Introducing Brinkley (my Goldendoodle) to a husky

[Heather & Brinkley]

Hey Everyone,

My parent's next door neighbors have friends that come and stay in their home everyone once and awhile.   We don't know them well at all.  In fact, it's an odd set-up.  The owner of the house lives in China and is hardly in the states; yet he has this house in my parent's very nice neighborhood.  People cycle through and stay in the house for a few weeks here and there.  There was one couple that stayed for a few months and they have a beautiful pure bred husky.  He seemed nice enough.  I'd pet him through the fence and he and Brinkley would often run up and down the side of the fence, wagging, barking (and peeing to make their mark.) My mom didn't like that the dog was left outside for longer than she agreed with in the hot Virginia sun, so she would bring him water, shade and a bone to chew on. Prior to the couple leaving the home and going back to their apartment, my mom made an off hand comment, "hey, if you ever can't take care of your dog, let me know." 

Well, she never thought she'd recieve a call from them but now they are unexpectedly moving back to China. They said dogs aren't treated well in China and they don't want to "ship" him so they want to know if we want him (I'm living with my parents until Dec 2013 when my husband graduates from PA school in MA.) 

So, now the dog is coming over tonight at 7pm to "meet Brinkley" and see how they like each other.  I'm a bit nervous because it seemed that any time we had a problem at a dog park, it was a husky that charged Brinkley.  I don't know what it was (maybe they thought he was stuffed animal!) I know that doesn't mean that all dogs of that breed will be the same but it was just odd that the problems came from huskies-- and that is why we no longer go to dog parks. 

Brinkley has many dogs over for playtime so he is used to dogs in his yard-- and he's not the one to start any issues BUT if a dog gets aggressive with him, he doesn't roll over and take it.  He'll fight back, so I have to be on my toes. 

I'm just trying to figure out the best way to introduce them.  Maybe we should take them on a walk first on neutral ground before letting them run in our yard??  If it works, it could be great because Brinkley loves to have friends over. But on the flip side, what if they fight over food when we are gone at work-- we don't crate Brinkley.  He's never needed it and he hates them.

Then IF and ONLY IF my parents do take the dog, I'm worried about the time when Brinkley and I move out in 1.5 years.  He will have built this bond with a dog only to leave him.  We do plan on getting a second Doodle at some point when this huge shcool transition is over.

My parents have already said  Brinkley is their first priority in this situation so they won't do anything that I am uncomfortable with but I'd love your thoughts.

 

 

[Heather & Brinkley]

Brinkley and Simba the husky weren't friends. We walked, we gathered up all toys and food, we let them attempt to play but the husky kept standing over Brinkley and pinning Brinkley to the ground which made Brinkley react. Nobody got hurt but because the husky wasn't neutered and I have no idea what his shot history is, we didn't push it when things continued to circle back to growing and jumping towards one another aggressively. This was the best of scenarios because he was silk with his owners but it just didn't work. :(. My mom is tryingnt help him find a good home though.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I know this won't go over big with the owners, but he really should be neutered before he is placed in a home. If he isn't he could end up being used for breeding. The neutering may also make him dominant.

You might try to locate a husky rescue group in your area. They would do the neutering and all vet work, too, if the owner relinquished him.

[Heather & Brinkley]

Yes, agreed 100 percent!!! We told them he needed to be neutered. My mom has already contacted the husky rescue group in our area. She left a message.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I posted the links below before I saw your reply. They still might be worthwhile checking if the group your mom contacted can't help.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Husky rescues in VA and nearby:

http://www.shinerescue.org/

http://www.petharbor.org/

http://www.siberianhuskyassist.com/

http://www.siberianrescue.com/southeast.htm

http://husky.rescueshelter.com/Virginia

[Heather & Brinkley]

Thanks!