Date of intake:: 12/23/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 7 children, and 4 cats

Behavior toward strangers:: Achilles will actively avoid and hide

Behavior toward children:: Achilles is friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward dogs:: Achilles is friendly

Behavior toward cats:: Achilles is friendly and tolerant

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: Within the past 6 months, Achilles had one bite incident and an attempted bite incident. 4 months ago Achilles was sitting next to the 13 years old in the home. Two family members ( who don't live in the home) walked past the 13-year-old and Achilles nip at one of the family members' backside only nipping the wallet in the pocket. It was a bite and release. 6 months ago Achilles was laying down with the 13-year-old in the home after getting a bath. He was under a towel and a family member who doesn't live in the home went down too fast and knelt by him. Achilles tried to grab the family member's hand but he pulled back. The bite was not successful. The owner stated these scenarios happen when the daughter is around and when someone approaches him really fast.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: High (often playful/busy)

Other Notes:: Achilles uses the bathroom outdoors or a designated area in the home. He jumps on people nonstop, is anxious when left alone, pulls on the leash, and destroys things such as wee-wee pads. When held or restrained, he is fearful and barks/growls. He isn't bothered when disturbed while sleeping, startled, pulled off furniture, or when his feet or collar are touched.

Date of assessment:: 12/30/2025

Summary:: Achilles 243545 Achilles was surrendered due to housing issues. The previous owner states that they have has Achilles for 7 months from a family friend. Within the past 6 months, Achilles had one bite incident and an attempted bite incident. 6 months ago, Achilles was laying down with the 13-year-old in the home after getting a bath. He was under a towel and a family member who doesn't live in the home went down too fast and knelt by him. Achilles tried to grab the family member's hand but they pulled away quickly enough. The bite was not successful. 4 months ago, Achilles was sitting next to the 13 years old in the home. Two family members (who don't live in the home) walked past the 13-year-old and Achilles bite one of the family members' backside only nipping the wallet in the pocket. It was a bite and release. The owner states that these scenarios happen when the daughter is around and when someone approaches him too quickly. Due to the quick escalation in behavior, the behavior team does not feel that Achilles is a safe candidate for a handling assessment.

Summary (5):: 1/3/26: Achilles has been observed to vocalize while biting his kennel bars while the room is active.

Summary (6):: 12/30/25: The handler hangs their leash on Achilles' kennel. After they walk away, Achilles pulls it into his kennel. After he is taken out, the leash is retrieve, but is almost chewed through on its length. 12/30/25: Achilles is at the front of his kennel with a neutral body as the handler approaches. As the handler leashes him, he headbutts the kennel door. He is then brought out the room. On the street, Achilles walks ahead with little to no leash tension. He stops to relieve himself and licks pee spots from other dogs. At one point, Achilles begins to whine, but they aren't any active triggers around. The handler pets his head and body, and Achilles leans his body on their legs. Upon entry, Achilles pulls towards the yard door, but the handler clips their leash and walks him to the room. While walking to the room, the handler accidentally steps on his back paws; Achilles yelps and looks back the handler, and continues to walk in. The handler returns him to kennel. 12/29/25: Achilles displays the same behaviors as of yesterday (12/28). Please refer to those notes.

Summary (7):: 12/28/25: Achilles is siting at the front of his kennel heavy panting and barking as the handler approaches. He is able to be leashed with ease and pulls on the way to the yard. In the yard, he has loose body as he explores around the pen and is comfortable approaching the handler and would jump and sit to receive treats. He would stare at dogs that would and is able to be redirected with treats. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. 12/27/25: Achilles is sitting at the front of the kennel, leaning up against the kennel door. He stands with a soft body and is easily leashed and removed from kennel. He is walked in the yard where he remains soft as he explores the environment. He will check in randomly with handler sometimes taking treats. He is easily clipped and returned to kennel. 12/25/25: Achilles is at the front of his kennel with a neutral body. He is easily leashed and brought out of the kennel. The handler brings him to the yard. Achilles sniffs around the yard. He notices other dogs in the adjacent pen and around the perimeter, but doesn't react. When the handler sits on the bench, Achilles approaches them. They give him a treat, but he doesn't eat it. The handler then pets Achilles, and he leans his body onto their leg. The handler brings him inside and into the office. There, Achilles receives pets. Afterwards, the handler clips their leash and returns Achilles to kennel.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

Recommendations:: No children (under 13),Place with a New Hope partner

Recommendations comments:: No Children: Due to Achilles reported behavioral concerns in previous home, we recommend placement in an adult only home. Place with a New Hope Partner: Achilles has a history of escalating to biting. We recommend placement in a home with an experience New Hope Partner.

Potential challenges: : Destructive behavior,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Separation anxiety,Strength/leash pulling,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Destructive Behavior: Achilles is reported to show destructive behavior in the home, such as chewing on furniture. We are unaware of what, if any, attempts were made to remedy this behavior but we suggest to future adopters that Rocky will need to be provided with physical and mental stimulation and with a variety of appropriate and engaging chew toys so he can engage in necessary chewing behavior without damage to human objects. Please see hand-out on Destructive Behavior in the home. Basic Manners/Poor impulse control: Achilles is reported by his previous owners to frequently jump on people. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Leave it", "Sit/Stay", "Down" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach him to control her impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward based training only is recommended. Please see hand-out on Basic Manners and Impulse Control. Bite History: Escalating to biting is a behavior that Benny has rehearsed repeatedly. This behavior is likely to continue as it has become part of Achilles' repertoire, and will need careful management to work toward reducing triggers for Achilles and reducing the resulting bites. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression. Separation Anxiety: Achilles' previous owner notes he is anxious when left alone, we recommend that potential adopters feel comfortable with separation anxiety behaviors and prepared to manage and positively modify them should they appear in a home environment. She would do best in a home where a person is at home for a large part of the day or with a plan so she is not alone for long periods of time. Please see hand out on Separation Strength/Leash Pulling: Achilles' previous owner noted he pulls hard on leash. 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 hand out on Leash Manners.