Date of intake:: 11/1/2025

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 1 child

Behavior toward strangers:: Unknown

Behavior toward children:: Friendly, outgoing and tolerant

Behavior toward dogs:: Unknown

Behavior toward cats:: Unknown

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Yes

Energy level/descriptors:: Rocko was described to have high energy

Other Notes:: Noted to jump up often nonstop. Pulls hard on a leash. Reacts to strangers during walks that approach the family or home/ yard. He is noted to hard bark or growl. When held or restrained he will hard bark or growl. Isn't bothered when disturbed while asleep. Isn't bothered when pushed or pulled off furniture. isn't bothered when feet and paws are touched. Hard barks/ growls when collar touched or grabbed.

Date of assessment:: 11/5/2025

Summary:: In the Care Centers, Rocko is high fearful. He was observed to low growl at staff, tense up and avoid contact. During his intake, he lunged at staff. Due to these behaviors, Rocko is not a candidate for a handling assessment.

Summary:: 11/11/25- Rocko gate greets the other dog with a stiff body, front hackles up. He engages on his own and sniffs then disengages. Handler has to coax him to engage, he sniffs again with a tense body then disengages again.

Summary (6):: 11/12/25: Rocko is standing quietly, slightly wide-eyed as handler approaches kennel. As kennel door is unlocked, Rocko takes treats stands exuberantly on hind legs, sniffs leash, licks handler's hand briefly and drops down to all 4's, easily leashed, Rocko exits with moderate pulling, ears pinned back exiting driveway. On sidewalk Rocko remains vigilant, turning head left to right frequently. Rocko is neutral body, ears pinned at times, however does check in with handler when verbally cued, also takes treats gently from hand. Rocko pulls moderately to two separate MOPs that pass within 5-6 feet of him, leash pressure is used to redirect, he recovers quickly after. Rocko is walked back to MACC and kennel safely, takes treats offered through kennel door. 11/10/25: Rocko is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He is able to be leashed with ease and is then taken to the play yard for play group. In the yard, he greets the other dog at the gate with a tense body and his hackles raised before he decides to disengage. Please see dog to dog notes for more details. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues.

Summary (7):: 11/9/25: Rocko is standing at the front of his kennel as handler approaches. He begins to jump up at the door as the handler unlocks it. He is able to be leashed while being distracted with treats and is then taken outside for a walk. On the walk, he has a neutral body frame and would stare at dogs that were close by and across the street. He is able to be redirected easily with treats. He is able to return back to his kennel with no issues. 11/3/25: As handler approaches Rocko's kennel, he is lying towards the back and begins to low growl as handler approaches his kennel. Handler then tosses a treat, and Rocko would sit up and slowly approach the front of his kennel with no issue. Handler is then easily able to leash Rocko and remove him from his kennel. He would have a mild pull out of the room and is then taken for a street walk. On the street, he would begin to sniff for long periods throughout the walk but wouldn't stop to react towards any of the passing stimuli. Handler attempts to pet Rocko, and he becomes tense, at which handler immediately ends that interaction. He would continue the walk and wouldn't take any treats or any coaxing from the handler. After the walk, Rocko is easily returned back to the shelter, clipped, and would readily walk back into his kennel with no issue. 11/2/25: Upon approach, Rocko is at the back of his kennel with a tense body, raised hackles and low growling at the handler while whale eyeing. Handler tosses a regular treat & Rocko would sniff but wouldn’t accept. Handler then attempts to use higher value treats like cheese and chicken. Rocko would show interest in the chicken and handler would continue to keep tossing pieces towards the back of the kennel. After a certain point, Rocko would slowly approach the front of his kennel with a low body accepting chicken from the handlers hand. As handler then begins to attempt to leash, Rocko would try to push his head out of the kennel as handler is blocking the door with their leg- Shortly after Rocko would stop attempting to escape, he allows the handler to slowly lasso them. As he’s leashed and removed from kennel he would have a mild pull ahead of the handler, as he walks forward all of Rocko’s hairs are standing up as he would remain tense-bodied throughout the walk. Rocko is then taken to the yard, where he would begin to heavily sniff around the pens while slightly salivating. At this point in the walk, Rocko is no longer receptive towards any treats. Handler would go around the perimeter of the yard a few times & Rocko would remain receptive to the walk and would slowly become neutral bodied. On return, handler would clip their leash in the yard & Rocko is brought back inside. Once in front of his kennel, he would become hesitant to entering and handler applies mild leash pressure inside which he would readily follow. Leash is removed & interaction was then ended.

Date of intake:: 11/1/2025

Summary:: Hard barking, lunging

Date of initial:: 11/2/2025

Summary:: Nervous, tense

ENERGY LEVEL:: Rocko is described as high 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 tot he behaviors seen in the Care Centers, Rocko should go to a home with older children. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to Rocko's behaviors, Rock o should be placed with a New Hope Partner.

Potential challenges: : Basic manners/poor impulse control,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Strength/leash pulling

Potential challenges comments:: Basic manners/poor impulse control: Rocko's owner stated he jumps on people non stop. Rocko should learn impulse control using positive reinforcement. Please see the handout on Basic manners/poor impulse control. Handling/touch sensitivity: Rocko is reported to hard bark and growl when restrained of when his collar is grabbed. Positive reinforcement should be used to teach him feel comfortable with certain handling. Please see the handout on Handling/touch sensitivity. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression/On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration/Strength/leash pulling: Rocko's previous owner states that he will hard bark and growl towards strangers while on walks. Rocko is noted to lunge at strangers on leash. This was observed during is intake at the Care Centers. He was noted to pull hard while at leash as well. Positive reinforcement should be used to help Rocko associate people with things he likes such as treats and toys. A front clip harness may help with his pulling. Please see the handouts on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression, On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration and Leash Manners.