Rocko

Rocko is an adoptable male German Shepherd looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. He is a young adult and medium in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 5 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Rocko, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 9/2/2026 09/02/26 15:14 Canine has shown increasing over-arousal and is becoming difficult to manage safely while in care. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 9/8/26 to allow for behavioral support and assessment in a different setting. May be at risk for euthanasia 9/9/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 6/12/2026 How long have you had your pet? 2 WEEKS. Where did you get your pet? REHOMED TO THEM. Is your pet spayed/neutered? NO. Do you have any vaccine history for your pet? NO. Has your pet been around other animals? What kind of animals? How would you describe the interaction with other animals? GROWLED AT NEIGHBORS DOG THROUGH FENCE. Has your pet been around any other people or children? If yes, how would you describe the animals behavior towards other people/children? OWNER STATED PET WAS NERVOUS. OWNER STATED THAT PET WAS KEPT IN A CRATE AND ONLY INTERACTION WAS THROUGH A CRATE. Has your pet shown any aggression around other people? If yes, what were the circumstances? SOURCE WHO BROUGHT PET IN ON BEHALF OF OWNER STATED THAT THIS PET GROWLED WHEN THEY GRABBED HANDLE OF HARNESS. THE SOURCE ALSO STATED THAT THIS PET HEAD TURNED WHEN HOLDING ONTO HARNESS HANDLE. SOURCE STATED THAT PET MOUTHED THEIR STOMACH WHEN JUMPING UP BUT NO BROKEN SKIN OR INJURY. Where was your pet kept, inside or outside? CRATED OUTSIDE. If inside, did you keep your pet in a crate? Was he/she destructive in any way? TRIED TO BITE THROUGH CRATE. If outside, what kind of fencing do you have and did it contain the animal? 10 FOOT FENCE CONTAINED PET. PET DID TRY TO JUMP FENCE. Is your pet potty trained? NO. OWNER STATED THEY DID NOT LET PET OUT OF CRATE FOR POTTY. Does your pet have any aggression, like **growling, curling their lips, lunging** around food, toys, or bones? NO. ONLY FED IN CRATE. Is there anything we need to know medically about your pet? NO. Does your pet walk on a leash? UNK. Does your pet know any obedience/tricks? NO. Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 9/2/2026 Updating color due to NHO status. 8/29/2026 Dog was closed outside for cleaning, standing at gate with soft face, fast tail wag. Took treats. Handler cracked gate, dog pushed snout into it, then began pawing at gate. Handler was able to reach in, place leash over top of head. Dog exited, no reaction to neighboring dogs. Walked loose leash on way to yard, stop and go to sniff. In yard, dog explored independently for a few moments, then followed handler around yard. Dog would begin running up to handler, handler would tell dog \"gentle\" in light corrective tone, dog would slow and approach more calmly, lean into handler's legs and allow all petting. Took treats gently. Dog jumped up a few times, rested front feet on handler, allowed more petting. Jumped up once and closed mouth but did not appeared directed at handler. Handler took leash as precaution, walked dog around yard, dog settled, handler dropped leash. Dog chased toys when thrown. Handler took dog on longer walk on back path; dog walked well, loose leash, relaxed body language, tail wag. Pulled occasionally towards plants to sniff. Jumped up against handler a couple times, responsive to light verbal correction. Allowed more petting. Returned to yard for water; dog climbed into pool, laid down, took treats. Loose leash on return. Hesitated to enter kennel, then stepped in with light leash pressure. Remained at front, snout at gate, allowed leash removal by hand. *Dog would benefit from an experienced, active adopter that can provide daily exercise and mental enrichment. Adopters should be counseled on in-home training, focusing on positive reinforcement to build trust and good behaviors. This dog may be very energetic when first entering play yards; it is recommended to keep dog on leash for a few minutes before letting them explore on their own.* 8/28/2026 Dog was laying at front of kennel; stood up; tail wagging; soft body; started jumping up on kennel door; tried redirecting with treats; unable to; opened kennel door; dog stood on hind legs; scratching at door with front paws; trying to push out; able to place small loop over head; dog settled; exited; moderate pull. In yard, dog explored for several moments; soft; tail wagging; offered treats; not interested; allowed for petting; more interested in yard; would approach when verbally coaxed; leaned into petting; explored more; urinated; defecated; occasionally checked in with handler; would approach when coaxed. Followed handler to yard gate; picked leash up; walked well back to kennel; entered kennel; allowed handler to remove leash. 8/26/2026 Dog was standing against kennel door, soft body and wagging tail, whining, took treats. Tried redirecting off door with treats, dog then jumped up and nipped finger that was holding door, continued jumping, took a couple attempts to place leash. Dog exited kennel, jumped up on handler, settled and walked with moderate pull, ignored kenneled dogs. Explored yard, marking frequently, ground scratching, approached handler with soft body and wagging tail, front paws on lap, allowed petting all over. Jumped on bench next to handler, tried taking treats from pouch, moved treats out of sight, dog settled, leaned into handler soliciting more attention. Handler walked around yard, dog approached and jumped up on handler, nipped at shirt, mouthed hands, grabbed leash as handler picked it up, released once handler walked dog out of yard, no issues walking back to kennel, entered kennel and allowed handler to remove leash by hand. 8/21/2026 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, High Energy, Appeared interested when walking past kennels 8/11/2026 High arousal, Moderate to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, High Energy, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, Dog has high energy when I approach and try to leash. Once leashed slowly heads to exit. In yard some jumping on me. Offer chicken and he loves it. In and out of tub kicking rocks. Run at me from side-plays rough. Runs around yard. Jumps again. Time to go back to K. Easy return. 8/2/2026 Solicited attentions, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Appears potty trained, jumps up a lot, friendly, likes to place paws on chest for affection, good boy. 7/23/2026 Solicited attentions, High arousal, Moderate to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, High Energy, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, So xcited to come out; Kept pawing at door. Outside-appears potty trained. Explored. His energy level has gone up only because of all the crazy barking around him. Previous walks-calm. Jumped against me several times in excitement & friendship. Loves playing in kiddie pool. 7/13/2026 Playful, High arousal, Moderate to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, High Energy, Appeared interested when walking past kennels, Barking--VERY loud, Dog stood up against me for safety & reassurance. Led him to yard, much less anxious. In yard. put paws & front part of body on my lap; accepted stroking, petting, loved affection all over. Ran high speed zoomies thru kiddie pool, sometimes dunking in it. FUN! 7/12/2026 dog didnt eat food full 7/11/2026 Did not eat 7/6/2026 Solicited attentions, Moderate to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Easy/Loose Leash, High Energy, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Checked in with me now & then. Appears potty trained. Nonreactive to other dogs. Allowed me to cup face in my hands & stroke head, then all over. Closed eyes & smiled. When barking level suddenly rose high, got somewhat hyper and stood up against me & allowed petting & wagged tail. 6/27/2026 Solicited attentions, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Not interested in toys, Takes treats nicely, Easy/Loose Leash, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Rocko was barking on approach. Dropped treats & pup softened. Due to heat went to lower yard. Roamed yard. Spent most time by handler receiving butt scratches listening to all the sounds. No reactivity to other dogs noted. 6/25/2026 Dog did not eat 6/18/2026 06/18/26 06:22 Did not eat dry kibble from yesterday. 6/17/2026 Handler approached outside kennel gate; dog stood at front, furrowed brow, appearing slightly nervous. Dog began softening as handler spoke in encouraging tone, then dog began wagging tail, body language loosening. Handler unlocked gate, dog began pawing at gate, appeared excited. Easy to leash. Walked mostly loose leash, frequent stop and go to sniff/mark. Handler adjusted leash stopper as dog was sniffing, then directed to main yard without issue. In yard, dog explored independently for a few minutes, relieved self. Began approaching handler when called, soft face, slightly timid but warmed up quickly. Allowed all petting, leaned in for it, solicited attention. Sniffed treats but did not take. Dog would jump up and rest front paws on handler while being petted, no issues directing off. When handler sat on bench, dog approached, hopped up beside handler, leaned into them for more attention. Allowed handler to adjust leash. Loose leash on return, but slowed with slight tense body when passing other dogs. Handler used verbal coaxing or squeaky toy to get dog's attention. Dog hesitated to enter kennel but followed in behind handler. Handler kept leash short while stepping out. Dog remained soft, tail wagging. Allowed leash removal by hand. *GO SLOW when handling. Potential adopters should receive guidance on safe, fear-free handling techniques and on recognizing signs of anxiety or stress in dogs to promote safe and appropriate physical interactions. Dog should not be introduced to any other pets until end of 14-day decompression period.* 6/16/2026 Outside for AM cleaning with tense body, began alarm barking as handler approached with stiff, tucked fast wagging tail, settled and came forward for treats offered, selective with treats but would accept gently with more neutral body but timid. Started to back away and low growl as leash was presented, wide eyed, tail tucked, cowering in corner of kennel, no issues lasso'ing dog but dog would tense up and low growl more as handler stepped into kennel to lasso, once leash was secured dog quickly thrashed then ran out of kennel, some pulling but very stop n go to mark/go potty and intensely sniff, curious of dogs in passing kennels and will slowly approach to sniff with tail tucked, ears dropped back, neutral body, will disengage interactions on own, had to be coaxed at times due to stop n go otherwise no issues walking to small play yard. Once in yard dog would head flip as leash stopper was placed, very wary of handler and began marking around yard, dog would skin crawl heavily when petted on body when walking near handler but would continue to explore, no interest in treats offered. After a few moments dog would start to approach handler when called over with tucked wagging tail, allowed petting on head and would begin to jump onto handlers lap with front paws, some crying, started to soften up as handler interacted and petted. Would shake off and start to follow handler around yard with more loose tail wag, soft body, leaning in for pets whenever stopped, would have soft body for rest of evaluation soliciting attentions with handler. Walked back to kennel with better leash pull, less stop n go but some stopping to sniff intensely. Followed handler into kennel and allowed handler to remove leash by hand. 6/12/2026 wide eyed, lip licking, stiff body, jumpy, not allowing petting, did allow restraint for vaccines, walked to kennel Name: Rocko Animal ID: A5166643 Breed: TAN/BLACK GERM SHEPHERD/AM PIT BULL TER Sex: Neutered Age: 1Y 3M Weight: 52.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing B - 025 Intake Date: 6/12/2026 Deadline Date: 9/8/2026