I check in on a local Facebook page once in a while, where people from 3 rural counties post things like information about lost/found animals. An idiot posted last week about her 3 year old dog that she wants to "get rid of." She was totally offended when she got lots of negative replies, and never did understand the difference between "rehoming" and what she said.
How about some honesty in advertising in this ad? "I'm too stupid to train this wolf/dog. In fact, I'm too stupid to know that I'm too stupid to even own one. I'm going to get a chihuahua next."
$20 says the reason he can't housetrain it is because it's not neutered.
I know a wolf dog, and they are a really, really bad idea even for competent owners. This dingbat is lucky that house soiling is the worst thing that's happened.
I am on my third wild cross, which by God will be the last as I have learned some things over the past 13 years. I know that having them in my life has improved my animal skills immensely but the amount of work required to make such crosses into relatively good citizens is huge. They were lucky that I was into running half marathons then and it was easy for us to click out at least 6 miles a day.
In my opinion...Wild crosses have insanely high energy, prey drives, and a literal obsession with hierarchy. From the other owners I have talked to and my own experience, tiny events where the animal questions your leadership and decisions must be taken VERY seriously. Training must be done on a consistent near daily basis as they can be intelligent and "tough" minded. All this can depend on the animal, the owner's personality and character, etc.
Speaking from my experience, I would personally choose to put a wild cross down rather than rehome/rehab. Some events in life cannot be compensated for adequately to allow an animal or person to function well afterwards. I feel it would be far kinder to ensure a safe, gentle death than have a problematic unknown of public shelter/who knows what. That the owner is choosing to put this animal through that experience instead of doing his/her best to train the animal and resolve the problem is really saddening. I can empathize with the difficulty involved in getting good training, but isn't the whole reason to have such a creature is the bond that the two of you forge together?
I totally agree with M. Sometimes euthing really really is the best option for an animal, especially one like this. Everyone wants to keep all the animals alive, but there are very few people willing to go the distance for good ownership of an animal that has major issues. I consider being a wolf hybrid a major issue. There is just no reason to breed a wolf to a dog. None. WyoFaith
The wolfdog I know is very sweet, and his person has done a great job of socializing him, but his reactions are...off. He is a high fear, high prey drive animal with a ton of energy and unnerving intelligence.
While he has never been mean (at 150 pounds, with canines that project past his upper lip, he would have been euthanized if he'd shown the slightest sign of aggression), he ought to have a flashing neon "EXPERIENCED HANDLERS ONLY" sign on his head. He is trainable, if there is sufficient inducement, and he likes people, but he lacks that attentiveness to humanity that is pretty much the definition of dogness. Also, you have to be careful not to get him overexcited, or it's almost like a switch will flip in his head, and there's no getting Mr. Brain back until he's done bouncing. And he will never be safe around kids under...oh, probably fifteen, just because he has the tendency to go into dink mode.
He is a breathtakingly beautiful, athletic, fascinating creature who has been a joy to know, but I would NEVER have one, and his person (who didn't set out to get a dog like this) will never have another. I think his muddle of instincts is confusing to him as well. It's hard to explain, exactly, but he's the dog version of that weird kid that no one wants to invite to their birthday party. He has a good life, but I doubt most dogs like him do and I often wonder what happened to the rest of his litter. Even if you ignore the danger they can pose to people, I think it's wrong to breed an animal that is stuck in between two worlds.
And one more thing. For every conscientious half marathoner who has a wolfdog, there are nine idiots of the type who posted this ad. The people who got one because they thought it would be super bada** (never mind that a wolfdog is more likely to cower than protect you from an intruder - sorry, Jack London) and make them look cool. Pretty sure Cindy D. hit the nail on the head with the comment about a pitbull being next.
Take this wolf-dog off my hands, he's too hard to deal with... and pay me for the privilege! You don't want him to go to a shelter and be put to sleep, right? YOU neeeeeeeeed to saaaaaaave him!
Sorry for the ranting, but this is a topic that gets me riled up. So many people choose an animal based on how they want to be seen rather than considering their actual abilities and lifestyle, let alone the needs of the animal. We've all seen it: tough-guy/pitbull, one-with-the-earth tough-guy/wolfdog, horse whisperer/troubled wild stallion soulmate, or just cowboy/sensitive cutting-bred horse. Image and reality don't have much in common, and it's almost always the animals who end up paying for it. If you're going to have an animal, get one that fits who you are rather than who you want to be. And that requires knowing enough and caring enough about the animal in question to realize that it can be a bad fit even if you really are the person you are in your head.
I too ended up with a hybred cross. My daughter-in-law had one before and in all of their wisdom talked my son into getting one that "she could train" sorry she couldn't train a rock to roll down hill. As usual I ended up with said wolf dog because the didn't have the room and it was chewing itself. My husband said okay. I said "nnnnoooooooo!!" I have horses and I knew it was going to come with issues. Due to bad breeding he has cataracts. And got kicked by my horse so he is extremely horse shy. But.... he looks at them like he's thinking of lunch. He is a funny guy and can be extremely loving. but he has taken to trying to hamstring my other dog, which inturn causes a major fight. So another issue, I have taken to musseling him when I leave so I don't end up with a vet bill on the other dog. When we are home he is fine. But I still haven't forgiven my husband for allowing them to dump him on us. I would never have another. But I am stuck with him as I am afraid to rehome him.
SO had a wolf hybrid when we first met. In fact, scared the bejeezus out of me the first time I went to his house because well, he was huge, white, and laying on the front step between me and the door. (Picture Ghost in Game of Thrones, minus the red eyes). Yeah.
That said, he was very, very well socialized, good with kids, and old enough (or SO was tough enough with him when he got him as a pup) that he never questioned his place in the pack. Had to have him PTS a couple of years ago at age 16.
Because of him, I would consider another, only if I was in the position to devote a huge amount of time and energy to one. I certainly would not try to "fix" one that someone else has had their hands on. Sad. Poor thing.
Wow. There's just no end to the stupid out there is there?
ReplyDeleteI check in on a local Facebook page once in a while, where people from 3 rural counties post things like information about lost/found animals. An idiot posted last week about her 3 year old dog that she wants to "get rid of." She was totally offended when she got lots of negative replies, and never did understand the difference between "rehoming" and what she said.
ReplyDeleteHow about some honesty in advertising in this ad? "I'm too stupid to train this wolf/dog. In fact, I'm too stupid to know that I'm too stupid to even own one. I'm going to get a chihuahua next."
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeletePlease come get my wolf hybrid so I can go buy a pit instead.
ReplyDelete$20 says the reason he can't housetrain it is because it's not neutered.
ReplyDeleteI know a wolf dog, and they are a really, really bad idea even for competent owners. This dingbat is lucky that house soiling is the worst thing that's happened.
I am on my third wild cross, which by God will be the last as I have learned some things over the past 13 years. I know that having them in my life has improved my animal skills immensely but the amount of work required to make such crosses into relatively good citizens is huge. They were lucky that I was into running half marathons then and it was easy for us to click out at least 6 miles a day.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion...Wild crosses have insanely high energy, prey drives, and a literal obsession with hierarchy. From the other owners I have talked to and my own experience, tiny events where the animal questions your leadership and decisions must be taken VERY seriously. Training must be done on a consistent near daily basis as they can be intelligent and "tough" minded. All this can depend on the animal, the owner's personality and character, etc.
Speaking from my experience, I would personally choose to put a wild cross down rather than rehome/rehab. Some events in life cannot be compensated for adequately to allow an animal or person to function well afterwards. I feel it would be far kinder to ensure a safe, gentle death than have a problematic unknown of public shelter/who knows what. That the owner is choosing to put this animal through that experience instead of doing his/her best to train the animal and resolve the problem is really saddening. I can empathize with the difficulty involved in getting good training, but isn't the whole reason to have such a creature is the bond that the two of you forge together?
-M
I totally agree with M. Sometimes euthing really really is the best option for an animal, especially one like this. Everyone wants to keep all the animals alive, but there are very few people willing to go the distance for good ownership of an animal that has major issues. I consider being a wolf hybrid a major issue. There is just no reason to breed a wolf to a dog. None.
ReplyDeleteWyoFaith
The wolfdog I know is very sweet, and his person has done a great job of socializing him, but his reactions are...off. He is a high fear, high prey drive animal with a ton of energy and unnerving intelligence.
ReplyDeleteWhile he has never been mean (at 150 pounds, with canines that project past his upper lip, he would have been euthanized if he'd shown the slightest sign of aggression), he ought to have a flashing neon "EXPERIENCED HANDLERS ONLY" sign on his head. He is trainable, if there is sufficient inducement, and he likes people, but he lacks that attentiveness to humanity that is pretty much the definition of dogness. Also, you have to be careful not to get him overexcited, or it's almost like a switch will flip in his head, and there's no getting Mr. Brain back until he's done bouncing. And he will never be safe around kids under...oh, probably fifteen, just because he has the tendency to go into dink mode.
He is a breathtakingly beautiful, athletic, fascinating creature who has been a joy to know, but I would NEVER have one, and his person (who didn't set out to get a dog like this) will never have another. I think his muddle of instincts is confusing to him as well. It's hard to explain, exactly, but he's the dog version of that weird kid that no one wants to invite to their birthday party. He has a good life, but I doubt most dogs like him do and I often wonder what happened to the rest of his litter. Even if you ignore the danger they can pose to people, I think it's wrong to breed an animal that is stuck in between two worlds.
And one more thing. For every conscientious half marathoner who has a wolfdog, there are nine idiots of the type who posted this ad. The people who got one because they thought it would be super bada** (never mind that a wolfdog is more likely to cower than protect you from an intruder - sorry, Jack London) and make them look cool. Pretty sure Cindy D. hit the nail on the head with the comment about a pitbull being next.
ReplyDeleteTake this wolf-dog off my hands, he's too hard to deal with... and pay me for the privilege! You don't want him to go to a shelter and be put to sleep, right? YOU neeeeeeeeed to saaaaaaave him!
ReplyDeleteUm, I don't think so...
Sorry for the ranting, but this is a topic that gets me riled up. So many people choose an animal based on how they want to be seen rather than considering their actual abilities and lifestyle, let alone the needs of the animal. We've all seen it: tough-guy/pitbull, one-with-the-earth tough-guy/wolfdog, horse whisperer/troubled wild stallion soulmate, or just cowboy/sensitive cutting-bred horse. Image and reality don't have much in common, and it's almost always the animals who end up paying for it. If you're going to have an animal, get one that fits who you are rather than who you want to be. And that requires knowing enough and caring enough about the animal in question to realize that it can be a bad fit even if you really are the person you are in your head.
ReplyDeleteI too ended up with a hybred cross. My daughter-in-law had one before and in all of their wisdom talked my son into getting one that "she could train" sorry she couldn't train a rock to roll down hill. As usual I ended up with said wolf dog because the didn't have the room and it was chewing itself. My husband said okay. I said "nnnnoooooooo!!" I have horses and I knew it was going to come with issues. Due to bad breeding he has cataracts. And got kicked by my horse so he is extremely horse shy. But.... he looks at them like he's thinking of lunch. He is a funny guy and can be extremely loving. but he has taken to trying to hamstring my other dog, which inturn causes a major fight. So another issue, I have taken to musseling him when I leave so I don't end up with a vet bill on the other dog. When we are home he is fine. But I still haven't forgiven my husband for allowing them to dump him on us. I would never have another. But I am stuck with him as I am afraid to rehome him.
ReplyDeleteSO had a wolf hybrid when we first met. In fact, scared the bejeezus out of me the first time I went to his house because well, he was huge, white, and laying on the front step between me and the door. (Picture Ghost in Game of Thrones, minus the red eyes). Yeah.
ReplyDeleteThat said, he was very, very well socialized, good with kids, and old enough (or SO was tough enough with him when he got him as a pup) that he never questioned his place in the pack. Had to have him PTS a couple of years ago at age 16.
Because of him, I would consider another, only if I was in the position to devote a huge amount of time and energy to one. I certainly would not try to "fix" one that someone else has had their hands on. Sad. Poor thing.