Hi everyone - We aren't first time Husky owners - but we are first time purebred owners..

We adopted Kenai yesterday from a local couple who were moving in a week and need urgently to rehome him.  After a home visit and some time playing with our Pitbull mix Yoshi, it was clear that they were going to get along fine!

I mean can you blame us - this boy is just beautiful!! And he has the sweetest demeanor - excellent with our kids (7 and 5 years old)..

So, enough talk - I know everyone wants pics - so here you go!









Looking forward to spending time in your little corner of the 'net!

Welcome to the forum! Glad they get along so well
Be looking for your scrapbook

Man, Chris, I sure hope you're up to the two of them! I'm betting 'play time' can get a bit nerve wracking with two such high energy breeds! << laughing >>

Beautiful dogs and I'm thinking Kenai was just waiting for someone with a friend to come along for him. I'm sorry that his previous owners couldn't keep him but I'm glad he found such a welcoming home ...

And welcome to all of you to our little corner of madness!!

aljones wrote:

Man, Chris, I sure hope you're up to the two of them!  I'm betting 'play time' can get a bit nerve wracking with two such high energy breeds! << laughing >>

Just a bit - Yoshi used to play pretty rough and tumble with our other Husky Chow mix and they had a language worked out for when enough was enough... He's still figuring out how to play with Kenai - there have been a couple very brief squabbles - or "discussions" you could say... now I know the signs to look for.. Its funny - you read books on dominant behavior and then when you actually see it - its like "wow, he really is doing that isn't he".  In this case, Kenai was "t-ing off" on Yoshi and low growling after Yoshi was trying to get him to play.. so I jumped in with a sharp "NO!" and that was that - didn't happen again.

The other difference is that his former playmate was a female, and Kenai is an un-altered male..  I will be getting him fixed in the next week or so, so that will likely help with the "testosterone" issues.

Actually though - So far Kenai is pretty laid back.. and just wants to parol a bit and then find a corner to sleep in - if we get up and walk around he will pop up and join us and then lay down where we are... he doesn't seem to crave attention - but is starting to get a little jealous.  

I tested the water to see if he would want some attention if Yoshi was getting doted on... so I got on the floor and started nuzzling and gently tussling Yoshi.. within a minute Kenai was right there looking me in the eye - so I gave him some snuggles and he vocalized a bit (still not up on husky vocalizations - kind of like a whine) and then seemed content to go lay down again.  Hopefully thats a good thing?  

Great looking pack. Welcome to the forum.

Time will tell of the vocalizations.

Escher wrote:

...he vocalized a bit (still not up on husky vocalizations - kind of like a whine) and then seemed content to go lay down again.  Hopefully thats a good thing?  

I think each dog communication is different when it comes to vocalization. Watch the mannerisms and the ears, tail, eyes, teeth/grin for more stressors.

Mine (Vlad 6 mo) is very vocal with a whine when he wants attention or even a yip. But he shoves him self into to all situations.
Now Bourbon 3.5yo is very vocal with a rumble to growl. The rumble is all BIG talk just like woos and warbles but the growl is low and quiet more of a warning while I think the teeth bare is more the indicator that he is really warning not just saying no but BACK OFF.
(I noticed this alot when Vlad gets on the bed with Bourbon and touches him. Bourbon is not used to Baylin touching him but Vlad stretches legs and pushes on Bourbon or steps on him. Some is little growls for hey watch it others are BACK OFF MY SPACE growls and I can tell the difference in the two even though both are quiet and grumpy as Bourbon will be sleepy.)

Welcome to the forums!

hi, welcome to the forums. you have to very handsome fur babies. i'm glade he found a family that welcomed him with arms wide open.

Thanks for the warm welcome everyone!

So - we got our first initiation into "True Husky Behavior" today.

I have been putting him in our old crate that used to be for my 13 YO Husky/Chow mix before she passed...  She never tried to get out or even made much of a fuss other than when it was time for FOOD!

Regardless, we left for a couple of hours to do some shopping....and when we got home....

He had managed to remove the entire front panel (its a portable quick assembling crate).. He somehow managed to unhook the top of the panel and fold it down... and then the havoc began.

He got on top of the dressers - knocked all the clothes and miscellaneous items on the floor.  He got into the window and shredded part of the drapes (about two feet long).  

I don't think he chewed anything and he didn't try to escape the room, so thats a small blessing..  Funny thing is I just can't blame him - Its totally my fault...

So - I cleaned up - and put literally 100 zip ties connecting all the panels.  No way he's getting out now - unless he has opposable thumbs and a knife!

Learned my lesson!!!

Ohh and just wanted to add - I totally understand that he needs exercise - we went for a 2 mile walk this morning along with lots of play time.. so while not exhausted by any means, he did get some good stimulation this morning right before going in his crate.

Any recommendations on safe toys or something I could leave in the crate to keep him busy when we go out?

I wish I had taken pictures of the crate Zhukov destroyed. It looked like a Tyrannosaurus Rex had been locked up inside that thing and had fought his way out. I ended up getting a heavy duty plastic crate for him. When we go out now, I leave him 1 Kong toy and a pigs ear to chew on.