Date of intake:: 6/16/2026

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

Behavior toward dogs:: Came in with another dog.

Date of assessment:: 6/20/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Moderate Reactivity to humans: Ignores Reactivity to dogs: Ignores Leash walking comments: Noted to be kennel reactive Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Anxious- panting,timid Call over: gently takes treats Sociability comments: Growling/alert bark at dog due to dogs barking Handling Soft handling: Tolerant- panting, stiff body Exuberant handling: Tolerant- panting, stiff body Handling comments: Arousal Jog: Follow-tucked tail, panting Arousal comments: Knock: No response Knock Comments: Toy: sniff neutral body Toy comments:

Summary:: Due to entering the facility as a stray, there is limited prior dog-to-dog history recorded. Abigail came into care with a male large mix breed dog. 6/18/26: Abigail has been observed to display kennel reactivity, when removed from her kennel for dog-to-dog interactions. She is brought to the play yard, she participated in a gate greeting with a novel male dog. As the male dog approached, Abigail immediately lunged forward with raised hackles and began alert barking. Once the other dog was removed from her line of sight, she ceased barking.

Summary (6):: 7/11/26: Abigail is reported to jump up to bite the leash and snap at the handler's arm when they attempt to leash her; cheese is used, but she shows no interest. 7/10/26: It is reported via white board that Abigail is giving issues while leashing her: playing with leashes, attempts to bite it but will let go fast, backs up to avoid the leash. She wasn't receptive to low value treats so handler wasn't able to distract her. 7/8/26: It was noted on the whiteboard that Abigail is "difficult to leash. She is ducking and biting at the leash. Retreating to the back of the kennel. She is dog reactive." Spray cheese was observed to be effective in leashing her. 7/4/26: Abigail is at the front of her kennel with a wiggly body; as the handler attempts to leash her, she bites the leash and pulls it as she goes to the back of her kennel; the handler closes the kennel door and pulls the leash, and eventually Abigail lets go. The handler presents treats, and Abigail eats them; when they try to leash her, she jumps to the back of her kennel. The handler then sprays cheese on the kennel door, and Abigail approaches the front to eat it; the handler tries to leash her again, but she jumps back, and bites and releases the leash. Abigail repeats these behaviors several more times until the handler finally leashes her; before bringing her out the kennel, the andler presets a handful of treats. As Abigail comes out the kennel, the handler tosses the treats on the ground; she eats some, but then becomes kennel reactive, pushing off the walls to get close to the kennels. Outside the room, she pulls towards the closest dog in crate, but the handler pulls her away. On the street, Abigail walks with moderate leash tension; she doesn't react to people. When she sees dogs, Abigail pulls hard towards them, but doesn't vocalize; the handler pulls her away to redirect her attention. Abigail sits on command, takes treats, and allows pets from the handler. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and walks Abigail to her kennel; she slightly pulls towards the kennels, and pulls hard to the adjacent kennel to hers, but the handler pulls her away, and she enters her own.

Summary (7):: 6/29/26: It is reported that Abigail attempted to snap at the handler's hand during leashing then retreated to the back of the kennel and hard barked. 6/27/26: Abigail is at the front of her kennel hard barking when handler approaches. She continues barking and jumping high while handler is unlocking the kennel. She takes offered treat and handler attempts to put the leash on. She dodges the leash and jumps all the way back in the kennel. She is constantly hard barking but continues coming closer for treats and backing up every time she feels the leash. After some time, handler tosses a lot of treats and while Abigail distracted they are able to lasso her and take out of the kennel. Once she is out Abigail immediately started kennel fight with neighboring dogs. She pulls hard in the hallways and panting a lot in elevator. Once outside Abigail pulls hard towards the gates and eventually relieves herself. She continues walking with moderate pulling slightly ahead of the handler. When she sees another dog her body gets tense but is redirectable with treats. Abigail is not engaging with handler and most of the time remains aloof. She is panting during the walk but her body remains neutral. She doesn't react towards other people passerby. During returning handler is able to pre-clip the leash and bring Abigail back into her kennel with no further issues. 6/24/26: It was noted on the board that Abigail is reactive to people on bikes and hard barks at them. 6/20/26 (midday): Abigail is at the front of her kennel with a soft body; she is easily leashed and brought out the room. On the street, Abigail walks ahead with mild leash tension. As the handler lowers themself to pet Abigail, she slightly shies away, but tolerates it when given. While entering the driveway, Abigail looks at a dog with a neutral body and pulls towards them; she turns away and then pulls back towards them, but the handler pulls her away. The handler brings Abigail inside for her assessment (see notes); afterwards, she is returned to her kennel with ease. 6/20/26 (late entry): Abigail is observed to be kennel reactive; she pulls towards and barks at the kennels while exiting and entering the room. 6/17/26: Staff is walking through the room. As they approach Abigail's kennel, her eyes are dilated. She lowers her body and retreats towards the back of the kennel while growling. She alert barks towards the staff member. The staff member leaves her with some treats. Upon re-approach moments later, Abigail lowers her head with a soft tail wag as the staff member approaches the kennel side and crouches. Her eyes remain dilated and she is pressed into the side of the kennel. She is left with more treats and the interaction is ended.

Date of intake:: 6/16/2026

Summary:: very fearful of ACC staff, barking and backing up quickly when approache

Date of initial:: 6/16/2026

Summary:: A little nervous, didn't like the muzzle but let it all happen

ENERGY LEVEL:: Abigail will need daily mental and physical activity to keep her engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct her energy and enthusiasm. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend only force-free, reward-based training techniques for Abigail.

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 her fearfulness we recommend she is placed in a home with No children (under 13). Single-pet home/Recommend no dog parks: Due to the concerning behaviors that Abigail has shown during playgroup (see DOG-DOG SUMMARY), we feel that she should not visit dog parks and be the only resident dog. The Behavior Department recommends that she be socialized in a more controlled setting until her behavior towards other dogs can be further addressed. Reward-based, force-free training can be utilized to help Abigail associate dogs with things she enjoys like toys or treats. 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,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Abigail has been observed to jump up and snap at handlers arms when they attempts to leash her. To address her fearfulness, gradual desensitization and counter-conditioning, especially around crates and new environments, will build her confidence. It is important to move slowly with Abigail, 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/barrier frustration: Abigail has been observed to engage in kennel fighting behavior within the care center. She will also growl and alert bark at dogs behind closed doors when she hears them vocalizing.This indicates a need for desensitization and counter-conditioning techniques to help her remain calm and composed in situations where she is separated by barriers. Please see the handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration. Leash Biting: Abigail has been observed to jump up and bite the leash. We recommend walking them with a toy to dissuade them from grabbing the leash. Positive reinforcement, force-free training is advised to teach them to focus on you rather than grabbing the leash. Please see handout on Leash Manners.