Coconut

Owner surrender on 10/11/26. Returned adoption after 5 weeks. Coconut, renamed bx00Leyla,bx00 surrendered d/t attacking the resident senior dog twice and a dog at the dog park. No information was given on why this dog had "attacked" the resident dog or dog at the dog park. Owner also reports she tried to "attack" the veterinarian they brought her to. Owner stated dog is safe to be adopted to another person as the only pet in the home.Dog lived mostly inside. Owner stated the following behaviors make it hard to keep the dog: doesnbx00t like other dogs. Owner described dog as clingy, hyper, and destructive. High energy level. Dog is used to living with adults and seniors. Unknown how dog acts around children. Owner recommends dog live with adults and be the only pet in the household. With other dogs, barks and lunges. Owner reports dog has bitten and broken skin of another animal, but has never bitten and broken skin of a human. For dog reactions, owner checked isnbx00t bothered when food bowl is touched while eating, bites when toys are taken away or when pushed/pulled off furniture, isnbx00t bothered when bathed or brushed or disturbed while sleeping or resting, growls when a stranger walks toward the handler and dog, and isnbx00t bothered when a stranger passes the home.UPDATED NOTES AFTER A PHONE CONVERSATION WITH THE OWNER:Two incidents, described as "attacks" on the resident dog (11 year old senior dog) were described over the phone as follows: (1) Dog was playing tug with the resident dog. This dog was relaxed and lying on her back while playing. The resident dog pulled the toy away then walked away. This dog jumped up and started grabbing the resident dog around the neck. (2) In the yard, this dog was crouched in a stalking position while watching the resident dog. This dog ran across the yard and jumped on the resident dog, knocking him down, then began grabbing at his neck. Dog also played in a dog park and was very high contact with other dogs sometimes. Got into a scuffle with another dog. No skin was broken on any animal during any of the incidents described. (See Dog-Dog notes for context on this dog's interactions with other dogs in the shelter).One incident described in owner surrender form as "tried to attack the vet": Dog was in the exam room with the owner. Vet sat down in the chair opposite the dog then reached out, took hold of the dog's collar and pulled the dog closer. Dog bared teeth toward the vet, owner yelled, and dog moved away from the vet.B B Owner stated they were very emotional and upset when returning the dog and some boxes on the owner surrender form may have been checked in error - dog has never broken skin of another animal while owned by the surrendering party. Also, "bites" when takes away toys was not correct and "bites" when pushes/pulls of furniture was not correct - dog has never bitten or snapped at a person in the household and was allowed on all furniture. Described as a very sweet dog in the home, very high energy, easy to train. Dog is also leash reactive to other dogs, but owner noted that she was getting better with training.B B B

Updated to yellow after an outing with a yellow volunteer who noted dog was fearful on leash, but relaxed to take treats while walking down the hallway. In the yard, dog began to relax and was easy to walk, took treats gently, offered sit and paw, accepted pets. Dog is environmentally sensitive, but affiliative and treat motivated. Yellow for volunteer handling. Recommend volunteers go slow with interactions at first and allow her to approach for pets with frequent consent checks until she shows enjoyment with pets.

Background: Brought in stray by finder on 8/8/26. Finder had the dog in the home for 4.5 hours, noted dog was bx00Just very scared but was very sweet.bx00 Dog was scared to get in the car, but calm/relaxed and friendly in the car. Staff noted dog was bx00scared, walked okay on leash, head shy, tense body, whale eyes, tail tucked.bx00 Given blue dot on intake. Second time meeting handler for evaluation on 8/13/26.

O: Dog was standing at the front of the kennel with neutral posture and tucked tail. Easy to leash. Darted ahead, pulling hard on leash down the hallway, and trying to run on leash with nails sliding on the floor, tail tucked, ears back, hackles. In the yard, dropped leash. Dog walked and sniffed. Urinated and defecated 1x. Approached handler when encouraged with baby talk. Ears back, lip lick with scratched around chin. Stepped forward and low tail wags after consent check. Handler gave several consent checks, dog stepped closer each time with soft wagging tail and soft face. After a few minutes, leaned into pets all over head, neck, chest, shoulders, back, with soft face relaxed musculature, soft wagging tail. Handler stood. Ask for sit. Dog sat and made soft eye contact with handler, relaxed open mouth, took treats with soft mouth. Offered paw when asked. Did not follow tossed toys. Hard pulling back to kennel. Dog followed handler into kennel. Removed slip leash by hand while petting dog around the neck and head. Dog presented as Yellow to familiar handler, given initial very timid presentation, requested a Yellow volunteer to take her out. Volunteer noted that she was leash avoidant, timid, and did not engage when outside. She seemed very alert, stimulated, and anxious/nervous.

A: Timid but affiliative and approaches readily once comfortable. Shows enjoyment with pets. Presents as medium energy. Pulls hard with anxious body language while on leash. Knows sit and paw.B Did not show any interest in toys. Blue for volunteer handling d/t environmental sensitivity and timid presentation to unfamiliar handlers. Consider for Yellow if recommended by Crew volunteers. B

P: Make available for adoption by appointment only. Recommend adopters continue to work on basic manners (leash skills, recall, sit) using a patient, reward-based training approach. Dog can be very sensitive to environmental stimuli, which may make a home with young children less suitable.

S: Dog-dog evaluation with a male tester dog. Tester dog selected due to his ability to politely greet and not escalate conflict.

O: At the gate, dog was calm and non-reactive. Hesitant to approach the gate, body lowered, tail wagging low as she sniffed the tester through the fence. Inside the yard, tester approached. Tail tucked, ears back as the two circled each other sniffing at the rear. Wandered around the yard for a bit with the male following. Very cautious movements when near the tester. After several minutes, dog appeared to begin to relax as eyes softened, tail wagged, ears relaxed and following tester around the yard. Began to skitter and bounce around, play bowing at the tester. Had a very brief moment of high-contact wrestle-style play, then resumed more gentle play.B

A: Gentle, Medium Energy, Medium Contact, Neutral Social Dynamic, no Corrections or Conflict observed, Playgroup Size 2-3.

P: Recommend placement with appropriately matched dogs, or placed as a solo dog with appropriate dog friends.

Coconut – Gentle, Sensitive, and Sweet

Coconut is a 4-year-old Pit Bull Terrier mix weighing 54 pounds. She’s a sensitive, affectionate girl who may need a little time to feel comfortable, but blossoms into a sweet and engaging companion once she trusts you.

• A gentle soul: Coconut can be nervous in unfamiliar environments, but she gradually relaxes when given time and space. In a quieter setting, she enjoys engaging with her person and exploring at her own pace.
• Sweet and affectionate: Once she warms up, Coconut leans into pets and affection and enjoys gentle interactions with her people.
• Smart and treat motivated: She takes treats gently and offers “sit” and “paw.” She especially enjoys fun treat-finding games, making positive-reinforcement training a great way to build her confidence.
• Dog-friendly: Coconut plays gently with other dogs in doggie playgroup and could enjoy having a well-matched canine companion.

Coconut would thrive with patient adopters who allow her to approach at her own pace as she builds confidence. She would do best with appropriately matched dogs or as a solo dog with appropriate dog friends.