Oh they'll run after the ball, alright.

And keep on runnin'.

I would advise that you read all of Ed's articles on children, babies,and dogs, and dog bites and children.
You will find lots of answers there.
Get the video your puppy 8 weeks to 8 months and memorize it.
Sled dogs are really different than the other dogs you mentioned...For instance to properly exercise an adult you will have to walk it for at least an hour twice a day.
It will not cut it to just turn it out and let it run about on your 50 acres.
They need structured time that they work for you.
they are bred to run pulling a sled for hours at a time and need to have a job.
If you don't provide this you will have huge problems.
Ed's children policy states that children as young as 9 i believe can handle a dog under adult supervision. Children that have been educated and are over 13 can handle a dog unsupervised.
All children under the age of 9 need to be supervised at all times when around a dog...especially a young instinctual dog like the breed you have chosen.
Children younger than 9 cannot be trusted to follow the rules and not do dangerous things to a dog.
I am experienced with children and don't know many that I would trust to obey all the rules all the time....and the one time they break a rule the can get their face taken off....As your tiny pup has demonstrated.....imagine 70 lbs and adult teeth behind that.
good luck and welcome to the forum ...you have come to a great place for advice.
Willie

wow that was insightfull, thank you for the advice everybody, and I think i have gotten well more advice than I expected. It seems it will take a lot of time, patience, and hard work.

I am experienced with children and don't know many that I would trust to obey all the rules all the time....and the one time they break a rule the can get their face taken off....As your tiny pup has demonstrated.....imagine 70 lbs and adult teeth behind that.

that kind of scares me, for the safety of my son (and future son/daughter), and my son is very... Provacative, to say the least. It might be a Danger to my family to have this dog...

off topic, but just a note:

I have a Sibe mix that is an excellent retriever and always has been. Maybe it's his other half that likes retrieving though

He's the white one in my sig pic.

Edited by Niomi Smith (05/11/2010 10:12 PM)
Edit reason: Spelling

 Quote: aaron pierce

As your tiny pup has demonstrated.....imagine 70 lbs and adult teeth behind that.

that kind of scares me, for the safety of my son (and future son/daughter), and my son is very... Provacative, to say the least. It might be a Danger to my family to have this dog...

Aaron, I don't think anything you are seeing now is indicative that your dog is growning up into a vicious "rip your face off dog", however, ANY pup needs a lot of attention, training, leadership, etc... to grow into a well balanced dog. With a "provacative" two year old and another on the way, your time is certainly going to be stretched. What options do you have for this pup if you don't keep her?

I have spoken with the Breeder, and he does not have the money for a refund. I am making post on various websites about finding the dog a good home(and I will ensure it is a good home). I will continue to treat her like a member of our family until she is sold. She is in El Paso, TX if anybody is interested

This is going to sound really harsh, so sorry in advance but it is how I feel:

I think it might be best the pup is sold. Someone who decides to re-home the pup at the first sign of having to do some work or educate themselves and then do work, in my opinion, shouldn't own a dog.

This is a pup, who was taken away from the litter too early and allowed to have free reign over the house from day one. Owning a dog is not like in the movies, where the puppy comes home, knows where to go to the bathroom, never nips or bites and finds your kid when they have fallen down a well. Puppies take time, patience, understanding and leadership. With this pup in the hands of someone who will do the work, I'm sure everything will turn out fine. Set some boundaries, make sure exercise needs are met and throw in a job and training, I think this could be a great pup.

Now with that said, I have heard and experience miraculous things that dogs have done when they have been brought up right. my favorite "saying/quote" is: Treat them like they are dogs, Train them like they are dogs, Love them like they are human.

You're not being harsh, Niomi, I am.

This dog is going to end up in the back room of the local shelter.

What makes you think you can screen potential homes? You couldn't screen yours.

WTF!
What kind of turn around is this? What precipitated this u-turn?


Train the dog.

M&M Enterprises.