Tonka, the Alaskan Malamute/Husky – Adopted
John Harris had filled out an application for Starbuck, and his application looked great, but we wanted Starbuck to have young children. Once I discussed with John what he was really looking for, he agreed that a puppy was not for him. After a few exchanges of emails, I showed him several dogs, including Braveheart, Lilly and Molly Brown. Then, he sent me an email that what he really wanted was a Siberian Husky or Shepherd.
A few days later, I received an urgent post from a high kill shelter in North Florida. I reviewed their list of dogs, and noticed Tonka. I knew that I could not pull Tonka personally and foster him in my home, but I felt he was a good dog that needed to be saved. I stumbled across John’s email, and sent him Tonka’s photo.
As I write this post, John has adopted Tonka from the shelter! Tonka is being fully vetted and neutered, and John is on his way to pick him up! It’ll be a long drive, but I think well worth the time and effort.
Way to go!
I’m anxious to get updates. I’m sure Tonka will be a handful, but John will get the help and advice he needs to convert him to a well-balanced dog.
5 thoughts on “Tonka, the Alaskan Malamute/Husky – Adopted”
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John Writes:
hey, I picked him up yesterday. he weas pretty shocked on the drive home but as soon as we got back to my place he walked around and found his spot. hes adjusting well so far and he is really warming up. he gave me his belly as soon as we got home. hes really been wonderful so far. i left him home alone for te first time toddy while i am at work, so hopefully he will be a good boy and leave no suprises. he did well sleeping last night. but everything is going swimingly. thanks again for all your help, hes perfec t. ill send you some pictures this week so you can see him. -john
John Writes:
hey,
so I came home today to find tonka had pooped in his crate. i took him out bathed him and cleaned his crate and then put himback. i fed him and went to take a shower and then i came back 15 min later and he had pooped in his crate again. I dont know what to do. I guess i assumed a little that he might have learned to go to the bathroom outside by now, i expected some messes in a new home but he just wont go to the bathroom outside. Im really at a loss for what to do. I dont want to give up on him but im really at my end, i dont want come home from work and clean his crate every day. I know its not his fault, and today i just had to walk away and cool down for a while before i could handle it. not to mention my roomates arent to happy about it either. any advise would be welcomed.
-john
Gisele Writes to John:
Just remembered about my Shy Shannon, locked up in a petstore all her life, she never touched grass till she came here, and she would soil her crate. We fed her good, put her outside and we all sat and waited. Eventually, she had to go, and she did, but I would not let her back in until she did. It took 2 hours. Maybe you’re not leaving him out long enough? Maybe when he does his business outside, you can give him a hot dog as a treat? Maybe you could just walk around the yard with him and wait him out so you can praise him?
Clearly something weird has happened to him, and I don’t know what.
But it is fixable, I wonder if you’re leaving him out long enough?
Paul Pipitone, animal behaviorist responded:
You are spot on. He has to take the dog in the yard with a leash on and stand there saying…..go potty…..until the dog poops then give a treat
Paul Pipitone
Dog's Best Friend of Central Florida http://www.dogsbestfriendofcentralflorida.com
Gisele responds:
I’m going to blog all of these emails for others if they need help regarding potty training.
Remember, Tonka was a death row dog, it is not his fault, it’s his previous owner’s fault. They failed to train him properly, now you have undo that. This is the job of a true rescuer to rehabilitate, so tell your roommates to get over it. Even if you bought an expensive puppy you’d still be picking up poopie!
Stand tall and visualize what you want from him. Be confident, and send him good energy. Don’t take him outside dreading it, and apathetic. Be positive, think positive, and tell yourself that he will do what you want out of him. He will read your energy.
Keep me updated!