Are these normal?

Question
Hi!

I currently have a 4 month old female Siberian Husky (Pure bred), and I was wondering if some of her habbits were normal of her breed.

1. Though she plays a lot, it only seems to last for about 15 minutes at a time, then she usually sleeps.. I'd say she sleeps much more of the day then she is active. But she doesn't seem sick or depressed, and is easily woken up and 'forced' to play.

2. I live in PA. And it is currently summer, so the temperature is anywhere from 75-90 right now, and I noticed that she is drinking a LOT of water. When she wakes, she drinks, before she sleeps, she drinks, in the middle of playing, after.. She is constantly taking small drinking breaks.. Normal?

3rd question! - She seems to have an issue with diarrhea. She will have runny stool for a a couple days, then it will be solid for a week or more, then turn runny again.. Even though her food has not changed. She is often outside chewing on sticks, grass, etc... could this be the issue?

2 more questions, and I swear I will leave you alone! =)

How do I cure seperation anxiety? She is pretty good at not going to the bathroom in her crate or house, unless I am gone from her site for too long.. I will come home sometimes and she will have gone to the bathroom in her crate. She will be pressed as far away from her stool as possible, refusing to touch it, and whining to be let out. She never pees in it though.

Lastly! She loves drinking water, blowing bubbles in her water dish, 'Biting' the water, and especially loves dipping her front paws in it.... But she -hates- lakes, pools, and baths... Is this a mental thing she can't get over??

Anyway, thank you very much for taking the time to go over this! I look forward to your response.

-Bradley Brashears

Answer
No problem with the questions - I'll endeavor to answer them here in order:

1) Normal - yes.  Remember, dogs are carnivores by nature (although some qualify as opportunivores - eating whatever they can get their paws on).  What this means is that they often spend more time sleeping than awake.  While maybe a little bit rare for a four month old pup - it's not anything to be concerned with.  This sounds like you just have a calmer dog - which among Sibes is a rare and pleasant surprise.  My dogs (while older) sleep about 12-16 hours a day, or otherwise just laze around.

2) Drinking a lot of water is normal as well, especially in warmer climates.  Although, with her activity level, keep an eye on it.  Not to alarm you at all, but it could be a sign of diabetes (low energy + excessive water consumption).  Make sure you bring it to your vet's attention, but in most cases, this is just fine.

3)  Diarrhea - yes, the sticks and grass could be causing it.  Additionally, you said she is female and plays in her water dish - do you know her breeding lines?  If so, let me know, I might know another solution.

4)  Separation Anxiety is tough.  Although, it sounds like she is at least in the right mindset with the crate.  Keep in mind that at her age, she shouldn't be alone for more than about 5 hours without being let out.  Additionally, dogs most often have to eliminate after feeding, so try not to feed her as you leave.  Instead, try to make sure you give her a good 45-60 minutes after eating to go outside and take care of business.  And honestly, fecal elimination is the toughest for a dog to control, and that is triggered by the eating.  So this would make some sense in the fact that she doesn't seem to urinate in her crate, but still has accidents.  Try that and see how it goes.  Keep an eye on the time and that should help as well.

5)  As for playing in the water . . . it's normal (at least for pretty much all female dogs coming from the Karnovanda lines!)  Also, since Sibes were bred as arctic dogs, many have a natural aversion to water that they don't know how deep it is.  Some Sibes love it, so it just varies with the dog.  Also, keep in mind that the dog dipping its front paws into the water is not just play, it's also temperature regulation.  Since dogs lose heat from their mouths and paws, the water can cool the pads of the feet off and help cool the dog down.  My kitchen floor is usually covered in wet paw prints after a session outside on a warmer day.

Hope some of that helps, but definitely write back on if you know the breeding line, and also if you have other questions.