Just last week we became the owners of an Alaskan Malamute needing a home. His name is Akuma, and he is 7 years old. We have been dealing with the sort-of howling at 5:30 in the morning, and the digging here and there, but yesterday, he took a dip in the family pool and ended up popping two holes in the liner because he couldn't get out and tried to climb out rather than just doggy paddle back to the stairs. I ended up getting my daughter to bring me the leash and I lead him with the leash to the stairs where he climbed out. Though the pool has been repaired, we don't know what to do to prevent a recurrence (despite the trauma of what happened to him, he tried 3 times after that to get in the pool again)....even if we teach him how to use the stairs to get in and out, we really don't want to risk damaging our pool, not to mention having dog hairs floating in the pool. The pool is enough work to maintain as it is.
SO, here are my questions..... .
1) If we get a kiddy pool for him, will he use that instead of the family pool? Anyone have experience with that?
2) Someone sells this training device that makes a high pitched sound that annoys dogs to make them quit doing what they are doing. Does this kind of device work? Would it be a long-term deterrent? If these doo dads work, I would be glad to have it to keep him from eating my flowers and stuff too. Any comments on these devices?
3) I saw mentioned elsewhere that wet sand in a kiddy pool may be preferred to water, as that way, the dog can also dig there. Anyone with experience with that?
FYI, we live in Georgia, and it is hot here this time of year. The dog spends his days on a shaded rock patio, and he always has plenty of water.
Any advice and comments would be very welcomed. This dog is smart and strong. We fear that if he wants into the pool he will eventually just jump the barricades we have put up. We don't want him to drown, and as I said, we don't want him in the pool generally anyway.
Thanks,
Mary