Advice on dog training needed ASAP!!! Help us keep Kavik!!!

[19hhbelgian]

Ok, so we rescued this Husky - long story if you haven't seen the post you can read it here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=228391

Now, we both Love this dog... She came with the name dixie, and has already been re-named

The problem is that we have an alpha female in the house (who is spayed), who will not accept other female dogs.

Tonight hubby said he wants to keep Kavik, but doesn't want her or Hummer to get hurt. So now I'm

trying to figure out how to get Hummer to accept Kavik into our home.

Kavik is not spayed. Could this have something to do with the problem? I'm thinking not really because this isn't the first time... Hummer also hates my brother in laws female dog

ANY advice is MORE THAN WELCOME... we really like Kavik, and don't want to give her up

 

[Wolf-Kim]

Your best bet would be to bring in a professional trainer/behaviorlist.

Combining dogs that may be aggressive towards eachother is highly dangerous. If you truly want to keep this animal, heed my warning, and bring in a pro!

I have worked with and trained my own dogs all my life and tried to bring in a large GSD that the resident GSD did not like. You know those cartoons where two animals get in a fight and all you see is dust and fur and then an hapless standbyer gets sucked in. Yeah... My own dog ended up chomping down on my arm, I have two pretty puncture scars to show for it.

Rehome the animal or bring in a pro. Without professional help, you, your family, and any of the dogs are in danger.

I'm not talking about some Petsmart trainer either, bring in a real pro. One that can show you multiple achievements, certifications, and whatnot, not a silly 2 week degree from a chain petstore.

 

[ChickenFanaticAB]

I read your other posts and I am glad that you finally got the dog from the neighbors! I have to say though, I suggest re-homing the dog. I know you have fallen in love with her, but it will probably never be peaceful with her and your current female dog, and she will never be trustworthy around the rest of your pets either. While you may be able to establish dominance over both female dogs (which would prevent them from fighting) my guess is that Kavik would still cause problems with the rest of your pets (chickens, horses, etc) and she would be better suited for a home with another dog, but not other animals.

However, I do not know your set-up, and if it is possible to keep her away from all other animals at all times, and you can work with your current dog and her aggression issues (though you may never be able to leave them together unsupervised...) then by all means try to keep her, but it sounds like the best thing would really be to try to re-home her...do you have any family that might be interested? Then you could still see her every now and then?

PS-like the name! Is it from that book-Kavik the Wolf Dog? I think?

 

[19hhbelgian]

Yep - Kavik as in the book

DH had a stuffed animal Kavik when he was little, who he still remembers to this day.

Yeah, you guys are right

I guess I just needed some sense talked back into me

It's rare that J actually wants to keep a dog like this, and he's told me SO many times how he always wanted a husky as a kid, even BEFORE we got Kavik. I'm just such a sucker for a sad face, plus I really want DH to be happy... He's been really stressed about our business and everything lately

I am going to be talking to a girl later today about Kavik. She'd be a great home for her - lots of experience with huskies and "hybrids".

Nothing against petSmart dog trainers, but I'm pretty sure I know more than they do

I wouldn't even take my dog to one of them to teach it to sit. We have friends that train guard dogs so I was going to pick their brains about the situation

I would be able to keep her away from the other animals, and I can't trust our current dogs with the chickens, so that would be nothing new

Thank You for the advice! I think I really needed to hear it from an outside source since DH isn't making this easy on me

I do know deep down that we really shouldn't keep her - it would simply be the best thing for her and our Hummer dog

Thanks!

 

[BorderKelpie]

I hate to agree, but I tried the two alpha female thing before. 7 years of fights and vet trips, even when we did every thing we could to keep them separated. One finally chewed through chain link to attack the other. There was no peace until we finally got smart and removed one. If DH wants a husky so badly, I bet you could find a nice submissive male in a rescue somewhere.
I wish you all the best, with the dogs and the business.
Take care.

 

[tonini3059]

Did you try introducing them to each other on neutral territory? You def don't want to bring a new dog right into your house if your dog is territorial.

 

[gaited horse]

get a basket muzzels for each dog

 

[Soccer Mom]

I know it isn't what you want to hear, but I'm another vote for rehoming. I had to rehome a collie once when her daughter decided that there was only room for one b!tch in the house. I ended up giving the mother to my parents and it was wonderful for all of us. My parents still say she was the best dog they ever had. I got a peaceful house, but I still got to see Coyote all the time.

 

[Akane]

Having all dominant females personally I have no problem going through the trouble introducing them. I'm just used to it considering the breeds I deal with and occasionally fostering those breeds. Success is largely based on the control you have over your current dog and whether you realize when to step in and when to let them work it out. Second most important thing is that you have very clear defined rules. Also keep in mind dogs cannot be equal. Dogs have a pack order and treating the new dog as equal to your current one will only upset your current dog. The current dog should get more attention and more treats with the new dog around definitely not less. She should be included in everything and frequently given her own time during the day when the new one is not around even if they've been doing fine together.

First do get kavik spayed. Yes it will increase problems if she isn't and if she comes into heat both dogs may act quite insane and could even kill each other given the chance. Until she recovers from her spay keep them apart and then introduce slowly. It's best to keep the new dog in a crate for a few days while taking them on walks together without letting them get close enough to do anything. When you do let them interact the first few times are best done off leash (many dogs are more defensive on leash so success rate of introductions goes up when off leash) out of the house in a neutral confined area like a friend's yard or the dog park while it's fairly empty. Do not feed them together or give them anything to chew on without crating one or putting them in seperate rooms. Pick up all toys and chewies and introduce them a few at a time watching for any sign of trouble. There may be certain things that they always have to given apart from each other. When ever you aren't supervising and especially when you aren't home seperate them. Mine are crated whenever I am not home even the ones that get along great when I am. I allow one dog to reprimand another provided it ends quickly without anyone getting hurt. If it doesn't some one is in serious trouble and gets put in a down stay with all their toys, treats, or whatever they were arguing over taken away until they chill. I also allow dogs to protect something they have within reason, no one should end up injured, but not use threats to take something someone has. If I give it to someone they have the right to keep it and no one has the right to try to take it unless I step in and give it to someone else. I set any food items directly in front of the dog or cat it goes to in order to avoid confusion. They know what is theirs and what is not. That's part of having clear consistent rules that is so important when managing multiple dogs.

 

[sweetshoplady]

If you do decide to rehome her, you do have the option of getting the "right" husky for your family that will fit in perfectly with everybody, even if its a Mr. Husky, rather than a lady husky. My dog Sasha didn't like any other dogs til I got Major. It took a little bit, and it helped that he has a beta dog personality. But they did become great friends.