Siberian Huskies are beautiful dogs. They look like wolves, and have thick, soft coats, that make them infinitely cuddly. They have piercing eyes, and wonderful masks, that give them a roguish and unique look.
Siberians can make very good family pets. If properly trained, they can be very good with people, children, and other dogs. Indeed, Sibes are commonly known for their friendliness toward people.
Although they may look like fierce wolves, they have the heart of Casanova. All my Huskies want to do, is greet everyone and give them licks.
However, many people have trouble with this breed, and many Sibes get surrendered every year.
Consider these Siberian Husky facts, before going out and getting a puppy. The Siberian Husky is a very special and lovable breed, but they may not be the right breed for everyone.
1. Siberian Huskies Shed a Lot!
Be ready to have dog hair all over the house – floors, carpets, clothing, furniture, everywhere.
If we are allergic to dog hair, or like our home to be very clean, then the Siberian Husky is not for us.
When I was looking for a Sibe, I talked to a few breeders in my area. The first thing they all said was, “Siberians shed a lot”. I mentioned that my other dog, a Shiba Inu, also has a double coat, and also sheds a fair amount. However, they all said, “Siberians shed a lot more”.
And they do! A whole lot more.
Therefore, it is very important to train our Husky puppy to enjoy the grooming experience.
- I start with a soft brush, and lightly comb my dog’s body for a short period of time.
- I do this often, and pair it with food rewards.
- Once my puppy is comfortable with the brushing process, I very slowly extend the length of our grooming session.
- Finally, I repeat the process with a more solid brush, such as the Furminator.
Frequent brushing is a good idea to keep our Husky clean, and clear out loose hair. The more hair on the Furminator, the less hair on the floor.
About twice a year, my Sibes blow their coat. During this time, there will be more fur than ever. To keep things under control, I try to brush every day. Remember to always keep brushing sessions fun, rewarding, and not overly long.
2. Siberian Huskies Make Awful Watch Dogs
Because Huskies look like wolves, many people assume that they are fierce dogs. Some people may even think that they are wolf hybrids.
However, a Sibe is more of a lover and less of a fighter.
When confronted with a stranger, my Husky will usually run up to him, give licks, and beg for food. As a result, Sibes do not make very good watch dogs. They will not only welcome everyone into your house, but will also give them the royal lick treatment.
If we want a dog that is only loyal to us and our family, then the Siberian Husky is not for us.
My Huskies are naturally happy and trusting dogs, who like to be with everyone. That is one of the things that I love most about them.
The Siberian Husky is not a watch dog, although those ignorant of his true nature may be frightened by his appearance. If you want a dog with aggressive guard-dog instincts . . . don’t buy a Siberian.
~~[SHCA]Leave your home in the care of a “guard” Siberian and he will most likely welcome an intruder with open arms, fetch (for the first time in his life) your valuables and show him the best route of escape–after all, Siberians are great escape artists.
~~[Siberian Rescue Site]
Note – This does not mean that Huskies will never be aggressive toward people. A dog’s behavior is determined both by genetics (breeding), as well as by training, socialization, context, and past experiences. A dog may become aggressive as a result of improper training, bad social experiences, insufficient socialization, and more.
For reasons of safety, it is important to ensure that our companion dogs are not people aggressive. Most companion dogs today guard us, by sounding an alert when unknown or strange people come close to our house. These dogs are not people aggressive. They do not bark, lunge, or growl at passers-by during walks. They are not aggressive toward guests and unknown visitors, who may need to work in or around our house. Their job is simply to alert us, when unusual events occur close to home. Anything more would quickly become dangerous and risky.
Highly trained guard dogs, such as those employed by law-enforcement, may be trained to attack or restrain an intruder. However, they are always under the control of their handler, are extremely well managed, and will only attack on-command or when they think their handler is in clear danger (as defined during training). They also do not bark or growl at pedestrians.
3. Siberian Huskies Have High Energy
They are intelligent, athletic, and were bred to pull sleds for extremely long distances, in the freezing cold. Therefore, be prepared to provide a Husky with a lot of mental and physical exercise.
A young Husky needs activity almost all day round. At around one-year old, my Sibe puppy sleeps for perhaps 3-4 hours during the day, and about 10 hours during the night. That leaves about 10 hours during the day where she is on the go.
She drains her energy most by playing with my other dog, a Shiba Inu. However, even my Shiba cannot fully keep up with her.
In addition to the playing, she works for all of her food, has long walks in the park several times a week, has structured dog play sessions, dog obedience training sessions, and still has energy left over to explore and dig in our backyard.
If bored, a Husky can become unhappy. He will likely escape, or use our house and belongings as chew toys. Unless our backyard is extremely secure, he can easily jump over or dig under a fence, in order to find adventure elsewhere.
If we are away at work for most of the day, then the Siberian Husky is probably not for us.
Siberians like having company and activity all day long. It is possible that a Husky can keep himself occupied if we have other dogs, but he may also lead our entire pack into mischief!
Sibes do best when there is frequent human supervision, throughout the day.
Siberians are a gregarious lot and need the company of other dogs or of people at all times.
~~[SHCA]The Husky needs lots of exercise and entertainment. They love to run and play, but must be allowed to do so safely.
~~[Hillside SPCA]
4. Siberian Huskies Are Independent Thinkers
They have a very independent mind and spirit, and will only perform, if we make it worth their while.
If we want an obedient dog that only lives to please us, then the Siberian Husky is not for us.
A Sibe is not a “yes sir, no sir“, kind of dog. To live well with him, we need to be fair, but firm. We need to consistently enforce our house rules, or he will take over the house.
The best way to train a Husky, is through the control of resources. Teach him that the best way to get what he wants, is to first do what we want. I use reward obedience training, and follow the Nothing in Life is Free program. Harsher techniques can make a Siberian distrustful, and ruin the natural free spirit of the breed.
Huskies are independent hunters. Their original breeders, the Chukchi of Northeastern Asia, would let their dogs free during the summer months to hunt for food on their own.
This has two very important consequences for living with a Husky today –
- A Siberian is not to be trusted with cats or other small animals. He can be trained to live with cats, but his instinct is to hunt them;
- A Siberian is not to be trusted off-leash. If he sees a small animal, he will likely bolt after it, and forget about cars, commands, and everything else. By the time he comes to his senses, he may be lost and far from home.
I have gotten a few comments about cats lately, so let me be clear …
Sibes can be trained to live with household cats. However, they usually have high prey drive, and will likely want to hunt and chase small animals, including squirrels, mice, and cats. Just because a Siberian gets along with our house cats, does not mean he will treat other neighborhood cats in the same way.
Huskies are bred to run and pull. This makes them more difficult to leash train than many other breeds. To train a Husky to walk on a leash, we need to have an immense amount of patience. Always be firm and consistent with the no-pulling rule, and reward good behavior.
If we do not have a large backyard, bring our Sibe to an enclosed park or soccer field, so that he can have some nice off-leash time to run, run, run.
5. Siberian Huskies Are Not the Easiest Dogs to Potty Train
Certain dogs, like the Shiba Inu, are naturally clean and absolutely do not like soiling their living space. Because of their natural cleanliness, they are extremely easy to house train.
Sibes do not have that natural sense of cleanliness. In fact, they do not mind playing, and running around in their own waste products. Therefore, we must make it worth their while to potty outside.
Supervise our Husky puppy at all times, until he is fully house trained. Reward him well for pottying outside with high priority dog treats, play, and praise. If we are consistent with our puppy potty training, he will learn quickly, and be happy to go outside after a few weeks.
In addition, as Gigi points out, potty training difficulty is very dependent on what the dog or puppy is used to, in his previous environment. Puppy mill and pet store puppies are caged, most of the time. As a result, they will be harder to house train, because they are accustomed to going in their crates.
Where to Get a Siberian Husky Puppy
If we still want a Husky, then visit the Siberian Husky Club of America for a breeder list. Also consider adopting one from a local Husky rescue.
It really makes a BIG difference to get a puppy from an accredited breeder.
Please do not buy a puppy from online puppy sites or pet stores. Most of their puppies come from backyard breeders or puppy mills. Buying from them, will only help support and continue the dog cruelty of these unscrupulous puppy breeders.
If we are concerned about the initial cost of a puppy, consider that backyard breeders and puppy mills frequently produce unhealthy and unbalanced puppies. They will end up costing us a lot more, in terms of vet bills, dog training bills, and property destruction.
Siberian Huskies Are Wonderful Dogs
I love my Sibes. However, just because I think Huskies are wonderful dogs, does not mean that everyone else will think so as well; nor does it mean that they will fit into someone else’s lifestyle.
Clearly, each dog is an individual and will differ in terms of prey drive, energy level, obedience, and more. However, general breed characteristics and information from reputable sources, will give us a better idea of what to expect.
Often, there is conflicting information on the web. Therefore, one good place to start is with the AKC-recognized national breed club – The Siberian Husky Club of America.
Captivating in their beauty, grace and childlike demeanor, Siberians catch the eye of adults and children alike. They can be wonderful dogs for the well-informed or experienced Husky owner. However, they are NOT the breed for everyone and definitely not for first time dog owners. Too many wind up lost, in shelters, killed on the highway, abandoned or abused because the owner didn’t understand the breed and it’s challenging traits.
~~[Hillside SPCA]
I have a Husky and facts 1,3,4 are very true. The rest with my experience with my Husky are not true. It was very simple to potty train my Caesar, and he makes a great guard dog, he barks and growls at people he does not know. It really is how you raise them and what you train them to be.
Yes, part of a dog’s behavior is determined by genetics (nature), and part of it is determined by training, context. socialization, past experiences, and more (nurture).
For example, my Shiba Inu is a pretty good watch dog because he naturally alerts me when unknown people come close to the house. He stops as soon as I appear to check things out, so the behavior is under trained control. He is also more loyal to me and more cautious with new people compared to my Sibes. Therefore *all other things remaining constant*, the natural loyalty and caution makes him into a better watch dog than my Huskies.
Also, I should have been more clear in the article. When I say “guard dog” I mean a dog who alerts me to unusual occurrences around the house. I do not mean a dog that is people aggressive. I suppose the more accurate term would be “watch dog”.
My Shiba is quite friendly to people during walks, and to new guests, contractors, plumbers, and more, who come into the house. I made sure to train and socialize him so that his territorial barking and alarm barking are under healthy control.
Dogs may also bark or growl at people for other reasons including anxiety, fear, and more.
Hello, my mom has 2 Sibes that are 15 months old (around now) and I was wondering if you had any suggestions for fighting. Theyre both sisters and weve had them since they were babies. The one seems to get really jealous and likes to corner her sister and snap at her and tell her what to do, I’m not sure what exactly we can do to show the one that se can’t be doing that to her sister.
Thank you!
Here are some things that I do with my dogs to help them get along.
Dog behavior is very dependent on context, therefore consulting with a good professional trainer can also be very helpful.
http://www.apdt.co.uk/dog-owners/choosing-a-trainer
Hello,
my husband and I have recently rehomed a 2yo husky. We are no strangers to large dogs and he has been excellent at walking without really pulling etc. However his prey instinct is in overdrive! He is fine until the small animal runs and then he just switches and goes! Unfortunately with me on the floor behind him! He is also obsessed with farm animals ( horses sheep etc) . Do you have any advise for us at all? I want to be able to give him the best home possible with no stress for either of us!
Yeah, both my Huskies have high prey drive as well.
Some of my experiences with my dogs and prey drive.
More on prey drive from the ASPCA-
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/dog-behavior/predatory-behavior-dogs
Hello.
I bought 2 husky off pet store where they had suffered from parvo and was about to be killed as they do not spend lot of money on the pups where i live. I personally took care of them for a month and they both did recover fully from parvo virus. not they are upto date with their vaccinations and have healthy apptite.. more than healthy male ( Jay) eats a lot more than female (Maya). but somehow i think they are smaller for their age. Tey are now 6-7 months old. they are pure breed siberian husky.
Does their growth have to do with their previous parvo infenction? or am i doing somehthing wrong. They eat 1 1/2 cup morning and 1 1/2 cup night. except that i give them raw Fish, pork bones and meat. once every 2 days. they get half pork bone each today then day after tomorrow they get half fish each. Is this diet enough? or am i missing something here.
It is very good to hear that both your Huskies came through it.
In terms of whether it stunts growth, I haven’t seen anything conclusive on it either way. Here are some forum discussions-
http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/general-puppy-stuff/179992-do-you-think-parvo-stunts-pups.html
http://www.pitbull-chat.com/showthread.php/54759-Long-term-effects-of-parvo
http://www.justlabradors.com/forum/lab-chat/66869-can-parvo-stunt-growth-pics-included.html
Your vet will probably know more. Might also be good to consult with him on the safe use of bones.
http://www.dailypuppy.com/articles/what-bones-are-safe-to-give-to-a-dog_833.html
http://healthypets.mercola.com/sites/healthypets/archive/2010/05/19/caution-bones-can-kill-your-dog-find-out-which-ones-are-safe.aspx
What type of kibble are you using?
Hello
thanks for the reply.
I feed them dry kibble. But mostly i add some vegetables with it. or some lean meat.
Is there anyway of knowing if I should feed them raw fish or not? and what sort of fish are good to feed to my husky .
Both of my Huskies have sensitive stomachs so it really depends on the individual dog.
If I am planning to introduce any new food into their diet, I do it one at a time, and I do it very slowly. First, I start off with feeding them only a *very small amount* of the food. After a few days, if everything is normal and their poop quality is good, then I introduce a bit more and so on.
This allows me to identify particular foods that they may be allergic or sensitive to.
As for kibble, my dogs do well on grain-free kibble that also have good protein sources.
http://shibashake.com/dog/feeding-your-dog-a-healthy-diet
I do not feed my dogs raw food, so I do not have much experience with raw diets.
Hi, I have about a 5 month old sibe, he’s great MOST of the time sometimes when we take him out to potty and he’s pulling to go back into the house. I would run with the pulling then he turns around and start to jump on me and bite me. I think he’s trying to show domantance to me. But I turn him around tell him ” no, sit!” And he does after a few tries of trying to bite me. And he would do this sometimes when he’s laying down on the grass before our walks and I would start with a light jog and bam he tries to jump and bite on me again. My clothing already have a couple of holes because of this it stopped for a while and started to come back. (He’s not neutered yet if that helps)
Yeah, my Shiba Inu used to do that.
Based on what I have read, dogs are very attuned to motion, especially fast motion. When we run, it will usually get them excited, and they may give chase and try to play by jumping and biting. Part of this will also depend on a dog’s prey drive. Dogs with stronger prey drive will have a greater tendency to chase things, get excited, and possibly lose control. Young dogs that have a lot of energy and high prey drive (such as a Husky puppy), will be most susceptible.
This is also why it is generally a bad idea to start running at a dog park. One time I forgot, and started running to the gate to let a friend in, and got a bunch of dogs on my tail starting to chase me. I stopped right away, and walked at a more sedate pace.
Here is an article from the ASPCA on why dogs chase runners and what we can do.
Some things that help with my Huskies-
1. I play running and chasing games with them but in a very structured way. This gives them an outlet for their chasing energy and also teaches them impulse control.
2. I do leash training exercises with them so that they learn not to pull during walks.
3. Young Huskies are extremely energetic, so I make sure to direct their hyper energy into positive activities including working on interactive food toys, structured games, training exercises, daily walks, and more. I also set up a fixed routine, a consistent set of rules, and follow the Nothing in Life is Free program.
Here is a bit more on how I trained my Husky puppy.
Hi, im 20 years old and own a 6months old sibe, I’m the kind of person who loves to explore the outdoors and would like to have a long walk with a companion. My problem is, i couldn’t get my sibe to go outside with me, getting her outside the house is so difficult and requires to carry her just to get her outside. And whenever somebody will just passby she starts to panic and try to get her off-leash. She is very fearful into everything. I would like to take her out in a long walk in the beach near us for some runnings but she won’t even come near me at home. :”(
How long have you had her? What was her background?
My Husky Lara was also a bit shy and fearful when I first brought her home. Therefore, I start small, go in small steps, and create as many positive experiences as I can. The more success we have, the more confidence she builds, and the more she learns to trust me.
For example, in the beginning, I would remain very calm and sit some distance away from her reading. I would have some very good and smelly treats with me. I may even place some treats around me. In this way, I let her approach me on her own, and in her own time. She also learns to associate me with positive experiences because she gets rewarded for coming near me.
I start by earning her trust, and just doing simple exercises with her inside the house where she feels safe, and can be successful. Once I have more of her trust, I can identify more things that motivate her, and what things scare her. Then I very slowly desensitize her to things that she is afraid of.
This article from the ASPCA has some useful information on how to help a shy and fearful puppy.
Here is a bit more on dog anxiety.
Here is a bit more on how I trained my Husky puppy.
I LUV my Sib… She’s so awesome.
I also go to the vet office advertised at the end of this post/article. They are the BEST!!!!
WE ADOPTED A YOUNG MALE SIBERIAN HUSKY STRAY,ABOUT 5 YEARS AGO.HE IS NOW APPROX 7 YEARS OLD.DESPITE THE BAD PRESS THAT SIBERIANS GET WE COULD NOT HAVE WISHED FOR A MORE LOVING,LOYAL WELL BEHAVED DOG.OK HE WILL NOT WARN OFF INTRUDERS.BUT HE IS WELL BEHAVED WITH OUR SEVERAL PEDIGREE INDOOR CATS AND LOVES OUR OLDER FEMALE GOLDEN RETRIEVER.IF,HE IS NOT LEFT ALONE FOR MORE THAN 2 HOURS,HE IS A GREAT HOUSE DOG.AS,FOR WALKS,OF COURSE HE PULLS BUT A DOG SADDLEBAG CAN SLOW THIS DOWN.CANNOT IMAGINE LIFE WITHOUT OUR BEAUTIFUL SIBERIAN,ZACH.
Ok hi my name is ismenia and well my me and my mom found a 6month old husky now it’s being my dream to have one and the vetnair confirm she is a sibe and everything went well we gotnher all her shots and well me and my mom already had a 8yr old chihuahua and a 5yr poodle and they have a bed and i dont know what to do she keeps taking the stuffing and ripping it and it really make me and my mom mad cause we love her and thats the only problem we find with her other than that she be a awesome buddy but im wondering if you got any tips cause my poor poodle ans chihuahua are basicly almost without a bed and the bad thing is our doggy door is big so she fits perfecly and is able to destroy their bed please help
My Huskies, Shania and Lara also loved to chew when they were puppies. What helps with them-
1. Teaching them what is ok to chew on and what is not ok.
When Lara chews on something that she shouldn’t, e.g. curtains, I no-mark the behavior. Then, I redirect her onto something acceptable, like a fun chew toy, a tug rope, a Kong or something else. I make sure that the alternate chew is fun and will catch her attention, for example, I may move it around, put a little nice smelling food on it, etc. If she redirects, then she gets rewarded by getting to play a fun but structured game with me.
If she does not want to stop or redirect, then I body-block her away from the curtains and engage her in doing something else. If she keeps going back to the curtain, then she temporarily loses her privileges to go into that room.
In this way, she learns that-
Play with chew toy = Attention, fun game, and more,
Play with curtains = Lose access to the curtain area.
2. Exercise and other structured outlets for their Husky energy.
Lara is a lot more calm and better able to follow commands after her daily walk and play sessions.
3. Fixed routine.
I also set up a fixed routine for my Huskies, establish a consistent set of house rules, and follow the Nothing in Life is Free program.
More on puppy biting.
Hi I have a 13 month old husky and I have just taken in a 5 month old female whose owner could not look after her as he was working long hours.
She seems quite bossy with him he doesn’t seem to be sticking up for himself.
How can I tell that they like each other. I’ve only had her for two days. He is such a well behaved husky we love him a lot. I don’t want him to think that we don’t love him any more.
I would appreciate any advice. Thank you.xx
Congratulations on your new puppy and four paws up for helping out a Husky in need.
Some things that help with my dogs-
1. I make sure to set up clear dog-to-dog interaction rules (e.g. no stealing, no humping, no bullying), so that they know exactly what to expect from each other. I also set up a fixed routine for the new dog.
2. I supervise them closely (especially in the beginning), and I teach them that *I* enforce the rules. I do not let them “correct” each other. If there is any of that to be done, I will do it fairly and consistently.
3. I try to create as many positive together experiences as possible. This teaches my existing dogs that the new puppy is a big plus for them, in terms of quality of life and resources.
Here is more on what I do when introducing a second dog.
Big hugs to your two Huskies!