Chick-a-Nucky needs some advice

[Amaruq]

Background: Kanuck started out as a normal happy, Siberian Husky pup. Well OK maybe not THAT normal for a Sibe. He has always been more laid back then most Sibes but he was not fearful nor shy as a youngster. He was never as outgoing as his Mom Lakota who considers any human her friend but he was not shy. Aloof would describe him well. He was as socialized as any of my Shepherds and about as easy to train. He was neutered close to his second birthday and ever since he has been “tense” with people, new dogs and places. He adored my Dad and does seem to prefer men to women even though he has lived with me since birth. Deep down I feel somehow this is related to him being anesthetized as his neutering is the only “abnormal” thing that has happened to him and the chages came after he was neutered. Phoenix and Chimo pushed him a bit, like big brothers would, but they never fought with him and I curbed it when I saw Nuck was uncomfortable and always supervised interactions.

He is now 7.5 years old and most of the time, even when he actively seeks my attention, petting him is like petting a rock. Yes, he is muscular but this is different and hard to describe. He is the youngest of my original Paq and he gets along with all of them. I know deep down he would have a BLAST playing with Jethro but, like with 99.9% of humans Nuck seems to be afraid of Jethro AND baby Keyzah. He has taken cheap nips at both of them, out of fear not aggression, if they are out together and just walk by him. However, when Keyzah is in her crate Nuck will go over and play with her through the crate. This AM I had Nuck in the kitchen to eat his breakfast (ground raw laced with his tooth meds and vitamins). I knew he was done eating but instead of the normal routine of crating him while letting Jethro out I left Nuck in the confines of the kitchen behind the accordion style gate. I made sure to stay with Jethro while they met through the gate since Jethro can open it. Nuck was a brave lad and sat right beside the gate, let Jethro thrust his head through the gate to say HI. Nuck never nipped at him but he did turn his head away and then back. Nuck had the whole kitchen that he could have walked away from Jethro but he didn’t. He sat there, rigid, looked away a couple times and looked back at Jethro. Did not nip, did not flee. I think Nuck and Jethro would have a BLAST being frat brothers in rough and tumble play, if only Nucky would not be so tense and “fearful”. Nuck much prefers if there is some form of a barricade between him and the two youngsters. With the girls of the Paq getting older and not always willing to play as much full body contact as Nuck would like to with them…… I am trying to find new ideas to help Nuck overcome his uncertainties, especially with Jethro but I can spin it to other areas as well. It is not a situation where I can just cut them loose and pray it all works out. Nucky is not aggressive but he is almost overwhelmed with his insecurities. He will and has snapped out of fear, never connecting. I “doubt” he would escalate to a full on fight as it is not his nature. This is the Husky that I can and have trusted to run off leash because he has a stellar recall. He is simply an anomaly. He gets along with all other members of the Paq. Chimo can sometimes bully him just a tad but that is a pack thing, they lay together, play together etc. Nuck is very much the Omega of the Paq but his insecurities are VERY evident with the two younger ones as well as other aspects.

I have tried many things but figure maybe someone would have some other ideas.

While so many people struggle with barricade frustration I have the opposite issues with barricade security and a chickeNucky.

Anyone have any ideas??

[Lauri & The Gang]

Have you tried taking them outside - Nuck off leash and Jet on? Use a long line so Jet can initiate some play if he wants and you can allow him to move around if Nuck responds in kind.

[BowWowMeow]

Have you tried any calming stuff (DAP, rescue remedy, melatonin, etc.) for Nucky? I'm wondering if using that before an introduction would help him mellow out. And slowly counter-conditioning him the puppies, rewarding for any little non reactional thing he does. Is he clicker trained?

[Amaruq]

That is another thing with him. He is not really reward motivated when he is afraid. If I bring out treats Keyzah and Jethro would know and get amped up and Nuck would be done.

[sleachy]

I would tire the pups out and then take them (one at a time) outside with ChickeNucky...both on leash so even if you let the leashes go, you can still get control.

One on one in the yard might be too much pressure for Nuck so you could take them for a hike somewhere. That way, they can roam and sniff and be distracted by other things instead of zoning in on each other.

[puppymamma]

I have a very reactive dog as well and haven't had any luck with the DAP collar, rescue remedy or melatonin but perhaps one might work for you. L_Theanine is also a natural option???

[Amaruq]

Originally Posted By: sleachyI would tire the pups out and then take them (one at a time) outside with ChickeNucky...both on leash so even if you let the leashes go, you can still get control.

One on one in the yard might be too much pressure for Nuck so you could take them for a hike somewhere. That way, they can roam and sniff and be distracted by other things instead of zoning in on each other.

New question........ how do I tire out Jethro and Keyzah?