Date of intake:: 12/28/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 1/3/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Moderate Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Pulls moderately during walk, no reactivity, picks up toy and stops pulling, walks with toy in mouth Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Distracted Call over: Does not approach Sociability comments: Sniffs around, tries to take toys from toy bin, accepts treats Handling Soft handling: Accepts contact Exuberant handling: Accepts contact Handling comments: Neutral bodied Arousal Jog: Follows neutral bodied Arousal comments: Knock Knock Comments: Does not approach Toy Toy comments: Grips, neutral bodied, wagging tail, chews toy

Summary:: 1/7/26: Cosmo greets another dog at the gate with a tense body and hard stare.

Summary (4):: 1/22/26: Cosmo is at the front jumping onto the kennel door as handler is unlocking the kennel. He is pawing at the door focused on handlers treat pouch where a toy us sticking out of. Treats are used to leash him and he is then given a toy as he exits the kennel. He stops almost immediately out of kennel to relieve himself. e shakes his toy growling as the other dogs in kennel bark at him. Handler coaxes him to the hall where he grabs another toy. He is walked on the street, carrying the toy in his mouth. At one point he begins to tear up the toy. He looks up at handler, focused on the poop bag in their handler and jumps up towards it. Handler tosses the bag away, he sniffs it then turns to handler again, focusing on treat pouch and hand. Treats are continuously tossed but he remains focused on the hands even after treats are tossed and does not go towards the treats. Another handler comes to assist and tries to refocus him with soft talk and treats but he keeps turning to main handler. He is double leashed and returned to kennel. He allows the hook to be used to remove the leashes. 1/19/26 (PM Walk): Cosmo has been observed to mouth or chew on items during his walk. As the handler is placing the lock on his kennel, Cosmo bites it three times. While walking past a door, he gnaws on a door stopper. He also mouths a staff member's hand while it is in their pocket

Summary (5):: 1/19/26 (AM Walk): Cosmo is at the front of his kennel as the handler approaches. Cosmo bites the lock as they place it on the door. The handler uses spray cheese, and as he eats, they attempt to leash him. He stops briefly, and jumps for the leash. The handler quickly pulls it out and closes the door. The handler continues to feed the cheese, and as Cosmo eats it, the handler leashes him. Cosmo slightly pull towards the kennels. He also relieves himself after exiting the room. As the handler cleans up after him, Cosmo fixates on the poop bag. The handler directs him to tennis balls tossed earlier, but he shows no interest; the handler keeps the bag out of sight and then tosses it in the trash. While exiting, Cosmo picks up a dirty toy; as he drops it, the handler pulls him away. On the street, Cosmo walks ahead with mild leash tension; he frequently turns to the handler and do short jumps, fixating on their hand. The handler opens their hand to show that they're not holding anything. This is displayed throughout the walk. When walking back inside, Cosmo begins to chew on the peg of a small "Wet Floor Sign"; the handler pulls him away once he drops it. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and returns Cosmo to kennel. 01/15/26: Cosmo is at the front of his kennel as handler approaches, he barks and jumps up at the kennel door as handler unlocks it. He is distracted with treats but briefly grabs and begins tugging on the leash in kennel before being successfully leashed. He follows a tossed treat out of kennel and pulls hard to the yard for his walk. Outside Cosmo jumps up occasionally toward handlers hand or treat pouch, missing due to handler moving aside. He walks very close to handler and walks while relieving himself, Cosmo finds a toy in one of the play yards and begins engaging in play while on leash. He loses interest in the toy after a bit and again attempts to jump toward handlers hands but misses. He is tossed treats as a distraction and walks around the perimeter of the yard on a short leash. After a while he is brought back inside and returned to kennel without further issue 01/13/26- Cosmo is at the front of his kennel barking at handler with a neutral body going back and forth. When handler attempts to leash Cosmo tries to leash bite. Handler uses a treat lure and he is easily leashed. He pulls hard out of the kennel and tries to cage fight with a tense body. He pulls hard towards the pop up crates. Once in the elevator handler gives Cosmo a toy and he carries that throughout his street walk. Cosmo pulls hard at times and jumps randomly on handlers. They present treats and he takes them with hard pressure. Handlers give with an open palm or toss them. He pulls hard when returning and tries to cage fight when returning to kennel. He goes in without further issue

Summary (6):: 1/12/26: Cosmo is at the front of his kennel with a soft body. The handler begins to spray cheese on his kennel door, and as he eats it, the handler leashes him. They show him a toy and drop it on the ground before he exits the kennel. As he comes out, Cosmo picks up and drops the toy, but pulls towards another toy and holds it. He begins to slowly walk out the room as relieves himself. He continues until the elevator arrives. When walking out the building, Cosmo relieves himself again. As the handler cleans up after him and holds the poop bag, Cosmo jumps up for it and mouths the handler’s hand. Continuing the walk, Cosmo walks ahead with mild leash tension; he has no interest in passersby and dogs. He relieves himself once more. Cosmo begins to tear up his toy, and when crossing the street, he drops it. He then passes out but gets up. Cosmo then fixates on the poop bag the handler is holding. He begins to jump for it with an open mouth and mouths the handler’s hand again. The handler hides the bag out of his sight and straight arms the leash until they throw it out. When retrieving a toy, Cosmo continues to be jumpy and mouths the handler’s unused poop bags. The handler gives him a toy and he holds onto it for a short time. He passes out again as the handler attempts to bring him into the elevator. The handler clips their leash and gives Cosmo another toy before entering the room, but he drops it. He walks back into the room slowly as he relieves himself. Cosmo is able to enter his kennel. 1/14/26: Cosmo is at the front of the kennel panting. Handler offers him some treats and he takes them readily. Cosmo is easily leashed and taken out of the kennel. He pulls hard out of the room looking towards the passing kennels. When in the hall he pulls hard towards the pop up crates. Handler keeps him away and tosses treats. On the street, Cosmo relieves himself right away and pulls moderately. He pulls moderately and stops to sniff spots and relieve himself. He does not engage with the handlers. He is walked back into the shelter where he pulls hard. He pulls towards the pop ups and pulls very hard back into the room. He tries to fight with the neighboring kennel but was muscled in without issue.

Summary (7):: 1/11/26: Cosmo is reported to be tugging the leash inside his kennel while handlers attempt to leash him to go outside for a walk. 1/10/26: Cosmo is at the front barking. Handler offers him treats which he takes through the bars. aHandler presents the leash and he mouths it but is easily distracted with treats. He is leashed with the use of treats. Once out of kennel, he pulls hard towards the other dogs, tense body. In the hall, he turns to handler frequently, looking up at the leash. Treats are tossed. This is repeated constantly to the driveway where he turns to face handler and look up at the leash in handlers hand. When handler gets his attention, he mouths the poop bag dangling from the treats pouch. He is brought back to kennel where he pulls hard towards the other dogs in kennels and treats are tossed for him to go into kennel. 1/7/26 (Late Entry)[Playgroup]: Cosmo is at the front of his kennel with a soft body as the handler approaches. He is easily leashed and brought out the room. While walking in the hallway, Cosmo relieves himself. He sniffs a dog in a crate, but doesn't react as the dog hard barks at him. Cosmo continues to relieve himself while walking to the yard for playgroup (see dog-dog notes). After the interaction, the handler brings Cosmo into another pen, where he picks up a toy. The handler brings him inside, and while waiting for the elevator, a dog in a nearby crate barks at Cosmo; Cosmo then drops his toy and stares at the dog with a tense body. The handler then brings Cosmo into the elevator, and then walks him to his room. The handler clips their leash and returns Cosmo to kennel. 1/3/26 (Assessment Walks): Cosmo is at the front of his kennel when the handler approaches. He is given treats as he is leashed. When walking out the room, Cosmo looks at the kennels, but the handler tosses treats, and he eats them. Cosmo is hesitates going downstairs, but eventually does. On the street, Cosmo walks with mild to moderate pulling. He has no interest in passersby or a dog; he also relieves himself while walking. Cosmo notices a toy and picks it up; he carries it in his mouth for the rest of the walk, easing off the leash tension. Cosmo is then brought in for his assessment (see assessment notes). Afterwards, the handler clips their leash and walks him to the room. When walking into the room, Cosmo focuses on the kennels. Once at his kennel, Cosmo doesn't ener, instead focuses on the dog in the adjacent kennel. The hadler tosses treats and attempts to muscle him in, but Cosmo shows no interest. The handler then brings him to a kennel at the front; as Cosmo walks, he again focuses on the kennels. He also doesn't enter the new kennel as easily. The handler walks him out a

Date of intake:: 12/28/2025

Summary:: Allowed handling

Date of initial:: 12/28/2025

Summary:: Friendly, taking treats during exam, allowed all medical handling

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Cosmo 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 additional to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Recommend no dog parks,Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No Children: Due to Cosmo's large size and strength we recommend a home with no children. Recommend no dog parks: Due to the concerning behaviors that Cosmp has shown during playgroup (see DOG-DOG SUMMARY), and while on leash, we feel that Cosmo should not visit dog parks. The Behavior Department recommends that he be socialized in a more controlled setting until his behavior toward other dogs can be further addressed. 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,Strength/leash pulling

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Cosmo has been obsvered to fixate on handlers, jump up and attempt to bite handlers. It is important to move slowly with Cosmo, 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: In the Care Centers, Cosmo was observed to become tense and pull hard towards other dogs. Positive reinforcement should be used to teach Cosmo to check in with adopter when he sees triggers. Please see the handout on On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration. Leash Biting: Cosmo has been obsvered to bite and tug the leash into kennel. Cosmo 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. Strength/Leash Pulling: When returning to kennel Cosmo has displayed a tendency to baulk at the kennel door and refuse to go in, due to his strength it has been difficult for staff to coax him in or to use leash pressure to return him to kennel. His adopter must be prepared and able to handle a dog of this size and strength. It is recommended that he be walked on a front clip harness or head halter, which help diminish his strength through leverage, and that he be trained using positive reinforcement, reward based training to not pull on leash. Please see handout on Leash Manners.