Date of intake:: 8/24/2026

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

Previously lived with:: 2 adults, 2 children (4, 11), 1 dog

Behavior toward strangers:: Nyla is Friendly and outgoing with strangers

Behavior toward children:: Nyla is Friendly and outgoing with children

Behavior toward dogs:: Nyla is Friendly and outgoing with dogs

Behavior toward cats:: No experience

Resource guarding:: No Resource Guarding

Bite history:: No Bite History

Housetrained:: Partially

Energy level/descriptors:: High Energy

Other Notes:: Nyla is fearful of loud noises. She is otherwise unbothered by physical stimuli.

Date of assessment:: 8/28/2026

Summary:: Since arriving at the Manhattan Care Centers Nyla has shown discomfort with handling, cowering and hiding when handlers attempt to interact and snapping at the leash when attempting to leash Nyla. Outside of kennel she has shown anxious and fearful behavior around handlers and people passing her. Due to her escalation in behavior when attempting to leash her and her clear signs of distress when interacting with staff, she is not a candidate for a handling assessment at this time.

Summary:: According to Nyla's previous owner(s), Nyla is friendly, outgoing, playful, and tolerant with other dogs. Nyla lived with another dog in her previous home. 8/26/26: Nyla is introduced to a novel intact male and sniffs the other dog nose to nose with a tense slightly lowered body and soft face. She is non reactive when the dog snarls at her, and sniffs in the catch pen. The other dog reapproaches and hard barks, Nyla flinches but remains non reactive. She is then introduced to a novel intact male and initially walks by the fence, not approaching. She then comes to the fence with a neutral body and low tail, sniffing nose to nose through the fence. She walks away and reapproaches, sniffing the other dog as they are independent in the catch pen, then redirects on her own and walks away.

Summary (6):: 8/27/26: Nyla is at the front of her kennel, and then quickly retreats to the back when the handler approaches and unlocks the kennel; as they reach the pole leash inside, Nyla opens her mouth and snaps at the leash; she bites and vocalizes. Additionally, she vocalizes anytime the leash makes contact with her. Once the leash is on her, Nyla quickly approaches the front; as the leash is taut, she pulls back and vocalizes. The handler walks Nyla outside to the yard. For the most part, Nyla is aloof and sniffs around; when he handler stands up, she walks in a circle around them twice. She sniffs them as she sits down. After the walk, the handler brings Nyla into her kennel; she is resistant to the leash being removed with a pole leash, so the handler brings the leash into the kennel and removes it later. 08/26/26(PM): Nyla is at the front of her kennel laying down as handler approaches, she is offered treats but does not accept any. As handler begins unlocking and opening the kennel door Nyla retreats to the back of kennel. Handler begins attempting to present the leash and Nyla's face tightens and her lips lift slightly, when attempting to lasso her she mouths the leash and yelps when it makes contact with her. Nyla continues this behavior for a few attempts before handler is eventually able to lasso her successfully. She yelps for a moment but settles and exits kennel with a lowered body. She is brought out to the street for her walk, outside she is tense but walks without issue. She will actively avoid people passing her and shows no interest in dogs outside, Nyla rarely stops to sniff or to relieve herself throughout the walk. Eventually she is brought back inside, she allows her leash to be clipped and she is returned to kennel without issue. 08/26/26: Nyla is at the back of her kennel when handler approaches. She sniffs offered treat but ignores it. When handler opens the kennel door she starts pacing back and forth. When handler attempts to put the leash on, she retreats; her body is tense and she hard stares at the handler. She turns he body and head toward the back of the kennel. Handler attempts to lasso her, but as soon as she feels the leash, Nyla bares teeth and grabs the leash; she tries to tug it in and growls when handler tries to get the rope back. After some time handler is able to get the leash back. Nyla doesn't move from her spot and remains tense. Hander ends interaction to avoid possible escalation.

Summary (7):: 8/25/26 (PM): Nyla is standing in her kennel as the handler approaches; as they bring the leash into her kennel, she immediately retreats to the back. With the several attempts of the handler lassoing her, Nyla bares teeth and barks at, and bites the leash when it's close or makes contact with her; when it somewhat touches her nape, she yelps. Once the leash is finally on her, Nyla walks out of the kennel and into the yard. There, Nyla sniffs around with a trembling body; she stands near the handler, but just as they are about to present their hand, she walks away from them. The handler calls Nyla, but she ignores them. After a few minutes, the handler walks Nyla around the yard's perimeter; then they clip their leash and return her to her kennel. 08/25/26: Nyla is at the front of her kennel lying down as handler approaches, she looks up with a furrowed brow and gets ready to get up. Handler slowly kneels down facing away from Nyla and offers some treats which she investigates inquisitively. She begins slowly accepting treats placed in front of the kennel and handler begins slowly introducing the leash into kennel. Nyla eats treats through the loop of the leash but she is weary of it and when handler attempts to place the leash over her she head whips and yelps loudly before retreating to the back of the kennel. She is tense and avoids handler near the back of kennel and when the leash is lassoed over her she again yelps, mouths the leash and spins around but the leash is secured and handler leaves it completely slack. Nyla settles and stops, handler steps to the side leaving the kennel door ajar. Nyla slowly steps out of kennel and hesitates, pulling toward the back of the room but is guided by handler out to the yard for her walk. Outside Nyla is tense and weary but walks into the play yard with handler, she sniffs around for a bit uneventfully and explores the perimeter of the yard as well. Nyla ignores other people/dogs in the yard and after a bit is brought back inside. Nyla allows handler to clip her leash and she is guided back to kennel. She pulls toward the back of the room momentarily but is guided back into kennel.

Date of intake:: 8/24/2026

Summary:: Accepts treats, mouths handler demanding more, allows leashing walks into kennel

Date of initial:: 8/24/2026

Summary:: Pet lunged at leash and pulled it completely into kennel. Elected to sedate

ENERGY LEVEL:: Nyla is described as active and enthusiastic. They will need daily mental and physical activity to keep them engaged and exercised. We recommend long-lasting chews, food puzzles, and hide-and-seek games, in additional to physical exercise, to positively direct their energy and enthusiasm. We recommend feeding with puzzle feeders and food-dispensing toys. And we recommend only force-free, reward-based training techniques for Nyla.

BEHAVIOR DETERMINATION:: New Hope Only

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

Recommendations comments:: No Children: Due to Nyla's fearful disposition and potential for defensive aggression, we recommend a home with no children. Place with a New Hope Partner: 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: : Handling/touch sensitivity,Fearful/potential for defensive aggression

Potential challenges comments:: Handling/Touch Sensitivity: Nyla has shown clear disinterest and discomfort in handling and general contact with people and tends to avoid them when possible. It is important to always go slow and give Nyla the option to walk away from any social interaction. Nyla should never be forced to approach anything that she is uncomfortable with or to submit to petting or handling. It should always be Nyla’s choice to approach a new person or thing. Nyla may do best in an initially calm and quiet home environment and should be given time to acclimate to her new surroundings. Please see handout on Handling and Touch Sensitivity. Fearful/Potential for Defensive Aggression: Since arriving at the care centers Nyla has shown high levels of FAS and has allowed minimal handling since arrival. She has escalated to snapping at the leash and vocalizing intensely when attempting to leash her. Nyla should never be forced to interact, she should always be given the opportunity to walk away from situations or people she finds uncomfortable. We recommend a slow approach and we recommend ONLY force-free, reward-based training methods for Nyla. More aversive techniques are likely to increase fear, increase the risk of aggression, and decrease Nyla's quality of life. Please see handout on Fearful and Defensive Aggression.