Date of intake:: 8/4/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, With history

Previously lived with:: Adults, children of all ages, 1 dog and 2 cats

Behavior toward strangers:: Gets excited

Behavior toward children:: Good

Behavior toward dogs:: Did well with resident dogs

Behavior toward cats:: Did well with resident cats

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: Yes, Rocket bit the owner's daughter when she tried to get him into a crate but he did not break skin.

Other Notes:: Rocket is described to get overstimulated. When he was picked up, he bit a tree and ripped the bark. He did the same thing to the elevator doors.

Date of assessment:: 8/10/2026

Summary:: Rocket has shown signs of over stimulation such as biting a tree's bark and biting elevator doors. His recent bite happen due to too many people in the home. Due to these behaviors Rocket will not receive a handling assessment.

Summary:: According to Rocket's previous owner(s), Rocket did well with the resident dogs he previously lived with. 8/13/26: Rocket is introduced a novel neutered male and approaches the fence with a loose body and mid level wagging tail while sniffing nose to nose through the fence. He disengages and sniffs around the yard, not soliciting further interaction.

Summary (6):: 08/13/26: Rocket is at the front of his kennel as handler approaches, he is offered a treat and accepts it before being leashed easily and taken to the yard for his walk. Outside he is placed on a drag leash and explores the yard and relieves himself. He begins playing fetch and chews on the ball throughout the interaction. After a while Rocket begins sniffing around again and finds a rake which he begins grabbing and fixating on. He begins chewing on the rake and does not let it go for treats or tennis balls offered to him. Rocket lays on the turn chewing the rake, handler waits a while to see if he would lose interest but Rocket remains fixated on the rake so handler must employ the use of a small spritz of pet corrector which gives handler a moment to pull Rocket off the rake. He continues to fixate on it and pulls hard toward it even when given other toys. He is brought back inside and when passing a metal pipe attached to the wall he again fixates and grabs onto it, biting and almost completely ripping it off the wall. Handler quickly uses another pet corrector spray and pulls him back inside. He is kept on a short leash and is returned to kennel. 8/12/26 (PM): Rocket was lying at the back of kennel when trainer approached. He got up and came slowly to the front of kennel. He was leashed using a treat lure. He walked slowly next to handler to medical where he received his vaccine without issue. He walked quickly outside where a martingale collar was put on. Once in the play yard he chased tennis balls and sniffed around. He was returned to kennel with no issue.

Summary (7):: 8/12/26: Rocket is lying down in his bed and then approaches the front of his kennel with a neutral body; he is easily leashed and brought out the room. The handler walks Rocket around the driveway, which he does with mild leash tension; he doesn't react to other staff or dogs. When the handler attempts to pet Rocket, he flinches; he also shows no interest in treats. The handler then brings Rocket to the yard; he sniffs around the pen. As the handler sits down, Rocket approaches them, even as they call him; over time, he allows pets on his head, and even leans in their legs to receive more. He briefly whines at another dog in the adjacent pen. Rocket relieves himself, and begins to slightly salivate. The handler clips their leash and returns Rocket to his kennel; he paws at the kennel door a few times as they walk away. 8/10/26: Rocket is lying down on his bed at back of kennel. When handler opens door he comes forward where he is easily leashed and taken to the back yard for his walk. Walking thru the hallway Rocket has a neutral body and walks slowly behind handler. In the yard he sniffs and investigates the back yard permitter as handler leads him around. He continues to walk slowly and sits near handler when handler sits on the bench. He is returned to his kennel with no issue. 8/09/26: Rocket is lying down in the back of his kennel when handler approaches. He slowly gets up and comes closer when handler starts unlocking the kennel. His body is slightly tense and tail tucked. He does not take offered treats but allows handler to leash him with. Rocket walks slowly while exiting the kennel room and does not display reactivity toward dogs in neighboring kennels. While walking through the hallway, Rocket remains close to the handler and does not react toward dogs in pop-up crates or passing staff members. Once in the play-yard, Rocket sniffs certain spots and relieves himself. He stays at the same spot and frequently scanning surrounding. He maintains a low, stiff body and tucked tail. Rocket shows some interest in exploring the pen but does not engage with the handler and does not accept offered treat. Rocket does not react towards other dogs in neighboring pens. During return handler is able to pre-clip the leash and bring Rocket back into his kennel with no further issues.

Date of intake:: 8/4/2026

Summary:: Overstimulated

Date of initial:: 8/5/2026

Summary:: Low growling, sedated

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 additional 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 Rocket's behavior Rocket should got o a home with older behaviorally savvy children. Place with a New Hope partner: Rocket should go to a New Hope Partner that can manage his behaviors.

Potential challenges: : Fearful,Low threshold for arousal,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful: Rocket is noted to be tense during interactions and has low growled when approached in his kennel. Due to these behaviors, Rocket will need to decompress in his new home. Please see the handout on Decompression. Bite history (human)/Low threshold for arousal: Rocket is reported to have low threshold for arousal, and was observed to bite a tree and elevator doors. His most recent bite was due to overstimulation in the home when the owners had friends over. Rocket should learn impulse control using positive reinforcement. Please see the handouts Low threshold for arousal and Bite History.