5 Things to Consider Before Bringing Home an Alaskan Klee Kai
Remember, dogs are big commitments—you always want to make sure that you and the rest of the people in your home are 100% ready before taking home a four legged friend. The Alaskan Klee Kai can be especially challenging for new dog owners due to their rather unique, inherent personalities. For instance, unlike the easy going golden retriever, these miniature husky look-a-likes tend to be shy and cautious; they love their human family, but strangers? Not so much.
Of course, all dogs are different and the Alaskan Klee Kai puppy that you bring home may turn out to be be the most social, stranger kisser that you’ve ever seen, but still, it’s good to be fully educated about the breed before making a decision.
But what are the important things that should you know about the breed? Well that’s where we come in—to aid you in your quest of determining whether or not you’d be a good candidate for the position of Alaskan Klee Kai personal assistant (aka dog owner), we’ve compiled a list of five things which all prospective owners should consider prior to welcoming an Alaskan Klee Kai into their homes…and without further adieu, here it is!
Number 1: You will have to socialize your Alaskan Klee Kai throughout his entire life
Alaskan Klee Kai can be very shy and withdrawn in the presence of those whom they don’t know—in which case, they would most likely back away to stick close to their owners. How can we help them to be more comfortable in the world around them? The answer is socialization. The more an Alaskan Klee Kai is exposed to a range of different people and environments, the more likely it will be for him to be able to develop into a confident, and well-balanced dog.
However while some breeds may only require socialization during their first few months of life, the Alaskan Klee Kai is different—due to their shy tendencies, it is highly recommended for owners to socialize the breed throughout their entire life (but socialization throughout puppyhood is also crucial, of course).
Number 2: Alaskan Klee Kai shed, a lot
If you’re not keen on the idea of something like, finding a strand of dog fur in your caesar salad, then getting an Alaskan Klee Kai is probably not a good choice for you. For their size, they shed a lot—sometimes, you even wonder where all the fur comes from. Vacuums and lint rollers become your best friend, especially after you’ve been cuddling with your dog while wearing black pants, five minutes before you’re set to leave for work.
And as if being lifetime shedding monsters wasn’t enough, they also blow their coats twice a year—during which they lovingly spread their strands of joy in your home. But don’t let that scare you off, coat blowing season is in fact, super manageable with regular brushing of their fur.
Number 3: Alaskan Klee Kai are *amazing* escape artists
Thinking of keeping your Alaskan Klee Kai unattended in your backyard while cooking dinner or running errands? Think again! These dogs are amazing jumpers (some can jump over 6 feet) and diggers and unless you have a super high (higher than 6 feet), escape-proofed (chicken-wire at the bottom to prevent digging) fence, you should never leave them to their own devices outside.
And even if you have the perfect escape-proof backyard, you should still always supervise your dog—you never know what can happen. Given the right motivation, an Alaskan Klee Kai can escape from anything, be it a baby gate or dog crate. Considering this, you should never leave your pet unattended, in a situation which may attract trouble.
Number 4: Alaskan Klee Kai are especially prone to separation anxiety
As a loyal companion dog, the Alaskan Klee Kai can be particularly vulnerable to separation anxiety. What is separation anxiety? One of the most commonly faced behavioural problems by dog parents, separation anxiety occurs when your pet becomes highly distressed in your absence—whether you are taking out the garbage, or simply going out of their sight to go to the bathroom.
While separation anxiety can range from mild to severe depending on the dog, some of the most common manifestations include: whining, barking, howling, excessive panting and even urination. Not to be taken lightly, separation anxiety can cause great headaches for owners—and their neighbours.
To remedy the issue, you must teach and reassure your pet that it is okay for him to be alone. Depending on the individual dog, it may take anywhere from a week to a few months to resolve the problem, given the proper training.
Number 5: Alaskan Klee Kai Attract Attention
As the owner of an Alaskan Klee Kai, your pet will be attracting attention wherever he trots. After all, not everyone has seen a “miniature husky” before! If the idea of having people stare and ask about your dog makes you feel uncomfortable, then you probably should not get an Alaskan Klee Kai. If that is something that you’d be okay with then by all means, feel free to educate others about the breed. Just remember, as with all nice things, your Alaskan Klee Kai will also have the ability to garner unwanted attention. While there’s nothing wrong with answering someones questions about your pet, it’s always a good idea to keep a watchful eye on your surroundings—after all, dog theft is a thing.
