Meet Wolfdog Journey. Linda Michaels, M.A., — Del Mar Dog Training


UT Scratch & Sniff 2013 Logo
     
BY LINDA MICHAELS, M.A., DEL MAR DOG TRAINER – SPECIAL TO THE UT SAN DIEGO
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If the thought of interacting with a wolflike creature makes your heart leap, meet wolfdog Journey, A cross of a wolf and a domestic dog several generations removed, Journey was selectively bred for social-butterfly abilities and wolflike appearance. 

When he wags his tail, bobs his head and starts to wriggle, he’s saying, “Pet me!” People are joyfully surprised they can pet him. To hear Journey howl, Click Here.

Journey loves people, traveling and new challenges. His public appearances help to debunk the Big Bad Wolf myth and to raise awareness of our precious, endangered wolves in the wild, as well as those in rescues and sanctuaries.

Approaching his second birthday, Journey weighs in at 90 pounds and can stand at 5 feet, 9 inches. He eats species-appropriate raw food, peppered with a variety of wholistic supplements.

Journey lives at Wolf Creek Ranch with his pet parent Julie. He loves the family cats, running his acre pasture, and watching goats and llamas grazing.

Journey is also a “poster pup” for dog-walking harnesses.

“It’s a matter of mutual respect,” Julie tells us.

At four weeks of age Journey was “placed in a shopping cart and into the store he went,” says Julie. They went to busy public places each day for the first year of his life. Now he strives to meet as many people as possible. Journey was raised with and adores children.

Journey’s been seen locally at the Balboa Park Powwow, Del Mar and Lowes Surf-Dog-a-Thons, Thanksgiving Dog Day, Bates Nut Farm Kennel Club Dog Show, and the Del Mar Pet Expo.                                                                                                                                                                  Photo Courtesy of Wolf Creek Ranch

Wolfdog ownership requires a serious lifelong commitment, thorough research, appropriate housing and acreage, early ultra-socialization, and training the Positive Reinforcement way. Just looking at and petting Journey is a bucket-list dream come true.

Linda Michaels, “Dog Psychologist,” MA, and Victoria Stilwell-licensed Del Mar dog trainer and speaker may be reached at 858.259.WOOF (9663) or by email:LindaMichaelsPositively@gmail.com for private obedience instruction and behavioral consultations near Del Mar and the San Diego Coast. Please visit us atDogPsychologistOnCall.com

Originally published in the U~T San Diego, Scratch n’ Sniff. Chris Ross, Editor.