AboutLabman Expertise Housebreaking, feeding, training
PLEASE DON'T SEND ME MEDICAL OR BREEDING QUESTIONS. An internet forum is not the appropriate place for them. Even if I could tell what was wrong from a handful of symptoms, you would still need to get the medications from your local vet.
Breeding should be left to those not needing to ask simple, basic questions. Books have been written about it. Rather than ask me a question, start reading. Those unwilling to do the work it takes to produce quality puppies should spay/neuter their pets at 6 months. I will not answer questions that sound like a poorly prepared breeder.
Experience Since nobody with Eskimo experience has signed up, I will do my best using my general knowledge of dogs. I have experience and training through my volunteer work with a large dog guide school in modern, proven methods. The service dog schools have acquired a wealth of knowledge about raising well behaved, healthy dogs with long, active lives. They do not share it with the general public, but pass on the best of it to those like me that raise puppies for them. I am part of a group that has raised dogs for 6 different service dog schools. We meet monthly and share information.
Please don't send me medical or breeding questions. An internet forum is not the appropriate place for them. Even if I could tell what was wrong from a handful of symptoms, you would still need to get the medications from your local vet.
Breeding should be left to those not needing to ask simple, basic questions. Books have been written about it. Rather than ask me a question, start reading. Those unwilling to do the work it takes to produce quality puppies should spay/neuter their pets at 6 months.
Expert: Labman Date: 8/27/2006 Subject: eskimo mix and cats
Question I havae rescued a starving very ill dog since May 18 she had to be in the hospital for three weeks and then went under heartworm treatment. she is healthy and well, though the vet fixed her while she was in heat which I hear is unfortunate. I boarded her due to the fact I have eight other animals and worked with her and recently placed her in a home with a wonderful woman and two daughters who also have done animal rescue and seem great. Of course I am missing her but glad she will hav ea full time home-- this woman has cats who are used to dogs but this 15 month old adolescent who was on the street for who knows how long has never been around them to my knowledge. This is my only reticence, I loved this little dog 42lbs and think this woman and her daughters who are 11 and 13 are very good and totally love animals are great but am very concerned about the cats. This adoption just occurred this evening and I am concerned. I told her of course I would take back the dog if it did not work out but we had numerous phone calls and a three hour visit before she took the dog.
Answer Huskies are supposed to have a strong prey drive which could be bad news for the cat. My dog experience and training includes very little dog/cat experience. Dogs are individuals. If the cats are used to dog, they may be proficient in letting dogs know to leave them around. I would not leave her loose alone with the cats. The lady may want to consider a crate. Other dogs may
not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with. Still your house and dog
will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you are away. The dog may be
happier in its den than loose in the house. It relaxes, it feels safe in its
den. It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving
its self. Dogs that have been crated all along do very well. Many of them
will rest in their crates even when the door is open. I think the plastic
ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling. They are harder for
dogs to open too. Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with
something the dog can't pull in and chew. Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.
Leave it some toys. Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter. Don't leave
anything in the crate the dog might chew up. It will do fine without even any
bedding. You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.
A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work.
Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate. Praise it for going
in. If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate.
Feed it in the crate. This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding
time for more than one dog.
The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts. Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog. Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones. You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/ As top dog, the lady should have more success training the dog to leave the cats alone. Still, it might be good for the cats to have some cat furniture, poles, and boxes with small holes to retreat to.
We need more people like you to take in dogs and care for them. We have far more dogs than good homes. When people send me questions on breeding here, I do everything I can to discourage them. I would far rather help you. Vets don't like to spay females in heat because of the increased blood supply at that time makes it a mess. I am glad yours went ahead and every thing was OK. Bless you.
