End of rope

[formisoul]

I have a 19 mn. old Husky/mix that has me at the end of my rope after 11 months of owning him.  He NEVER stops moving until about 11:00pm. Many, many noises, gestures, etc. cause him to serenade me in a high-pitched bark and pace madly.  He literally leaps as much as 8 feet onto a couch, table, counter, etc., and he eats every thing not nailed down...I am quite serious about this and fear for his safety.  The vet said is very bright and in great health.  Every one that has met this dog literally says to me, "that dog is crazy."  I know all about exercise, for we walk 5 miles daily, broken into 3 increments.  We go to the park and he plays (roughly) with my Aussie Shep/Red Heeler.

I don't believe in disposable pets...but 11 months is ample time to know if a dog fits into your world.  MY doctor told me that my mental and physical health have deteriorated, due to nerves and stress, since adopting this abandoned dog.  I know this is probably why he was found on the streets, and I abhor giving up on an animal, but MY health is first priority.  I need answers.  I need help, support, doggie meds...anything.  If I could find him a GOOD, patient, loving owner, with the time and space (outside running room) to devote to my Husky, I would tearfully give him a new home.  I love him dearly and he is the sweet, most loving and affectionate dog, but my nerves cannot handle his energy level much longer.

Thanks,

Julie

[Ghilly]

My best advice, given the amount of time you have tried to make this work, is to find a husky rescue group and see if they will take him.  Tell them everything you have told us, and I don't think you'll have a problem getting the group to take him.

High drive dogs with lots of instinct are never easy to deal with, and a dog that is born to run anyway, especially with the drive and instinct that your puppy has, would absolutely fare better in a different home.  PLEASE don't feel guilty about rehoming him.  You have given it a LOT more time than anyone else would have, you have nothing to feel guilty about.  Please keep us posted and let us know how you're doing finding a home.  

Ghilly

[ginger899]

I can feel what you are going through....torn in two, because you love him, but can't manage this situation. I do not blame you! I wouldn't be able to handle this either!
So whatever you do, don't feel guilty.
Huskies are basically working-dogs (I don't know Huskies, but I do know working-dogs, and what they are like. They are untiring.)

So this energy, which is quite natural in him, nevertheless needs to be harnessed and controlled. And like Jaybay says, a good behaviourist could help you (and him) so much.

Another thing which may help is some food additives can cause hyperactivity. Try him on a natural well-balanced food but one that contains NO chemical additives.

Of course that isn't going to change his basic nature, but it might help to bring him to a more manageable level.

5 miles a day exercise, broken into 3 sessions sounds pretty good, and would be enough for most dogs. I know it may be difficult for you, but I also wonder if it is possible he could have the 5 miles all in one go, and plenty of running-and-fetching (across fields...??) on the way? It is also likely he might need this twice a day! Apart from the usual 'bathroom' breaks morning and evening. Now if you're on your own I guess this wouldn't be possible, unless you're super fit and have the time to do all this, and are crazy about walking! But if there is someone else you know, who may be able to take him for that second walk? I don't know.

Anyway, try the behaviourist. Because whether or not....he has to start behaving the way YOU want him to, and not running your energy down like a tyrant. He needs to channel this energy, and training with a professional I am sure will help you both.
Good luck.
(By the way I think you are doing great. It's like having a hurricane in your house!)

[formisoul]

Thank you so much for your kind words.  The guilt is the hardest part, especially when my dog, Karma, has his good moments.  He is very sweet and loves to have his ears rubbed..so when we are engaging in this positive and "quiet" behavior, life seems so easy.  It only lasts a couple minutes however.  I also feel badly for my other dog, Sante because the two of them are quite close, except with some territorial issues.  If I get Karma a new home I don't want to see Sante sad or lonely.  I adopted Karma partly because I felt Sante needed a companion and playmate.

I will continue working with Karma, praying, and see what happens.  Thanks for your input and understanding.

Take care,

Julie

[Jaybay]

God bless you Julie.  It's never easy to accept that not all pets can fit into our lives easily no matter how much we want them to.  Huskies were bred to go go GO all day long, so it can be difficult to place them in a home with an owner who can keep up.  The only other thing you could try is hiring a veterinary behaviorist.  This is a far different critter than a trainer - more like a psychologist.  You never know what you might discover to help with the problem.

Please try not to feel guilty.  You want the best for your dog, and it takes a lot of courage to admit that you may not be the best person for him.  Is there a husky rescue group in your area that can give you advice on rehoming?  They may even have seen this issue crop up in the breed and be able to give you some ideas to help lower the stress in the meantime.  Hugs to you!  :-)