Stopping this behaviour ASAP

Asbo if you can get them to get in contact with Terry Bouge at Celticwolf sounds like this boy could really do with his expertise

I "think" he might have been contacted, not 100% but he is o my FB so will find out x
 
Well done on making the right decision.

Sorry to just jump in on this discussion but I have a similar situation going on right now, but the owners of the dog are pig-ignorant and won't listen until someone gets seriously hurt.

My OH's parents have a Japanese Spitz that they dote on and treat like a baby. So, naturally, it shows aggressive behaviour to everyone other than those two. New grandchild arrived a few months ago and the dog was (begrudgingly) muzzled for about a week at the request of the child's mother... now the dog does not wear a muzzle and freely wanders about, getting quite close to the baby at times. A very dangerous situation. But they refuse to accept that they are putting this child at risk, "oh, she loves the baby! Look, Roxy, where's the baby?" and other such baby-talk... I fear that it's going to take someone getting seriously hurt for them to wake up to the situation.

Our biggest fear is that the baby will be the one who will get hurt.

I totally admire your immediate decision to move the dog on. You've recognised the dangers and you've taken action.

I would disagree to letting it go to another unsuspecting family, as others have said, but he's going to a breed-specialist charity who may be able to help this animal. I'm sure, if he doesn't turn out to be suitable for family life (with no children) in the near future then they may opt to send him to a working home.

Good luck to you and Nanuq.
 
Asbo,
if anyone slates you, ignore them. You have done the right thing, no doubt.
Am appalled the breeder will not take him back.
Whenever we have puppies which is very occasionally, (we don't have Malamutes), we would take them back without hesitation.
We consider if we breed them we are responsible for the rest of their lives, period!

It is vital that any perspective owner is made aware what has happened with your dog and he should only
go to any home where they are fully aware!

I do hope your son and husband are okay, and I hope the dog finds an appropriate home.

Best wishes
 
Last edited:
Thanks everyone and thanks Alec, your right, worst birthday ever, spent most of it in tears lol

Just back from a walk with him and hes so loving and kind towards me, got to the garden and my middle daughter was there and his whole body language changed and you could practically feel the stress coming from him, total different dog to the one she was cuddling and playing with on Sunday, no idea what we did to him in 24 hours to change this but hes not the happy dog he was playing with us on sunday afternoon x
 
You didn't do anything to him Asbo, he obviously has issues whether caused in his previous home or even possibly hereditary, please don't blame yourself.

And happy birthday, although it may not feel like it right now!!
 
I've replied to you on fb hon, but rest assured you didn't cause this! He is scared, confused and going by your photo's really doesnt know how to handle hugs and wuffles. He had these issues anyway and, sadly, you're the one to pick up the pieces.
xxx
 
Asbo im in complete agreement with MJ this is nothing you have done, he came to you with these problems and maybe if you didnt have the children I would have maybe wished you to persevere with him and get some of Terrys invaluable help along the way but with what has happened in the last 24 hours I would say you are definitely doing the right thing and giving this boy a chance
 
We have done a good few yr of research on Mals/spent time with them before deciding to get one, sadly, this boy is not for us, he was 100% fine the first day we had him, yesterday he went for my son 4 times, we had a soft muzzle on him after the first time but he still managed to bruise his face,growled at my daughter and bit my husband last night, why? Because they all came near me!
Today while I had him in the garden I didn't hear my nephew and SIL arrive, he tried to grab my 4 yr old nephew twice before I could split them up. He has issues way beyond anything I can deal with, I have spent the last 24 hours upset thinking its something I have done, I have spoken to the last owner and the breeder, neither will have him back, hes on the urgent list to be rehomed with someone with experience and no children. He is a amazingly loving boy, I have only had him 48 hours but I am heartbroken this has happened as I think he will be a perfect family member when he knows his bounderies.
Feel free to slate anything I have done, but right now, my children come first.

That's not good for you at all, the previous owners should be ashamed if they sold you this pup knowing he had issues way beyond just being a puppy and needing to learn some manners and the house rules (of which you described in your first post) I missed, was this a supposed reputable breeder? I have to say as a rescue given a home with young children and his breed, needs and size and given the age of the dog it would have been a no, but when private sales go ahead its up to the seller and the buyer, sorry you had to experience this from what sounded like puppy behaviour has turned into something that's sounds like its reared its head before and truths have not been shared, not good in such a young puppy :(
 
I haven't commented before because I have no experience of malamutes, but reading your early posts my thoughts were that he was not the pup for you. You have nothing to blame yourself for at all, I rehomed a rescue collie that I could not trust with my children , your family have to come first. I do think the breeder should have assessed this pup before recommending you took him on, but maybe the new owners told the breeder a pack of lies. I really hope the person taking him on can turn him round, and offer him a home for life, or otherwise is prepared to make the decision to pts.
I wish you the best of luck with a future pup, I am sure you will have no problems bringing an 8 week old pup up to be a perfect member of your family.
 
I'm staggered at the range of advice on this thread, and equally staggered that anyone's suggested any form of remedial action.

The OP, I'm sure with the best of intentions, but from a position of apparent inexperience;
Has taken on a puppy which "wont" crate, at a very young age is quite happy to self harm, which would indicate that pain or discomfort are of no consequence.
Has learned no boundaries,
Has the manners of a pack animal that's had no leader, and no discipline, and as the OP has to come on here for advice, presumably she's not experienced enough to hand out the necessary control.
Is showing an alarming interest in a small child, to the point where they can't be in the same room together, and
People are suggesting that a toddler is taught how to react!
Suggesting that a long line, or a close boarded gate, or a cage, or anything other than a professional handler's attention be focused on the dog.

Those who are offering advice seem to have overlooked the fact that a puppy has already got the better of its new owner. They've also overlooked the fact that such a puppy, even though it's of a tender age, is in a house with a very small child. The only thing which I've not yet read is that the OP tries Clicker Training, or treats perhaps. Lunacy.

asbo, this isn't an attack upon you, though it may sound it, and I realise that you're probably out of your depth, but the advice that I would give you is that you either hand your child over to someone else whilst you concentrate on the dog, or vice versa. I'd be amazed at the breeder, if they knew your domestic situation, handing this particular puppy over to you. You've chosen a breed which are generally of a less than amenable nature (for generations they've never needed it), you've chosen an individual which appears to have an already established and intense opinion of itself, and whilst you may be prepared to have this thing wreck your house, for the safety of your small child, that puppy should be back to the breeder, by tonight.

Alec.

I suggested the toddler was taught how to react and whilst I don't disagree with the sentiment of your response on the whole I think a suggestion to the OP of "managing" the child's response rather than ignoring it is better than doing nothing. I think it is a valid point that an adult who is concerned about their child's response should address it. I didn't address the issue of whether the dog was in a suitable home or not. Don't know the breed, the owners level of experience or their commitment to keeping the dog or otherwise. but I think ALL dog owners with young children should teach their children how to respond to an exuberant dog in an appropriate manner and that was my only suggestion.
 
I suggested the toddler was taught how to react and whilst I don't disagree with the sentiment of your response on the whole I think a suggestion to the OP of "managing" the child's response rather than ignoring it is better than doing nothing. I think it is a valid point that an adult who is concerned about their child's response should address it. I didn't address the issue of whether the dog was in a suitable home or not. Don't know the breed, the owners level of experience or their commitment to keeping the dog or otherwise. but I think ALL dog owners with young children should teach their children how to respond to an exuberant dog in an appropriate manner and that was my only suggestion.

With the greatest of respect I think managing the reaction of a two year old to any interaction with a dog is at very best
futile and in reality impossible. Children of that age will act purely by instinct and in a situation where they are frightened
they will just panic or be terrified if faced with an agressive dog.
No one should ever allow a two year old child to be subject to an aggressive dog regardless of your technique of trying to deal with it!
A Malamute as described will be more than a match for a fully grown strong man, children stand no chance, I really, really
wish people would realise this!
 
Thank you again everyone, Nanuq is still here and will be off to his new home tomorrow with no children, other Mals to play with and teach him and someone who can deal with any issues he has, he will be in very good hands, I would not be allowing him to go otherwise.

I have had dealt with many issues with my dogs in the past, but none that have involved my own children. I may have only had Nanuq 48 hours but I have fallen in love with the big lump and will be keeping in touch with his new owners as I only want the best for him.

This has far from put us off Mal's and we will look to get a puppy, but we will wait until my little boy is older and I shall spend the time drooling and doing even more study on them x
 
Asbo how far are you from Aviemore?

Mister jay and myself will be there in January at the big rally will literally be hundreds of mals and sibes there.

You could meet and chat to lots of breeders and see what type of malamute you like and believe me there are types as I really think the kennel you were looking at are a no go now
 
Asbo how far are you from Aviemore?

Mister jay and myself will be there in January at the big rally will literally be hundreds of mals and sibes there.

You could meet and chat to lots of breeders and see what type of malamute you like and believe me there are types as I really think the kennel you were looking at are a no go now

We are about 2 1/2 hr drive, would love to go, can you give me more info at some point? x
 
Asbo, you are one special person. Faced with a problem you asked for help, but when it became obvious that more was needed, you found that too. You've put the welfare of your son first and foremost, but have managed to give Nanuq the chance of a new and fulfilling life as well. Your phone must have been red hot these last 24 hours. Good luck tomorrow when he goes, and once you get the call to say he is settling into his new home OK, you can begin to relax again.
Funnily enough, I've just got home from an 8 hour round trip, returning an aggressive dog back to her breeder (for a customer). Like Nanuq, no particular rhyme nor reason behind it, and so unpredictable, the owners had tried everything, but in the end, they had to give her up. So sad.
Good luck tomorrow, we'll be thinking of you...
 
Gosh, thank you. The end of the day I only want Nanuq to be happy, well looked after and loved, I can give him all those things but it would come at a price, his happiness would be compromised as its no life for a dog to be sectioned away from the family and I will not do that to him. To do what is best for everyone is hard, my 10 yr old is heartbroken that hes going, my 2 yr old wants to cuddle him, sure he thinks Nanuq is my BIL's boy and doesn't understand why doggy is not allowed cuddled by him, my husband after spending time with him tonight is sad he has to go as well. But, hes going to have a fantastic life, he will want for nothing and I will be sending little gifts for him and his new friends, hes going to be a happy Moot and that's what matters x
 
asbo,

the little piece of experience that you've gained, has only cost you money, a fact of which I'm sure that you're aware. It could so easily have been a tragedy, and of that you will also be aware. I would seriously counsel that when you chose your next dog, you consider the age of your youngest children, and plan accordingly.

Alec.
 
We will not be getting another dog for quite some time I feel, unless my BIL/SIL need to rehome their boy as they have just told us they are splitting up, but he's a 7 yr old family dog who we spend weekends/holidays with and he has stayed with us before.
 
hope it all works out for the little fella in his new home and pleased no one has been harmed whilst he was with you.

kids come first always and young kids are more unpredictable than kids so I dont think anyone disagrees with the idea he has to go

Happy Birthday for yesterday may next years be a better day for you
 
Asbo how far are you from Aviemore?

Mister jay and myself will be there in January at the big rally will literally be hundreds of mals and sibes there.

You could meet and chat to lots of breeders and see what type of malamute you like and believe me there are types as I really think the kennel you were looking at are a no go now

Brilliant idea - come and wuffle our dogs!
Here's the website for Aviemore - not much at the moment, but they will put more on nearer the time!
http://siberianhuskyclub.org.uk/aviemore-rally/2014-shcgb-aviemore-rally/
 
Wanted to update this, yesterday was a very hard day for me, Nanuq set off to his new home and I have had updates that he travelled fine, everyone he travelled with loved him and hes now settling in.
After asking for our money back, we did get it, and then I was accused of slating the owners, that Nanuq was still their dog now they had returned the money/papers still had their name on them.
I have not slated them ANYWHERE, I have only done what I throught was the right thing for Nanuq when THEY refused to take him back, the breeder refused to take him back and I could not keep a dog who disliked small children in my home when I have 3 children, children in the cottage next door and family.
This has been about Nanuq's welfare and happiness, I fell in love with him and wanted the best for him, that sadly was not with my family, but I have helped him to get to the family that is right for him and I have nothing to feel guilty about. His new home knows everything I know about him and can help him and train him in ways I can not.
 
Wanted to update this, yesterday was a very hard day for me, Nanuq set off to his new home and I have had updates that he travelled fine, everyone he travelled with loved him and hes now settling in.
After asking for our money back, we did get it, and then I was accused of slating the owners, that Nanuq was still their dog now they had returned the money/papers still had their name on them.
I have not slated them ANYWHERE, I have only done what I throught was the right thing for Nanuq when THEY refused to take him back, the breeder refused to take him back and I could not keep a dog who disliked small children in my home when I have 3 children, children in the cottage next door and family.
This has been about Nanuq's welfare and happiness, I fell in love with him and wanted the best for him, that sadly was not with my family, but I have helped him to get to the family that is right for him and I have nothing to feel guilty about. His new home knows everything I know about him and can help him and train him in ways I can not.

They refused Hun because they know what they have done it may not have been intentional, it could be simple things like not socialised well enough especially with children etc, but it was done and they didn't want to deal with the outcome, Nanuq was very lucky to have come to you even for that short time you have set him on the right path and given him the chance to become the well rounded dog we know malamutes can be so don't let anyone tell or make you feel different.
Your mooty is out there you just haven't crossed paths yet x
 
They refused Hun because they know what they have done it may not have been intentional, it could be simple things like not socialised well enough especially with children etc, but it was done and they didn't want to deal with the outcome, Nanuq was very lucky to have come to you even for that short time you have set him on the right path and given him the chance to become the well rounded dog we know malamutes can be so don't let anyone tell or make you feel different.
Your mooty is out there you just haven't crossed paths yet x

Absolutely agree.
 
Thanks guys, I was made to feel 1000 times worse yesterday by the texts I was sent, end of the day I was the only one willing to stand up and help Nanuq out of the 3 homes he had.
 
Top