Dog behaviour problem
Discussion
Hi all,
A family member has adopted a 4 year old Husky/ Akita cross from the Dogs Trust.
She had a knee operation so her exercise is just beginning to ramp up but apart from that I don't know her history. She was only adopted about 4 months ago but she was left with a relative while the new owners went on holiday. She has been left with other people for quite a few weekends and I'm of the mind she doesn't really know whether she is coming or going. When I found out she was staying where she was I brought her home with my family and 2 other dogs.
She tries to dominate a relatives female dog and tries to dominate my male Rottweiler too. Flash (The Rottweiler) puts her in her place but they still play and it never gets nasty, although she does have a nasty snarl at him every so often. Flash is very laid back with other dogs which I think is helping her settle.
The issue is with her reaction to being told off or made to do something she doesn't want to do. When out walking if I get her to sit and she doesn't want to after she goes for a pooh you virtually have to drag her back so you can pick it up. She snarled at my youngest (3 years old) while I was with them so I shouted and pulled her away and when I went back where I had put her after 5 minutes she had wet herself a little bit and looked far more scared than she should have.
I'm of the mind that she has had a bit of a beating in a past life and is now quite reactionary/ scared and this is a real shame. I'll be talking to the relative when they get back but want to know the best way to make her less scared, more relaxed at home with us.
She is fed with my other 2, is given affection with the other 2 and given 2 walks a day right next to Flash and is quite good on the lead.
Any hints, tips or experiences with this kind of dog/ issue?
I realise i'm not the owner but she is a lovely dog and I want to make her relaxed and as happy as possible while we have her here, then speak to her owner when they get back. I don't think they are doing the right thing by the dog or realise what breed they now have.
I decided against an Akita (love the dogs) due to some behavioural traits and the extra work they can command so I was very surprised when they got this dog.
Dave!
A family member has adopted a 4 year old Husky/ Akita cross from the Dogs Trust.
She had a knee operation so her exercise is just beginning to ramp up but apart from that I don't know her history. She was only adopted about 4 months ago but she was left with a relative while the new owners went on holiday. She has been left with other people for quite a few weekends and I'm of the mind she doesn't really know whether she is coming or going. When I found out she was staying where she was I brought her home with my family and 2 other dogs.
She tries to dominate a relatives female dog and tries to dominate my male Rottweiler too. Flash (The Rottweiler) puts her in her place but they still play and it never gets nasty, although she does have a nasty snarl at him every so often. Flash is very laid back with other dogs which I think is helping her settle.
The issue is with her reaction to being told off or made to do something she doesn't want to do. When out walking if I get her to sit and she doesn't want to after she goes for a pooh you virtually have to drag her back so you can pick it up. She snarled at my youngest (3 years old) while I was with them so I shouted and pulled her away and when I went back where I had put her after 5 minutes she had wet herself a little bit and looked far more scared than she should have.
I'm of the mind that she has had a bit of a beating in a past life and is now quite reactionary/ scared and this is a real shame. I'll be talking to the relative when they get back but want to know the best way to make her less scared, more relaxed at home with us.
She is fed with my other 2, is given affection with the other 2 and given 2 walks a day right next to Flash and is quite good on the lead.
Any hints, tips or experiences with this kind of dog/ issue?
I realise i'm not the owner but she is a lovely dog and I want to make her relaxed and as happy as possible while we have her here, then speak to her owner when they get back. I don't think they are doing the right thing by the dog or realise what breed they now have.
I decided against an Akita (love the dogs) due to some behavioural traits and the extra work they can command so I was very surprised when they got this dog.
Dave!
Yes, Find a good behaviourist and find a way to give her some stability.
This poor dog has had upheavel after upheavel by the sounds of it. She should be nowhere near your 3yr old you really don't know her at all to chance that.
There is nothing else that anyone should be trying to offer on line as it impossible to assess her needs this way. She needs to be observed by a good behaviourist who will work with positive reward and correction (not the same as punishment) when needed (too many use reward based only which may not be sufficient for her)
I think it is good you have seen her and spent time with her and that you can see she needs help. I hope you succeed. Akita types are loyal dogs but they take time to build that loyalty and are usually a one person dog. I hope you do get to make her life less stressful, good luck.
In the meantime continue providing the structure you already have begun doing as this will help.
This poor dog has had upheavel after upheavel by the sounds of it. She should be nowhere near your 3yr old you really don't know her at all to chance that.
There is nothing else that anyone should be trying to offer on line as it impossible to assess her needs this way. She needs to be observed by a good behaviourist who will work with positive reward and correction (not the same as punishment) when needed (too many use reward based only which may not be sufficient for her)
I think it is good you have seen her and spent time with her and that you can see she needs help. I hope you succeed. Akita types are loyal dogs but they take time to build that loyalty and are usually a one person dog. I hope you do get to make her life less stressful, good luck.
In the meantime continue providing the structure you already have begun doing as this will help.
Edited by bexVN on Saturday 20th October 19:18
Howitzer said:
Hi all,
A family member has adopted a 4 year old Husky/ Akita cross from the Dogs Trust.
She had a knee operation so her exercise is just beginning to ramp up but apart from that I don't know her history. She was only adopted about 4 months ago but she was left with a relative while the new owners went on holiday. She has been left with other people for quite a few weekends and I'm of the mind she doesn't really know whether she is coming or going. When I found out she was staying where she was I brought her home with my family and 2 other dogs.
...
This is one of my biggest bugbears, to be honest. Why the h*ll the Dogs Trust think that the new owner of a Husky/Akita cross is suitable for them, given your post, is beyond me. This dog needs an experienced owner, and you may be one of those, but you are now the third (or who knows how many?) owners who hasn't been assessed by the rescue centre as a suitable owner. Apologies if I sound harsh but the situation you have described boils my p*ss to be frank!A family member has adopted a 4 year old Husky/ Akita cross from the Dogs Trust.
She had a knee operation so her exercise is just beginning to ramp up but apart from that I don't know her history. She was only adopted about 4 months ago but she was left with a relative while the new owners went on holiday. She has been left with other people for quite a few weekends and I'm of the mind she doesn't really know whether she is coming or going. When I found out she was staying where she was I brought her home with my family and 2 other dogs.
...
pequod said:
This is one of my biggest bugbears, to be honest. Why the h*ll the Dogs Trust think that the new owner of a Husky/Akita cross is suitable for them, given your post, is beyond me. This dog needs an experienced owner, and you may be one of those, but you are now the third (or who knows how many?) owners who hasn't been assessed by the rescue centre as a suitable owner. Apologies if I sound harsh but the situation you have described boils my p*ss to be frank!
I completely agree, they are a breed which need constant work and this one hasn’t had much of a chance at all. They need a firm hand to know their place and relax into a group.Dave!
bexVN said:
Yes, Find a good behaviourist and find a way to give her some stability.
This poor dog has had upheavel after upheavel by the sounds of it. She should be nowhere near your 3yr old you really don't know her at all to chance that.
There is nothing else that anyone should be trying to offer on line as it impossible to assess her needs this way. She needs to be observed by a good behaviourist who will work with positive reward and correction (not the same as punishment) when needed (too many use reward based only which may not be sufficient for her)
I think it is good you have seen her and spent time with her and that you can see she needs help. I hope you succeed. Akita types are loyal dogs but they take time to build that loyalty and are usually a one person dog. I hope you do get to make her life less stressful, good luck.
In the meantime continue providing the structure you already have begun doing as this will help.
We are definitely more wary with the kids so they aren’t left alone with her at all.This poor dog has had upheavel after upheavel by the sounds of it. She should be nowhere near your 3yr old you really don't know her at all to chance that.
There is nothing else that anyone should be trying to offer on line as it impossible to assess her needs this way. She needs to be observed by a good behaviourist who will work with positive reward and correction (not the same as punishment) when needed (too many use reward based only which may not be sufficient for her)
I think it is good you have seen her and spent time with her and that you can see she needs help. I hope you succeed. Akita types are loyal dogs but they take time to build that loyalty and are usually a one person dog. I hope you do get to make her life less stressful, good luck.
In the meantime continue providing the structure you already have begun doing as this will help.
Edited by bexVN on Saturday 20th October 19:18
I’m not a gentle owner and am firm with the dogs but never horrible or mean to them. After her first telling off just after she arrived she followed me around like a lost puppy after, I just don’t think she knows her position yet.
Dave!
^^got to be honest I was thinking the same of the dogs trust. Are they following up on how things are going for her? I can only imagine (or maybe hope) the new owners have fibbed somewhat to Dogs trust about their care of her.
It may be worth the OP trying to find out hat dogs trust assessment of her was and if they did behaviour assessments (and how thoroughly) whilst she was with them.
It may be worth the OP trying to find out hat dogs trust assessment of her was and if they did behaviour assessments (and how thoroughly) whilst she was with them.
Are you sure it was a husky cross and not an Alaskan Mal cross.
The two dogs have very diffents behavioural traits.
Also I suspect what it really needs is a stable environment for a good while. Which seems to be sorely missing.
We adopted a 1 year old Alaskan Mal and it took a good 6 months to settle down and we were only her 2nd family.
The two dogs have very diffents behavioural traits.
Also I suspect what it really needs is a stable environment for a good while. Which seems to be sorely missing.
We adopted a 1 year old Alaskan Mal and it took a good 6 months to settle down and we were only her 2nd family.
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