So, I haven't posted anything in a while because I didn't have internet until today. A lot of stuff has happened recently and I thought I would fill everyone in. First off, Ecko has definitely got to go, she almost ate my mom's puppy, and I can't put up with that, I know that it was all my fault because she was already cat aggressive and I should have put 2 and 2 together and not let her near the poor thing. Pixie(my mom's puppy) is doing better, just some minor cuts, bruises and sprains, but my conscience is definitely still being beat up. Another reason she has to go... Steven and I are searching for a puppy, and I don't want any more incidents like that to happen. We finally decided that we are getting a puppy soon, and we are buying one with the intention to show and breed. Icon has just turned 2 so he will be getting his OFA for hips and elbows done tomorrow to prove him for breeding. Another test that huskies intended for breeding need to pass is their CERF certification. The OFA only needs to be done once after the 2 year mark, the CERF needs to be continually renewed with breeding dogs, so I was planning on just getting that done right before the female is ready. So guys, you know what that means? PUPPY PICTURES!!! yay:) I am looking for a solid white female with dark points, or a really light gray and white one... eye color is of no concern but I do have a name picked out if she has blue eyes. This is big for me guys, and Steven has been so frustrated with me since we decided we were getting a puppy because I have constantly been doing research and on the phone with breeders... So wish me luck! I missed you guys!

I'm sorry about Ecko... I know that can be frustrating when you put your heart and soul into a dog and realize that they just weren't the right fit for you from the start. I really wish that there were a way that you could keep her. Have you tried positive reinforcement training with the small dogs and Ecko? Victoria Stilwell did a great episode of It's Me or the Dog on it-- the dog's name was Sydney and I believe it's an episode that you can stream online. It would involve having the dogs leashed in the same room as far apart from each other as needed and feeding them high-value treats. Everytime Ecko looks away from the other dogs, treat her. Eventually you get the dogs closer and closer. It takes a lot of work, but it's definitely possible!!

I understand your decision, but if it were me, I'd try to exhaust every possible effort.

I would also read Laura Turner's list of questions to ask before you breed. It's really quite good and gives you a good idea of what things you can expect and what to have prepared. Here's a link:
So You Want to Be a Breeder?


Glad to have you back!!

Bummer, Brit. Has Kay tried working with Ecko? I know she's a behaviorist. Really, I understand the issue, but to get rid of Ecko? You say it's your fault....... can't you try one more time?
If I could, I'd take her in, but just don't have the room. Sorry it didn't work out, and hope the breeding goes well for you. Keep us up to date on it all....

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Well guys... Believe me, I won't do it if I can't do it right. This isn't some idea that's popped itself into my head and I have plenty of experience with all the "bad" things that happen when you breed irresponsibly, I work at a vet clinic. I have also been doing extensive research on genetics of the breed and contracts that would go out with my pups... Which will all be down the road. As for Ecko... She was a foster acquirement in the first place, her only issue is the small animals, and if I plan on getting a puppy I don't plan on putting her life at risk while she is most vulnerable, I have exhausted every avenue possible and I am sick of depriving her of a home where she can fit in comfortably... And the cats... I'm in love with all my animals and I couldn't bear to see her hurt them... It's been clear for a long time (since we got her to be exact) that she was not a good fit for my home and my intentions, I just have a hard time placing her with anyone else bc I don't trust other people to be able to handle her issues. Also I love it's me or the dog:) I will definitely have to look that episode up, but how could I make that work with cats? If one of them would decide to run across the room to bat a toy she would be on them.... It not a risk I'm willing to take and she needs to be in a home where these things aren't issues. And as for the reading material, I would definitely recommend it to some people in this area that I know, not clients just people, but I think I am enough of a worst case scenario thinker... I am so OCD about everything that has to do with these dogs...

could you work on Ecko's training with the small dogs that way you can make sure she goes to a home with no cats but know she will behave at the dog park or others small dogs and not have issues? you said in the b-day post she was not invited does that mean you have a new home or she was kept somewhere away from it all?

She got to play outside with the big dogs and I just didn't take pics bc the weather was terrible, and, to be honest, I don't have a small dog so I'm not going to borrow someone else's dog to potentially put their life at risk.... Sorry.

You know there are no decent dog parks... Or bad ones for that matter in my area at all... It sucks...

britandsteven wrote:

She got to play outside with the big dogs and I just didn't take pics bc the weather was terrible, and, to be honest, I don't have a small dog so I'm not going to borrow someone else's dog to potentially put their life at risk.... Sorry.

It seems like you're getting a bit defensive... I think Jenn and others are just trying to offer suggestions in case they are options that you hadn't explored. Remember that none of us know you personally and all we have to go by is what you post. You've been gone for a while and haven't posted any of the training that you've done with Ecko and we know the odds... a dog that has already been rehomed once or more than once doesn't have the best chance... and we know that you are a family that would take care of her and her needs. It's hard to watch a member rehome a dog just to get a puppy when we know nothing about what training has been done nor been able to offer help or advice.

Jenn actually has a lot of experience socializing her huskies with small dogs as Sierra is small dog aggressive and they're working on it everyday at home and have seen a trainer. Her advice and other's thoughts come from the best intentions and good hearts. In the end the decision is yours, but forums provide support and we accept the good and the bad criticism that comes along with it

We know that at the end of the day you will find a good, loving home for Ecko that will take care of her needs. But please see that the advice isn't meant to accuse you of anything, but rather to fill in the holes that we're left with.

I am not getting rid of her just to get a puppy. It seems that assumptions are being made about me as well, assumptions that hurt my feelings, so sorry if I sound a little defensive. I know I have explained the situation with Ecko in great detail and everyone knows she was a foster in the first place, my home is the first home she's been to besides the breeder, the breeder was the one who was neglecting her and we are adapting to her particular behavioral issues because I don't know a single person who would volunteer their small dog to help me socialize mine with it. So if you know someone then let me know...

And to be specific, Ecko won't hurt small dogs in the house, and not even on the patio, it was as soon as the puppy got off the patio she was on her and I had to pry her jaws open to get the puppy out... It was pretty traumatizing... And I already feel like I am doing a terrible job bc I am too scared to ask anyone for their small dog you know... It's really hard, I never want to replay that day again...

No one is trying to make you feel guilty The situation that you posted about with Ecko was in January and we haven't heard about it since. I had to go research your old posts to refresh my memory. Again... for the people that weren't around when you posted those things, all they have to go by is what you post in this thread. You listed getting a puppy as a major reason for rehoming her.

I don't think anyone was offering advice to accuse you of anything? I think that's a big assumption as well. Borrowing someone's small dog doesn't put their life at risk since training involves dogs that are leashed at all times. However, I understand your point and no one is forcing you to train, they were just asking if you had exhausted all options.

I know that a lot of the defensiveness comes from the fact that you're already beating yourself up over the decision, and I'm sorry for that. I know how that is and I am the same way... but don't feel the need to get defensive. No one is judging you. We are not you and we don't know the whole situation you know?

As for the breeding, I offer that post to every single person who tells me that they are going to breed if they don't tell me why they're breeding and/or how their breeding will better the breed for show, competition, or improve breed standards. Again... all I have to go by is what you write... I've already posted that link once before, so you're not the first.

Please don't be offended. If people have misinterpreted, it's an unfortunate side effect of forum posting, and we like to just clear the air and move on. Everyone posts with the best intentions at heart and that makes a big difference in my book.