Animal Profile

Rocky Pebble is at risk due to behavior concerns in the previous home. Rocky Pebble is reported to have bitten multiple times in the previous home. His most recent bite incident resulted in two punctures to his owner's leg and was a bite-and-release. Rocky's owner reported that he has bitten multiple times in the home without any clear warning, and his bites are bites and adjusts. He is also reported to guard random stolen objects and will snap or attempt to bite when they are touched. Medically, Rocky Pebble is apparently healthy.

Let's get to know each other a bit more...

This pet needs emergency placement. Please click here to go to our emergency placement page for more information. This pet is available only through ACC New Hope partners. To adopt or foster, please complete the pre-screener form below. Inquiries sent directly to ACC will not receive a response. Pre-Screener Form Rocky Pebble is at risk due to behavior concerns in the previous home. Rocky Pebble is reported to have bitten multiple times in the previous home. His most recent bite incident resulted in two punctures to his owner's leg and was a bite-and-release. Rocky's owner reported that he has bitten multiple times in the home without any clear warning, and his bites are bites and adjusts. He is also reported to guard random stolen objects and will snap or attempt to bite when they are touched. Medically, Rocky Pebble is apparently healthy. Rocky Pebble was surrendered to the care center by his previous owner due to behavior concerns. Rocky Pebble is reported to have bitten multiple times by his previous owner; in the most recent incident he is reported to have bitten his owner on the leg, a bite-and-release that left puncture wounds and was treated at home. Rocky Pebble is also reported to snap when items he has stolen are touched, when he is restrained, or when his paws are touched. Outside of this behavior, Rocky Pebble's previous owners describe him as a social, affectionate dog who likes to spend time where his people are. Rocky Pebble has shown fearful and defensive behavior at the care center, including head whipping, growling, and baring teeth when staff have attempted to handle him. Due to all noted concerns, we recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

My medical notes are...

Weight: 14.6 lbs

Medical Notes

10/17/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 3 years Microchip noted on Intake? Positive History: Agency; DOH-B Hold Subjective: BAR. MM pink & moist. Observed Behavior - Blue; Able to examine, nervous/tense with handling but tolerated exam and intake tasks. Head shy. Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: P = WNL R = WNL BCS = 5/9 Weight = 14.6 lbs EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: NSF. PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: MN; green neuter tattoo present MSI: Ambulatory x 4. Minor small superficial sore in scapular region. Dry skin and coat. No masses noted. CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Grossly normal Assessment: Apparently healthy, except for: -Minor small superficial sore in scapular region - cleaned, no further care needed -Dry skin/coat - treated, no further care needed Prognosis: Good Plan: -Standard intake tasks for dogs performed -Sore cleaned with dilute chlorhexidine solution -Waterless shampoo applied for dry skin/coat -CTM through routine shelter operations practices SURGERY: Already neutered; surgery not needed

10/23/2026

DOH release from observation On 010/23/26 at approximately 11:00 am, I examined Rocky 268361. He has appropriate mentation at this time with no neurologic signs present, and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at ACC.

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Spay/Neuter Status: Neutered

Basic Information:: Rocky is an altered SMB who has been with his current owner since he was a puppy and it is unknown when he has last been to the vet

Previously lived with:: 2 adult

How is this dog around strangers?: he is tolerant, friendly and outgoing

How is this dog around children?: shy/contact on his terms

How is this dog around other dogs?: on walks he will hard bark/growl

How is this dog around cats?: alert bark

Resource guarding:: he will snap or attempt to bite when stolen items are touched

Bite history:: he has bitten a person that has broken skin and drawn blood

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: high

Other Notes:: on walks he will lunge, growl and try to bite strangers, kids, small animals, dogs and cats, he jumps up non-stop, pulls hard on leash and barks a lot Restrained Snaps / Trata de morder Disturbed Isn't bothered / No le molesta Startled Isn't bothered / No le molesta Moved from Furniture Fearful / Miedoso Barks/Growls / Ladra / Gruñida Paws Touched Snaps / Trata de morder Collar Grabbed Barks/Growls / Ladra/Gruñida

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: He's social/affectionate and likes to be where people are. He allows family to bathe and brush him, he doesn't have a walk schedule but will go 35min-1hr walks with mild to moderate pulling and has never been crated. He's ok being in the car and eats both wet and dry pedigree chicken.

Date of intake:: 10/16/2026

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray(Limited History)

Previously lived with:: 2 adult

Behavior toward strangers:: Tolerant, friendly and outgoing

Behavior toward children:: Shy/contact on his terms

Behavior toward dogs:: Hard bark/growl

Behavior toward cats:: Alert bark

Resource guarding:: He will snap or attempt to bite when stolen items are touched

Bite history:: Owner states he has bitten multiple times without any warning, and that his bites are usually bites and adjusts. Owner also states he will steal random items and will snap or attempt to bite when they are touched. Owner called officers to have Rocky Pebble picked up from the home. Rocky bit the owner on the leg. Owner did not explain how the incident occurred, stating they could not remember and refused to go to a doctor for treatment but showed the officers two puncture wounds that were still visible from the incident that happened three days prior to the phone call. They stated that all they could remember was that Rocky Pebble growled at them before he bit and it was a quick bite and release.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Rocky is noted to have a high energy level in the prior home.

Other Notes:: Second stay (Oct 2026): On walks he will lunge, growl and try to bite strangers, kids, small animals, dogs and cats. He jumps up non-stop, pulls hard on leash, and barks a lot. Restrained Snaps / Trata de morder Disturbed Isn't bothered / No le molesta Startled Isn't bothered / No le molesta Moved from Furniture Fearful / Miedoso Barks/Growls / Ladra / Gruñida Paws Touched Snaps / Trata de morder Collar Grabbed Barks/Growls / Ladra/Gruñida First stay (July 2026): Surrendered as a stray, no known history

Date of assessment:: 10/27/2026

Summary:: Rocky Pebble came into the care center through the police after the owner requested Rocky to be removed from the home. Owner states he has bitten multiple times (please see bite history above for more details. During a previous stay at the care center he displayed fearful defensive behavior during handling, including avoidance of the leash, growling, baring teeth, snapping, head whipping, whale eye, and resistance to being picked up or restrained with a towel. Due to this history, the behavior department believes he is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (7):: 11/5: A handler enters the room and hears digging sounds. They walk around the room trying to find the source; they see Rocky Pebble digging persistently at his transfer door. His back is turned to the handler, so he does not see them when they approach. The handler calls to him, and he turns to face them, mouth opened wide while panting heavily.

Date of intake:: 10/16/2026

Summary:: Friendly, Fearful

Date of initial:: 10/17/2026

Summary:: Nervous/tense with handling but tolerated exam and intake tasks. Head shy.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No children (under 13): Due to Rocky Pebble's bite history, we recommend an adult-only home. No cats: Rocky Pebble is reported by his previous owner to lunge, growl, and try to bite small animals and cats while on walks. For this reason, we recommend a house with no cats or small animals. Place with a New Hope partner: Due to all noted concerns in the home and care center environment, we recommend placement with a New Hope partner who can provide any necessary behavior modification (force-free, positive reinforcement-based) and re-evaluate behavior in a stable home environment before placement into a permanent home.

Potential challenges: : Resource guarding,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression,Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Bite history (human)

Potential challenges comments:: Resource guarding: Rocky Pebble is reported by his previous owners to snap or attempt to bite when items he has stolen are touched. For this reason, we advise against ever removing items from his possession without safely trading for an item or greater or equal value. He should be taught the "drop" cue and trade-up games. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Basic manners/poor impulse control: Rocky Pebble's previous owner reports that he jumps up on people a lot. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Leave it", "Sit/Stay", "Down" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach her to control her impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Force-free, reward based training only is recommended. Please see handout on Basic Manners/Poor Impulse Control. Handling/touch sensitivity: Rocky Pebble's previous owners report that he snaps when restrained or when his paws are touched, and barks and growls when his collar is grabbed. At the care center, he has been avoidant of the leash and of being picked up or restrained with a towel. It is important to avoid restraining or touching Rocky Pebble's paws at this time and to be cautious when touching him in other areas as we do not know where he may have other sensitivities. Positive reinforcement, reward based training should be used to pair touch with good things such as food rewards in order to teach him to be more comfortable with this. Please see handout on Handling/Touch Sensitivity. Fearful/potential for defensive aggression Multiple-bite history/risk of future aggression/Bite history (human): Rocky Pebble's previous owners report that Rocky has bitten several times, and he was picked up by police and bough to the care center after he reportedly bit the owner's leg, a bite-and-release that left two puncture wounds and was treated at home. During his first stay at the care center, Rocky Pebble showed defensive behavior such as growling, baring teeth, snapping, and head whipping when attempting to handle him. His signs of discomfort must be respected; he should never be forced to interact, and he should always be given the opportunity to walk away from situations or people he finds uncomfortable. We recommend a slow approach and we recommend ONLY force-free, reward-based training methods for Rocky Pebble. More aversive techniques are likely to increase fear, increase the risk of aggression, and decrease his quality of life. Please see handout on Bite History and Potential for Future Aggression. On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration: Rocky Pebble's previous owners report that he may lunge, growl and try to bite strangers, kids, small animals, dogs and cats while on walks. He may need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach him to look at you rather than react to these triggers. Please see handout on On-Leash Reactivity/Barrier Frustration.