Nerf
The VIP (Very Important Placements) program at BARCS identifies dogs with medical challenges, behavioral challenges or those not handling the shelter environment well, who urgently need homes to prevent their decline. With our shelter at or near capacity nearly every day this year, and new dogs arriving daily, it's critical to find these dogs placements quickly. By doing so, we aim to save them from the risk of euthanasia due to lack of space. Adoption fees are waived for all VIP dogs.
UPDATE: IN FOSTER!
Shelter ID: A0055715229
Location: Foster Home
Sex: Female
Age: 3 years old
Current Weight: 73 lbs
About Me
Meet Nerf, a gentle and sweet dog who is urgently in need of a foster or adoptive home. Nerf came to BARCS through Animal Control with little background information. She was adopted once, but it wasn’t the right fit because she didn’t get along with the family’s cat. While she may be shy at first, Nerf quickly warms up and shows her loving nature. She’s a smart girl who knows how to sit and enjoys slow, mellow walks. Nerf is also housebroken, crate trained, and loves playing tug of war. Her favorite snack is blueberries!
Why is My Status Urgent?
A dog’s behavior in a shelter can be very different from how they act in a home once they have time to relax. In the shelter, dogs spend a lot of time isolated in their kennels, meet new people constantly and are surrounded by other loud barking dogs, new smells, new sounds and new routines. This environment can keep their stress levels elevated for days or even weeks, which can cause them to act out in ways they wouldn’t in a home. Because of this, what we see in the shelter are just observations and not promises of how the dog will behave later. A dog’s true personality often shows up once they’ve had time to settle into their new home–that’s why fostering and adopting is so important! The following are the observations of my behavioral challenges in a shelter environment:
Leash Reactivity: Leash reactivity happens when a dog becomes overly excited, anxious or reactive on a leash, often responding to other dogs, people or moving objects. To manage leash reactivity, the dog may need to be kept at a safe distance from triggers, with positive reinforcement for calm behavior, and possibly work with a trainer if the behavior persists.
Human Selectiveness: Human selectiveness means a dog may show a preference for certain people and might be wary or avoidant of others. If the dog remains selective outside of the shelter, they may need to approach new people at their own pace, with positive reinforcement for good interactions, and without being forced into contact they’re uncomfortable with. Handler advocacy for the dog’s space and boundaries will be paramount for these dogs.
Dog Selectiveness: Dog selectiveness is when a dog may get along well with some dogs but might have a poor reaction or be avoidant with others. Selective dogs may need carefully managed interactions, intentionally selected playmates to ensure compatibility, supervised play with other dogs, and avoidance of situations where they feel threatened or overwhelmed.
Prey Drive: Prey drive refers to a dog's instinct to chase and capture moving objects, such as small animals or toys. If the dog exhibits a strong prey drive in an adoptive home, they may need complete separation or controlled, supervised play with appropriate toys and training to manage their impulses and ensure safety around smaller animals.
Fearful/Nervous: Fearful or nervous dogs may react poorly or give other warning signs when they feel threatened or scared, often to get a person or object to back away. If the dog continues to display fearful behavior, after the proper acclimation/decompression period in their new home, they may need a continued calm, supportive environment, with gradual exposure to their triggers and positive reinforcement to build trust and reduce anxiety.
