Dozer's reaction

My nine year old dog was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis and Osteochondrosis (from poor breeding and a thyroid condition which caused her to gain weight) about a year ago. She is on medication now but the vet said that she is going to get more and more pained. I decided that as long as she is still getting around and acting happy she will stay on the meds but as soon as she can't get around I'll consider letting her go. Unfortunately she has begun to act lethargic, not eating, laying down 90% of the time and sometimes not bothering to make it outside to use the bathroom. She also has begun to growl at Dozer when the kids are playing around her and she even has attacked him out of the clear blue which is SO not like her. Which means that I put her up when the kids are in the living room because I'm afraid they will hurt her or she will hurt them. She can't make it up the stairs much anymore and has developed sores from sleeping on the hardwood floors when she has a perfectly good dog bed. So I've decided that it may be time to consider letting her go. I've had her since she was 8 weeks old so its a hard decision but one that has been debated on for the past four months.

Well my boyfriend has always wanted a Siberian Husky (don't ask me why) puppy. I think since he pays half the monthly pet fee that he should have his own dog once Halo is gone. My problem is that I don't know if I trust Dozer around a puppy but I don't know that he would do anything to one. I was wondering what ways I could introduce him to a puppy but still keep the puppy safe. A lot of the ideas that i have come up with I disapprove on my own. Dozer is 1 and a half un-neutered 54 lb male. His past behavior is that he is dog aggressive over other DOGS sometimes. He has ignored other dogs before when they are in their yard or walking when we are. But he will go after others. He has gotten into a fight with a stray dog when I was walking him before, the dog came up the sniffed each other the other dog raised his tail, I was trying to slowly move Dozer away and the other dog attacked. Every since Dozer has been iffy about other dogs. He was socialized as a puppy but as most of us know that doesn't matter as they age they can turn dog aggressive. But I have never had him around a puppy he could reach before for fear he would hurt one. My first step is going to be to get him neutered. I'm trying to find a low cost spay/neuter or a vet who let me make payments. The cost of neutering dogs has went up and I just can't right out afford it right now. We have both decided a female Husky for safety sake. What do you guys think?

 

Well, a female will certainly help your situation. If you decide to get a male, I would suggest you wait until your dog is about 2 1/2 before making your final decision. Dozer may still have puppy mentality, which may change in the next months. Thus, there is better probability it will get along just fine with a female......just like a dog

How do you introduce a pup to a dog while keeping both safe from harm? I suggest one of you hold Dozer by the leash while the other picks up the pup by scruff (which calms the pup) and brings it close enough to be smelled by Dozer. Let Dozer smell the pup's "butt". Dozer may get a little excited at this point. If it goes well, then, sit on the floor with the pup between your legs and your hands holding him. Let Dozer smell the pup again. I tell you told the pup while on the floor because it is not likely that Dozer will try to bite the pup while your hands are on him (just in case). If Dozer seems fine with the pup, then, you let the pup investigate Dozer while holding Dozer tightly. This is when we watch to see how Dozer reacts to being sniffed and explored. If all goes well, then you can take it from here.

 

The only problem I would have with that is what if he decides he doesn't like the puppy and he attacks it while I am holding it. I thought about keeping them in seperate rooms or on seperate sides of a fence that way if he decides to attack I will have more control. The problem with holding Dozer while seeing other dogs is that he takes that as me telling him its ok to be aggressive. I also thought of letting the puppy sleep on a blanket at the breeders and bringing that home and putting it in his bed. It's just he is thick headed and I don't want my boyfriends dog killed or hurt because of him. He has done fine with all female dogs that have lived in the house but has growled at puppies when in his cage. Which brings up the fear, it might have been because of his territory but it was still frightening to think he would harm them.

 

That is why I said to do in steps. The first would be to have one hold him tight and only bring him close enough to smell the pup while you hold it by the scruff (which keeps the pup in a calm stage). We are trying to introduce him in steps. If done right, he will not be able to bite him just smell.

He should take what you are saying (commands) in higher regard than what he assumes. You have to know your dog and he should know what you mean regardless of the situation.

I honestly do not feel that will make a difference if the dog wants to bite. Proper introduction is key not how to introduce a smell. This is why I have suggested you place yourself as a shield. He will know your hand is around the pup and will not look to harm you. Well, at least this is how i saved a kitten from getting killed. My boy was soooo looking forward to it but because my hands were wrapped around the kitten, it could only look in anxiety.

When in his cage???......hmmm, sounds like this is the only way you have introduced puppies to it. You have to learn the limits of your dog. That is most important. If you feel your dog will not bite you, then, you must make yourself shield to any "possible" attack on this female pup.