Well yeah, they're smart critters, course they escape, they watch you do it every day don't they? Hope the pups are alright though.

it seems bad (in my opinions) to think of selling wolf pups. Not everyone can take care of them like you can. they may be domestic, but they're like foxes, chimps, and tigers in the fact they will never be completely tame or domesticated. Selling these little puppies to people who just want them for being cute (as MOST people who buy them do) or say they will meet their needs (but don't because they just want to own a wolf) is a very likely occurrence. You look like you take good care of your animals, and I'd hate to see someone get one and then have it be the next wolf they have to rescue and take to an animal sanctuary because the people didn't know/have enough money to sustain them.

There are certain stipulations I place on anyone thinking of getting a pup, because they *are* wolves.

A: These are house animals. Not 'keep in a pen outside' or 'keep on a lead', nor even 'outside' animals. These are specifically to be allowed freely into the house because they are extremely pack strong and as outside animals will never establish that pack strength with their owners. Unless they're fully a part of the family, and the house is their den, they'll end up becoming problem animals.

B: They are never to be 'alone'. Wolves need a group, a pack, be that other dogs or cats (they can be cat socialized) or what-have-you. Wolves do not make good single-dog-household animals, much like any other high energy breeds like huskies, collies, terriers, ect. So when the humans are out, the wolves need others to socialize with.

C: If you can't handle the pup, call me. I'll help you figure it out, or I'll recover the pup. Yeah, I might call you a dumb git, but saving the pup is more important than your feelings.

Oh, and one last thing... a good fence is a must!. Wolves have the uncanny ability to defeat some amazingly robust barriers.

I'm not interested in raiding one :3 but that's cool that you're so informed about it. Some people keep animals like that outside because they are wild, and I see your point but I'll never see them as house animals. I've seen and heard of far too many bad things about keeping animals who are not bred to be pets in a house be it exotic birds to primates to large cats to wild dogs. I find it nice someone like you has been able to do it, but I doubt many people have the patience/care/trust that you do with your dogs.

However, i plan on getting a kit/fennec fox, those tiny little desert foxes because they are easy to keep as house pets and with propper training it is like owning a high energy cat/little dog. I don't believe people should keep red foxes or wolves (with the few exceptions of people like you) indoor OR out because they can be destructive and aggressive. Foxes tend to be worse than wolves because they're not really pack animals and aren't very affectionate animals and tend to keep to themselves unlike the wolfpack. but fennecs don't have the issue bigger foxes do :3 so I really want to see if i can raise one and if not i'd of course give it back. if people can't raise an animal, you're right they should give it back.

Destructive... they most certainly are.
I mostly have the outside enclosure *due* to their overcurious, destructive habits. For instance, Stormy learned how to climb my *shelves* to get at the milk bones. :) The husky I have now is just as destructive in her own way, but mostly out of boredom than anything else... my german shep does not 'play', the two just tend to growl at each other when one or the other begins feeling playful.

When they're old enough to be away from mom I'll bring the puppies inside for house training and socialization. I just hope I can find proper homes to place them in. Currently only my co-workers are prospective homes, if the rescue I got Comache (my neutered, very shy quasi feral male) does not scoop them up to do the same thing. Unfortunately they have lower standards than I do.

The rescue has three wolves that come and go from the house at will, and the alpha female acts so much like a dog she might as well be one. The male is more shy, but not destructive to house or cats... and he'll only listen to me when I give him commands. :D Won't sit or lay on command for anyone else.

The important thing, when they're pups, is 'muzzling' to show them that you're the boss. Muzzling is where you put your mouth over their muzzle (don't bite! *G*) when they're small enough to do so. This is an instinctive behavior common to wolves in the wild, letting the puppies know what's good to eat, and the 'smell' of the boss animals. Another issue is dominance, even with domestic dogs. If you establish that early on, and maintain it as they grow, they have a *lot* lower chance of trying to contest you for alpha status when they're adults.

Other training is the same as it would be for any other pet; command, response, positive reward. Negative reward is limited to a dominance push or lay, but nothing beyond that, and certainly no striking the animal.