Beth,
It is so funny that you emailed because I've been wanting to email you for several weeks now...I'm just so forgetful sometimes!
Ruger is great! He's huge but we expected that. We just celebrated his 1st birthday on the 28th and he is definitely one of the
family; he's picked up on Jeff's and the kids' personalities! I'll give you a little info of Ruger's life over the past year!
He had a wonderful, 7 hour drive home the day we picked him up. He was a little shy for a couple of days but he warmed up
pretty quick. From the get-go, he came to work with me since I own my own business and had the opportunity to help train him.
It took less than two months to house break him and since, we've had no problems at all. My customer's love him! He's got
customers of his own that bring him treats and come in just to see him.
He is absolutely wonderful with the kids. My 18-month old Ashlynne runs around with him quite a bit and often curls up with
him on the floor. The boys love chasing him around and he chases them back. Our 8-year-old is usually scared of dogs but
he's Ruger's best buddy.
Jeff and Ruger wrestle a lot - like literally wrestle. It's funny because if Jeff says "Ouch!" Ruger will stop, look and then start
licking him. He actually pinned Jeff once and that was pretty funny too.
It's a darn good thing we have a large house because Ruger got big quick. He now weighs 125 lbs. I've talked to the vet about
this to be sure that we aren't over feeding him - they say that he's eating just the right amount and not too many treats so I think
he's just really big. He doesn't quite know just how big he is because he tries to sit on my lap or share the couch with me.
Unfortunately, the couch isn't quite big enough for the both of us so I usually get up and let him be comfortable. He also can't
sit in the front seat of the van anymore. I have to move the kids' seats so that he can take up the back seat. Then he'll sit with
his chin on my shoulder the whole way to town.
We're working on some additional training. He pulls, which I know is his nature, and I can't walk him anymore. A girl at the vet
clinic has a malamute and recommended a "gentle leader" which is supposed to work for behavior training as well.
Behaviorally, he's good but he still nips or chews and get's a little rough with adults. I blame my husband for wrestling with him
but truly, he just gets really excited to see people and play with them.
Other than that, like I said, he's a wonderful addition to our family. Besides eating the lattice off of our deck one afternoon, he's
just like one of my own children.
I want to thank you for all your support in the beginning and advice with getting Ruger. He has been one of the greatest
decisions we've made! I'll attach some pics so that you can see him! Thanks again and look forward to talking to you again
soon!
P.S. I've got more pics at home and will send them to you as well. I'm emailing from work - hence the picture of Ruger with the
rifle. I had to put a disclaimer with that picture that "Ruger" was not included with the purchase!
Erika M. Alexander
It is so funny that you emailed because I've been wanting to email you for several weeks now...I'm just so forgetful sometimes!
Ruger is great! He's huge but we expected that. We just celebrated his 1st birthday on the 28th and he is definitely one of the
family; he's picked up on Jeff's and the kids' personalities! I'll give you a little info of Ruger's life over the past year!
He had a wonderful, 7 hour drive home the day we picked him up. He was a little shy for a couple of days but he warmed up
pretty quick. From the get-go, he came to work with me since I own my own business and had the opportunity to help train him.
It took less than two months to house break him and since, we've had no problems at all. My customer's love him! He's got
customers of his own that bring him treats and come in just to see him.
He is absolutely wonderful with the kids. My 18-month old Ashlynne runs around with him quite a bit and often curls up with
him on the floor. The boys love chasing him around and he chases them back. Our 8-year-old is usually scared of dogs but
he's Ruger's best buddy.
Jeff and Ruger wrestle a lot - like literally wrestle. It's funny because if Jeff says "Ouch!" Ruger will stop, look and then start
licking him. He actually pinned Jeff once and that was pretty funny too.
It's a darn good thing we have a large house because Ruger got big quick. He now weighs 125 lbs. I've talked to the vet about
this to be sure that we aren't over feeding him - they say that he's eating just the right amount and not too many treats so I think
he's just really big. He doesn't quite know just how big he is because he tries to sit on my lap or share the couch with me.
Unfortunately, the couch isn't quite big enough for the both of us so I usually get up and let him be comfortable. He also can't
sit in the front seat of the van anymore. I have to move the kids' seats so that he can take up the back seat. Then he'll sit with
his chin on my shoulder the whole way to town.
We're working on some additional training. He pulls, which I know is his nature, and I can't walk him anymore. A girl at the vet
clinic has a malamute and recommended a "gentle leader" which is supposed to work for behavior training as well.
Behaviorally, he's good but he still nips or chews and get's a little rough with adults. I blame my husband for wrestling with him
but truly, he just gets really excited to see people and play with them.
Other than that, like I said, he's a wonderful addition to our family. Besides eating the lattice off of our deck one afternoon, he's
just like one of my own children.
I want to thank you for all your support in the beginning and advice with getting Ruger. He has been one of the greatest
decisions we've made! I'll attach some pics so that you can see him! Thanks again and look forward to talking to you again
soon!
P.S. I've got more pics at home and will send them to you as well. I'm emailing from work - hence the picture of Ruger with the
rifle. I had to put a disclaimer with that picture that "Ruger" was not included with the purchase!
Erika M. Alexander
| Ruger lives in Iowa |
Alaskan Malamute Puppies
Malamute Breeders
Malamute Breeders
| Jeff and Beth Chandler ~ Viburnum, MO 65566 573.743.3507 ~ 573.604.1290 beth@missourimalamutes.com |
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