Songdog Rescue

Some Characteristics of a Wolfdog

Hyper vigilance / Shyness

Wolves in the wild must be aware of their surroundings at all times.  After all, a lazy wolf is a dead wolf.  They cannot be complacent or trusting of strange situations or surroundings.  Some higher content wolf dogs will remain wary and cautious all their lives no matter how much they are socialized.

Training

Wolves in the wild mark their territory.  This can make housetraining a real trial.  After all, if the wolf dog comes in the house, it is part of his territory.  Some wolf dogs may never be able to be completely trusted in the house.
Wolf dogs can also be hard headed and difficult to train.  Many professional trainers do not even want to deal with them.  After all, in the wild, the alpha wolf leads the pack -- it does not force the members to sit or heel or fetch.  I usually explain to people that to me, training a wolf dog is like trying to train a cat -- or a teenager.  It’s not that they aren’t smart; they are just self-centered.  They want to know what’s in it for them if they decide to do what you want. 
And that is the big key.  It is a mistake to order your wolf dog around.  He is not a lab or a golden retriever looking to please you.  He is a rather independent creature that tends to think more for himself.  After all, if you prove you are a poor alpha or a bad leader, he is poised to take over that position.

Destructiveness

Yes, they chew, dig and destroy.  So do many other breeds.  Unfortunately, since the wolf dog is self-centered and would rather please himself for the moment than you, the destructiveness can continue on way past the puppy stage.

Prey Drive

Let’s remember that wolves in the wild are predators; they hunt for their food.  And in most cases, their prey is small and fluffy just like Grandma’s cat or the neighbor’s rabbits.  That doesn’t mean wolf dogs cannot be raised with cats or rabbits; but it takes vigilant training and supervision.  And , remember, they are self - centered creatures living only in the moment.



Containment

Most of the wolf dogs in rescue come to us because their owners did not do their homework and did not have the proper containment.  These are big, strong animals with long legs and powerful jaws.  I have seen them jump over an 8 foot fence. I have also seen them figure out how to work out a strategy to climb out of a 12 foot enclosure.  They can also chew their way through wood fencing or chain link .  And remember all those nature films that show wolves digging a den?  I watched a wolf dog dig a hole four feet deep in half an hour.  Luckily, he wasn’t trying to go anywhere.

If you have done your homework and still want a wolf dog, PLEASE check with your rescues.  And if you have never owned  a wolf dog, think about volunteering with a rescue; or ask someone who owns a wolf dog to just hang out with them and get to know their dog.  Don’t know anyone with a wolf dog?  See if you can find someone with a malamute or a husky.  Some of their characteristics can be very similar.  Who knows?  Maybe you will decide a husky would be just the dog for you.