Has anyone successfully raised a wolfdog?

Question

I have a six week old Alaskan Husky/wolf hybrid and I am looking for advise from people who have raised wolf hybrids. I want to know about feeding and training and maybe even what the laws are regarding owning this breed. I have ordered a book on training the wolfdog but in the meantime I want to start down the right track.

Answer 1

whats a wolf dog?

if they are part wolf arent the dangerous/

mine:

http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/ind...

Answer 2

You pup was taken from her mother too early.. is there any way to get the dog back to its mother for another 2-3 weeks?

Being a wolf hybrid, it's extremely important that the dog learns bite inhibition from its siblings.. this is something that is very difficult for humans to teach a dog.

Please try to get it back with its mother until it is 8-10 weeks old.

Answer 3

I have to agree that it is very young to be away from it's mother :(   But..a family member of mine had one probably about 10yrs ago (we live in pennsylvania) and he absolutely loved it. I'm not familiar with what the laws of owning one or anything are now, but his was fine back then. He got a dog license for it and everything. As for training, you definitely have to be firm and dominant because this is going to be one stubborn and independent dog! Make rules early on and stick to them. Definitely teach bite inhibition early. Also, watch out for roaming if you don't have a fenced in yard..his used to go all over looking for food, into neighbors' pools, etc. As for feeding, I think he just gave his a mix of dog food and actual meat. You'd probably be fine with just a good brand of large breed dog food with good nutritional values. Good for you for ordering that book and actually trying to do the right thing. Good luck!

Answer 4

I had a wolf/husky-shepard mix and he was an amazing dog. Try to look at it this way: dogs are pack-oriented, just like wolves. So it may be just a bit more intense. Always make sure you are the pack leader with this dog, they just may try to test your dominance from time to time. Be consistent and patient. Honestly, my dog acted no different from my two other huskies. As far as I am aware I don't think wolf hybrids need special diet. Maybe try to go with a medium-large size dog diet. Also, as mentioned before, your puppy has been taken away from mom a bit too early, so maybe try to get your puppy back to its mom for a couple weeks. If not, just try to take special care for your new baby.

Answer 5

Contact this organization for one thing:  http://www.wolfpark.org/wolfdogs/Poster_...

I believe wolf-dog ownership for the average person is not a good idea, I Know many will say that wolf-dogs are great and for those who have the knowledge to care for them, most are.

Another aspect of wolf-dog ownership is the position of alpha, A dog, even a stubborn one can be mastered, a wolf-dog will always try to test the owner for dominance, like in a wolf pack, the owner must be the alpha and will have to dominate, if not you will have a constant battle. I am not against wolf-dog ownership per say, I just believe that one has to make an informed decision; do you have the space?, dedication?, know the rules and laws of your state or province?, Know the diet you need for the animal?, can you provide the medical care?

People have to understand that a wolf-dog is still part wild, it will never be the docile family pet, these animals have special needs, both physical and mental. The Tragic truth is that many wolf-dog hybrids end up at the Humane Society, and once there they are put down, because it is almost impossible to place a hybrid with a new owner, due to the fact that they develop a strong bond, Some Veterinarians will not treat wolf-dogs, in some jurisdictions it is illegal for them to treat wild animals such as wolves and hybrids.

My sister had a wolf hybrid for 7 years. CJ was fine with people (they're removed from the litter at about 3 weeks of age and bottle fed) but she was dangerous and could never be trusted around other dogs. As she matured CJ became more and more wolf-like in her behavior each year and finally had to be put down at age 8 because she was escaping and killing wild life and getting into fights with other canines. And, with the help of a friend who's a wildlife biologist specializing in wolf behavior, my sister was knowledgeable. This knowledge allowed CJ to live for 7 years longer than she otherwise would have since my siter and her husband adopted her when she was a year old. If the agency had realized she was part wolf, CJ would have been put down immediately.

Answer 6

I've had a couple. That pup seriously needs to be back with his mama and sibs for at least another two weeks, and six weeks would be better.

You will want to find and read everything you can about pack behavior. You will need to be able to look at your pet and read it's body language all the time. They would be bad poker players, cause they always have a tell. If you know what the tells are, you can head off bad behavior before it happens.

Honestly, get that pup back to mama. With most dogs, it is a good idea. For him, it is almost critical.

Good luck!

Answer 7

ERS, I love the personality of a alaskan husky. They are so sweet.

Answer 8

Hi there,

I have been raising, rehabilitating, training and rescuing wolves and wolf dogs for 22 years.  I am also an educator in classroom settings with adults and children with our wolves and wolf dogs, as well.  I've been doing this successfully for a long time now, and I'd be happy to help you as your mind and heart are in the right place, and that's a great start.

What I need to know first is if you're aware of the content of your wolf dog.  Many breeders and owners misrepresent their dogs content, and this is the first mistake that leads to disaster.  So, please be honest... it's for your, and your dogs, own safety and successful future.  And please understand if I question you about content as well, I DO need to know as it makes all the difference.

If your dog IS high content, forget all you know about dog training, and dogs in general.  As one person wrote; "all you need to do is be patient..."  WRONG.  Your book will help, and yes, in the meantime, I will help you, too.

Nicole Wilde and Dorthy Prendergrast (sp) have always had some good informative books on training over the years.  Barry Lopez wrote "Of Wolves and Men" this is a must-read for you, as well.  It's his life with wolves and wolf dogs, and the ways he learned from the wolves and his techniques... and his mistakes.  Any books of wolf ecology should help you.  You need to understand the wolf 100% before you can understand, and successfully raise, a wolf dog.

Feeding again depends on the content of your wolf dog.  High contents (F1 and F2) should be fed a raw diet - these dogs need the extra protien more-so than domestic dogs.  Most owners ask why their wolf dogs have chronic soft f***s or diarrhea, this is why.  They cannot lead a healthy life to their full potential on dog kibble alone.

Mid-low contents can be fed a good quality kibble, or a raw diet, but can be sustained in good health on kibble alone.

Laws are different all over the world.  In some states they are banned and carry a hefty fine if you have one in your possession.  Others will allow you to harbor one as long as you obide by containment laws ie: 8 ft chainlink fence with 2 ft overhang, and 3 feet burried underground.  Other states you may need a permit, and other states require nothing at all.

If you're in Canada, most laws allow wolf dogs, but you need a permit to have pure wolves.  In Ontario, wolf dogs are classified as "wildlife" and no one is permitted to harbor wildlife w/o a permit.  Alberta holds the same laws, but I know many people who have wolf dogs out there.

If you need any more information, you can email me anytime - if you email me from here, I will send you my personal email address, along with more information.

You've got your work cut out for you.  Your dogs life depends fully on your willingness to be open-minded and to learn.   You sound like you're more than willing, you've already come farther than most people on here who want or have already purchased a wolf dog.  These people will surely fail by these poor dogs.

I have hope for you!

Email me any time.

ADD: Puplovet... shared a very sad, but all-too common story.  This is what happens to most w/d's, it just kills me.

(Thank you, Puplovet, I wish more people could hear your story before they make the same mistake, and their dog pays the price.)

Answer 9

All I know is that my Uncle had one in Pennyslavania and it ate his furniture.  Best of luck to you

Answer 10

Training a wolf dog is like training any other dog, with patients and praise, it should be just fine. But wolf hybrids and be a little harder to train because the are not domestic, from the wolf side of him family, no one has been trained so don't expect it it be easy. The laws are different everywhere but i think that all wolf hybrids have to be kept on leash. Even though he might be trained, he is still a wolf and you don't know whats gonna happen. Also, keep him well fenced for his own protection. He might escape to try to join a pack but they will most likely reject him and might noe be able to find his way home.

     But remember, no matter how long you've had him, always be careful around him.