Date of intake:: 3/14/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Other Notes:: *Previous assessments can be given upon request*

Date of assessment:: 4/30/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Moderate Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Moderately social Call over: Approaches handler with coaxing Sociability comments: Jumps up on handler. Jumps at the handlers face when they go to releash him, growls and bites the leash when put back into pop up crate Soft handling: Tolerates contact Exuberant handling: Tolerates contact Comments: Became tense when handler grabs collar Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler, neutral body Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily Toy Toy comments: Grips firm and becomes tense when approached

Summary:: 4/13/26: Duckie greets another dog at the gate with a tense body. The other dog is exuberant, jumping up and down off the kennel door. Duckie growls, hackles raised but does not approach the gate.

Summary (2):: 5/5/26: Duckie is standing at the front of his kennel with a slightly tense body. He takes treats slowly. He is easily leashed, but then scrambles pushing out the door as soon as the leash is on him. Then he is led through the hallway and greets a familiar handler who pets him. He wags his tail and lip licks. Then he is walked to the street. The whole way out and while on the street he frequently turns around and hard stares at the second handler. He is redirected by leash pressure or squeaker, but always turns around again soon after anyway. The first handler leash clips Duckie and he whips his head around with his mouth open. He is lead back into the building and the handler stops him by medical because another dog is in the hallway. Duckie greets another familiar handler who pets him. Once the first handler begins walking him through the hallway again, he stops, hard stares at them, growls, and launches into the air (approx. 6 ft high) towards their hands and bites at the leash. The first handler straight arms the leash and Duckie recovers. He is lead to his kennel and gets in willingly. Then, he quickly whips around and jumps up at the kennel door snarling. The handlers retrieve their leash, toss treats, and leave. 5/4/26: (PM WALKS) Duckie is at the front of the kennel with a neutral body and a tense face. He is easily leashed and taken out of the kennel. He pulls hard out to the street. On the street Duckie pulls mildly besides the handler jumping up and down. He is told to sit and take treats gently. Duckie relieves himself a few times before he is walked back to the shelter. He is pre-clipped outside of the room and is slightly tense. Duckie is then returned to kennel. As the leash his removed he turns towards the handler with a tense body and lips slightly raised. Interaction is ended.

Summary (3):: 5/3/26: Duckie is sitting at the front of the kennel when the handler approaches. He is easily leashed and then attempts to push his way out of kennel. Duckie is taken to the street where he pulls in a zigzag manner. He does not react to people or other dogs. He is panting and attempts to jump on the handler multiple times. The handler is able to redirect him with treats. When returning to the kennel, the handler is easily able to clip the leash and he readily enters without issue. 05/01/26: Staff member observes two handlers (one new and one familiar) returning Duckie to his pop-up crate through Pharmacy in the ER. The handler's enter the ER and the new handler goes to clip Duckie's leash. They initially miss, and Duckie tenses up and whale eyes the handler. On their second attempt they clip Duckie successfully but Duckie growls and head whips upon being clipped. Duckie remains hard starring at the new handler for a moment and the new handler tosses a toy, which distracts Duckie and breaks his focus, while the familiar handler takes the leash and brings Duckie into his pop-up crate. Upon entering his crate, Duckie begins growling and snarling at the handler. The handler quickly secures Duckie inside the crate, and removes his leash without further issue. 04/30/26: Duckie is found by handler while being walked by medical staff, he allows handlers to swap leashes and accepts treats from handlers. Outside he is brought around the street and passes people and dogs without issue, when seeing a dog react to him he pulls toward them. He pulls moderately during his walk and after a bit is brought back inside for his assessment. Once finished he is returned to his crate and growls/bites the leash until handler distracts him with treats. Interaction is ended once leash is removed.

Summary (4):: 4/28/26: Duckie is sitting at the front of his crate when the handler approaches. He begins wagging his tail and pawing at the crate door to be opened. Duckie is easily leashed and removed from his kennel. Duckie puts his paws on the top of his crate to pick from an assortment of toys to walk with. He spends some time picking a toy then begins walking with a squeaker. Duckie pulls mildly to the street and relives himself while still holding the toy. Once Duckie enters the driveway his energy picks up and he playfully but gently jumps on the handler. Duckie enjoys his paws being held as he leans into the handlers body. The handler places Duckie back on the ground and begins walking around. Duckie sniffs his environment and does not pull towards other dogs or passing people. Duckie does not attempt to leash bite as he has a toy. The handler is able to pick up the toy every time Duckie drops it with no problem. Duckie takes treats gently and responds to the command “sit” if he tries to jump up again. The handler then crouches down to Duckies level and begins rubbing on him. Duckie leans into the handlers body and places his paw on their shoulder. When the handler begins speaking to another staff member and Duckie pays them no mind and continues leaning into pets. When Duckie begins to sit and hold his injured paw up handler walks him back inside. Duckie is pre clipped before entering the ER room as he likes to immediately enter his kennel once it’s in his view. The handler easily removes the leashed from Duckie when he is in his crate and closes the door. Duckie remains at the front of the crate with a soft body and sits. The handler gives him treats through the crate bars which he takes gently. 04/28/26: Duckie is let loose in the ER room for a break from his pop-up crate. He comes out excited, seeking attention and pets. He jumps around, loose and wiggly. Sniffs around the room and finds a bag of treats. Handler opens bag as Duckie waits patiently. Handler offers Duckie a treat which he takes nicely off of handlers' hand. He continues to explore and walk around the room. Duckie finds a tennis ball and starts jumping/running around the room with the tennis ball in his mouth seeking handlers' attention to play. Handler bounces the ball and Duckie goes after it; this goes on for a while. Duckie seeks attention from multiple handlers in the room, leaning in for rubs and lying next to handler's legs exposing himself for belly rubs. Handler opens pop up door, and Duckie enters his crate without issue.

Summary (5):: 4/27/26: Duckie is observed to begin hard barking and lip curling when a handler is attempting to give him enrichment. 4/22/26: Duckie was observed to leash bite with staff in the yard. He began jumping up exuberantly towards the leash as the staff member straight armed him. A staff member in the neighboring pen tosses treats and he is not receptive. Staff later reported that he is selective with treats and toys. 4/18/26: Duckie is laying in his crate when the handler approaches. He is easily leashed and allowed to walk around the ER room. Duckie sniffs around and plants his paws on high surfaces to sniff more. The handler places him back on the floor and sits down with him. Duckie excitedly walks to the handler and begins licking their face. He tries to get as close as possible and sits on the handlers lap. Duckie places his head on the handlers shoulder as they pet him all over. Duckie stayed on the handler the entire time with a relaxed body and wagging tail. When the handler makes a move Duckie moves closer and nudges their hand for more pets. The handler remains on the floor with Duckie until he gets off them and lays down by their feet. Duckie keeps his head on their leg as he receives rubs and begins squeaking the toy next to him. The handler and Duckie stay like this until Duckie gets up and walks over to his crate. 4/12/26: Duckie is at the front of the crate barking with a soft neutral body, as handler approaches Duckie softly paws the crate door. Crate is opened slightly allowing duckie to be leashed easily. Duckie pushes out of the crate and softly jumps into handler arms with a soft wagging tail, he is shortly nudged down due to medical resting period. Duckie is then redirected towards the exit door and is taken out for a walk. As walking down the hallway duckie greets known staff and mildly pulls toward their direction and leans in to be petted. Duckie allows pets on his head and the majority of his body with a soft wagging tail. Once outside Duckie has a soft body as he sniffs around his environment and Relieves himself. Heading back to MACC duckie mildly pulls toward the direction of his crate, he is pre clipped before entering his crate with ease. Handler reaches in with a toy and duckie receives it gently. As handler attempts to remove the leash, duckie pulls head back and is leash is Easily retrieved. As handler steps away duckie lays down in his crate focusing on his toy.

Summary (6):: 4/12/26: Duckie is at the front of his crate with a neutral body. He is easily leashed and lead to the yard for his dog-dog (see notes). He occasionally jumps up on the handler softly. He is lead back inside and into his crate. The handler leaves their hand in the crate (holding the leash) as he gets in and accidentally touches him by the neck and he tenses, growls, and snaps at their hand. He begins snarling and hard barking and does not stop after the handler walks away. 4/11/26: Duckie is barking at the front of his crate as the handler approaches. When the handler is noticed Duckie quiets down and pushes his nose against the crate door. Duckie is easily leashed and pushes out the crate and begins jumping on nearby counters. The handler nudges him out and heads to the yard for his walk. Duckie is placed on a drag leash and walks around the yard. He sniffs his environment then relieves himself before walking back to the handler. Duckie has a soft body and a wagging tail as he sits by the handler. Duckie receives lots of attention and leans into the as he is rubbed. Duckies energy picks up when another dog enters the neighboring area. He begins barking and picking up toys bringing them over to the gate. The handler calls Duckie over and he attempts to break into zoomies. Due to needed rest for his leg, the handler stops him and picks up the leash. Duckie is taken back to medical and pull towards his crate. Duckie enters the crate on his own and lays down. 4/11/26: Duckie is standing in the front of his pop-up crate when approached, he starts barking of excitement and becomes loose and wiggly. As handler unlocks the door, Duckie pokes his head out of the crate and is easily leashed. He jumps on to handler socially and excited. He grabs a toy for his walk. He sees a familiar handler and jumps up to and solicits pets. On his walk he walks with wild pull and loose and wiggly of excitement. He walks nicely on leash, sniffing his environment. He begins to limp, so his walk is cut short. When return to shelter he walks nicely alongside handler, allowing petting all over. He walks nicely into his pop-up crate without issue. 4/8/26: Duckie is sleeping in the back of his crate when approached. The handler opens the crate and Duckie slowly lifts his head and stands. Duckie is easy to leash and pulls mildly to the yard. Duckie is placed on a drag leash and walks around the yard. Duckie interacts with the handler and seeks attention while sitting on the bench. Duckie leans into the handlers body with a loose body and wagging tail. When Duckie notices another medical staff member he jumps up the walks over to the neighboring pin. Duckie begins whining until the staff member walks over and gives him pets. When Duckie was done the handler brought him back inside.

Summary (7):: 4/4/26: Duckie is standing in his crate when the handler approaches. Duckie is easily leashed and taken to the street for a walk. Duckie relieves himself then walks around the driveway. Duckie does not react to passings but does becoming wiggly as people walk by. Duckie is taken to the bench and sits down with the handler. He jumps on their legs and leans into their legs. The handler gives Duckie attention for a few minutes then returns him to his crate. 4/1/26: Duckie is laying in his crate playing with toys as the handler approaches. Duckie is easily leashed and pulls mildly to the street. Duckie jumps up occasionally to leash bite but is redirected with a squeaker. Duckie relieves himself during the walk and sniffs around . Duckie seeks attention during the walk and leans into pets. Duckie jumps onto the handlers chest. Duckie leans in as the handler rubs his head and wags his tail. Duckie is gently placed down then walked back inside. He greets all staff members with a soft and wiggly body. 3/29/26: Duckie is reported to begin suddenly leash biting as he is being returned back from his walk, handler had begin to run out of treats and flagged someone for assistance. They stated Duckie was jumping onto them and jumping up for the leash to begin tugging on it. Once they ran out of treats, he wasn't able to be redirected using anything else. As second handler approaches he would watch the second handler with a neutral body, but wouldn't leash bite. Treats are tossed ahead which he would follow and take, as he waits for his crate to be cleaned the second handler is continuing to feed him treats which he remains receptive towards. Shortly after, he is easily returned back to his crate with no issues. 3/28/26: Duckie is at the front of his crate when the handler approaches. He immediately stands when he notices the handler and begins wagging his tail. Duckie is easily leashed and taken t the street for a walk. Duckie occasionally jumps up and the handler quickly catches him as he leans his front two paws and head on them. Duckie does this in almost all his walks and begins licking the handlers face. The handler gently places Duckie on the floor and continues the walk. Duckie excitedly walks outside and seeks attention from the handler. He enjoys pets all over especially behind his ear. On the way back inside Duckie jumps up again and the handler catches him before placing him back down. Duckie has a relaxed body as he does this. When Duckie is back in medical he rushed back to his crate and reaches for his toys. As the leash is being removed Duckie lays down and plays with his toy. *Prior enrichment notes can be given upon request due to lack of space*

Date of intake:: 3/14/2026

Summary:: Seeking contact

Date of initial:: 3/14/2026

Summary:: Wiggly and jumping up for attention. Allows all handling with soft body

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Duckie 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 fearful behavior and resource guarding we recommend a home with no children. 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: : Resource guarding,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Leash-biting

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Duckie is observed to escalate to hard barking and lip curling when a handler is giving him enrichment. During his assessment Duckie was observed to become tense and move away while in the possession of a toy. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Duckie's mouth, and any time something is removed they should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Basic Manners: Duckie has been observed to jump up on handlers and jump at the handlers face when they go to releash him. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Sit" and "Off" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach them to control their impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward-based training only is recommended. Please see handout on Basic Manners. Fearful Defensive: Duckie has been observed to balk on leash and required coaxing with treats and squeaky sounds. Recently Duckie was observed to quickly escalate to growling, snapping, and hard barking when a handler accidentally touched him. It is important to move slowly with Duckie, 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. Leash Biting: Duckie has been observed to jump up high and bite the leash. When returned to his crate he is noted to growl and bite the leash. This behavior is not able to tbe redirected easily. 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.