. When the handler strokes his back, Harlem becomes tense, lip licking simultaneously. He is returned to the facility where he enters the building with no issue. Upon arriving in front of his kennel, Harlem is reluctant to enter. He is guided into his kennel with no issue.

Summary (7):: 12/18/24: (AM) Harlem greets the handler barking at the handler as he retreats to his cot. The handler tosses treats into his kennel which he takes some interest in. Harlem approaches the treats as the handler opens the kennel door. The handler presents the leash and Harlem begins barking again with quick lip quivers and baring teeth quickly. The handler is able to lasso him easily as he stands stiff staring at the handler. Once leashed Harlem body softens and willingly follows the handler out of the kennel and facility. When on leash Harlem will hard pull almost to the point of bear crawling. On leash Harlem if a head of the handler, ears forward, forward brow and eyes red. The handler pulls over to the side to allow Harlem time to decompress. Harlem will start by walking around the handler taking in the environment. Harlem eventually decompress sitting but he would get back up and begin pacing again. Once Harlem sits for duration he is escorted back to his kennel. While staff finishes cleaning his kennel Harlem waits patiently with the handler sitting in the hallway. Harlem is escorted back to his kennel where he is unleashed and secured without any issues. 12/17/24 Harlem is standing neutrally in front of his kennel door as the handler approaches. Harlem will see the handler's lead and become stiff, slowly backing into his kennel. Harlem will begin hard barking at the handler while starring at the lead. Harlem will bare teeth and snap at the lead, appearing fearful. The handler will make many attempts and finally leash him via lasso. Harlem is taken for a walk. The two will proceed outside where Harlem is hyper-vigilant of his surroundings while trotting alongside the handler moderately. He will relieve himself and proceed to the play pens. Harlem will explore with a tense body, taking treats hard when administered, remaining tense. Harlem doesn't loosen up nor shake off throughout his time outside. He will continue to explore, sniffing intensely. Harlem is returned to the facility where he enters the building with no issue. When approaching his kennel he will pump the breaks, immediately coming to a halt. The handler will toss treats inside of Harlem's kennel as the handler guides him in.

Date of intake:: 12/16/2024

Summary:: allowed all handling.

Date of initial:: 12/16/2024

Summary:: initially had whale eye but allowed for handling and tasks, treat motivated

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13)- Due to Harlem's Potential challenges we recommend he is placed in an adult-only home at this time. Place with a New Hope partner- Harlem came into the care center as an owner surrendered due to not being able to care for him anymore. In his prior home, Harlem loves chasing his people and running races. He gives hugs and kisses with paw. In the care center, Harlem exhibits several concerning behaviors, particularly around leashing and handling. He has displayed fear-based responses, including hard barking, growling, baring teeth, and snapping at the leash. When approached in his kennel, he often retreats, barks, and stiffens, showing clear signs of discomfort and anxiety. Despite these reactive moments, Harlem has also demonstrated conflicted behavior, seeking attention from handlers but maintaining a tense body. Once leashed, he often exhibits hyper-vigilance, a tense frame, and occasional balking when returning to his kennel. Harlem is available for rescue through one of our new hope partners.

Potential challenges: : Destructive behavior,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Separation anxiety,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Strength/leash pulling,Kennel presence

Potential challenges comments:: Basic manners/poor impulse control- In the prior home it is reported that he jumps up often.To address his basic manners and poor impulse control, start by teaching him to sit and stay on command, rewarding him with treats and praise only when he remains calm and seated. Use a consistent command like "off" to discourage jumping, and turn away or ignore him until he settles down. Practice impulse control exercises, such as waiting for a treat or toy until given permission, to help him learn patience. Reinforce good behavior with positive reinforcement, and redirect his attention to appropriate activities when he becomes too excited. Please see the handout on Basic manners/poor impulse control. separation anxiety/Anxiety/Destructive behavior- in the prior home it is reported to become axious when left alone, barks a lot and has some destructive tendencies. In care he displays red eyes and tense body. Provide engaging toys and puzzles to keep him occupied and reduce boredom. Use positive reinforcement to reward calm behavior, both when you leave and return. Practice desensitization techniques, such as picking up your keys without leaving, to reduce his anxiety triggers. Ensure he gets plenty of physical and mental exercise to help alleviate stress. Please see the handout on separation anxiety/Anxiety/Destructive behavior. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression- In the prior home it was reported that he will bark when startled. In care he has shown to bare teeth and snap at the lead, hard bark an growl when handlers attempt to leash him. He has shown conflicted behavior will seek attention but display a tense body. To address his fearfulness and potential for defensive aggression, start by creating a calm and predictable environment. Use desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques to gradually get him comfortable with the leash and handling. Begin by associating the leash with positive experiences, such as treats and praise, without attempting to put it on him initially. Gradually increase his exposure to the leash, rewarding calm behavior and ensuring he feels safe. Practice handling exercises in a non-threatening manner, starting with gentle touches and slowly increasing the duration and intensity as he becomes more comfortable. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for Defensive Aggression. Strength/leash pulling/On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration- In the prior home it is reported that he will bark at moving objects such as bikes, skateboards and is reactive to smaller animals such as squirrels, birds, rats, etc. To address his on-leash reactivity and barrier frustration, start by maintaining a safe distance from moving objects and small animals during walks, gradually decreasing this distance as he becomes more comfortable. Please see the handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration and Strength/leash pulling. Kennel presence- Harlem is reported to hard bark and growl