Date of intake:: 8/17/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Owner Surrender (1.5 years)

Previously lived with:: Adults, children ages 6,10,12, two cats

Behavior toward strangers:: Rockichan will hard bark and growl

Behavior toward children:: Rockichan is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Rockichan is friendly and outgoing with familiar dogs, tolerant of unfamiliar dogs

Behavior toward cats:: Rockichan is friendly and outgoing

Resource guarding:: Rockichan will hard bark and growl but the owner did not specify further

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Held restrained: Isn't bothered Disturbed while resting/sleeping: Isn't bothered Startled: Fearful Pushed/pull off furniture: Isn't bothered Feet/paws are touched: Isn't bothered Collar grabbed/touched: Isn't bothered Rockichan's previous owner describes him as active and playful.

Date of assessment:: 8/23/2026

Summary:: The handler reports that Rockichan is headshy when they attempted to leash him, he would duck away from the leash touching him. When brought into the assessment room, Rockichan was observed to be tense and reluctant to approach the handler. With coaxing Rockichan approaches the handler slowly and is receptive to the treats offered. When the handler steps forward with a collar, Rockichan begins to lean away from them. The handlers attempt to collar Rockichan using a long treat. However, when they attempt to place the collar, Rockichan jumps away and begins to flee towards the door. Due to the high levels of fear, stress, and anxiety displayed. Rockichan is not a candidate to receive a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (6):: 8/25/26: It is reported that the handler was outside with Rockichan, when he began to jump up on the handler with a tense body and attempted to bite the handler's thigh. The handler kept Rockichan on a short leash, and straight armed him away. Rockichan was very tense when the handler went to clip their leash; however, they were able to do it. Rockichan attempted to bite the handler at least two more times before he was returned to kennel. 8/23/26 (Assessment): Rockichan is lying down at back of kennel. When handler opens door he comes forward where he is leashed and taken for a street walk. He does display some head shyness when the leash is near his head, he drops his head and his ears go back. While on his walk he displayed no reactivity to the dogs or people that he saw on the street. He was taken to the behavior room for an assessment (Please see assessment notes for details). During his assessment he would turn and try to run away from handlers while a collar was attempted to be placed on him. When returning him to kennel handler tried to clip the leash but he head whipped around and then backed away while slightly turning from handler. Handler left leash on and used hook to get once he was securely back in kennel.

Summary (7):: 8/21/26: Rockichan is standing at the front of his kennel. He is easily leashed and pulled form kennel. During his walk he would stop several times and handler would have to encourage him to keep him moving. Once handler offered him a treat and he back away trying to get away from the treat and handler. He was returned to kennel with no further issue. 8/20/26 (PM): Rockichan is lying down in his kennel; he stands up with a neutral body and allows himself to be leashed. On the street, Rocki walks with mild leash tension behind the handler. When a large amount of people walk past him, Rockichan is vigilant, but then sniffs the ground; when a sound is made nearby, he gets startled. When the handler calls his name or shows him a treat, Rocki looks at them with widen eyes. While walking back to the shelter, a few strangers walk closely behind Rocki, causing him to lower his body and look back at them with whale eyes; after they walk past, he quickly pulls across the street. When the handler attempts to continue the walk, Rocki abulks; the handler then jogs, and he follows right behind them. when they slow the pace, Rocki begins to walk ahead. Upon entry, the handler clps their leash and returns Rocki to his kennel. 8/19/26: Raockichan is at the back of kennel laying down on approach. Handler throws treats both regular and high value. He does not come forward. Handler lassos him and once the slip lead beginning to tighten, he stands up and comes forward. His body is tense, close to the ground and his ears are back. He slowly exits and looks around. As he was passing a dog that began barking he jumped. Once outside, he relieves himself and sniffs around, his body loosening to a neutral carry. Upon entering the kennel room he stiffens and quickly runs back towards his kennel. He slowly steps up into the kennel and begins drinking water. Handler throws treats for positive association and ends the interaction.

Date of intake:: 8/17/2026

Summary:: Fearful, thrashes on leash

Date of initial:: 8/18/2026

Summary:: Hard staring at the back of the kennel. Opted to sedate. Tense body for sedation.

ENERGY LEVEL:: Rockichan is described as medium energy. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them engaged and exercised. And we recommend using force-free, reward-based training techniques for them.

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 an adult only home. 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,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Rockichan's previous owner states that he will hard bark and growl but did not specify further. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Rockichan'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. Fearful Defensive: Rockichan's previous owner states that he will hard bark and growl at strangers. While in care, he has been observed to be fearful and has allowed minimal handling. When a handler approached to place a collar on him, Rockichan retreated quickly and fled from the interaction. It is important to move slowly with Rockichan, 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.