Date of intake:: 5/21/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

Means of surrender (length of time in previous home):: Stray, No known history

Date of assessment:: 5/25/2026

Summary:: Nectar has been observed to be highly fearful while in care. Noted to remain at the back of the kennel and dodge the leash when handlers attempt to leash him. Recently Nectar has begun lip curling when handlers go to leash him. Due to the high level of fear, stress, and anxiety, Nectar is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary (5):: 05/28/26: Nectar is at the back of his kennel as handler approaches, he is offered high value treats (Cheese) which he approaches handler for and accepts from hand. While distracted handler is able to drape the leash over his head and once leashed he is removed from kennel and taken to the street for his walk. Nectar is tense bodied with a tucked tail and arched back. He walks on a loose leash and passes people with mild curiosity pulling toward them slightly to sniff but otherwise ignores them. Nectar walks with handler for a while, stopping to sniff and to relieve himself before continuing to walk. After walking for a while Nectar randomly stops and baulks hard. He refuses to walk forward and whips his head around when feeling leash pressure. Handler remains calm and waits for a bit before continuing forward, Nectar eventually follows. He is brought back inside and returns to kennel without further issue.

Summary (6):: 5/27/26: Nectar was not able to be removed from kennel for their AM walk. 5/26/26: Nectar is laying at the backof his kennel. Handler approaches and he sticks his ears back remaining in place. Treats are tossed but he will only sniff the ones that land near him, not eating them. High value treats (slices of cheese) are tossed and he eats them. HE comes forward for the cheese and is easily leashed. Once secured, he exits kennel readily and is walked in the yard. He walks slightly ahead of handler, tense body. He pulls back on the leash when handler attempts to enter a pen so he is walked around the perimeter of the yard. When handler attempts to kneels down to pick up his feces, Nectar backs away while facing handler. It is left to be picked up later. His leash is clipped while distracted and he goes into kennel on his own. 5/24/26: (PM WALK) Nectar is laying down at the back of the kennel with his head raised. He is tense and stares towards the handler. Handler tosses treats in his kennel and he does not look towards them. The kennel is unlocked and Nectar remains laying tense. Handler leans into the kennel and lassos Nectar slowly. It takes several attempts, Nectar dodges the leash and will attempt to exit the kennel. On the final attempt, the leash is placed on Nectar and it goes over his shoulder and under his leg. He is taken out and brought out to the backyard where he is placed on drag leash. He remains in place as the handler steps away. Handler then takes the drag leash and Nectar follows them around the pen. He relieves himself. The handler attempts to re-leash him with a slip lead and he dodges. The handler steps on the drag leash and attempts again. Nectar lip curls slightly. The leash is placed on him and the drag leash removed. Nectar then is walked back to kennel and is returned without issue. 5/24/26: Nectar is laying at the back of the kennel with a tense body when the handler approaches. He is not receptive to verbal coaxing or treats. The handler has to attempt lassoing Nectar multiple times due to them dodging the leash and moving their head. The handler is able to get the leash on him and they step to the side so they can open the door wide. Nectar exits the kennel with a low body. In the hallway they maintain a tense body and tucked tail. When they approach the yard door, Nectar begins thrashing and retreating. The handler is able to guide him out using moderate leash pressure. In the yard Nectar maintains a tense body and tucked tail. They are not reactive to dogs or people. The handler is able to clip their leash and they are returned to kennel with no issue.

Summary (7):: 5/23/26: (PM WALK) Nectar is at the back of the kennel laying down with his eyes closed. Handler tosses treats into the kennel and he eats them. He begins shaking and whale eyeing the handler. Nectar eats the treats tossed into his kennel. He moves forward slightly to eat the treats but does not approach the front of the kennel. Handler offers high value treats which he eats at the back of the kennel. Nectar is sitting up and shaking. Handler opens the kennel and tosses more treats. Nectar does not eat the treats. Handler lassos him at the back and he quickly exits the kennel. The leash ends up under his leg and he is walked out of the kennel towards the backyard. He is placed on a drag leash and paces around back and forth. He relieves himself and the handler crouches off to a distance. He approaches slightly and walks away. He starts to pace back and forth. Handler is able to leash him and remove the drag leash. He walks back inside the shelter. He pulls back to kennel and is returned without issue. 5/23/26: As handler approaches Nectar's kennel, he is towards the back of the kennel with his ears pinned back, widened eyes and a tense body. Handler would call his name using a soft voice, which he would begin to slightly lip lick. Handler would use squeaker sounds and treats which he would ignore and begin to turn away from the handler. Handler then attempts to lasso him, which Nectar would begin to place his head into the corner towards his transfer door to avoid being leashed. Handler then opts for a rod leash, which they are able to slowly place over his head as he turned to look towards the handler. He is then leashed and Nectar would quickly exit the kennel, to which he is taken to the yard where he would have a mild pull ahead of the handler. Once outside, he would walk around with a low body and tucked tail. Handler then enters a pen, where Nectar would begin to slowly explore and relieve himself. He would not react towards any of the dogs or people in the neighboring pens. Handler would then begin to walk around the perimeter of the pen and shortly after he is then walked back to his kennel, where he readily enters. Handler then leaves the leash in the kennel, and a hook is used to retrieve it. Interaction was then ended.

Date of intake:: 5/21/2026

Summary:: Tense and fearful

Date of initial:: 5/23/2026

Summary:: Tense and whale eyed in kennel. Opted to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: We have no history on Nectar 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 addition 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 fearful behavior, we recommend an adult only home. We recommend placement with a New Hope rescue partner who is able to provide an experienced, adult-only foster home. Force-free, reward based training and/or consultation with a professional trainer/behaviorist is highly recommended.

Potential challenges: : Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful Defensive: Nectar has been observed to be highly fearful. Noted to dodge the leash, lip curl when handlers are attempting to leash him, and thrash on leash. It is important to move slowly with Nectar, to build positive associations (treats/toys/praise), and to allow them to initiate interactions with new people. They should never be forced to greet or to interact if they are not comfortable and soliciting attention. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression.