Date of intake:: 9/10/2026

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

Previously lived with:: Adults, children

Behavior toward strangers:: Layla will barks, growls, and lunges

Behavior toward children:: Layla will barks and growl

Behavior toward dogs:: Layla is playful with familiar dogs

Behavior toward cats:: No experience

Resource guarding:: None reported

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: Layla has general anxiety and is anxious when left alone. She is fearful of loud noises. Layla's previous owner describes her as social and affectionate.

Date of assessment:: 9/18/2026

Summary:: Layla has been observed to be highly fearful while in care. Noted to have a tense body and retreats from handlers when approached. Layla is also observed to dodge the leash when handlers attempt to leash her. Due to the high level of fear, stress, and anxiety, Layla is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary:: According to Layla's previous owner(s), Layla is playful with familiar dogs. 9/15/26: Layla is introduced to a novel intact male and approaches the fence with a tense body and low tail. The handler of the other dog walks towards the fence and Layla retreats. The handler steps back and Layla comes back to the fence, stepping back when the handler makes any movements. The other dog is led towards the fence and Layla stands behind her handler in the catch pen. She will often reapproach but quickly retreat again, remaining conflicted.

Summary (5):: 9/22/26: Layla approaches the front of her kennel with a neutral body, and then goes back on her kuranda bed. As the handler opens the kennel, Layla turns around and slightly hovers over her toy. As the leash is brought into kennel, Layla growls while presenting a tense face. The handler removes the leash and drops treats in kennel. Layla stands up and approaches the front, but then goes back on her bed and resource guard her toy. The handler steps away for a few minutes and then comes back. Layla comes to the front and eats the treats in her kennel. The handler brings in their leash, but Layla stares up at it with wide eyes. The handler removes their leash and tosses more treats and she eats them. As she eats them, the handler attempts to lasso her, but she moves around; with a few more tries, Layla snaps at the leash twice. The handler removes the leash from kennel and closes the door. Layla lies by her toy and pants. the interaction is ended. 09/21/26: Layla is at the front of her kennel as handler approaches, handler presents the leash as the kennel door is opened and Layla retreats to the back of her kennel. When handler attempts to approach with the leash toward Layla she snaps at the leash, she remains in the back of the kennel avoiding the leash and biting it occasionally until eventually she is leashed successfully. She exits kennel quickly and follows handler to the yard, outside she is anxious and remains hypervigilant while inside the central play yard. She walks around the yards perimeter and sniffs around for a while until she begins pulling back inside. Handler clips Layla's leash causing her to flinch but she tolerates it and follows handler back to kennel. Upon her return she begins thrashing and pulling to remove the leash, handler removes it and ends the interaction. 9/19/26: Layla is at the back of her kennel lying down on her kuranda bed when handler approaches. She comes closer to the front while handler unlocking the kennel. Handler attempts to put the leash on but Layla dodges the leash and retreats. Handler is able to lasso her and take out of the kennel. Layla walks ahead of the handler in the hallways focusing on moving toward the exit with no reaction to other pop-up crates or staff members. Once she gets to the driveway she starts pulling harder towards the street. She sniffs certain corners and areas and relieves herself. Layla continues walking in front of the handler with no leash tension. She is shifting her attention between different stimuli; she has open-mount pant and wide eyes despite slow pace during the walk. When handler calls Layla, she turns back and attempts to jump onto them few times but quickly stops by herself. She is not engaged and is focused on moving forward. Layla has no reaction toward other dogs or people passing by. During return handler pre-clips the leash and Layla goes back into her kennel with no further issues.

Summary (6):: 9/18/26: Layla is lying down on her bed at back of kennel as handler approaches. Handler has to lasso Layla to leash her and it takes a few attempts. Handler takes Layla to the backyard and into one of the pens for her walk. Handler leads Layla around the pen allowing her to sniff. Handler then proceeds to the bench and sits down and invites Layla to sit next to handler. Layla jumps onto the bench and sits. Handler pets Layla on the head, back, chest and sides. Layla leans into handler at times while getting petted. Layla is returned to her kennel with no issue. 9/16/26: Layla is at the back of her kennel when the handler approaches. She comes closer to the front when handler unlocks the door. She retreats back as soon as handler presents the leash. She starts shaking even harder and shows whale eye. When handler hides the leash behind and open the door a little bit wider, Layla comes closer to the front again. She is not receptive to treats or squeaker toy. After few attempts handler is able to lasso her. Layla exits slowly and walks out of the room and through the hallways without reacting to neighboring dogs, pop-up crates, or staff members. Her body is low with tucked tail. Once outside, Layla starts pulling toward different spots. She darts on leash and attempts to jump on parked cars, trees and fences cross the street during the walk; she is hypervigilant and difficult to settle. She does not take treats and is not responsive with handler. She has no interest to other dogs or people passerby. She constantly displays wide eyes and lip licking. During return handler is able to pre-clip the leash and Layla runs into her kennel back by her own. 9/15/26: Layla is at the front of his kennel as the handler approaches; as the handler opens the kennel, she immediately goes to the back and behind her bed. Layla then tries to go to the front, but when the handler brings the leash in, she retreats; the handler positions themselves right next to the door, so Layla cannot try to squeeze her way out. The handler is able to lasso her and brings her out the room. Layla walks with no leash tension; when a person walks past her, she scurries away and then walks right behind them to sniff. While walking Layla back, she stops and looks back, but continues to walk; she walks right next to the handler and pets them. This occurs a couple of times; the third time, she stops and when leash pressure is gently applied, Layla thrashes. She is able to recover and walks back to the shelter. Before entering the building, the handler attempts to clip the leash, but Layla immediately retreats and thrashes. When she looks away and stays still, the handler quickly clips the leash. Layla is returned to her kennel with ease.

Summary (7):: 09/14/26: Layla is standing near the back of her kennel as handler approaches, her ears are low and her posture is hunched. She stares at handler with a concerned expression and walks back further into kennel and sitting near the corner. Handler tosses some treats down and reaches toward the back of the kennel with their leash carefully attempting to place it over Layla but she dodges it multiple times continuously. Eventually she does allow leashing and walks with handler out to the street for her walk. As the walk progresses Layla's posture begins to soften and she walks with a more neutral body alongside handler. She generally avoids people and does not show interest in them or dogs she sees on walks. Layla walks uneventfully for a while and will rarely stop to sniff spots, her leash is clipped carefully which she tolerates before being returned to kennel without isssue. 9/12/26: Layla is lying on her kuranda bed at the back of her kennel when the handler approaches. She begins visibly trembling, lowers her and curls her body. The handler kneels in front of the kennel and tosses some treats for her. Layla does not approach. She continues trembling and does not respond to the handler’s soft voice or coaxing. When handler slowly opens the kennel door and Layla stands and moves laterally from side to side before approaching the front. The handler is able to leash her. Layla exits slowly and walks out of the room and through the hallways without reacting to neighboring dogs, pop-up crates, or staff members. Once outside, Layla walks slowly beside the handler with minimal leash tension. She maintains a lowered body and keeps her tail tucked. She does not accept treats, does not respond to engagement attempts, or seeking other interaction. She does not show any reactivity toward people, dogs, or other stimuli during the walk. During the return Layla walks faster and pulls strongly through the hallways toward the room. When handler attempts to pre-clip the leash, Layla flinches back and displays whale eyes. Handler is able to refocus her attention with squeaker toy sound, do the pre-clip and bring Layla back into her kennel with no further issues.

Date of intake:: 9/10/2026

Summary:: Fearful, growled when handler approaches

Date of initial:: 9/11/2026

Summary:: tense and growling in kennel, dodges leash, eventually able to be leashed and walks timidly into in

ENERGY LEVEL:: Layla is described as medium 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 to Layla's fearfulness, we recommend she be placed in an adult only home at this time. 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,Anxiety

Potential challenges comments:: Fearful/potential for defensive aggression: Layla's previous owner stated that she is fearful of loud noises. While in care, Layla is noted to growl at staff during intake and is noted to become fearful. During Layla's medical exam she was tense and growling in kennel, dodges leash, eventually able to be leashed and walks timidly into intake room. In the care center she is noted to retreat towards the back of her kennel during leashing attempts and become avoidant. Continued support should focus on patient, low-stress handling, allowing her to approach at her own pace, and building positive associations through consistent, reward-based interactions. Please see the handout on Fearful/potential for defensive aggression. Anxiety: Layla's previous owner stated that she is anxious in the home. If Layla displays anxious behavior in their future home, we recommend puzzle toys, long walks, and giving them other things to focus on to alleviate their anxiety. Positive reinforcement, force-free training should be used. Please see handout on Generalized Anxiety.