Siberian Huskies > Siberian Husky Discussions

New Member in need of help - Agression problems with Siberian and Mal

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Cymbaline:
Hi everyone - My name is Cymbaline and I'm located in Austin, Texas.

I'm sorry I'm not giving a formal introduction I'll be happy to fill in any gaps later :)

I apologize ahead of time for this being so long and if this is posted in the wrong area :(

I think I maybe faced with a problem with two of my dogs. I own 1 male malamute (Amadeus) and 1 male Siberian and malamute mix (Bandit).

We adopted both from an animal shelter. Both live outside in a 200 square foot pen. My boyfriend and I spend as much time as possible with both dogs. On average this equals to 30 to 45 minutes a day with the dogs.

Both dogs are neutered. I can not claim both are obedient dogs however both are highly intelligent and can hit any obedience training command right off the bat.

That saying they both have their quirks which makes them both very unobedient as well.

Amadeus is an escape artist. This we recognized in him from the start so we built the pen to be as tough as possible. The pen is made with wire fencing made to contain horse. The bottom of the pen as chicken wire buried into the dirt, The top of the pen has electric wire and the pen door is chained and padlocked.

Amadeus however in the last 4 years we have had both dogs has managed to break out of the pen twice.


This being said today was the second time. When I left to go to work this morning both dogs where in the pen. I know because I through them their morning raw hide treat, say good morning and give them both some ear scratches before I leave.

This afternoon both dogs where in the pen. I know because I gave them both a chicken jerky, gave them ear scratches, checked and filled up their water.

Later however I have man knock on my door and tell me that both of my dogs had gotten out today and killed his pet rabbit. I follow him to his house and he shows me his pet rabbit which is still laying on his back porch, the broken down hutch etc.

He tells me that someone had informed him that they saw my dogs loose and someone else had put my dogs back into their pen.

I apologize to him, ask him if there is anything I can please do for him. I do not know what to say concerning this because I have never dealt with this type of problem before. I understand that he has to be mad at me concerning this issue. I would be mad as well. I honestly wish there is something I could do for the man but I know I can not.

The owner of the rabbit informs me that he thought his house had been vandalized prior to seeing the dead rabbit and had called the police to file a report.

He believes the police will label my dogs as dangerous dogs. I disagree that this will come down to that. I know recently there was a little girl who did get mauled by a pack a dogs in my neighborhood. At that time there was not leash law. There supposely is a leash law now in my neighborhood. I was one who supported that law. However there are still several dogs running loose in my neighborhood. The same dogs running loose prior to the leash law coming into effect are still running loose in my neighborhood so I don't think the law is really being enforced all to well.

I feel if the police does do anything to me it maybe a fine for having my dogs running loose. There isn't a law that states they have to be registered by the way.

Also in Texas for a dog to be labeled "dangerous dog" it must have attacked a human.

Ok so well.. back to my problem...

Even with all of the above do not feel I do not feel regret for what happened. I do all too well because I love animals. I'm hurt my dogs did what they do however I also know dogs are dogs and rabbits are prey animals.

I feel my dogs did what came naturally to them. I also feel it's my responsibility to ensure this does not happen again and here is why I'm coming to you all.


I need advice. I feel my dogs do have a higher prey drive. I do suspect they may have aggressive tendencies. I have some grounds to feel this way however I never had an incident which proves they are.

My dogs have done the following which scares me.

1. Gave short chase to a kid on a bike
2. My dog Bandit did growl on two different incidents when a little kid got in his face
3. Killed that rabbit (not sure which did it)
4. My dog Bandit chased after a flock of ducks once
5. My dog Amadeus once attacked another malamute at the dog park (according to the owner)

The deal is I don’t want to make excuses and end up with something really happening.  Besides trying to re-enforce their pen, maybe try to get them more exercise (which is hard because I myself hate exercise and here being hot weather right now) what else is there that I can try?

I’ve considered more obedience training however like I said before they can hit any lesson taught with flying colors no problems. I don’t have a problem with obedience when dealing with them one on one.

But together they seem more unruly. I’m considering the following.

1.   Find a home for one of the dogs. I don’t know which one because I love both. But maybe when I do I’ll find a more submissive, calmer older spayed female as a companion for one.

I may actually find Amadeus a new home since he is the one that has the tendency to try and break loose all the time. This may resolve one problem.

But I fear that Bandit may have aggression issues (which Amadeus has not shown towards people) and I need to deal with that.

Ok… please help. Please be nice guys. I don’t know anyone here yet. I know everyone is a critic in life but I feel bad enough. I know my dogs have done wrong. I know I need to do something. I take blame and with that I want to take action I just need to know what is the best course.

Thank You
Cymbaline

SaraphWolf79:
Hiya Cymbaline and welcome to the site!

You and I dear appear to have the same problem - dogs that are master escape artists.  For one, the breed you have gives off a good clue...malamut es and especially siberian huskies, from what I'm learning (it's a slow, frustrating process, believe you me) are born to run.  It's in their blood.  Mine has already escaped from the yard 4 times now in the last 3 months I've owned him.  Fortunately, each time some kind person found him and returned him to me.  He's not an aggressive dog by any means (he's neutered as well) but even still, the times he's gotten loose and is gone off on one of his wild running sprees around town worries the heck out of me not only because he may get hit by a car, he may by chance hurt someone or another animal. 

I also have a German Shepherd and Chow.  They were basically raised together, and are like sisters.  The German Shepherd is stunningly clever when it comes to getting out of the yard.  She knows how to open gates and I've had to put locks on all of the latches so she isn't able to open them.  When one idea fails to work, she tries another...it takes a little time, but she always finds another way, is always one step ahead of the game.  We cemented all the way around the fence and she still finds her way out.  We eventually had an 8 ft wooden fence put up - that worked for almost two years, I was actually starting to become convinced we had won the battle...appar ently not won the war, however lol.  In one night, while we were sleeping, she tore a hole in the fence and squeezed her way out.  *sighs* 

Except for that, both girls mind well, but when they're together, watch out.  Naga, the German Shepherd, listens better than my Chow, but even still, separately, they both act like little angels.  When you get them together, it's like two demon spawns from h*ll.  Always up to something, always planning something, always getting into trouble.  If I could, I'd give one away, but I don't have the heart to separate the two, they've been together for 10 years now, and it would be cruel to break their bond now.

I wish there was some kind of advice I could give you for your babies.  It doesn't sound like they're bad dogs at all - you just have to constantly be one step ahead of them.  If you ever need someone to vent your pup frustrations on, you can always talk to me.  I'm here for ya!

-Carrie     

DixieSugarBear:

--- Quote ---He tells me that someone had informed him that they saw my dogs loose and someone else had put my dogs back into their pen.

--- End quote ---

Have you talked to the person that saw the dog loose? Have you talked to the persona that put the dogs back in the pen?  Could the rabbit have been killed by the other loose dogs?
 

You may want to try kongs or some toys to keep them busy during the long hours spent in the pen.  Is is possible to spend several hours a day with them, maybe inside the home during the evening hours?


Lisa

waffles717:
Sounds like you cound have a problem! but being he is outside this would be a sulution at night,I would use a Muzzle! just for the times of really Bordon, when you know he could be aGssvise,he will not be able to get out,and during the day give things he really likes so at so by night time he eat's gets his muzzels then he can's get out!! by then he will calm down and also vet's do give things to dog's to help this is all fails But will Muzzel HE will not be able to Chew!!!or Hurt any one!!!Only a thought!!!!Hope I Helped!!M,L,!!!

BabsT:
I am sorry but you cant expect to working breeds of dogs to be content in a pen and only getting 45 minutes of attention a day even if you gave them all the kongs in the world.  They need to be stimulated physically and mentally

your dogs are bored and need something to do.  Givethem a job, strap a harness to them take them for hikes..somethi ng...If you yourself hate exercise, why would you get dogs that need tons of exercise?

I am out of the house at either 4 or 5 am to take my dog for his walk and wait until sometimes 10pm when it is cool enough to do our 3 miles...He also can do it in the middle of the day when it is 90 and humbid but I rather it be enjoying for him

add a top to the pen to it to prevent them from jumping over. Electric fencing doesnt phase most dogs.
 
How old are the dogs?  I am surprised that two male nordic breeds are ok with each other.  I could be because they are not mature yet

Muzzling is not going to solve any problem if anything it will add to it making the dog even more frustrated.

Enroll in some OB training and work them everday with it...

I can be rather harsh and I am sorry for that but you owe it to them to exercise and take on the full responsibilty of owning a dog

Good Luck

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