About Dexter

Dexter has been with me for 3 years. He is a very smart and obedient dog. He has learned many tricks from high-5 to playing dead. He loves water and will even go in and swim over his head--a trait I've never experienced with a husky before. He is very loyal and fiercely protective. As he matured, just before age 2, he became aggressively dominant and we started to observe impulsive growling/barking/biting episodes when someone was nearby one of his 'pack.' His pack was my boyfriend, my son (19) and myself. He bit people for no apparent reason. The handful of episodes witnessed were all within arms reach of one of his pack. He also does not like to be forced 'man-handled' to go somewhere he does not want to go. He bit a visiting friend who blocked him from entering the house. He does not like to be approached when he is in a vulnerable state, (sleeping) especially if you surprise him or are unknown to him. When in the car with me, he becomes rabid when anyone unfamiliar approaches the car. Gas stations are extremely rough times. I have not been able to find any trainers willing to help me work these behaviors out. I think, mainly because his behaviors have mysterious triggers. He also pees himself when he sees me after being away, or when being visited by someone he hasn't seen in a while. I have been told these two behaviors (the aggression and the uncontrollable peeing) are related and may be his inability to emotionally regulate himself in certain settings or at certain times. The way I define my dog is this: He is the perfect husky except that he might bite you. I say it light-hearted, but it is the truth. These episodes are rare, but they have been scary and so spontaneous that I am very guarded when I have people around him. I ask them not to touch him or approach him. If I have company, I kennel him until the environment is normal again. He is my buddy. He is my companion. It has been just the two of us for about 8 months now due to changes in relationship status and my son going to college. I sold my house and we moved in with a friend of mine. He has been good around her and is obedient to her requests. He is much better with her when I am not around. He will tend to ignore her or appear agitated if pushed when I am around. He has shown aggression towards her on 2 occasions in the past 8 months and nothing in the last 2 months. I did not anticipate this crazy transition in my life 3 years ago when we got him. He truly has been the best husky I have ever had. He runs with me or walks with me daily. He is great on a leash. He loves water and swims. He talks and bounces around playfully. He does not chew on things he is not supposed to. He does like to dig, but will only do this to bury every single treat given to him in order to eat it later. He sleeps all night on the foot of my bed and will be at my side wherever I am. I have had 4 huskies throughout my lifetime and he has been the most loyal. Most of my experience has been with husky 'runners.' If they get an opportunity to bolt out the door and run off they will and forget to look back. Dexter, has never bolted off. I have taken him to the river numerous times off leash and he will run and play, but always stays within sight and sound of me. His recent behaviors lend themselves for trips to the river on long leash now though in case we encounter people. I do not trust his protective and aggressive instincts. He is only allowed freedom off leash in areas that are 100% within my control. He has never once showed aggression towards children. With that being said, I have not recently allowed him to have any contact with kids though. They are allowed a look, but no touch when we are on our walks. I would love to keep him if I could provide the setting that I know he needs in order to be safe for himself and others. I hope that he can still outgrow or get trained out of this aggressive period. It has only been 15 months that I have seen these behaviors. He was NEVER like this as a puppy. He did the uncontrollable happy pee all his life, but the aggression is new. I would like to see him go to a home that is fairly calm with little interruption and traffic in and out. This excites him and causes emotional outbursts that you don't see coming. He does not give a warning before biting. His bite comes simultaneous to the initial growl and teeth bare. He has growled at me and bared teeth, but it is in a very different way than I have seen him do to others. He has done this to me when I force him outside or off of the couch. When I get stern with him for the behavior, he immediately backs right down and has never bit me. I am looking to find a home for him to a couple or single owner with no kids. He needs activity and enjoys car trips and outings. I promise you will get a loving devoted dog. However, you must be willing to be hyper-vigilant regarding his aggression.

Lane County
Cottage Grove, Oregon