Heidi's Miko

[haf549]

I got a request from Terry to tell you a little about my new pup, Miko.
He is a 1 year old Siberian Husky/Malamute mix, that I got from a rescue. He has 1 brown eye and 1 eye that is brown on top and blue on the bottom. He is sort of a silver/beige in colour and weighs in at 74lb.

At the moment, he is a real handful. The people that brought him to the rescue had him since he was 8 weeks old (the foster mom is actually the owner of Miko's parents). When they got him, it was with the understanding that they would have him neutered and give him obedience train. Neither of which happened. When the foster got him back, she had to have him neutered, at close to 1 year old, which is almost kind of late. The foster still has his Mom and Dad, so he had other dogs to play with all day. Now he's in a home with my mother and I.

He walks great on a leash; sits and gives paw. But he is also food obsessive and we can't eat anything without him trying to steal it. I've called an obedience trainer and am seeing him for an assessment on Monday. He's already given me some good advice so I'm really hoping things improve with Miko. Each day I think about calling the foster home and giving him back. But he's so cute and he has such potential. When I told the trainer his history, he told me that basically, Miko is a 4 month old pup in a 1 year old body. He's agressive toward me though and I'm very concerned about that. When he gets really wound up he jumps up on me and nips. I've got a few black and blue marks that I didn't have before.

I guess I just forgot what it was like having a pup in the house. Kira was so docile and was just happy lying around wherever I was. Miko wants to be around me too, but he's always wanting to 'do something'.

That's about it for now on Miko. I'll keep you posted on how things go with him, once I've seen the trainer.

Heidi

[mytil]

Oh Heidi,

It is wonderful Miko has a good home now.

I know what you mean about unruly doggies :eek: ...our rescue Cailey (shepherd/spitz/chow mix) was about a year old (in a puppy body) and she was plain wild. It took a lot of patience to work with her but she did turn around. Her favorite thing to do was jump on tables and spread every garbage can around the house and jump on you and knock you down. I have scratch marks on all my table (dining room, coffee tables etc).

Please keep us posted as I would love to hear more.
Terry

[SasAndYunah]

Hi Heidi :)

I don't have much time but will write more later this evening. But for now I would like to ask you if there was a specific reason why you went for this particular pup? And how is it that you see your life with Miko (or in other words...what will Miko's life be like with you?)

Saskia and Yunah :)

[SasAndYunah]

Okay, here's some of my thoughts...

First some basic information on the Malamute. They are not like Husky’s. Malamutes are (if properly socialized) usually indifferent towards strangers and can even be very cuddly towards strangers. It’s with their “own” people they can display pretty dominant behavior. Malamutes will look for the boundaries (much more then other breeds) and if you’re too kind, just once, too inconsistent, just once, if you let him get away with certain behavior just once, he will eventually decide where you can or cannot go or sit or do…etc. An adult Malamute that has experienced that he can use his aggression successfully, should not be underestimated for a second. A Malamute owner should be physically and mentally capable to “rule” over the dog. Once the Malamute is an adult, it’s too late to reverse the roles.

Another typical Malamute trait you should be aware off in the Malamute breed is that some Malamutes can be extremely obsessed over food (due to their still very primal urge to survive, much more so then other breeds) And it looks like Miko has that trait…

Then of course there’s the interaction with other dogs that most Malamutes are not so good at and most won’t be able to be off leash around other dogs. Also their incredible hunting instinct and more, killing instinct makes them not suitable to walk off leash. Not just squirrels, cats and other small animals but even life-stock.

So all in all, they are not the easiest breed and one should really be aware of these things before even considering taking a Malamute. For the right person, they are absolutely amazing dogs…but most people are not “the right person” for the breed. (I know I am not) They take a lot of training, a lot of exercise, you need a lot of natural and strong leadership and it’s a never-ending task.

I do understand that it would be hard for you to decide to return Miko but try and look at everyone’s best interest here, yours and Miko’s. Would he be better off in a place where they have a lot of experience with breeds like his (even though he is a mixed breed, he shows some very strong Malamute traits, from what I read). A place perhaps where he can actually work, pull a sled or something, which might be better for a strong and somewhat unruly dog like he is at the moment… Are you prepared and able to work and train relentlessly with Miko, go through ups and downs…are you convinced you are a stronger person (both physically and mentally) then Miko is? Can you manage to give him plenty of exercise and willing to go on long walks, hikes, bike rides, etc?

In all honesty, a trainer saying ”he’s basically a puppy in an adult body” is not saying it like it is (in my opinion)…he is an adult with no socialization and no decent upbringing whatsoever. He clearly inherited the extreme food obsession, making it extra difficult. He clearly has already learnt that he can use aggression to his advantage, otherwise he wouldn’t have snapped at you. (he just repeats behavior that he already knows is effective, can’t blame him for that) If he were truly a puppy and experiencing things for the first time and the person raising him would guide it into positive experiences, showing him the boundaries, etc…that’s a whole different story then an already adult Malamute that has established already some of his (bad) ways and manners. Remember, we’re talking about a Malamute mix, not a Bichon for example.

I don’t want to spook you but I want you to think really hard and to be honest with yourself and towards Miko. Then, anything you will decide, will be a well thought through decision.

Best of luck,

Saskia and Yunah :)

[SasAndYunah]

Oh dear,

I appologise if the post was too direct. But I believe in being direct and saying it as I see it:) Not with the intention to insult or upset anyone but with the intention to make people think and think hard, especially in the more difficult situations.

Dogs in general and Malamutes even more so, go into their teenage/juvenile years from the age of 1 (this is in general and more specified to the larger breeds) The most "difficult" years in which a dog may test its boundaries without end, driving you crazy :) In a dog that was well socialised and trained during its 1st year, it can already be a challenge. In a not wel socialised and trained dog it can be a downright struggle... And with Malamutes, known for their dominance especially with their own human packmembers, you'll have a huge task on your hands. (the juvenile years will last till about 3 years )

Of course it all depends on how you see your life with your dog. Would you like to be able to have familymembers/friends that own a dog come by and bring their dog...or vice versa? Would you like to go for relaxing walks in the woods? Bring the dog with you everywhere you go? Do you have, or like to have other pets around? In that case, I would not do it.

But if you love the challenge, can afford to spend a whole lot of time with the dog and enjoy it, if you can deal with a dog that needs to be reminded of his place for the rest of his life, if you don't have to be afraid it can escape the yard, if you're thinking of training him to "work" in some form or another, if you know how to deal with his primal behavior, then go for it :)

With a juvenile with a "bad" background, it will be even harder. Cause he has already established his behaviour. Like his food obsession and dominating you. In a pup it would be already quite a task to keep that behavior in line... But there are ways to do so. With such foodobsesseion, you would have to make the animal sit and wait, everytime you feed him. Then put down his bowl a few yards away and sitting or standing beside his bowl, you would have to eat first. And everytime the dog even lifts a paw, moves ever so subtil, you have to put him back in place. This way, a pup will learn the food is yours and you decide when and if he can eat. But to do so with a (bodywise adult) juvenile that clearly has no boundaries regarding food or his place in the pack (he got you black and blue already), that is not something I would recommend to anyone that has not a whole lot of experience, no fear and the mentality to "rule" over the dog (mentally and physically).

From what I read, you're already in the "underdog" situation and it will be very hard to reverse this situation, giving his background and age. What if you try and correct him and he snaps, gnarls or even worse bites at you? Can you deal with that? Because he will try to dominate you...he already does. If you feel you would be startled, scared or didn't know how to deal with a situation like that....then return him to his breeder. If he "wins" once by showing aggression, that will be it. He will keep using it again and again. That's just my honest opinion.

And in some way, this dog is lucky because he has a breeder to return to. And a reputable and responsable breeder, will take him back and find the right place for that specific dog. And if they cannot find such a place, keep him themselves.

But again, if you're not impressed with any of his behavior, if you feel you can control him and teach him, that you have the time and skills to invest in this dog, that you have the energy he needs..then go for it :)

My only plea is to really think carefully and weigh all the pro's and con's. And whatever you decide is your decission and not to be judged by anyone :)

I just want you, and everyone else to be "aware"...to understand the possibilities that could happen. It's a huge responsability for a long time and you only do justice to both yourself and the dog, when you make the best possible choice for both parties. Then you and he will have the best possible chanche for a long and happy life, either together or apart from each other :)

It would be easy to tell you, "go for it. Just look at those pretty eyes...how could you not love those?" But that's not the issue. I don't have to make you aware of those pretty eyes :) And I won't tell you it will be easier after a bit of training, since I don't think that will be the case here... Nothing I would say that wasn't my honest opinion, would be worthless and just "pleasing you". I don't believe in pleasing people when there is a lot at stake. But I do believe in being honest and then letting people make up their own mind :)

I hope I have explained myself some and that you understand why I say what I say. Wishing you and Miko all the best, truly...

Saskia and Yunah :)

[haf549]

Thanks for you input. I got Miko because I had had a husky before and had no problems with her. However, Miko went back to the foster parents yesterday. I attacked me when we came home from a walk. It was all I could do to get him off me and it really scared me. I bundled him up in the car and took him right back. I'm still in the market of a siberian, but am now thinking that I might foster first with the option to take the pup on full time if I feel it works out. Miko really did have dominance issues and I just wasn't winning the battles, let alone the war. I know when to cut my losses. I'm really sorry to see him go because he was a lovely animal and well behaved when he wasn't trying to dominate. At his foster home he had both his parents there to keep him in line; at my house it was just me and my 88 year old mother. I will try finding another husky again later in the summer, but I've learned a lot from this current experience.

Heidi

[mytil]

Oh Heidi,

I am so sorry - hopefully you were not hurt terribly.

I think you did the right thing. Now Miko can be placed in a home with, like you said, multiple parents. You have a really big heart.

Please keep us posted on how you are doing and when you get a new foster.

Terry

[SasAndYunah]

Hedi, me too, I am sorry you had to make this decission but reliefed as well. It's for the best, for both of you...and that is what it is all about. You did what was best not just for you but for Miko as well. And again, he had the good fortune that he had a breeder he could return to. You did the right thing here.

I have nothing but respect for how you handled it all. I know it will be difficult for a while but in time there will be the right dog for you...

Saskia and Yunah :)

[Dollydog]

Oh Heidi, I'm so sorry that you had such an awful experience. I too hope that you weren't hurt badly. Hope they can find him a good home.
((HUGS))
Jo-Ann

[haf549]

Thanks everyone for your kind thoughts and wishes. No, I wasn't too badly hurt. A couple of shallow bite marks and lots of black and blue bruises all over. When I took him back to the foster home, they told me something that I think they should have mentioned when I first got him. The home he had come from kept him outside most of the time. If I had known he was an outside dog, I wouldn't have taken him. Any dog I own will be living in the house with me with lots of outdoor privileges. Apparently they had a lot of problems with him when he was first turned over to the foster home. They thought they had broken him, but noooo. I'll try again later this summer. Right now I just want to relax and put all my 'stuff' back where it belongs. I had to stash everything away because Miko would take anything that wasn't nailed down. Another sign that he wanted to be the alpha in the house. And that wasn't going to happen. Anyway, I'll keep you posted.

Heidi