Just prior to her seventh birthday, Kitana was surrendered by her previous family, who was unable to provide the stability and care she deserved. Perhaps overwhelmed by too much stimulation or maybe a lack of socialization when she was younger, Kitana requires a firm pack leader to help her feel secure.Kitana is very healthy, except for needing a monthly Cytopoint shot and meds to help with her anxiety. She arrived in FBRN care as a highly reactive dog – even the sound of rain freaked her out. Her foster family has worked very hard to bring down her reactivity, desensitizing her to a safe environment and working on her trust with other people and animals. We’re so pleased to see such a transformation and thrilled to announce that Kitana is ready for her forever home!

Kitana does well in a home with low activity. She has shown to be best in a home with one or two adults. If intros are done slowly and with patience, she will build trust. Due to her bite history, Kitana cannot go to a home with children, and it is recommended that if visitors or strangers come to the home, she be crated or separated in a room as she is still working on her meeting strangers skills. She does well meeting new people when she meets them outside the home and is a rockstar when going to the vet. Care should be taken so new people don’t crouch over her or push her too quickly. She knows she’s adorable, and because of that, people might want to squeeze her and love her; but a gal is allowed her space until she gets to know you. And once she knows and trusts you, Kitana is putty in your hands. She rolls over for belly rubs and allows her foster mom to bathe her, touch her feet, clean her ears and folds, and pick her up.

Once you build trust with Kitana, she will be your leading lady for life! She prefers to follow her person around the house, but she’s not necessarily a Velcro dog who needs to be on you or touch you at all times. Kitana will go find a toy and happily entertain herself. She will even put herself to bed if you are still up binge-watching Netflix past her bedtime! Kitana is crate trained and also enjoys her dog beds, but she would love to share the foot of your bed if allowed. She is housebroken and has never had an accident. She will bark at the door if she needs to go out. And she loves being outside, whether she’s chasing lizards or sitting under the bird feeder staring at the birds in the trees.

Kitana displays reactivity when seeing and hearing other dogs she doesn’t know. Kitana now does great with walking outside with her two foster siblings but is still working on hanging out in the rest of the house alone with other dogs without human supervision. Because of this, Kitana will do her best as the only animal in her forever home. A yard with a sight-obscuring fence, at least four feet (so she cannot jump over), is required. Kitana would not do well in an apartment or condo. Kitana thrives on her trusted humans’ companionship, so someone who is home most of the day would be ideal. And please don’t expect her to make a good office dog – unless it’s your own home office or you’re trying to get fired.

One of the only other things Kitana requires is a hefty supply of toys. She’s an intelligent girl who needs plenty of mental stimulation. Kitana absolutely loves yak chews but can be a little possessive of them with people she has not bonded with. She will let her foster mom take the yak chew from her, but not people she doesn’t trust yet. Kitana also enjoys toys you can hide a treat in, and she has mastered every dog puzzle she’s tried and loves doing them!

Foster mom says, “Kitana is a sweet and loving dog who needs someone who she can claim as her own. Working with her to get past some of her quirks has been rewarding, and watching her come into her own has been a gift to be a part of. She is seeking her person, and the right person will understand it may take a couple of weeks for her to warm up and trust you, but once that happens, you will be her number one and get more love than you’ve ever known.”

If Kitana has pulled on your heartstrings and you’re ready to cultivate her trust, please submit an application today. Kitana is ready to expand her inner circle and will be waiting for just the right application. If you’re selected as her forever person, get ready for a drive to Central Florida. FBRN does not ship dogs as cargo, so adopters are expected to pick up their dogs from their foster family