new husky rescue, overweight, abused

Question
QUESTION: I am adopting  a 3year old girl siberian husky.  Owners dropped her off at a kill shelter and the dog was covered in motor oil and overweight and mostlikely was abused and tied up 24/7.  She is so sweet and housetrained, just very quiet and loveable.  What should I do to get her losing weight with out comprimising health? I plan to run with her but would like a plan from an expert (nutrition etc) Also her coat is pretty messed up and she's been washed/groomed numerous times while in rescue and finally the oil is about to be gone for good after months in rescue. What should I expect from that ...will eventually her coat come back in good shape after all this washing and improved conditions (she hasn't been shaved or anything) just sticky and covered in oil for months.  What should I expect from behavior as well.  she is very sweet, walks on leash, no agression but could something pop up in future because of her past?? I would appreciate a plan for diet/grooming/behavior training.  Thanks, I want to give this girl the best life.

ANSWER:  If she is sweet now she should remain that way. If any future problems come up it will be because she is to spoiled lol. Her coat should improve after It blows out in the spring/summer.
I suggest trying this shampoo in the mean time.
http://www.thedogsupplyco.com/store-products-KE803612-Wild-Animal-Hairy-Beast-Sh

Thank you for not shaving her that is a good thing, shaving a Siberian leads to different problems.
Here is a link to a video of me grooming a dog to show you how it is properly done.
http://www.youtube.com/user/AgapaeSilver#p/a/u/2/xKN7pSA2lSQ
Just pause the video to read the comments if it gets to fast, to read.

I am going to make a video on weight in the future. But here is a video about that.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4NmE9hVEwQ&feature=related

I am sure you know she is over weight but this is to watch her to make she she doesn't get to thin. Some people go overboard.

I suggest a high quality diet food, PLEASE follow the feeding amounts on the bag. No treats between, no Human food until she is slimmed down. Take her running with you like you want to. Exercise is great! It is a must for weight loss. If your girl seems to sore the next day cut the exercising time down but do not stop exercising.
I suggest Canidae Platinum dog food.
Here is a store locator
http://www.canidae.com/company/storelocator.html

Here is about the food I suggested
http://www.canidae.com/dogs/platinum/dry.html

From what you suggested it sounds like this dog was a shop dog. They are usually Labs though and all I have seen are overweight. Since she is house broken she wasn't chained out all day. Those dogs are hard to house train because they stand in their own poo and pee they don't give a thought to defecating or peeing indoors, or even on themselves. I think it lived in a shop, like an auto shop. Most cases I have heard of the loving owner (who over fed it and gave it many treats) died, or is an elderly person (who couldn't keep up with grooming the dog) who's family dumped it at any random shelter. I think if she was abused and neglected she would be really skinny and shy of people because they hurt her. I think something like this may be her story. The animal always pays when the owner dies because family members don't care enough to take in the dead, or an elderly person who went to a home, loving pet.

Any more Question please ask.
-Michelle B

Any more questions please ask.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the advice I will certainly get that food.  Actually that makes sense about be ing in a shop, however the owners actually dropped her off and said because she wasn't a good guard dog (she doesn't bark)so maybe she was supposed to guard the shop although  i have know idea how people would get a purebread husky female for that purpose.  Aren't they expensive too when pups? I don't get people sometimes.   Any advice on training beahavior like what's important for her to learn and do you have any videos on that ??

Answer
Well the Obviously didn't do ANY research on the breed when they picked out a Siberian they are not guard dogs. They are friendly with everyone they meet. They are not territorial, and do not get boundaries. That is why they need to be fenced in, they just run off and cannot be taught boundary lines, they can fool you into thinking they are trained though. They where developed by a nomadic tribe after all they just needed to follow their owner and even that tribe kept the dogs in their homes with their children. When outside they kept them penned or tied out.  

 The appropriate breeds for guarding are German shepherds and such. Siberians are no more expensive then a well bred dog in a guard breed. So price has nothing to do with it.

 Their is TONS of videos on You tube on Training, and sadly off leash training... to me that is just asking for your dog to run off and get hit by a car. They have no fear and do not watch out for cars.

 I highly suggest Basic obedience classes and moving to advanced. Siberians can listen if they want to but the most important thing is to form a bond with your dog and going out and learning things together helps deepen that bond. Here is one of my Fav sites to give people to better understand why their Siberian does that or doesn't do that.
http://www.siberianrescue.com/seneca.htm

Any more Questions please ask!
-Michelle B