Animal Profile

Nala is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Nala arrived at MACC following an incident in the home. It was reported that Nala jumped up and scratched a member of the household once and drew blood. While in care, Nala has been observed to balk on leash and requires verbal coaxing to continue walking. Recently, Nala was reported to jump up and mouth the handler's clothing. This behavior was not able to be redirected, and additional help was required. While out with handlers, Nala is observed to accept contact. Medically, Nala is currently 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 Nala is at risk due to behavioral reasons. Nala arrived at MACC following an incident in the home. It was reported that Nala jumped up and scratched a member of the household once and drew blood. While in care, Nala has been observed to balk on leash and requires verbal coaxing to continue walking. Recently, Nala was reported to jump up and mouth the handler's clothing. This behavior was not able to be redirected, and additional help was required. While out with handlers, Nala is observed to accept contact. Medically, Nala is currently healthy. Nala arrived at MACC following an incident in the home. It was reported that Nala jumped up and scratched a member of the household once and drew blood. While in care, Nala has been observed to balk on leash and jump up and mouth the handler's clothing. Due to the detailed behavior, we recommend an experienced adult only home. What my friends at ACC say about me: I am playful and cute! I will need daily physical activity to keep me healthy and happy! I am not one to sit still! I will flourish in a home with someone that will keep me mentally and physically active!

My medical notes are...

Weight: 48 lbs

Medical Notes

6/27/2026

DVM Intake Exam Estimated age: 9 months per owner, exam agrees Microchip noted on Intake? Scanned positive History: Owner surrender, reported to have scratched person in the home Subjective: BAR Observed Behavior - loose wiggly body, tense for tasks, but allows all handling, food motivated Is there evidence of suspected cruelty? No Objective: T = P = WNL R = WNL BCS: 5/9 EENT: Eyes clear, ears clean, no nasal or ocular discharge noted Oral Exam: Clean/white adult dentition PLN: No enlargements noted H/L: NSR, NMA, CRT < 2, Lungs clear, eupneic ABD: Non painful, no masses palpated U/G: Externally WNL, no appreciable OHE scar or tattoo noted, suspect intact female MSI: Ambulatory x 4, skin free of parasites, no masses noted, healthy hair coat CNS: Mentation appropriate - no signs of neurologic abnormalities Rectal: Externally WNL Wood's Lamp Exam: not performed Assessment: Apparently healthy DOH-B (scratch) Prognosis: Good Plan: Intake tasks + exam Await sort Observe DOH-B hold SURGERY: Okay for surgery after DOH hold released

6/30/2026

Drops of blood next to slightly soft feces. Pet is BAR EEN: No ocular or nasal discharge RESP: Eupneic A: Blood on floor soft stool r/o in heat vs viral vs other Pet appears comfortable Plan monitor

7/2/2026

Reported being difficult to return to kennel Starting 175mg trazodone PO BID indefinitely

7/5/2026

On 7/5/26 at approximately 8:40 AM, Nala was examined. The patient has appropriate mentation at this time (no neurological signs present) and has not exhibited any neurological signs while at MACC. Hx: on DOH for biting a person Q-BAR eent- no nasal and no ocular discharge hl- clear and eupneic msi- ambulatory x 4; bcs- 5/9 neuro- no apparent deficits A) no apparent neuropathy present P) consider removing from DOH observation

7/6/2026

Staff note pet tugging on staff's clothes and alligator rolling on leash. A: Increased shelter stress P: Advise placement Clonidine 0.3 mg 1 tablet po bid while in shelter Gabapentin 300mg 2 capsule po bid while in shelter

Details on my behavior are...

Behavior Condition: 2. Blue

Behavior History
Behavior Assessment

Upon intake Nala was very social and friendly with staff. She would approached with a loose body and wagging tail, and allowed all handling. She was easily leashed and walked to intakes.

Date of Intake: 6/27/2026

Basic Information:: Nala is a 9 month old MMB dog. She has prior experience with adults, children, cats, and dogs.

Previously lived with:: 1 adult, 1 child (6)

How is this dog around strangers?: Friendly and outgoing. Playfully jumps, barks, and nips.

How is this dog around children?: Playfully jumps, barks, and nips.

How is this dog around other dogs?: Friendly and outgoing. Playfully jumps, barks, and nips.

How is this dog around cats?: Friendly and outgoing. Playful. Lunges.

Resource guarding:: May growl or snap.

Bite history:: No bites but has scratched once drawing blood while jumping up.

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: medium

Other Notes:: Nala tends to jump up often, and may jump up and bite the leash during walks. She also pulls hard on the leash. Nala is very anxious when left alone and can have destructive tendencies. She is unbothered by physical stimuli.

Has this dog ever had any medical issues?: No

For a New Family to Know: Nala is a social and affectionate dog. She is very active and playful. She tends to play a bit rough with children. Nala can usually be found where the people are. She is used to going on a 45 minute walk once or twice per day. Nala does not allow for bathing/brushing.

Date of intake:: 6/27/2026

Spay/Neuter status:: No

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

Previously lived with:: 1 adult, 1 child (6)

Behavior toward strangers:: Nala is friendly, may jump, bark, and nip

Behavior toward children:: Nala will playfully, jump, bark, and nip

Behavior toward dogs:: Nala is friendly, may jump, bark, and nip

Behavior toward cats:: Nala is friendly, playful and may lunge

Resource guarding:: Nala may growl or snap

Bite history:: None reported

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: Medium

Other Notes:: No bites but has scratched once drawing blood while jumping up. Nala tends to jump up often and may jump up and bite the leash during walks. She also pulls hard on the leash. Nala is very anxious when left alone and can have destructive tendencies. She is unbothered by physical stimuli.

Date of assessment:: 6/30/2026

Summary:: Leash Walking Strength and pulling: None Reactivity to humans: None Reactivity to dogs: None Leash walking comments: Balks while exiting the kennel room Sociability Loose in room (15-20 seconds): Distracted Call over: No approach Sociability comments: Jumps up on the couch and has to be coaxed down Soft handling: Accepts contact Exuberant handling: Accepts contact Comments: Neutral body Arousal Jog comments: Follows handler readily Knock Knock comments: Approches handler readily Toy Toy comments: Grips light, relinquishes

Summary (7):: 7/5/26: It is reported that Nala was jumping up on the handler and mouthing/biting their clothing and not letting go. The behavior was not easy to redirect, so another handler placed a leash on her. Once the second leash was placed, Nala began spinning and rolling while on leash. The panic button was pushed and a third handler assisted with putting Nala back into the kennel. 6/30/26: Nala is at the front of the kennel with a neutral body. She is easily leashed and pulls out of the kennel. Nala is taken to the driveway and wanders around. She sniffs various spots on the ground. Nala is then walked back inside and suddenly plants. She refuses to move forward. Handler uses the harness' handle and applies a bit of pressure to encourage Nala to move forward. She then walks with the handler towards the assessment office. She greets handlers with a soft body. After her assessment, Nala jumps on the couch and refuses to move down. Handlers toss treats and uses squeakers and she refuse to leave the couch. Nala is then removed from the couch with leash pressure. She walks with the handler back to the kennel. Outside the room, Nala plants and refuses to move forward. A sling is placed under her hips and she is slowly brought back to kennel. She remains planted, refusing to move her feet forward. Nala is then placed back in her kennel without further issue.

Date of intake:: 6/27/2026

Summary:: Social, loose body and wagging tail

Date of initial:: 6/27/2026

Summary:: Loose wiggly body, tense for tasks, but allows all handling

ENERGY LEVEL:: Nala 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 poor impulse control and mouthy 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: : Resource guarding,Basic manners/poor impulse control,Mouthiness/poor bite inhibition,Fearful,On-leash reactivity/barrier frustration,Leash-biting,Strength/leash pulling,Low threshold for arousal

Potential challenges comments:: Resource Guarding: Nala's previous owner states that she will growl or snap while items are in her possession. However, they did not specify what items she will guard. Nothing should ever be taken directly out of Nala's mouth, and any time something is removed they should be rewarded with a high value treat or toy. Please see handout on Resource Guarding. Basic Manners: Nala's previous owner states that she has jumped up and scratched, drawing blood. They also state that she jumps up often. It is recommended that default behaviors such as "Sit" and "Off" are reinforced to substitute any frustration and teach them to control their impulses instead of simply reacting; proper management is also advised. Please see handout on Basic Manners. Mouthiness: Nala's previous owner states that she will nip strangers, children, and dogs. We recommend never playing with bare hands, always with a toy, and ending play or attention whenever Nala puts teeth on skin. They should be rewarded with attention and treats when they stop and/or when they are seeking attention in alternate ways. Please see handout on Mouthiness. Fearful: Nala has been observed to balk and pancake when being returned to kennel and a belly band/sling is needed. They should never be forced to approach anything that they are uncomfortable with or submit to petting or handling. It should always be their choice to approach a new person or thing. Nala would do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to their new surroundings. Please see handout on Decompression Period. On Leash Rectivity: While on leash Nala jumped up on the resident child, scratching them. When the owner pulled Nala away, she turned and snapped towards the owner. Nala will need positive reinforcement, reward based training to teach them to look at you rather than other stimuli. Please see handout on On Leash Reactivity and Barrier Frustration. Leash Biting: Nala's previous owner states that she will jump up and bite the leash. We recommend walking them with a toy to dissuade them from grabbing the leash. Please see handout on Leash Manners. Leash Pulling: Nala's previous owner states that she will pull hard while on leash. It is recommended that they be walked on a front clip harness or head halter, which will help diminish their strength through leverage. Please see handout on Leash Manners. Arousal: Nala has been observed to jump up and mouth handler's clothing. Positive reinforcement training should be used to teach Nala to remain calm during arousing situations. If they begin to escalate, people should pause the interaction, and create distance from the trigger. Pattern games such as 1-2-3 treat and the cue “mat” can be used to reinforce calm behaviors. Please see handout on Arousal.