Date of intake:: 1/16/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender

Previously lived with:: 4 adults, 2 children (10, 12), 2 cats

Behavior toward strangers:: Socky may hard bark or growl, hides at first

Behavior toward children:: Socky is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Socky may avoid or bark at unfamiliar dogs, friendly with familiar dogs

Behavior toward cats:: Socky barks at cats

Resource guarding:: Socky may hard bark when his toys or food are touched.

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: High

Other Notes:: Socky is frightened of loud noises and tends to tear up dog beds (but has no issue with pillows). During walks he may bark or bare teeth at strangers, bikes/skateboards, or small animals. Held/restrained: unbothered Disturbed while sleeping: unbothered Startled: Fearful, bark/growl Pulled off furniture: unbothered Feet touched: fearful Collar touched: unbothered Socky is reported to be dogs reactive and would bark at the neighbor. The owner reported that Socky lunged at the neighbor and bit their coat (no broken skin).

Date of assessment:: 1/18/2026

Summary:: Socky has been obsvered to growl towards handlers when they attempt to leash him in kennel. When out of kennel Socky is obsvered to remain tense. His previous owner states that Socky lunged at the neighbor and bit their coat. Due to the high levels, of fear, stress, and anxiety Socky is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (6):: 01/21/26: Socky is at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is offered treats and stays near the front but lowers his head and stares at handler as they open the door and begin growling. Handler attempts to slowly leash Socky but he retreats further into kennel, handler then attempts to lasso Socky who begins vocalizing and barking at handler as they attempt to lasso him. Handler makes many attempts to leash Socky who continues to vocalize bark as well as lip lift as handler attempts to leash him. He snaps at the leash and shakes the leash off when handler almost gets the leash around. He is eventually leashed and exits kennel following handler out to the street for his walk. Outside he looks back at handler frequently and initially does not stop to sniff, but as the walk progresses he softens and begins sniffing and relieving himself. He walks with handler and passes people without issue, when seeing dogs he will stare from afar with a neutral body. After a while he is brought back inside and returned to kennel. 1/20/26 (For AM walk): Handlers twice tried to remove Socky from kennel, when approached Socky is at front of kennel, slightly tense, tight lipped. However when kennel door is open and leashing is attempted Socky retreats, bares teath and low-growls. When the leash is brought closer to Socky's face, he snaps and hard-barks making eye-contact with handler. Both interactions are ended due to high FAS. 1/19/26 (Midday Walks): Socky is at the front of his kennel with a slightly tense body. The handler slowly introduces their leash through the kennel door; Socky slowly approaches and sniffs it. The handler slowly opens the door, and Socky begins to low growl, but stays at the front. After a few attempts, the handler successfully leashes Socky and brings him out the room. On the street, Socky walks ahead of the handler with mild leash tension. He shows no interest in passersby, and notices dogs, but doesn't react. As the handler speaks to him, he looks at them with a neutral body. They toss reats at Socky, but he doesn't eat them. Upon entry, the handler returns Socky to his kennel. They use a hook to remove the leash, and as the leash is taken out, Socky lift his lips to the hook, but the handler removes it.

Summary (7):: 1/19/26 (AM Walk): Socky is at the front of his kennel with a tense body as the handler approaches. As the handler unlocks the kennel door, Socky begins to growl. When slowly introducing the leash, Socky continues to growl and then lift his lips as the leash got close. The handler removes the leash from kennel and closes the door. A second handler approaches Socky as he's standing at the front. When they present their leash through the door, Socky growls and lift his lips. He then begins barking at the second handler. The door is locked and the handlers end the interaction. 01/18/26: Socky is laying at the center of his kennel as handler approaches. Handler crouches down dispensing treats for Socky who does not approach and begins trembling slightly as he lays and avoids eye contact with handler. Handler attempts to lasso Socky on a pre clipped leash carefully and slowly, Socky stands and begins moving to the back of kennel and stands on his hind legs seeking exit near the back side of the kennel. Handler takes a break, removing the leash from kennel and kneeling down using a toy to attempt to coax him forward which is unsuccessful. Handler makes a last attempt to lasso Socky who is tense and upon the attempt lip lifts and snaps at the leash. Handler is able to secure the leash over Socky and he is removed from kennel. Outside Socky is tense when passing staff initially in the hall but once taken to the street Socky is neutral bodied and walks with handler and does not pull. He passes people on the street without issue and stops to sniff and relieve himself throughout the walk. Socky is aloof with handler and does not solicit attention or accept treats. After walking for a while he is brought back inside and passes a dog without issue. Socky returns to kennel but becomes a bit startled when dogs react to him passing in kennel, He returns without issue. 1/17/26: Socky is siting at the front of the kennel when handlers approach. Handler talks to him and offers high value chicken. He does not take it. Handler offers him some high value cheese which he eats. Handler presents the leash and he looks away, lying down. He does not take anymore high value. Handler leashes Socky slowly and he is taken to the backyard. He walks ahead of the handler and is aloof with them. Socky will hesitate to walk forward when reaching the back of the backyard. He is coaxed forward with verbal encouragement by saying "Come on" or "lets go". Socky is walked back to the kennel and returned with out issue.

Date of intake:: 1/16/2026

Summary:: Tense, fearful, growling, able to the leashed

Date of initial:: 1/18/2026

Summary:: Able to be leashed. Low growling and avoiding muzzle. Sedated for thorough exam.

ENERGY LEVEL:: Socky is described as active and enthusiastic. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them 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. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for Socky.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to on leash reactivity and fearful behavior we recommend an adult only home. No Dog Parks: Due to baring teeth towards unfamiliar dogs we recommend no trips to the dog park. 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,Destructive behavior,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Socky's previous owner states that he may hard bark when his toys or food are touched. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Socky'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. Destructive Behavior: Socky's previous owner states that he tends to tear up dog beds. We are unaware of what, if any, attempts were made to remedy this behavior but we suggest to future adopters that Socky's will need to be provided with physical and mental stimulation and with a variety of appropriate and engaging chew toys so they can engage in necessary chewing behavior without damage to human objects. Please see handout on Destructive Behavior. Handling Sensitivity: Socky's previous owner states that he is fearful when his paws are touched. Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach Socky to be more comfortable with this. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity. Fearful Defensive: Socky's previous owner states that he is fearful of loud noises and when startled. When started he may bark or growl. It is important to move slowly with Socky's, 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: Socky's previous owner states that he will bark or bare teeth at strangers, bikes/skateboards, or small animals. In one instance Socky lunged at a neighbor and bit their coat. This did not result in broken skin. Socky will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than other dogs and other stimuli. We recommend a front clip harness to help manage this behavior. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration.