Nicole has come to us from a breeder and is now searching for her forever home. She was very scared when she first arrived and had clearly had little handling or socialisation, making human contact very worrying for her.

Nicole briefly moved into a foster home to learn about home life but returned to us following one incident where she became tangled in her lead and harness, panicked and nipped her fosterer. This was a single incident during a frightening experience, but adopters must understand that she can panic if she feels trapped or overwhelmed.

Nicole has now been back at the rescue for just over a month and is making lovely progress. She still doesn't like being picked up or handled, but is much better than she was and is increasingly comfortable spending time around people she trusts. She enjoys sitting in the play yard with her trusted people and responds brilliantly to treats, which are helping to build her confidence. She is a curious, cheeky little character who loves food, toys and snoozing in her bed, and she is even trying hard to be kennel clean.

Nicole loves other dogs and takes comfort from their presence, so she will need a kind and confident resident dog to help her feel secure and act as a role model.

She needs a calm, quiet, adult-only home with adopters who have experience of nervous ex-breeding dogs. As she has never successfully experienced home life, she will need patience with house training and learning the basics of being a pet. Lead and harness training will also need to be introduced very carefully because of her previous experience.

Nicole still has a long way to go, but her curiosity and wonderful personality are beginning to shine through. With the right home, canine companion and plenty of time and understanding, we hope she will continue to blossom.

Our vets noted a slightly unusual heart rhythm, and a heart scan showed mild valve changes. She currently requires no treatment and is expected to live a normal, happy life, although routine heart checks and monitoring for future symptoms are recommended. She has been treated for a ear infection.

Nicole has been given the Gift of Life by Shirley Bourne

Can live with other dogs

This dog can be homed with a resident dog.