Questions about Huskies and adopting in general

1157 Views 22 Replies 9 Participants Last post by Dunixi, Mar 21, 2009

Dunixi

Discussion Starter · Mar 16, 2009

Hello! First time poster. I found this forum while reading through different forums for advice. I am going to meet an Alaskan Husky tomorrow. He is three years old, and just doesn't want to be a sled dog. He lives with 5 other sled dogs, and he just doesn't want to pull. His current owner says he does good with cats and kids who are calm. What I'd like is any advice on either stuff to ask or to look for when I go see this dog. I have had huskies in the past (well a husky/malamute mix breed) and grew up with large dogs. Still, any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Christine

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Dunixi

Discussion Starter · #4 · Mar 16, 2009 (Edited)

I will hopefully know wether he is a Siberian or Malamute later today. She has him listed as a black and white Alaskan husky. So who know. From what I know, his yard is full of barn cats and he leaves them alone BUT he has other dogs to play with. While I'm home (which is most days during the week) he will have me to entertain him. When I work (which is weekends over night) he will either be crated or go to my mom's to visit with her dog.

Miss Mutt, without fenced yard he will hardly be off the leash. His current owner says he does well of a leash but I know how that goes. I had a beagle who did great for me off leash, but when he went to his new home..no such luck. They let him off his leash once and he took off into the potato fields for hours.

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Dunixi

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 16, 2009

rosemaryninja said:
Don't forget to get vet records.

Thanks Rosemary!! It is added to my list of stuff for today.

I'm at work (which is why I'm posting instead of sleeping) and slowly compiling a list questions to ask/stuff to look for. So far (and I know this isn't complete...far from it) I have:
1) How are his leash manners? (I am hoping to get to walk him tomorrow)
2) When home without his humans, is he crated or let to roam lose?
3) Any bad/destructive habits? (I want advance warning so I can be prepared)
4) Does he have any allergies to food or fleas?
5) Is he altered? (although I'm sure this will be obvious lol) or chipped?
6) What sort of command/reward system is used?
7) How does he respond to grooming?

And if things don't work out with this boy there is an absolutely adorable poodle/terrier mix at the local shelter who needs lots of TLC. They say he's shy around people, but came right up to me and started licking my hand and tried to lick my face.

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Dunixi

Discussion Starter · #8 · Mar 16, 2009

Thanks.

BTW, I love you quote about beagles. Life with mine was never dull...he never bayed, and if the neighbors German Shepards were outside..he get so scared he'd forget he had to go potty. I kinda miss that dog.

-Christine

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Dunixi

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 17, 2009 (Edited)

Well, I brought him home. He is adorable althought skiddish. He is much smaller than his two brothers (who were also present). I learned he isn't calm about pulling. He freezes up and refuses to move when hooked to the sled. On his leash though he is an angel. I'll have pictures coming soon. My computer is being a pain (nothing new there).

He is three and has little to no training. He is not altered..so he is going into get fixed ASAP. He knows come, and is crate trained. So I'm basically starting from scratch. Thankfully there are obediance classes up here and in Houlton (which is an hour south) that I can take. He rides in the car beautifully! He is also terrified of our cats. They hiss at him and he scoots back as far as he can and lays down. He is also on a kibble and raw diet. Apparently he loves beaver...joy for me. hehe

Well, I brought him home. He is adorable althought skiddish. He is much smaller than his two brothers (who were also present). I learned he isn't calm about pulling. He freezes up and refuses to move when hooked to the sled. On his leash though he is an angel. I'll have pictures coming soon. My computer is being a pain (nothing new there).

He is three and has little to no training. He is not altered..so he is going into get fixed ASAP. He knows come, and is crate trained. So I'm basically starting from scratch. Thankfully there are obediance classes up here and in Houlton (which is an hour south) that I can take. He rides in the car beautifully! He is also terrified of our cats. They hiss at him and he scoots back as far as he can and lays down. He is also on a kibble and raw diet. Apparently he loves beaver...joy for me.

Right now he is eating Ol' Roy. But that is probably going to change. She (his previous owner) had Tiberius (that's his new name) on some very high end racing formula made locally...and of course Beaver and beef. This is my first dog on a raw diet so it should be a fun learning experience. Off to explore the forums I go

-Christine

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Dunixi

Discussion Starter · #16 · Mar 17, 2009 (Edited)

Thanks very much Erick. He hasn't been off leash here, but he was off his leash at his previous owners and wouldn't leave my side. He is downstairs sleeping right now. Today has been busy for him. I set him up a safe zone at the front of my house since I don't have a crate yet. He has a bed and toys, not that he uses either yet. I am getting him used to treats..but the only goodies he ever got at his other home were milk bones..so I'll have to get some of those. Since he doesn't answer to either Blaze (his original name) or Tiberius (his new one) it will be fun teaching him. He is going into obedience class as soon as they start...but he is so timid I'm sorta nervous for him.

Christine

Here is a pic of Tiberius (not the best one...he was worried the 4 lb cat was going to eat him).

Just a mini update on Tiberius. He got a good brushing after he got over being afraid of the brush. He also asked to go out and go potty which is a good sign to me since his previous owner had done no real house training with him. He still won't leave his little safe zone in the mud room at the front of the house without alot of coaxing. But I'm sure I'll get him there.

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Dunixi

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 17, 2009

Thanks. He is doing much better. We went out for a walk today and he did fine with both the dog we passed and the girl. He actually let her pet him. Its kinda cool to see him slowly come out of his shell. He is currently hanging out downstairs with my cats while I check email. As for the raw diet, I am still iffy on doing it right off. He got some hamburger today at lunch..and loved it. lol. But I think I'm gonna get him some Eagle Pack dog food when I can make it to Fort Kent instead of getting the stuff at Wal*Mart. I'll have more pics add to the pictures forum a bit later today.

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Dunixi

Discussion Starter · #22 · Mar 18, 2009 (Edited)

He is amazing. He has been whining to get let out whenever he has to go potty. I took him out for a two mile walk today and he wouldn't get in the mud unless a big truck passed. lol He is finally exploring today.

Here is a little update on Tiberius...I posted this with his new pics but will post it here too. He is no longer afraid of his chew bone. He is downstairs happily chomping away on it.

He also made a doggie friend today. Loca is a retrieve/husky mix. The only think that looks husky about her is one blue eye. hehe. She is young, only a few months old but her and Tiberius seemed to do well together today.

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Dunixi

Discussion Starter · #23 · Mar 21, 2009

Another small update on my new furbaby. He has had a couple accidents, but that is to be expected while house breaking. I never thought I'd be house training a 3yr old dog. hehe. He is doing much better on his walks and isn't so nervous about passing vehicles. He did have a run in with two Poms. Apparently their owner thinks its ok for them to be in the yard unleashed...of course they charged out into the road to see Tiberius and he paniced. No one got hurt but all the owner did was stand on the porch and call to the dogs instead of coming to get them. Tiberius is doing well with my two cats. Him and the male cat, Jayce, actually will lay nose to nose..its kinda cute.

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