Date of intake:: 7/17/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Date of assessment:: 7/20/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: Hard Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: Inconclusive Leash walking comments: Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Fearful Call over: Approaches with coaxing Sociability comments: Tense body, dodges the collar, receptive to treats Soft handling: Fearful Exuberant handling: Fearful Comments: Tense body, head whips Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler Knock Knock comments: Approaches handler readily Toy Toy comments: No interest, No reaction

Summary (6):: 7/22/26: Rocket is at the front of his kennel with a neutral body. He does not take treats. He is easily leashed. On the way out of the kennel room, he whips his head back twice (unsure if with a closed or open mouth). In the yard he walks with a neutral body and relieves himself. He walks back through the hallway and the handler stops outside of his kennel room to ask a second handler inside if his kennel is ready. Then, the handler applies leash pressure to get ready to run Rocket back to his kennel, and rocket rears up and backwards and begins pawing at the leash, getting himself tangled. The second handler throws a second leash on him and the first handler detangles the leash around his foot using their foot on the line. He is then brought through the kennel room and continues rearing up and backwards and flailing at the leash with his paws. He is muscled into kennel and the leashed are removed with a hook, which he tolerates well by standing at the front during which.

Summary (7):: 7/22/26: Rocket is at the front of his kennel with a neutral body; he is easily leashed and brought out the room. While exiting the building, the handler brings Rocket up a few stairs to allow another handler and dog walk past; while doing so, Rocket relieves himself for a while. On the street, Rocket walks with moderate leash tension; he doesn't react to dogs or people. When the handler presents their hand, Rocket shows no interest. Upon entry, the handler clips their leash and brings Rocket to the room; before entering, Rocket baulks, thrashes, and places his paws on the leash. Once the handler is able to detangle the leash, they attempt to bring him inside, but he repeats the same patter. Once the leash is detangle, the handler jogs Rocket into the room, which he follows; as they are in front of his kennel, Rocket thrashes and places his paw on the leash again. Another K9 handler takes the leash and muscles Rocket into the kennel; Rocket keeps his head outside the closing kennel door, but the 2nd handler gently pushes his head back and closes the door. 07/20/26: Rocket is at the front of her kennel as handler approaches, he is leashed while distracted with treats and taken to the street. He is tense faced and does not take treats but allows leashing and walks with handler out of kennel to the street for his walk. Rocket pulls forward moderately but slows down as the walk progresses. His pulling continues to fluctuate throughout the walk, he passes people without issue and fixates on smells. He stops to relieve himself often and after a bit he is brought back inside and returned to kennel. When returning he baulks and whips his head around but handler stays still and waits for him to stop. He eventually walks forward and is muscled back to kennel with moderate pressure. 7/20/26: Rocket is lying down in the back of the kennel. He approaches the front with a soft body and slow wagging tail. He begins panting as the kennel is unlocked. The handler presents the leash and when the door is open, Rocket pushes his head out of the kennel as handler goes to leash him. The leash is secured and he pulls hard out of the kennel room. He pulls hard to the street. Rocket relieves himself briefly and is walked back to the shelter. Rocket greets the assessor with a soft body. After his assessment, he is returned to kennel and plants. He quickly retreats and begins to thrash and attempt to alligator roll. Handler quickly jogs him in and when at the kennel door he jumps back and grabs the handler's leg with his paw. He is muscled into kennel without further issue.

Date of intake:: 7/17/2026

Summary:: Allowed all handling

Date of initial:: 7/18/2026

Summary:: Tolerated exam and medical handling, tail slightly tucked

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Rocket 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 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: : Fearful

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful: Rocket is observed to begin thrashing, bucking, and alligator rolling when a handler attempts to return him to kennel. As the handler attempts to muscle him into kennel Rocket wraps a paw around the handler's leg attempting to avoid the kennel. They should never be forced to approach anything that they are uncomfortable with or submit to petting or handling. It should always be their choice to approach a new person or thing. Rocket 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.