1. Run the command:

   /give @p minecraft:axolotl_bucket{Variant:-1}

1. Place the bucket. A water block containing an axolotl is placed.
2. The client appears to have an empty bucket, but it's just clientside. The bucket may be placed again, because it hasn't been emptied.

What I expected to happen was to place the default axolotl and be left with an empty bucket that can't be used again.