Nyx came in with puppies, who found homes quickly. Likely due to a lack of socialization, Nyx was terrified of people and walking on the leash. She's been doing great, is playful with other gentle/social dogs, can walk on a leash, and enjoys gentle chin scratches from people she knows. Nyx could still use some help learning how to live in a home environment and figuring out how to do all of the things we expect from dogs every day.
We think that her ideal home would be quiet, with someone patient enough to teach her that things don't have to be scary, and she would likely do great with a gentle/playful/confident dog to show her how to do things in a home.

If you think you might be the right place for her, and interested in adopting, please email at animal.care@ventura.org
Rescues: VCAR.rescue@ventura.org
Foster: vcar.foster@ventura.org

Update March 2026: We have moved Nyx higher on the priority list due to our staff and volunteers noticiing that she is having a hard time returning to playgroup. Our theory is that she was over-corrected by another dog who pinned her down during play a few weeks ago, and she is struggling to bounce back to her old playful, happy self. Playgroup used to bring her joy and she would light up when she would get to play with dogs she knew, but recently she has been more reserved and nervous than we had seen her before. Even with known dog friends, she hasn't played in weeks.

She's such a sensitive soul, it breaks our hearts to see her suffer this setback when our team has been trying so hard to help her come out of her shell. She needs a patient, calm home environment, but we believe she will thrive with another chance to settle in and feel safe. (She has escaped one foster home, so extra care is needed to make sure there are no easy escape routes for her to find!)

Update May 2026: During her two-month foster stay in an adult-only home with another dog, she did well overall with the resident dog but made limited progress bonding with the foster family. She struggled significantly with confinement, pacing, howling, and trying to escape the crate. She also had ongoing accidents in the home, and continued fearfulness with repeated regressions. Nyx will need a more experienced placement equipped to manage her fear, escape risk, and slow trust-building needs.

@vcanimalservices

Gabby the pittie and Nyx the GSD playing like the best girls they are... plus an appearance from Cassadano. ?? These three, and all of our animals, are available with a $0 adoption fee through this last week of 2025! Ends 12/31. Start 2026 with a new best friend ?? *$25 licensing fee may apply for county residents

? original sound - Ventura County Animal Services

@vcanimalservices

We love these goobers!

? a punk - 3 minute audios