adopted a 2yr husky

Question
QUESTION: Hi Michelle,

I adopted a husky a week ago; her history goes like this...she was a stray before, then she was taken care of by her previous owner for 11months and now he couldn't keep her anymore, so I've decided to adopted her. We're guessing she's sprayed and 2years based on her size/weight (53.5lbs). She's a good dog. She's house trained and knows how to sit, stay, down etc. However, i'm currently retraining her so she knows i'm her owner.

I have some questions regarding her; her previous owner was feeding her beneful (3-4cups) and i've recently cut her down to 3cups (half beneful and half natural balance lamb and rice) but she still seems like she wants to eat more. Should I be ignoring her when she whines for more food?? Or is she still hungry?

For the pass week i had her, she's been scratching herself a lot in the ears, chin and back area. Also she's nibbling at her feet and licking her feet. Should I be worried?? Because, when we finish our daily walks, i wipe her feet with water before she enters the house.

In the morning, I walk her for 40-45mins before I head to work then after my dinner I take her out for 30-40mins. In between the walks during night time I play with her. Is she getting enough exercise? She loves playing tug with the rope and growls too ^^ however, she sometimes goes hysteric and run in circle and around the house frantically...is that normal? or is she not getting enough exercise outside?

I'm trying to get her into the routine of brushing fur and teeth nightly. But every time i try to brush her she walks away. But I haven't tried brushing teeth yet. Is there anyway to make her get use to it??

Thanks so much!
Ev

ANSWER:    I would go with a grain free food if.
1. She has no fleas
2. Has no mites
3. Is properly groomed (built up dander and shed hair stuck in the coat can make them itch)
4. Has no thyroid problem.
5. does not suffer from Zinc deficiency (in northern breeds it is no unheard of for them to have trouble digesting and metabolizing Zinc)
6. Doesn't have a yeast infection developing on her skin (you will see an orange staining on the skin)
 Wheat and grain allergies in animals cause itching, usually feet. But the Above things can also cause itching feet. This can also be cause if your dog is sensitive to a detergent, or cleaner you are using on your floor.

 The running around the house can also be caused by your Siberian just celebrating something they are happy about. It doesn't necessarily mean she isn't getting enough exercise. If she isn't destroying anything in your house by chewing and digging at it she is probably okay. Destructive behavior is a side effect of not enough attention, or not enough exercise. I feel she is the right home if you sorry about her this much!
 Siberian normally do not like getting brushed. It is a routine they do not enjoy because if pulls their beautiful hair. They are such wimps when it come to grooming routines. Your best best is to just start doing them in short spurts and work the routines longer. I attach a leash to my belt so they cannot run away till they get their after grooming treat for being good dogs and putting up with this necessary task.
 When brushing their teeth I let them taste the toothpaste the first time and just do their front teeth. I repeat this for a week them I do the canines and keep working back a tooth a week till I can brush all of them. I allow the dog to chew on the bristles when they want to for a bit so they get some satisfaction out of it. Chewing is a calming thing to a dog and you want them as comfortable as possible. I use this tooth paste:
http://www.virbacvet.com/cet/product/cet_enzymatic_toothpaste_for_dogs_cats_poul

 It works awesome and the dogs LOVE the flavor. I find all of my dogs like it, and all of my dogs don't really like the same flavors but they all agree on this!

Have any more Questions? Please ask!
-Michelle B

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

QUESTION: Thanks for answering my massive load of questions so quickly!!

Sorry, but I still have a few more =P
I think she's about 2 years old...do they still shed off their winter coat? because from the other questions i've read...it seems like they only blow off their coat when they're young.

I'm having great difficulty walking her outside. She doesn't really listen to me outside because she gets distracted with surrounding things. I've have treats with me but she still ignores me. Also, I tired the method of "quick pull and release" to prevent her from tugging hard and she doesn't really "heel" when I tell her to. But when she gets tired out she walks beside me. Is there a solution to this tugging problem?

THanks again!
Ev

ANSWER: Since she is a Siberian you cannot completely break the pulling all the time. They where bred to pull sleds after all. Some Siberians can be taught not so but not all. I would get he a Halti or Gentle leader, They can't pull when you use these. It will be something she will have to get used to.

 They shed all through their life in the winter and in the fall. 2 times a year. It does get less as they get older because well, everything doesn't work as well as it should (around 10 you should really notice it). But in your case she has had, food changes, home changes and other changes that are a shock (stress) to her system, sometimes they don't shed properly till they get some "normality" back in their life.

Any more Questions please ask!
Michelle B

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

QUESTION: Hi again!

Another question. Her old owner used to feed her 4 cups of Beneful food. I'm slowly trying to switch her to Lamb and Rice from Natural Balance...i'm doing it gradually. However, I've been trying to cut down on the amount of food she eats (ie. 4 cups --> 3cups) but it seems like she's constantly hungry.
Here's her exercise regime:
I take her out for walks in the morning (40-45mins), play with her (10-15mins) before i go to work...walk her in the evening (30mins), play with her (10-15mins).
Is she expending more energy and not eating enough? Should I still be feeding her 4cups or is it a bit too much for her??

Thanks again!
Ev

Answer
Keep an eye on her weight. Generally I find if a dog acts hungry it isn't getting the right nutrition the amount of food has nothing to do with it. Since she has allergies I would try switching her to Taste of the wild grain free Salmon formula or something of the like, Rice is a grain. Canidae and Evo also make very good grain free food. But any way back to the weight.

You check a dog on how much it is eating by making sure it isn't getting fat. Here are some links on how to check.

http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?c=2+1659+1660&aid=661

Here is a Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQzWTRBCzBw

Any more Questions please ask!