Couple questions

Question
We have a male 3 month old Siberian Husky (named T).  My wife and I have had him since he was 1 1/2 months old.  We had him as an inside dog, but thought he would be more happy as a mostly outside dog where he can do all his crazy Siberian husky things.  However, we have noticed that even though he'll eat his food, even leaving some behind sometimes, he loves to eat the grass in the backyard.  With my other dogs that I've had before, they usually only ate grass to "cure" an upset stomach.  But, with T, he just eats and eats and eats the grass and doesn't throw up, but he has been getting diarrhea every once in awhile.  We were feeding him Pedigree canned puppy lamb and rice with Nutro Max Puppy Food.  We have decided to switch to Iams Smart Puppy Large Breed with Pedigree canned puppy chicken and beef.  We haven't noticed much of a change except for he seems to like the food more, not leaving any behind and "wolfing" it down almost quicker than before.  Is it natural for Siberian Huskies to eat grass and could that be causing the diarrhea?  Also, he pees differently than any other dog I've seen.  He puts his front legs out and leans forward like a stretch position to pee.  Is that normal?  Also, training him is going to be difficult, I understand.  My family had two female pitbull/black lab mix puppies, that were big like the labs, but looked the pitbull part.  We trained them in about 2 weeks with a shock collar.  Do you recommend that with Siberian Huskies, or no?  Last question.  We live in Hawaii, so it's a bit hot and humid.  We give him water almost constantly and brush him every other day, but although he pants and pants he'll drink from his bowl and when he's done, he'll bite his bowl and flip it emptying his water bowl.  Anything we can do so we aren't constantly worried about his hydration?  Thanks a bunch and sorry about so many questions, just a bit worried because I'm heading to Iraq in December and I want the Mrs. to be ok with taking care of the dog and not having to worry about him.  Again, thanks in advance.  Justin

Answer
First, the grass can definitely be causing the diarrhea, and I'm not sure there's much that can be done to prevent that - he's choosing to eat it on his own.  As far as natural for Sibes to eat grass - no more than any other dog.  Don't worry about how he urinates, mine male does the same thing when he doesn't want to mark anything.

Training - I do not recommend shock collars for several reasons, but the the most important is that they aren't needed.  I generally suggest a German pinch collar.

Hawaii is definitely hot and humid and your dog must be supplied with enough water, shade and moving air as possible (not just a shelter, but one with circulation) if he is to live at all outside.  This dog was bred to survive in arctic conditions at 40 to 60 degrees below zero, not tropical climates.  With that being said, Sibes, like most dogs, regulate their temperature through panting and through the pads of their feet.  If the temperature is at all warm, the dog will be panting, and I know a lot of dogs that will flip their water on to the ground so they can walk through it to cool off.  I would personally suggest making sure the dog is a primarily indoor dog, with outside time for fun and relaxation during the early morning and late evening hours.  Keep in mind that dogs are carnivores and as such, sleep more than they are awake.  Puppies are more active, but definitely spend time with him inside, training him, and that should wear him out enough to help him sleep some during the day and get to run around outside at night or in the morning when it is cooler.