any tips, advice, anything for a first time owner?
They're not pets.
They are very energetic and can be quite dominant and also they can make they best of pets for someone who truly understands and loves them back in return and in return they are loyal and will protect you from harm 100%. Wolf hybrids that are not mixed with siberian husky, malamute or german shepherd tend to be unpredictable and very dangerous since mixing a wolf with a very domesticated dog that is very far from the wolf causes it's behaviour to become unpredictable eg. A pitbull x wolf mix is an example.
"Sanctuary" and "first time owner" can be two very different things.
When it's your own animal, you have a bond and a regular, interactive relationship. You spend a lot of time together. Under proper circumstances, his territory is your territory and he feels secure about you & himself.
Sanctuary animals are often stressed to have lost their home, and many have developed undesirable behaviours because their uncommitted owners didn't put much effort into them. Once they settle into their new enclosure, it may be * all they really have * (in contrast to a full life) and some may get defensive of it. They may be more afraid, or out of sorts.
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
Therefore, the "rules" are different with rescues than with hand raised companion/"pet" wolfdogs
Lots of good info online ... but I would call and talk to some wolfdog sanctuaries, get their input. Full Moon Farm, WOLF, Indigo Mountain are very good places for education.
Wolves, like dogs, are Canis lupus. They speak the exact same language - meaning that body language and behaviour modification are the same for both. Wolves are more intense; dogs are slightly less (yes, LESS ... so much variance in dogs) predictable. Wolfdogs can be anywhere in between. Try to become very skilled at working with dogs, because wolfX are "high end" dogs and they expect you to read & understand them, and not to make newbie mistakes.
Volunteering with someone who has experience and knows the animals is a GREAT way to learn - without failing the animal through negligence or ignorance.
Good luck in your work!
Remember they are part wild animal and u should take extra training in for him or her there is a chance they can turn but there is a chance with training he may not but just be very careful. I have one and learned to train him very well so he stays on task he has never bitten anyone and has been good the 4 years ive has him so far i made him grow up around kids and other animals. I dont have kids my self but i watch them or even if i walk some where i make him lie down snd stay unless the kids are walking him or making him do tricks. He is about 150lbs and about 5 foot when he stands on his hign legs
They are EXTREMELY shy with anyone or anything they do not know. It all depends on how early they were socialized (they have to be handled before 8 days of age) and you need to know how to control a panicked 125 lb animal. They climb over fences, dig under, and are usually not safe around small animals (high prey drive).
pets question and answers,www.5d2d.com
A friend had two of them. One was perfect, he died of old age at 16. The other was a rescue, never properly socialized, looked beautiful but was uncontrollable outside due to fear. In the house when visitors were over he'd pace restlessly, highly stressed.
Terrible idea. Read this:
http://www.wolfpark.org/Images/Education ...
