Date of intake:: 12/9/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray (No Known History)

Bite history:: 2/2/26: ACS report that when they were removing Hoss from kennel he jumped up and grabbed their sleeve. When returning to kennel another handler was moving to the side to let Hoss pass. As the handler attempted to walk pass Hoss lunged and bit the other handler on the upper thigh area. Creating two, two inch rips in their pants. 1/26/26: It is reported that as Hoss was exiting kennel he jumped up and bite the handler on the upper thigh. This bite did not break skin but did leave the area sore.

Date of assessment:: 12/10/2025

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Mild Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: Mild Leash walking comments: Pulls midly during his walk, will pull hard toward dogs on leash with a neutral body. Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Distracted Call over: Approaches with coaxing Sociability comments: Aloof initially, ears lower upon approach but accepts treats, loosens up and explores the room, whines occasionally and drools heavily. Soft handling: Accepts contact Exuberant handling: Accepts contact Comments: Arousal Jog comments: Follow neutral bodied Knock Knock comments: Approaches neutral bodied Toy Toy comments: No response

Summary:: 12/20/25: Hoss greets another dogs at the gate with a tense body, high curved tail. He offers a correction when the other dog places their paws on his back.

Summary (6):: 2/2/26: ACS report that when they were removing Hoss from kennel he jumped up and grabbed their sleeve. When returning to kennel another handler was moving to the side to let Hoss pass. As the handler attempted to walk pass Hoss lunged and bit the other handler on the upper thigh area. Creating two, two inch rips in their pants. 2/1/26: Hoss is standing at the front of his kennel with loose and wiggly body as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed with ease and is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, he would pull hard ahead to sniff around and explore. He would jump up on the handler with a loose and wiggly body to demand for treats. He is able to sit for treats and is comfortable receiving pets. He has no reactions to dogs or people and is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. 1/30/26: Hoss is standing at the front of his kennel with loose and wiggly body as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed with ease and he pulls hard on the way outside for a walk. On the walk, he would pull hard ahead to mark his territory and relieve himself. He would jump up on the handler with a loose and wiggly body and sits for treats. He has no reactions to dogs or people and is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. 1/28/26: Hoss is at the front of his kennel with a loose body. He is easily leashed and brought out the room. While exiting the building, Hoss relieves himself. He continues to do the same once outside. Hoss walks ahead with mild tension and brief moments of hard pulling. Hoss also has no interest in dogs and pets, and takes treats from both handlers. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and returns Hoss to kennel with ease. 1/27/26: Hoss is standing at the front of the kennel when the handler approaches. He is easily leashed and taken to the yard. In the yard Hoss relieves himself quickly and frequently. Once he is done relieving himself Hoss pulls back to the building. The handler is able to clip their leash and Hoss returns back to kennel once treats are tossed in.

Summary (7):: 1/26/26: It is reported that as Hoss was exiting kennel he jumped up and bite the handler on the upper thigh. This bite did not break skin but did leave the area sore. 1/17/26: Staff reported that upon exiting the kennel, Hoss jumped up and mouthed handler's arm. 1/16/26: Hoss is lying down and then stands with a loose body. As the handler attempts to leash him, he dodges the leash. The handler uses a squeaker, and then leashes Hoss. Approaching the street, Hoss jumps on staff with a soft body and relieves himself. On the street, Hoss walks ahead with mild leash tension; initially he jumps on the handler a few times, but he settles himself. As a person speaks to the handler and then Hoss, Hoss tilts his head, and then barks at the person. He attempts to pull towards the person, but the handler pulls him away. Otherwise, he has no interest in other people. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and returns Hoss to his kennel with ease. 1/3/25: Hoss is standing at the front of his kennel neutral body. He is easily leashed and removed from kennel. He bounces out of the room on his back legs as he is on a short leash and attempts to cage fight with the other dogs. He is walked on the street where he sniffs spot to spot, slightly ahead of handler mild pulling. He checks into handler often and takes treats gently. He focuses on other dogs, tense body and sometimes can be called away. He allows brief petting but doesn't seek more. He bounces on his back legs back to kennel but goes in without issue. 12/20/25: Hoss is at the front of the kennel with a soft body and wagging tail. He backs up when the leash is presented and paws at it. He dodges the leash a few times. Handler uses a treat lure and its not affective. Hoss eventually lowers his head and comes forward. He lingers at the front and the handler is able to leash him gently. Hoss is taken out of the kennel and brought to the backyard. He does a brief dog-dog interaction. Hoss is walked around the pen with a loose leash. He relieves himself and he is then to walk back into the shelter and is returned to kennel without issue. 12/10/25: Hoss is at the front of the kennel with a soft body and low wagging tail. He backs away from the leash when it is presented before further coming forward. He is then easily leashed and walks out of the kennel. Hoss tries to pull towards the neighboring kennels but is kept away. He is brought to the street where he walks with a loose leash. He will pull hard and stare at dogs with his head high and his tail high and stiff. He relieves himself a few times, stopping to sniff his surroundings. Handler tries to interact with him and he is aloof with the handler, ignoring them when called. He is brought to the assessment room and ignores the assessor. After his assessment he is returned to kennel without issue.

Date of intake:: 12/9/2025

Summary:: neutral and allowed staff's handling, brought to kennel without issue

Date of initial:: 12/9/2025

Summary:: Initially retreated when staff approached kennel but then allowed leashing, Whale eyed, tail tucked

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Hoss so we cannot be certain of his behavior in a home environment. However, he will need daily mental and physical activity to keep him engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct his 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 Hoss' fearful disposition and need for contact on his own terms, we recommend a home with no young 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: : Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Fearful,Anxiety,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Mouthiness: Hoss has been observed to jump up and mouth the handlers on the arm. We recommend never playing with bare hands, always with a toy, and ending play or attention whenever Hoss puts teeth on skin. They should be rewarded with attention and treats when they stop and/or when they are seeking attention in alternate ways. Please see handout on Mouthiness. Fearful: During medical exams, Hoss was reported to be tense and have a tucked tail and would whale eye upon handling. It is important to always go slow and give the option to walk away from any social interaction. They should never be forced to approach anything that they are uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be their choice to approach a new person or thing. Hoss would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to their new surroundings. Please see handout on Decompression Period. Bite History (Human): Please see bite history above for more details. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression. Anxiety: During his assessment Hoss would whine at times and would drool heavily throughout the interaction. We recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and giving him other things to focus on to alleviate his anxiety. Positive reinforcement, force-free training only should be used. Please see handout on Generalized Anxiety. On Leash Reactivity: Hoss is noted to pull hard towards dogs and will fixate on them with a tense body. Hoss will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than other dogs. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration. Leash Biting: Hoss has been observed to bite the leash. Hoss is quick to grab the leash in their mouth. 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.