New Litter of Positive Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Get to know other Positively members here.

Moderators: emmabeth, BoardHost

Post Reply
Swanny1790
Posts: 571
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:27 pm
Location: Two Rivers, Alaska
Contact:

Re: New Litter of Positive Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Post by Swanny1790 »

The puppies are already running up and down the ramp without luring, heading for the jackpot in the box. I was able to capture some nice photos today. They are in a public album on FB at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 455&type=1
"Once infected with the mushing virus, there is no cure. There is only trail." - Sven Engholm
Swanny1790
Posts: 571
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:27 pm
Location: Two Rivers, Alaska
Contact:

Re: New Litter of Positive Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Post by Swanny1790 »

Day 4 of ramp training went famously, AND I was able to catch it on video. Laddy (the new playmate from my buddie's kennel) didn't want to come play. He is still uncertain of the new humans he has to deal with (Trish and I). He hasn't had a lot of exposure to strangers yet.

In any event, the "Gang of 3" are continuing to learn how to load themselves into the truck, thus saving me future backaches.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_Sdl0q ... e=youtu.be
"Once infected with the mushing virus, there is no cure. There is only trail." - Sven Engholm
MPbandmom
Posts: 1637
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2010 7:18 pm

Re: New Litter of Positive Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Post by MPbandmom »

They are just too cute. :D I take it they still need work on being comfortable with the door to the box closed. Which is certainly a different skill than running up the ramp into the box. Or maybe they were just eager to run back down the ramp and romp in the wide open space some more.
Grammy to Sky and Sirius, who came to live with me, stole my heart, and changed my life forever as I took over their care and learned how to be a dog owner.
Swanny1790
Posts: 571
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:27 pm
Location: Two Rivers, Alaska
Contact:

Re: New Litter of Positive Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Post by Swanny1790 »

I think they were enjoying play time and didn't want to fun to stop yet. That's OK, becoming comfortable with the door closed can come later, along with actually riding in the truck.

S
"Once infected with the mushing virus, there is no cure. There is only trail." - Sven Engholm
ScarletSci
Posts: 463
Joined: Mon Feb 04, 2013 3:44 pm

Re: New Litter of Positive Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Post by ScarletSci »

I think an actual squee came out while I was watching the video!

Also love your tone of voice throughout, and that you're taking time to get them accustomed to the ramp and the truck. Lovely clip! :D
Swanny1790
Posts: 571
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:27 pm
Location: Two Rivers, Alaska
Contact:

Re: New Litter of Positive Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Post by Swanny1790 »

I was scheduled to return to work on Wednesday (New Year's Eve), but weather conditions made it impossible for us to land, so I was home that evening. As I was feeding neighbors across the highway (about an eighth of a mile or so away) began shooting off fireworks while I was out feeding the dogs. We have a couple of dogs who are very noise phobic, a handful that don't get overly frightened, but don't much care for it and cope by calmly hiding in their houses, and the rest pay no attention at all. The latter are mostly dogs I raised myself.

During the R&R I moved some dogs around in the yard so that those closest to the puppies are dogs known to be very steady in the presence of sudden loud noises and those known to get freaky about it are furthest away from them. Fireworks continued to go off until well into the wee hours of morning, and the puppies acted like they didn't even notice them. I was very pleased to see that.
"Once infected with the mushing virus, there is no cure. There is only trail." - Sven Engholm
MPbandmom
Posts: 1637
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2010 7:18 pm

Re: New Litter of Positive Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Post by MPbandmom »

One really has to stay a step ahead when socializing puppies I see.

There are a lot of discussions about temperament with the Sammy's. What is good temperament and what is normal dog behavior, poor socialization. Kind of nature vs nurture types of discussion. When I look at the club members, I see that those who are very concerned with temperament, go to great lengths to be certain the pups are exposed to only positive experiences. Much like what you are doing with your litter Swanny. Which makes me really confused as to how one determines when nature vs nurture is coming into play.

I hopefully have a good while longer before I have to decide puppy or adult as I am certain my two would not provide nurturing, positive role model, types of experiences for a puppy. In the meantime, I am trying to soak up as much knowledge and experience as I can through the various club outings.
Grammy to Sky and Sirius, who came to live with me, stole my heart, and changed my life forever as I took over their care and learned how to be a dog owner.
User avatar
Nettle
Posts: 10753
Joined: Sun Apr 13, 2008 1:40 pm

Re: New Litter of Positive Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Post by Nettle »

My own experience with nature vs nurture is that nature can overcome nurture if certain buttons are pressed, and nurture can reduce the impact of nature but not overcome it.

Who was it said 'genetics loads the gun but environment pulls the trigger"? I find that so true.

I often refer to a pair of dogs that at a year old had never been outside the house and back yard. When rescued (animal hoarder) they had to be carried screaming out of the front door. But they were beautifully bred from lines with excellent temperaments.

They missed all their early socialising, but after over a year of hard work were fully integrated into society and the good temperament overcame all.

So if the temperament is there, good handling and time can overcome 'nurture' at least sometimes.


Sorry for hijack, Swanny. Back to the topic!
A dog is never bad or naughty - it is simply being a dog

SET YOURSELF UP FOR SUCCESS
MPbandmom
Posts: 1637
Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2010 7:18 pm

Re: New Litter of Positive Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Post by MPbandmom »

Thank you Nettle. That really helps clarify things in my mind. Swanny, I will be eager to hear of other "tricks of the trade" for good positive socialization of puppies. If I do look for a puppy in the future, I will focus on finding one from those who place a strong emphasis on good temperament. If I go for a rescue, I know the local rescue group will make a good match for me.
Grammy to Sky and Sirius, who came to live with me, stole my heart, and changed my life forever as I took over their care and learned how to be a dog owner.
Swanny1790
Posts: 571
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:27 pm
Location: Two Rivers, Alaska
Contact:

Re: New Litter of Positive Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Post by Swanny1790 »

At 16 weeks of age, but puppies are rapidly growing and learning about the world. Socialization has proceeded pretty well and it's quickly coming time to separate them from each other, and let them start learning how to live and get along with other dogs in the kennel.

Hardpack will be leaving for a new home on Wednesday, flying down to the Lower-48 to meet his new owners Veryl Goodnight and Roger Brooks. Veryl and Roger visited last March and took a bajillion photographs of our historical dogs at work, one of which became the painting "March on the Mail Trail"

Image

In between painting and sculpting, Veryl runs a 4-dog limited class team, and recently had to retire a dog from her team. I can't think of a better home for Hardpack, who will not only enjoy the company of other sled dogs, but also that of horses, burros and doG alone knows who else that might come along.

Veryl and Roger once raised a pet bison (aka buffalo), the subject of the book BUFFALO IN THE HOUSE by R. D. Rosen. I figure anyone who can raise a buffalo as a pet should have no problem raising a working Hedlund Husky.

Meanwhile, we are also preparing for the first serious cold snap of the winter. We are expecting temperatures of minus-40 over the next few nights. Since Hardpack needs to come into the house and learn to be comfortable in his crate before a 7 hour road trip followed by a 6 hour flight, and Chetan blew her entire undercoat after weaning the litter, we've put Chetan back into the whelping pen where she can share body heat with the puppies. That complicates things a bit, as the puppies really need to be separated soon (I'm starting to see some snarky interactions between the siblings).

In any event, once Hardpack is on his way to Colorado, Glacier and Aufeis will start the process of integration within the kennel and in only a couple of months will also start learning how to work in harness with some short, very fun little "puppy runs" with steady, experienced dogs. We should be able to get in several such runs before break up.
"Once infected with the mushing virus, there is no cure. There is only trail." - Sven Engholm
Swanny1790
Posts: 571
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:27 pm
Location: Two Rivers, Alaska
Contact:

Re: New Litter of Positive Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Post by Swanny1790 »

Hardpack is doing very well in the house, all things considered. He even let me get a good four hours of sleep last night (sigh). Seriously, he's mastered stairs, both inside and outside the house. He's explored every possible nook and cranny, and some I wouldn't have thought possible. He hasn't had a single elimination accident, though I have to take him out into the snow for him to do his business - he doesn't recognized the rough earth-like surface of the attached deck as a "potty" area. He's even figured out that a nice "sit" is much more likely to earn a treat than is mauling the human.

Although curious of the cats, he has behaved quite respectfully around them. That's a good thing, as these two cats have taught many a canine the significance of retractable claws. Hardy is very focused on humans right now, which will serve him in good stead at his new Colorado home.

Image

Image

Image
"Once infected with the mushing virus, there is no cure. There is only trail." - Sven Engholm
Swanny1790
Posts: 571
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:27 pm
Location: Two Rivers, Alaska
Contact:

Re: New Litter of Positive Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Post by Swanny1790 »

Nettle reminded me that it's been a very long time since I've posted an update, so here goes.

Hardpack, now known as Hardy, settled very quickly into his new home in Mancos, Colorado. Now, as a yearling, he is already running lead for Veryl's small team, has posed for a couple of new paintings, and is generally enjoying his status as husband Roger's near constant companion and cohort.

Frazil, now known as Tonrar, is a rock and roll scootering dog in Minneapolis, introducing lots of folks to the sport of dryland mushing. He and his people are spending this weekend at a mushing kennel near Grand Marais, running in a team that includes his siblings Terra and Griffin (formerly Nilas and Jumble) are enjoying life with their team at To Points Unknown. Both have been running lead from time to time and Griffin, a dead ringer for their papa Phoenix, is proving to be a real rock star.

Aufeis and Glacier have easily integrated into the team and kennel. Both have had their earliest training runs and behaved like old professionals. Both are very businesslike on the trail even in the face of likely distractions. They are both eager students and have mastered a range of non-mushing behaviors as well as those cued behaviors associated with their profession.

Hedlund Husky Preservation Project founder and leader Kim Fitzgerald came to visit and was present during Aufeis and Glacier's first runs. She was squealing with delight as the pair were strutting their stuff right beside all the other big dogs.
"Once infected with the mushing virus, there is no cure. There is only trail." - Sven Engholm
jacksdad
Posts: 4887
Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:48 pm

Re: New Litter of Positive Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Post by jacksdad »

Thank you for the update. good hear success stories.
Swanny1790
Posts: 571
Joined: Mon Jan 21, 2013 7:27 pm
Location: Two Rivers, Alaska
Contact:

Re: New Litter of Positive Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Post by Swanny1790 »

Here is some video of Glacier's first run. About 4 minutes worth. https://youtu.be/mnrkBNdyxwA

Aufeis' first run was also recorded. 2 minutes, 45 seconds. https://youtu.be/eMJ47X-1jKM
"Once infected with the mushing virus, there is no cure. There is only trail." - Sven Engholm
jacksdad
Posts: 4887
Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:48 pm

Re: New Litter of Positive Alaskan Sled Dog Puppies

Post by jacksdad »

oh cool video...thanks for sharing.... you big meany making your dogs run through water puddles :P
Post Reply