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truly be a dog. Until recently, she lived in a breeding facility — one of those “moms behind the curtain,” raising litters of puppies adored by many, while her own world stayed small and lonely.
Now safe and loved in foster care, Layla is slowly finding her footing in this big new world. After two months, she’s finally comfortable lying in the same room as her human and, with some gentle encouragement, comes over for soft pets. Progress is happening — it’s just at her pace.
Layla’s journey reminds us that healing takes time. There’s no magic switch to make her a “normal” dog overnight. She needs a family that understands this — one that will offer patience, compassion, and space while celebrating every little victory along the way.
Because of her shyness, Layla will thrive best in:
A calm home with no small children
A fenced yard, so she can explore safely
A confident dog friend, to show her the ropes and help her feel secure
A Note About Safety and Flight Risk
During her first month in foster care, Layla was a significant flight risk. Once she got outside into her fenced yard, there was no getting her back in — she would hide behind trees and go straight into flight mode. For that reason, her future family must be extremely cautious and understand she will need a long lead when outdoors, even within a fenced area. Her foster mom can provide detailed guidance on how to help Layla feel safe, build trust, and learn how to calmly come in and out of the home.
Everyday Challenges
Layla is still working on mastering everyday dog skills. She hasn’t yet learned how to navigate stairs — a single step down she can manage, but multiple steps, such as those on a deck or inside a home, are still too overwhelming for her right now. With time, patience, and encouragement, she may overcome this.
One of Layla’s quirks: she won’t eat from a bowl. It’s a reminder of her past — when bowls likely meant stress or fear. Her foster mom hand-feeds her by scooping her food into her kennel, and Layla happily gobbles it up! She’s also a bit picky about her meals, but her foster can share all the details.
Layla may be a “designer breed,” but she’s also a survivor — a gentle heart ready to learn that love can last forever. With understanding and time, she’ll blossom into the loyal companion she was always meant to be.
Interested in adopting this lovable animal? Please go to our website .wagsmn and fill out an Adoption Application. Once the application is processed, a Wags representative will contact you, answer any questions you may have, and set up a time/location for a meet and greet! A home visit is required prior to adoption.
Thank you for choosing to adopt!
Breed and temperament determination: Wags & Whiskers Animal Rescue attempts to determine breed and temperament using a combination of looks, information provided to us at intake, and our experience with the animal while in our Rescue. We do not guarantee this determination.