Question about our Alaskan Malamute

Question
Hi Diane,

My boyfriend and I just got an 8 month old Alaskan Malamute. When we went to check him out, he was so beautiful and sweet, giving us kisses and laying on us. We decided right then that we wanted him, and we went to pick him up a couple days later. The problem is, ever since we have gotten him back to our apartment, he has become nothing but skittish. Anytime either of us walk past him, he puts his head down. We put him in the center of the apartment and he runs to the closest corner and stays there for HOURS. He will not move unless we PHYSICALLY move him.
I'm really at a loss, and do not know what to do. I've grown up with labs my whole life, and am so used to dogs being completely content around me. I'm to the point of tears because I know that he is significantly older, and his breeder still has his mom, dad, brother and sister. As much as I would love for things to work out with him, I want HIM to be happy, and one look in his eyes and you can see he's not. We've had him for almost a week now, and things have only gotten worse. All we do is give him love, and after that didn't seem to work, we tried just leaving him be in hopes he would get used to his new surroundings. And it just isn't getting better.

Any advice you have would be very appreciated.

Thank you.


Natalee

Answer
Hi Natalee
when you went to visit your boy he was in his own element, it  sounds to me as though he hasn't had a lot of socialization outside his home, if any.. It takes older pups like this a bit longer to feel comfortable than it does a young puppy. A week really isn't a very long adjustment period. It could take him awhile. The first thing you need to do is to stop chasing him. Give him time to come to you for attention and affection. Make sure he eats, drinks and goes outside and other than that, try to leave him alone. Give him a treat everytime you see him, but don't push him. If at ALL possible, take him for a walk twice a day. Even if it's not a very long one, just as a way to bond with him. Give him another week and get him into some obedience classes. Try sitting on the floor with him for a few minutes wherever he is and petting him. If he moves away, allow him that. Just make sure you don't force the issue for awhile. He'll come when he's ready. Not speaking or understanding English, not much time, if any away from his original home, and now everything is new to him, can be scary and confusing for anybody. Especially a puppy. Don't give up on him. Just slow down and let him take things at his own pace. We went through this with a six month old GSD pup who'd never been out of his kennel. He was literally terrified of everything in our house. It took patience, love and TIME but he came around. Your boy will too.
Diane