How to Clean Up After a Pet Wolf

Wolves are first and foremost wild animals, and keeping them as pets is not recommended. There's always the potential for dangerous behavior. But if you are determined to keep a pet wolf—or a wolf-dog hybrid, which has the characteristics of both animals—you need to learn how to care for it. Follow these steps to keep your pet wolf clean.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic crate for crate training

1. Expect accidents when attempting to housebreak a wolf, which is much more challenging than housebreaking a dog. When indoors, watch your wolf for behaviors like circling, sniffing and squatting. Clap your hands to startle him, and then take him outside. Praise him when he goes where he should.

2. Take young pups outside regularly to encourage elimination. You must swab your pups' bottoms with a moist towel to stimulate them to relieve themselves. In the wild, the mother does this by licking the pups.

3. Consider crate training to aid housebreaking. A wolf is used to sleeping in a den, and the crate will take the place of a den. Like dogs, wolves do not want to soil where they sleep. Upon waking in the morning, take your wolf to the proper place to relieve himself. You may have to carry him as he will want to squat as soon as he leaves the crate. Give lots of praise.

4. Use the crate for up to 3 hours at a time when leaving the house. Upon return, take your wolf to its elimination area.

5. Watch your pet wolf consistently for signs that he needs to relieve himself. When accidents happen, just clean up with a vinegar solution to take out the smell. As he gets older, a wolf may want to mark his territory.

6. Beware of your pet's potential for destroying furniture, woodwork or anything else in its path. Wolves also like to dig.

7. Use a soft pet brush to keep your wolf clean. Bathe gently as needed. You want your pet wolf to enjoy bathing, not be scared of it.

Tips & Warnings

• Consult with your neighbors before adopting a pet wolf. Wolves like to howl, and this might become a problem.
• Obtain any necessary permits. Consider getting hands-on experience volunteering at a wolf sanctuary. Wolf Park offers wolf behavior seminars.
• Work hard at socializing your pet wolf during her first 3 months of life, starting as soon as her eyes open.
• Caregivers should make a life-long commitment to care for a wolf for its entire lifespan, up to 12 years, as wolves do not adjust to new owners or situations well. For this reason, it is a good idea to have more than one caregiver.
• Wolves do not make good pets. Consider visiting an animal shelter and give a home to a homeless dog.
• Do not leave a wolf alone with a child who may easily be interpreted as prey. No amount of socialization will totally rid a wolf of predatory behavior. Socialized wolves have been known to "challenge" their owner for dominance as well.
• Do not keep a wolf chained. This is cruel and can result in behavior problems.