NIK NAK* Labrador Retriever Mix Tucson, AZ

RESCUE ONLY DEADLINE 5PM 02/05/25 Name: Nik Nak Animal ID: A855565 Age: 1 year 2 months Weight: 38 lbs. About: Nik Nak is a sensitive pup looking for a patient family to help him build confidence and navigate the world. He arrived at the shelter in November 2024 as a stray and at just about a year old, he is very much still a puppy with tons of potential to learn and grow. Nik Nak is slowly learning about the world, but the shelter presents its own limitations, and there is no substitute for a loving home. Nik Nak's biggest challenge is his lack of socialization with people. He remains wary and needs time to build trust. He is still learning that humans are kind and want to help him. Nik Nak has made great progress while at PACC and now walks better on a leash. He still needs some reassurance and encouragement and needs a family who will take things slowly as he develops his doggy skills. Nik Nak will likely do well with a confident, well-socialized dog who can act as a role model and help him learn the ropes in his future home. Nik Nak shares his kennel with another PACC pup who he made friends with at the shelter. When meeting other dogs in playgroup he mostly kept to himself but was social and tolerant with dogs that approached him. Nik Nak's ideal family will be patient, understanding, and willing to take things at his pace. Building trust takes time! Nik Nak needs to find a home with a secure yard and one where hell be supervised when outdoors. He also needs a home without chickens and will need slow and careful introductions to smaller animals like cats and smaller dogs. With consistent, gentle training and lots of love, Nik Nak has the potential to become a wonderful companion, and he deserves a chance to find his forever home. Please ask about Nik Nak today. Interested parties: Must visit PACC before the 5:00 PM February 4, 2025, deadline to meet with an adoption counselor who will go over notes and then introduce you to ensure that its a good fit. Are encouraged to reach out to a rescue group ASAP (even before coming to PACC), to start the rescue approval process. Have the rescue contact PACC atPACC.UrgentDogs@pima.gov if approved to pull. Collaboration with Rescue Groups: Rescue groups are encouraged to reach out to PACC early if they are able to pull this animal into their rescue (and what requirements they would have: interested adoptive party, alteration etc.) If an IP has not already contacted a rescue, PACC will notify all partnered rescue groups of an interested party and request their assistance. Rescue groups are encouraged to start their adoption process with any interested parties who have contacted them directly and email PACC at PACC.UrgentDogs@pima.gov. Please note that it is ultimately up to the rescue group's discretion to decide whether to proceed with adoption. Partnered Rescue Groups can pull any dogs on Rescue Only Deadline at any time without an interested party. Home Management Plan Undersocialized Nik Nak needs to go home with a strong handler. Due to fear behaviors, they may panic over small things and could potentially attempt to flee by bolting on leash. Needs time to decompress in a home, this could take 3 weeks to 3 months if not longer. If dog is friendly, a confident dog could help bring them out of their shell. Go slow with your new dog and do not force handling, this could make the dog fear bite. Your new dog will not be affectionate immediately after adoption, they will need patience. Send home with martingale collar and flat clip leash Stranger Danger Your new dog is uncomfortable with new people, they may bark, snap, or flee from new people in their home. They need a slow introduction to new people; we recommend muzzle training for safe introductions. May need a safe place to be put away when new people come to the house. Your new dog would likely do best walking in quiet areas without a lot of traffic. Fatally Injured Another Animal While at large, Nik Nak and the dog he was found with, fatally injured a total of 12 chickens. Containment Issues/Flight Risk Nik Nak has a history of escaping his yard and roaming. When outside, make sure to keep ahold of his leash until he has settled into the home. Dont leave him outside unattended, make sure you monitor him outside.