Hello,
I'm new here - you can call me Fae. I have two dogs: Na'nook and my family's dog, Daku. Na'nook is an un-spayed two year old German Shepherd X Husky/Malamute (and possibly some wolf). We thought she'd be huge looking at her parents, but she's only about 60lbs. Daku weighs about the same, maybe slightly more, and he's a German Shepherd X Australian Shepherd. He's a year and a half old and recently neutered - we had an umbilical hernia removed then as well. It wasn't a problematic one, but he's very active and a bit clumsy so we were worried about him ripping it while doing something stupid... this dog once jumped off a twelve foot cliff after a ball.
They get along very well, though Na'nook is definitely alpha dog of the pair (she frequently humps Daku) and they have very different personalities. Na'nook is wary of strangers, especially men, and very smart. She steals human food whenever she can, and tends towards being slightly skittish.
Daku is a lovable idiot whose mind has a constant running monologue of "Fetch? Fetch? Fetch? OMIGOD, I'M GONNA GET THAT BALL! Look at me I got it! Again... fetch? Fetch?" When he eats it's as if he suddenly realizes he's hungry and he cleans out the bowl, but with Na'nook it's just to keep him out of it. Sometimes she just pushes the kibble around with her nose - she'd much rather have something else, but if it keeps Daku away she'll fake it.
I'm moving out of my dad's house pretty soon as I want to switch universities, so I have some questions about dog behaviour and moving, especially since I think I can only take Na'nook. It'll be my first time moving living on my own as well, but I'll feel much better with 60lbs of highly protective fur and fang (even if she's all bark and no bite) sleeping on my bed.
Last summer I worked under a guard dog trainer for a couple of months, and I learned a lot through him (though it was short because he couldn't afford the extra help) and through puppy training with Na'nook. I can very easily read my dogs' faces and behaviour. I love them very much.
The funniest part is that I used to be a cat person. I do still favour dogs/breeds that think for themselves.

[CorkyMax]

Hi!

Hope you like this forum. Get the feeling that you are just getting "acquainted"
at the time being and maybe anticipating some possible "issues" when you move out with your dog, Na'nook. If you do have problems, I'm sure you will find some answers in this forum---lot of dog trainers, groomers, etc. here.
LOL, but not me too much----My focus is mainly on nutrition and health ( a lot of books on those subjects) and of course I love dogs--all dogs and want to help them all I can. I have a cocker/golden retriever mix--Corky, will be 11 in June and a pure cocker, Max who turned 10 on April 1st. When I read your post about the moving part---things I thought of---separation of the 2 dogs, and esp. since it sounds like Na'nook is not a "good" eater, whether she would not eat at 1st because of the separation. Are you going to be living in an apt. and what will the dog do all day---sounds like it could get lonely, being alone after having the other dog around all the time and more people too.
Don't know enough about the changes in the "physical environment" but guessing it might be quite a change. I'm sure you would miss your dog if it didn't go with you but I have to ask----Is it better for the dog to stay where it is until you finish college and just see it when you go back home for visits?
I'm just guessing here as I need more to go on as to what all the situation is, etc. Hope I haven't "brought you down" with my comments here and hoping if any of what I said makes sense to you, that you will ponder it over and make good choices. Good luck, whatever you do!

Originally Posted by FaeTouched

Hello,
I'm new here - you can call me Fae. I have two dogs: Na'nook and my family's dog, Daku. Na'nook is an un-spayed two year old German Shepherd X Husky/Malamute (and possibly some wolf). We thought she'd be huge looking at her parents, but she's only about 60lbs. Daku weighs about the same, maybe slightly more, and he's a German Shepherd X Australian Shepherd. He's a year and a half old and recently neutered - we had an umbilical hernia removed then as well. It wasn't a problematic one, but he's very active and a bit clumsy so we were worried about him ripping it while doing something stupid... this dog once jumped off a twelve foot cliff after a ball.
They get along very well, though Na'nook is definitely alpha dog of the pair (she frequently humps Daku) and they have very different personalities. Na'nook is wary of strangers, especially men, and very smart. She steals human food whenever she can, and tends towards being slightly skittish.
Daku is a lovable idiot whose mind has a constant running monologue of "Fetch? Fetch? Fetch? OMIGOD, I'M GONNA GET THAT BALL! Look at me I got it! Again... fetch? Fetch?" When he eats it's as if he suddenly realizes he's hungry and he cleans out the bowl, but with Na'nook it's just to keep him out of it. Sometimes she just pushes the kibble around with her nose - she'd much rather have something else, but if it keeps Daku away she'll fake it.
I'm moving out of my dad's house pretty soon as I want to switch universities, so I have some questions about dog behaviour and moving, especially since I think I can only take Na'nook. It'll be my first time moving living on my own as well, but I'll feel much better with 60lbs of highly protective fur and fang (even if she's all bark and no bite) sleeping on my bed.
Last summer I worked under a guard dog trainer for a couple of months, and I learned a lot through him (though it was short because he couldn't afford the extra help) and through puppy training with Na'nook. I can very easily read my dogs' faces and behaviour. I love them very much.
The funniest part is that I used to be a cat person. I do still favour dogs/breeds that think for themselves.

Hello,
Welcome in this forum and in our family say hi to Na'nook and Daku also hope they r well thanks for being with us have fun and get important tips for your pups

[wishbone]

Hiya and welcome to the board. You seemed to have lovely furbabies. When you move, take time for you and your dog to roam around, from rooms, basement and outside so they will familiarized. I feel you are much knowledgeable, observe them for a week and if you need some retraining, do so for them to fully settle down with the place. Best luck and keep us updated.

may I make a simple suggestion?

when you do move out, try not to over whelm the dogs too much with alot of area.

start introducing them to their closest surroundings first. then venture out further gradually. introducing them to the block and beyond too soon could overwhelm them and they can get homesick for their old home. they can also become very stressed.

I am glad you joined. welcome to the forum. there is great respect on her and alot of information.

Hi welcome to the forum

[DoggieVogue]

Hi and welcome to the forum!

Welcome to the forum.

I don't have any advice on moving with your dog, except what the Humane Society says and that is to make sure the dog has those things that are familiar, like bowl, crate, bed, etc.

When we moved from a trailer into a double wide in back of it, our mini schnauzer sat by the door for the first several days or so - that was her way of saying it was time to "go home." She finally settled in, though, and got used to her new home.

Good luck!

P.S. I used to be a cat person, too (very much), but now I like dogs better.

[chevy & karen]

Hi and welcome to the forum...