Date of intake:: 7/27/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray; limited history

Bite history:: Nutmeg was reported to have bitten the owner's adult when they were 'disciplining' him and attempting to get Nutmeg off the couch, when he snapped at her finger, leaving a puncture wound. He is also reported to have snapped at the owner's grandson, but details about this incident are unknown.

Date of assessment:: 8/3/2026

Summary:: Nutmeg has been fearful and wary of interaction during his stay in care. He flinches during leashing but tolerates slow leashing. Nutmeg has not accepted treats and remains tense as he wanders the behavior office. After some time, he begins to approach other handlers in the room, giving low tail wags but maintaining his tense body and pinned ears. Due to his bite history, fearfulness, and out of concern for his stress levels, a handling assessment is not attempted.

Summary:: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is no prior dog-dog history recorded. 08/10/26 Nutmeg is introduced to a novel male while off leash. He tentatively approaches the gate and will sniff the male with a low wagging tail. When meeting face to face, both engage in mutual sniffing. Nutmeg sniffs a bit hesitantly before loosening slightly. Nutmeg's leash is dropped and the male will sniff along Nutmeg's neck briefly. Novel male's leash is dropped and as Nutmeg walks away, the novel male will chase after him and jump up, attempting to bite his back (makes mouth contact but does not break skin). Nutmeg is quickly guided away and continues to explore the yard as the novel male is moved into the neighboring yard.

Summary (6):: 8/10/26 (playgroup): Nutmeg is at the back of his kennel curled up on his bed. He leash is gently fraped over his head and he will exit the kennel slowly and walk to the play yard with a loose frame. He is social with handlers, allowing petting and reengaging after consent checks. He will approach the other dog through the gate and is loose with a sweeping tail wag. (see dog-dog for more details) He will pause on the ramp when some pigeons fly overhead and will then baulk, no longer wanting to walk down the ramp. The handler attempts to encourage him forward but he will tense and whale eye. They will then turn back up the ramp and will use the elevator to return. He will walk right into his kennel and is secured safely. 8/8/26: Nutmeg was lying own at back of kennel as handler approached. Handler had to lasso Nutmeg, once Nutmeg was lassoed they walked out of kennel and was taken to the back yard for a walk. Nutmeg stopped several times along the way and had to be encouraged to continue. Once in one of the play yards Nutmeg stood still and had little interest in walking around the play yard. After a while handler returned Nutmeg to kennel and he paused once going back and handler offered verbal encouragement and he continued. He was returned to kennel with no further issue.

Summary (7):: 8/6/26: Nutmeg displays similar behaviors as in his previous note but was much more willing to approach new staff members when brought to the office. When a staff member grabbed a collar to try and collar him, he tensed, froze and moved away quickly and recovered slowly, allowing pets again. Nutmeg when it was time to go back to kennel balked and froze, and need ed a second staff member to coax him out of the room. Once in the kennel room, Nutmeg stiffened at some point and when little leash pressure was used he began to lip curl. Leash pressure was stopped and the handler waited for Nutmeg to choose to walk, which he did and walked to kennel with no issue. 8/3/26: Nutmeg is laying down at the back of his kennel as handler approaches. He remains laying down on his bed as the handler unlocks the door and has no interest in treats or toys. He allows the handler to slowly lasso him, and he is then taken to the behavior room. In the room, he has a tense body as he explores around. He is comfortable approaching the handlers in the room and begins to have a slow wagging tail as he slowly sniffs the handlers an takes treats. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. 08/01/26: Nutmeg is laying with a tense body in the back of his kennel as the handler approaches. The handler throws high value treats and he tentatively stands, moving towards the front. However, Nutmeg will not place his head through the leash. The handler stands and Nutmeg retreats to the back of his kennel. The handler lassos Nutmeg and he willingly comes out of kennel. Nutmeg balks when the leash tightens around his neck, but otherwise walks without issue. The handler leads him to the play yard and he stands with a tense body. The handler reaches out to scratch Nutmeg's back and he tolerates it. He turns his head to reinitiate when the handler pauses so the handler continues. Nutmeg leans into contact. He is returned to kennel without issue. 7/29: Nutmeg is curled up on his bed when a handler approaches. His back is facing the handler, but he picks his head up and looks back at them over his shoulder. He does not move or come to the front of the kennel for treats or coaxing. The handler drops the treats into the kennel, but Nutmeg does not move to sniff or attempt to eat them. He remains in the same position even when his picture is taken or when offered a squeaky ball. Then hadnler walks away, ending the interaction.

Date of initial:: 7/28/2026

Summary:: shaking, avoids eye contact, not interested in food/treats. Sedated for exam and tasks

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Nutmeg's bite history, fearfulness, and handling/touch sensitivity, we recommend that he be placed in an adult-only home. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to Nutmeg's bite history and behaviors displayed in care, the behavior department recommends he be placed with a New Hope placement partner who is able to provide an experienced adult-only foster home. A period of decompression is recommended to allow Nutmeg to acclimate comfortably to his new environment; force-free, reward based training only is advised when introducing Nutmeg to new and unfamiliar situations. Consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended for guidance to safely manage/modify any behavior he presents with outside of the care centers.

Potential challenges: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/touch sensitivity | Fearful/potential for defensive aggression | Bite history (human): Nutmeg was reported to have bitten in the previous home when attempting to get him off the couch. The bite resulted in a bite to the finger and broke the skin, drawing blood. He is also reported to have escalated to snapping at the owner's grandson, but details about this incident were not provided. Please see handouts on Handling/touch sensitivity and Fearful/potential for defensive aggression.