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!
Hello my name is Jorge and I live in Dallas Tx. Im looking into getting a Siberian Husky thats 5 months old from a couple in Duncanville Tx. Well im 22 yrs old and have a home, of course with my parents. We have 2 chihuahuas with us and a pretty nice yard to run around and play. I work the graveyard shift and love to walk the White Rock Lake which im close to. Theres also Lake Ray Hubbard which im not too far off which allows for swimming. Texas usually at this time gets hot. Well I fell in love with the husky and have been searching for one. Im a pretty patient person and would love a companion of my own. What do you think? Please respond.
Hello Jorge,
Your young and active lifestyle sounds like it would fit well with a Siberian Husky.
Few things to consider-
1. Many Siberian Huskies have high prey drive. They will need to be supervised closely and carefully managed while interacting with small dogs, as well as trained on what are acceptable and not acceptable play behaviors. A Husky is going to be a lot bigger than a Chi, so even accidentally stepping on them, rough-play, or an accidental bump could cause harm. Also a small dog may be fearful of a large dog, and start showing fear aggression.
Have you met the Husky you are planning to adopt? Has he been socialized with other dogs? How does he react to small dogs? How do your Chis react to large dogs? I usually like to meet a dog a few times, take him out on some test walks, gauge his energy level and personality, so that I can tell if he will be a good fit.
2. Is the Husky going to be an inside dog or outside dog? My Huskies do not do well in hot weather, so during the summer they prefer to stay inside the house, with the AC or fans on. Swimming in the lake sounds like a lot of fun, but some dogs may not enjoy swimming. I would ask the couple about their Husky, his routine, favorite activities, and whether he likes being in water.
3. Is the Husky potty trained? Potty training requires a lot of close supervision, so that may involve some extra time with the dog in the beginning.
4. Consistency is very important in training my Huskies. What works well with my dogs, is for everyone in our house to pitch in and help with training, so that there is continuity, consistency, and trust with the whole family.
Hope this helps. Good luck and let us know how it goes!
I’m a 60-year-old man who lives alone and last lived with a dog when I was 12. I saw a beautiful 2-year-old Siberian Husky at the county animal shelter. I didn’t adopt him, but can’t get him out of my mind.
I haven’t adopted him because of my age and what I perceive to be his need for hours a day of activity/energy expenditure that I may not be able fulfill. I’m willing to walk him at least a couple of times a day. (I currently walk alone for a mile, twice a day.) And, would like to take him to a local dog park, though I’m aware that caution is warranted if small dogs, such as chihuahuas, are present. I live in a small house with a small non-grass, fenced-in back yard.
Please tell me what you think about me having a Sibe. Thank you.
Hello Bruce,
I think the 2 walks, as well as frequent human companionship and supervision during the day sounds great.
Did you interact with him while you were there? What was his energy level like? Most places will also let you take the dog out on some test walks around the area. I usually like to visit a dog a few times, take him out, and see how things go, to help me make a good decision.
Unless they have been leash trained previously, Sibes may like to pull, so that would be something to look out for.
Do you know what his background is? And whether he has had prior training?
If you are not sure about adopting, I would also consider contacting a local Husky rescue to see if they are interested in fostering him. Most city shelters are over-crowded, and have limited space. It would be a shame for a dog like that not to have a second chance.
Please keep us updated and let us know if you have more questions.
I have a 8 month old sibe puppy. He is the greatest dog ever. But when my boyfriend is over it seems like he has accidents all the time inside the house even after I take him out. But when it’s just me he never has any accidents. Do you know if thats a jealousy thing? And secondly, my puppy gets soooo excited and obnoxious when he sees new people. Hes gone to puppy training classes and it didn’t really help with that problem. He tries to jump on them runs around like crazy and barks like no other. Is that normal for this breed? And my last question is, when I start to play with him I sometimes get a little worried because his shoulder hair stands up and he starts barking and acting like hes going to bite me but never actually does even if my hands right by his mouth. I know huskies play rough but is he taking it a little too far? I did my research before getting him but these were problems that were never brought up.
It could be excitement or submissive urination.
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/excitement_urination.html
http://behavior.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/local-assets/pdfs/Submissive_and_Excitement_Urination_in_Dogs.pdf
In terms of jumping on people, this is what I do to train my Huskies-
http://shibashake.com/dog/stop-your-dog-from-jumping-on-people
In terms of play, I make sure to set up clear play-rules and I teach my Huskies what their play boundaries are. For example, there is no jumping on me, no biting on me, and no rough stuff with people. If they do something they are not supposed to, I no-mark, stop the game temporarily, and ask them for a simple pre-trained command (e.g. Sit). I reward them for following the command, get them to calm down, and then restart the game *after* they are calm. In this way, they learn that –
Jumping and biting on people = Game stops,
No jumping and biting = Play continues.
I also manage their excitement level during play by throwing in many play-breaks.
My Husky Lara’s shoulder hair also stands up during play. With her, it is due to excitement. I just throw in a play break if I think she is getting too excited.
I also set up a fixed routine, consistent rules, and follow the Nothing in Life is Free program with my dogs.
Hope this helps. Big hugs to your Husky puppy!
I will be getting Husky Soon but i don’t know if they get furious and they will get angry and attack i am wondering because me cousins come alot and one of the are scared of dogs that bite
Manuela
I would consider carefully before getting a Siberian Husky. They are a *very* energetic and independent minded breed. Husky puppies are big time Energizer Bunnies. 😀
I walk my Huskies daily for about 1.5-3 hours. We also do training exercises, grooming exercises, and structured games. If we do not provide a Husky with enough structured activities, he will find activities to do on his own, which may include digging up our backyard, digging under the fence and escaping, chewing up our shoes, and more.
Initially, a dog will not know how to interact with people and what our human rules are. Therefore, it is up to us to teach them our rules, teach them to control the force of their bites, teach them how to properly greet people, and more. Independent minded dogs, like the Siberian Husky, will require more structure and more resource based training.
My Huskies are a big time commitment, especially during the first few years, because they have a lot of energy and need a lot of structured exercise.
Here is a bit more on how I trained my Husky puppy.
Hi i’m Dana,
I know its a girls name but i’m a guy. So i was planning to get a husky puppy soon. I want to keep him outside so i’ll have like a big cage for him since our fence isn’t that high. I’d take him out for walks everyday and even if i’m not home my little sister (9years old) and my mum will be home. So is there anything special i need to know? By the way this will be my first dog i never had one.
Thank you 🙂
P.S i love this site!
Congratulations on your upcoming Husky puppy!
The thing that really struck me with my first Husky is that she is very energetic, especially as a puppy. She wanted to be doing things pretty much all of the time. I had to supervise her a lot in the beginning, and also do potty training exercises. Puppies still have developing bladders and need to pee very often, so I only kept her for a *very short* period of time in her crate. I also did crate training exercises so that she would not get anxious and cry when confined.
More on how I potty trained my Husky puppy.
She also really likes being with people. I spent a lot of time playing with her, training her, and getting her used to grooming. If I didn’t redirect her energy into positive activities, she would find her own activities that will not be very furniture or people friendly. 😀 If they don’t get enough activity, they will get stressed, anxious, unhappy, and try to escape.
Huskies (especially a young Husky) may howl when separated from their family, when frustrated, over-excited, and more. This can make neighbors very unhappy.
More on training techniques I used with my Husky puppy.
My Huskies prefer to stay inside the house with me most of the time, especially when it is hot outside. I can keep them engaged inside the house, and I can supervise them when they play. I let them out in the backyard whenever they want to do their business, smell the wind, or just hang-out. However, because they have thick fur, they heat up very quickly and don’t cope well with high temperatures.
When it is hot, it gets uncomfortable for them outside, so they usually want to come back in right away. I make sure they have a lot of clean water, shade, and free air-flow outside and inside. Note that enclosed spaces such as kennels, crates, and cars, may provide shade but they also trap hot-air in a small space, and that can cause heatstroke in dogs.
More on how I keep my Huskies cool during the summer.
Good luck and post us some pictures of your puppy when you can!
Hi there !
My name is connor , currently 16 years of age (nearly 17) and I’m in my second to last year at High school . I’m extremely physical and active and go to the gym on an everyday basis early morning. I have always wanted a husky and would love to have a husky boy with me for years to come . I am at school between the hours of 8.50am and 3pm . Is it ok to have a husky at home during the day while I am at school . As stated I am physical and would take the dogs for long walks and play every morning and possible twice a night ? Please help haha I really want one
Thanks
Connor
Yeah, I know what you mean. I have always wanted a Sibe too when I was growing up.
Some things that I considered –
1. Will I be going to college after high school? Would I take my dog to college? College can be a very busy time, with a very variable schedule. This makes it more difficult to have a dog.
2. Will there be anyone home with the dog when I am away during school?
3. Where will I put my Husky during that time and how will I keep him occupied?
In the end, I decided not to get a Husky until after college. Not saying that it is not possible, but there are many related questions to consider. Also, I wanted to train and bring up my Husky in my own way, without any family/parental constraints.
Hi, I am 13 years old and looking to get another dog. I currently have a male 7 pound 2 year old mini fox pinscher (mini pin/ mini fox terrier mix) named kolache. I really want a husky but I’m afraid that it could hurt kolache. The dog that I really want is a husky and gsd mix. Here’s the link to his listing http://www.petfinder.com/petdetail/26484509 do You think that the gsd part of the dog could alter it’s prey drive?
What a handsome dog!
The first thing I would do is contact the rescue agency (together with your parents) and then get in touch with Bandit’s current foster parents. They will probably be able to give you some information about Bandit’s temperament and how he would be with small dogs.
The thing is, all dogs have prey drive. Some dogs have more of it than others. With proper training and management, we can teach our dog to tolerate and get along with other dogs, and also with house cats. Dogs with higher prey drive, however, will usually require more training and management. Also, a large dog may inadvertently hurt a smaller dog during play, because of the size difference.
Here is an article on GSDs and small dogs.
My Husky is almost 2, female, and still hasn’t started her menstrual cycle. I got her as a 6 week old unaltered pup, and definitely haven’t had her altered. When is this going to start already?! LOL Thanks
I believe the timing is variable across individual dogs. Here are a couple of threads on a Husky’s first heat cycle-
http://www.itsahuskything.com/t6480-first-heat
http://www.dogster.com/forums/Siberian_husky/thread/576771
Hello!!
I wanted to get a Siberian Husky, but I’m worried about getting one at the same time. I have a bird and 2 Guinea Pigs and I’m worried that her hunting instincts will be to attack or hunt them.
I’m also at school for 7 hours out of a day, so I’m not sure if I’d be there to take care of her.
What should I do??
Yeah, dogs require a lot of time, attention, and exercise, especially energetic dogs like the Siberian Husky. I waited until after I finished school and had more time before I got my dogs. I am glad I did, because I had a very difficult time with Sephy, and it would not have been possible for me to properly retrain him if I had a tight schedule.
Here is a story of my childhood dog.
Hello,
I have a 6 month husky. I’m having trouble with her jealousy with my other dog. They play all the time and get along well. They also are very well trained but whenever I give my Pomeranian attention, my husky comes crying and snapping at me for attention. Is there anything I could possibly do.
Yeah, my Huskies get jealous too but I make sure to teach them that they *only* get affection by giving me good behavior.
Usually, when I start giving affection to one of them, the other one will come over. When she does, I tell her what to do, e.g. Down (which I have trained previously). As soon as she does this, I mark the behavior (Good), and then give her affection as well.
If either of them shows any anti-social behavior (e.g. whining, pushing the other one away), then I no-mark the behavior, and tell her what to do (Down). If she does not go down and stay calm, then I withdraw my attention and ignore her. If she tries to push away or bite the other dog, then I no-mark and body block her away. If she keeps coming back, then I calmly say Timeout and remove her into a timeout area.
In general, I start by teaching my Husky what to do, so that I can reward her for doing the right thing. Then, if she misbehaves, I give her many chances to do the right thing. If she does the right thing, then she gets rewarded with attention and affection. However, if she continues with her bad behavior, then she loses my attention, and may ultimately lose her freedom (temporarily). In this way, she learns –
Down and calm = Get attention and tummy rubs,
Whining and biting = No attention and may temporarily lose freedom in the house.
hi thanks for this site it’s really helpful 🙂
I am 13 and i really want a husky pup but my house and my backyard are not big
but i have a big green outside and a huge park near my house i also live on the coast
and there’s a big beach, my mam and dad don’t want it because they thinks it’s to big
for the house. My question is that is a ok to get a husky if you have a small house and you bring it out on walks daily??
Hello Conor,
In terms of exercise, both my Sibes need quite a lot of daily exercise. Part of that is a long daily walk, but the other part is some off-leash time in a safe, enclosed space. Both my Huskies love to run, but they also have high prey drive, so they *need* some off-leash time in a safe enclosed/fenced space to do their running, wrestling, and playing.
They play pretty rough so there is a lot of banging into the walls. I keep two large spaces free of furniture so that they have a nice and safe play-area inside the house. We also fully fenced the backyard so in cooler weather, they can enjoy playing safely outside.
Here is a story of my first dog.
Hey I bought an 8 week old sibe & I brought him home & he doesn’t really like to move,is that normal ?
Most Huskys are happy and want to explore. If he is that young and acting lethargic, he needs to be taken to a vet immediately to rule out Parvo or any other serious problems.
Yeah, my experience is similar to Jessie’s. Both my Sibe puppies were curious and wanted to explore when we got them home.
Where did you buy your puppy from?
I would take him to the vet just to be sure he is ok. I usually take a new puppy to the vet anyway for a checkup and to set-up a vaccination schedule.
I’ve found two huskys for sale on the internet for $300… worried becasue they are so cheap but they come with all their vet checks and papers. What should i look for when buying one?
I would stay away from online puppies. Most of them are from puppy mills. If you want to buy a puppy, the best place to look is on the official Kennel Club breeder list.
Here are some things that I looked for when getting my Husky puppy.
http://shibashake.com/dog/how-to-buy-a-siberian-husky-puppy
Hi, I have a healthy 2-year old Siberian husky who eats, plays and gets plenty of love and affection. We play with her and she plays with our other dogs. But lately, we’ve noticed that she’s been very emotional, crying and howling for no particular reason. Is this normal? Is there anything we can do to help her?
Hmmm, could it be some kind of physical discomfort or pain? Is she eating and playing normally? Anything unusual with her poop and pee? Any other changes aside from the howling?
She doesn’t show any signs of physical discomfort or pain. She eats and plays normally and has normal and regular poop and pee. She just seems to be extra emotional and sensitive as far as crying and howling for no apparent reason. She asks to be petted more than usual has the need to be near someone at all times.
Hmmm, is she spayed? It is probably best to consult with her vet since they have her entire medical history.
No she hasn’t been spayed. Thanks for your input I’ll be sure to consult with the vet.
Then perhaps she is entering her heat cycle.
I have a 5 year old husky and he crys when he can’t be with me nothing is wrong with him he just needs to be with me
I really like all these especially Shanie. She’s really pretty and looks fabulous
Hello,
My husky is very jealous and I was just wondering if that is normal? She is two years old and hasn’t made any trouble but she has the tendency of biting my chihuahua after I have been giving him attention. I find it odd since she usually backs away and lets him do whatever he wants (like eating before her, or taking all the chew toys) but when it comes to attention she gets jealous and bites him. She doesn’t do much harm to him but she gives him and me quite a scare! She did attack a pug once on the neck so I had to give my pug to a friend. Is there any way I can train her to stop this? Or what is there for me to do?
Yeah, mine are jealous about affection as well. If Lara sees Shania getting attention, she will come over for some as well. I make sure to tell her what to do, which is to lie down nicely next to Shania and then I give them both belly rubs.
If one of them starts to misbehave or tries to push the other one away, I no-mark and stop scratching her. If she continues, I body block her away and go back to giving affection to the one that is good. If the other one comes over again and starts with bad behavior, I put her briefly in a timeout.
In this way they learn-
Lie down calmly = Get lots of affection and belly rubs,
Trying to push other dog away or otherwise correct her = Don’t get any attention
I make sure to *only* reward good behaviors and not to reward any bad behavior. Also, I find that it is better not to let my dogs correct each other. I set the house rules and I enforce them using the Nothing in Life is Free program.
Hi,
I just finished reading your tips for Huskies. I currently have a 2 year old husky. And boy is he is trouble sometimes. We got him as a puppy, and took him to obedience school, he did well and has learned and retained some tricks ( like sit, stay, and wait). But the biggest problem we have with him, Is the fact that whenever we try and walk him, it takes about 30 mins. To get his leash on and stop him from playing tug of war with us and his leash. After all that is said and done, I have to take off in a sprint for him to get “into gear” for this walk then he does fine. Do you have any tips for us, to help the pre-walking stage become less stressful? Any tips on how to keep him from biting at his leash and jumping on us, so we can just walk? Most times, he is outside in our backyard, running around prior to us walking him as well. Any tips will greatly be appreciated.
With my Huskies, I make sure to never reward them for any bad behavior and to *only* reward good behavior. I also tell them what type of behavior I want from them.
With a new puppy, I establish a “going out” routine.
– When it is time to go out, I will go put on outside clothes as well as get their leash and collar.
– Lara usually knows a walk is coming, so she gets excited. If she jumps on me, bites on me, bites on the leash, or does anything else that she is not supposed to do, I no-mark, and tell her what to do instead, e.g. Sit.
– If she Sits, then I continue with getting ready.
– If she continues with her bad behavior, then I put stuff back and go back to doing whatever I was doing before. After some time has passed, and I get another break, I try again.
– Once I am done with getting the stuff I call Lara to the door and ask her for a Sit.
– I put on collar and leash and we practice door manners.
– Then we leave for our walk.
– If she misbehaves at any point, I first no-mark and tell her what to do. If she stops, I praise and continue with our going-out ritual. If she does not stop, then she does not get to go on her fun walk.
In this way she learns that –
Jumping and biting = no walk,
No jumping and biting = walk.
Routine and consistent rules help a lot with my Huskies. I also follow the Nothing in Life is Free program.
I would recommend a harness. If your leash is the typical latch on to a collar around the neck, your husky will pull instictively. My “Nala” is 3 years old and I followed this tip from another husky owner. she’s worn a harness from age 1. I’ve purchased mine at Petsmart, the kind where the leash latches along the back. the first one I purchased latched at the chest, but I find that style awkward when whe walks slightly ahead of me. I’m also right handed and walk her on my left side. The leash latched on the back makes this less awkward for me. Best of luck!
Hi there!
My sibe is 2.5 years old but isn’t very friendly. I took him to obedience classes, the dog park, and out for walks almost every day. For some reason, he is very warry of strangers, he dislikes most of them and growls and howls at them, his hair stands up, and he runs away if they approach him. Also, he does not talk to me hardly ever, only when he wants to go outside, is hungry, or if I howl at him while he’s stretching (even then he only does it sometimes, mostly when he wants to go out). Do you have any ideas as to why he’s like this, and hos I can fix?
Thanks!
Hmmm, what is your Sibe’s background? Did you get him as a puppy or as an adult? Has he always been wary of strangers?
It sounds like he is afraid of new people. With my dogs, I do people desensitization exercises to help them get more comfortable around people and to help them associate people with positive things and rewards.
The key with desensitization is to start small and with a *very weak* version of the “people-stimulus” so that my dog can still be in control and can still listen to me. I always try to make desensitization exercises be positive and keep my dog below his fear threshold. In this way, he learns to look to me for direction and starts to re-associate a previously scary stimulus with positive and rewarding events.
Positive associations and successful encounters are important in dog socialization, so I only expose my dogs to situations that I *know* they can handle comfortably. Here is a bit more on dog socialization.
Hello, I just brought a 8 week old husky/border collie mix into my home and introduced him to our 3 year old puggle. Now my puppy is a mutt, and as far as i know he is only 1/4 husky. We do not know what his father was. He was pretty tolerant of her constant sniffing, and there was no real issues, but I’ve read that husky’s will view smaller animals as prey instinctually. Im hoping, since hes so young, that he will learn to view her as family and not foe..But nonetheless I am concerned about what will happen when he gets bigger. Should I be worried?
molly malone at 3 or so
Congratulations on your new puppy!
When I bring home a new Husky puppy, I find that it helps to set up some dog-to-dog interaction rules and a fixed routine. In this way, my Husky learns what to expect from my other dogs and vice versa. I also do group dog obedience training sessions and try to create positive experiences when they are together. This helps them to work together cooperatively, and form a good bond.
Here is more of what I do.
Thank you! Things have been going very well : ) cheers!
Hello dear,
I appreciate your guidelines and information regarding several aspects on huskies.
My trouble goes like this….I have a male husky puppy one month of age. His head is constantly shaking and his hind legs aee really weak. While our female puppy from the same litter is doing great.
I will appreciate if you can help me on this as we are very worried about his behaviour. In general he is quite active, runs, eats properly, play with us, gnarl and howl and so manu things he can do.
Please help us.
Thanks
I would take him to the vet as soon as possible.
i love sibrarian huskys.their so adorable
my siberian husky 4 years old i want to breed her , she started her period april 24, 2013 when she ready to breed . is this a good week. thank you 5/13/2013
It is best to talk about this with a registered Husky breeder.
http://www.shca.org/shcahp4f.htm
Hi…i have a five month old husky…..she is starting to mouth very hard, and snaps at people for seemingly no reason….i dont know how to get her to stop…when shes in these moods i cant grap her as she hurts and goes beyond listening….its scary for my children…..apart from these times shes really lovely and is quite obediant, also great on her lead…..any advise appreciated.
Here are a few things that help with my dogs –
1. I do bite inhibition training to teach them to control the force of their bites.
2. I set up a fixed and consistent set of rules as well as a fixed routine. I get them to follow my rules by using the Nothing in Life is Free program.
3. When a dog is still in training, I put a drag-lead on him (only with a flat collar and only under supervision). In this way, I can better control him when I need to. Grabbing my dog to punish him led to redirected aggression, and also caused him to be wary of human touch.
Here is a bit more on how I trained my Husky puppy.
Given that children are involved, it is probably best to get help from a professional trainer.
http://www.apdt.com/pet-owners/choosing-a-trainer/
My Siberian Husky, Faolan, is 8 years old and in great shape. Lately, he goes into these periods where he doesn’t want to eat and that means anything. No treats, no boiled chicken, no dog food, nothing. He didn’t eat last night and now this morning. He’s full of energy, runs, plays but doesn’t feel like eating. Is this normal for this breed?
Thanks in advance.
Peter
Hmmm, my Shiba Inu will sometimes skip one or two meals, but not my Huskies.
The only time my Huskies don’t want to eat is when they have some digestive or physical discomfort. In the past, my Shiba would sometimes skip one or two meals, but even then, he would still eat boiled chicken, cheese, and other good stuff.
Could it be a toothache? Have you looked at his teeth and gums? Has he skipped meals before or is this the first time? I would also call up the vet and see what they say.
Hi,
I just purchased a beautiful husky 3 weeks ago. I have an Akita and had a German Shepherd that passed away a couple yrs. ago. I never realized that a
husky could be even more stubborn than my Akita and I thought my German Shepherd was high energy…..nothing like my husky. He plays rough and my children have been hurt by his sharp baby teeth. I know he doesn’t mean to hurt anyone but if you have little children you need to think twice about getting one. I have fallen madly inlove with this sweet rough playing baby so he’s staying but he definitely tries my patience. I’m hoping with continued training and patience he will turn out to be as wonderful as my Akita and as wonderful as my German Shepherd baby was.
I have two chihuahua mix dogs and a cat but I really want a husky for an outside dog. I have done lots of research but I’m just wondering if people find it difficult to take care of 3 dogs in a household. Also, my husband never grew up with dogs so it was tough to convince him to get these two inside dogs (which he now loves!), how do I convince him to get another (bigger) one?? Thanks!
I currently have 3 dogs and they are *a lot* of work.
A Sibe, especially, is very energetic and will require a lot of exercise and structured positive activities. I have to walk my Sibes every day for about 1.5 hours, we play fun chasing games in our fully enclosed backyard, and we do grooming sessions. I supervise them and manage their excitement level when they play together, so that there are no accidents. If a Siberian Husky does not get enough structured exercise he may become destructive or escape from the yard.
My Huskies love to dig and they are very good at it. They will need to be trained only dig in certain areas, or our yard will soon be full of holes. They can also dig under the fence, so we will need to make sure that the fence line is secure wrt. underground escapes.
A Siberian Husky is independent and will need structure, routine, and training.
A Siberian Husky has high prey drive and will need to be carefully trained to get along with small dogs and cats.
All this will take a lot of time, effort, and expense.
Not sure if my Husky is an odd ball or not, but – he is very protective. He has only offered to bite someone once, but it was when him and I were talking a walk and this person reached towards me to hand me something and my Husky jumped up and “snapped” at his hand. It was more of a “get away” type thing, and I’m not sure that he would have actually bit.
He actually gets along very well with my cat and my chihuahua. The cats, he tends to think are HIS cats- in he likes to clean them, cuddle them and follow them around the house.
We let him out without a leash. We weren’t able to do this when he was younger, but he will be 12 this year and rarely ever offers to leave the yard without a leash. If he does and I’m out there, he will come right back- when my husband tries to get him to come back that is a different story. lol ((odd fact is that my husband has had this husky since he was a sophomore in high school and I didn’t come around until he had already graduated, but this doggy sure loves his mommy! haha))
Also, about being protective- when my mom and dad come over my husky will stand between my father and I when we are outside of the house, and when we come inside he tends to position himself between my dad and I but will lay down and look other places, etc. Keep in mind, my dad is one of the quietest, happiest, nicest people that ever lived- so its not like he is threatening or anything. He will go up to my dad, but his paw on him, cuddle him, play with him…anything… But, when that pizza guy comes to the door- I’m lucky to be able to get to the pizza. lol
Could also be jealousy,spunds funny but i have a husky and have tested this and they are extremely jealous?When my partner and I hug my husky howls and jumps up on us until we part,then hes fine again,Its so funny but thiscould be why your husky seems “protective”.
I just got a 1 year old husky and i was wondering if there is any way he can get used to being alone for about 1 1/2 hour. he also really hates being outside without someone there So how can i prevent him from doing his “business” inside when I’m gone.
Here is what I did to potty train my Husky puppy. When I am unable to supervise, I use a puppy enclosure (for younger puppies) or a crate. However, I make sure to be around most of the time to supervise, play with, and train my new dog.
To get my dog more comfortable with his alone-time, I use desensitization techniques.
okay i have a serious question here, I just got a husky, he is eleven weeks old. I am trying to leash train him but all he does is pull on the leash or just does not listen, he comes when i call his name, I praise and reward him and everything but every time i try to take him out for a walk or run, i end up having to go back home due to the fact that my husky just hates the leash, or he doesn’t follow me. what advice do you have for me? I need help, pleeaasseeee
While leash training my Husky puppy, I make sure to start at small and make the experience very positive. I first start by desensitizing my puppy to the collar and to his lead.
Then, I do leash training inside the house. The house environment is safe, quiet, and comfortable, so Lara can get used to walking on a lead, and focus on walking without pulling. Once my puppy is comfortable with the lead inside the house, we do leash training in the backyard.
After she is confident walking on a leash in the backyard, as well as fully vaccinated, then we start to do training outside – first in quiet areas that are low stimulus.
I set my puppy up for success so that she gains confidence, becomes comfortable with walking on a lead, and learns not to pull. When she is comfortable walking in quiet areas, then I very slowly increase the outside environmental challenge.
Here is a bit more on leash training techniques and how I trained my Husky puppy.
Hello, my name is Matilda.
I’m 15 years old and currently a freshman in high school. My mom finally agreed to let me get a husky after years of begging. I know that having a husky takes alot of commitment but I’m willing to commit as much free time as I have to the dog. Walks after school and before bed. Also in the morning when my sister gets home from work. I have so many questions about potty training and also when is a good age to start taking them for walks. The dog will be a month or two when I get it. But I also have a four year old fixed female chihuahua. How will the husky act around her ? My mom said she doesn’t want the husky to be a inside dog forever. We have a pretty big backyard , but we also have a 10 year old (human years) mixed male chihuahua in the backyard, its kind of big and we think its mixed with pug. Should we introduce the husky to both the inside and outside dog at the same time ? The husky we are getting is a male. I would really appriciate some advice. I really want to prove to my mom that I can take care of the dog. Thank you.
Potty training:
With my Husky puppies, the single most important thing with potty training is supervision. I supervise my puppy very closely during the potty training period so that I can take her outside and reward her well for doing the right thing. At the same time, I can prevent mistakes in the house. More on how I potty trained my puppy.
Walks:
I start leash training with my puppy inside the house. Then, we move on to the backyard. I do not walk my puppy outside until she is fully vaccinated. Puppies still have developing immune systems and can get sick from smelling or eating bad poop from other dogs or other animals. Licking at contaminated water puddles etc, can also be an issue.
For dog socialization, we go to puppy class. I make sure that it is a well-run class, which checks for vaccination records for all the puppies.
Introducing a new dog:
Some things that I keep in mind while first introducing a new puppy to my existing dogs-
http://shibashake.com/dog/getting-a-second-dog#meeting
This is what I do to help my dogs get along-
http://shibashake.com/dog/second-dog-introducing-a-second-dog
**Both my Huskies have high prey drive, so I take extra care while introducing them to smaller dogs. I make sure that they are leashed and very well supervised. If I am unsure of anything or see any kind of stress, I end the greeting. It can also help to get professional help.
Here is a bit more on the first 10 days with my Husky puppy and how I trained her.
this was pretty good information, because I wanted to know more about huskies cause I have one!!!!
I have a question, I have a puppy named Kat she’s almost 2 months, is it normal for her age to be very very hyper? Because of that attitude I cant train her. She potties at training pads at my surprise. Because its her second time using that yet she can already “go” there. But I cant train her because she is so hyper. Is it normal? We cant even go for a walk because she is only 1 1/2 month old
Puppies are going to be higher energy, be more curious, and have shorter attention spans. The good news is that puppies are usually also more food focused and people focused.
With my Husky puppy, I do very short training sessions all throughout the day, usually after a play session. I also use the play session to teach her good behaviors. I try to observe what my puppy likes doing most, and use that to motivate her.
Here is a bit more on how I trained my Husky puppy. I also follow the Nothing in Life is Free program with all of my dogs.
My 2nd dog after getting out of the Army is a Siberian Husky Female Named Madeline Magnolia, I got her in October 2010 after my family stole my First Dog Phoebe, I Trained her well the first 6 months i had her in my Apartment before we Moved to a Ranch in Colorado. There she had 5000 some odd acers to run on and explore, I Take her on 7-10 mile walks one way before turning around and going back, but she would still get bord of that and Excape the Yeard (My Army buddy didnt let dogs in the house) Once when she was 11 Months old she went missing for 4 days and managed to Hunt and Kill a Full grown Doe weighing 125lbs, Madeline at the time only weighed 40LBS. In Janruary we came to Fla to do some busness not expecting to get stuck here for as long as we have. On May 9th the House Keeper Left the dore open and chased Madeline out the door with the Vacume cleaner, that was 10 months ago, I have spent over $7000 looking for her and have not had any luck. In December 2012 I rescued Kaiser a Male Siberian Husky from some Neglectful owners, when i got him he weighed 35lbs, Was infected with Flees, Heart Worms, Hook Worms. After $2000 in vet bills he is now a Healthy 55 LB 2 yearold Siberian Husky who Likes going on Walks, Sleeping all day, Getting Belly Rubs, dosnt like playing much, and LOVES FOOD!. He thinks everyone e meets wants to play and pet him. I know one day I will Find my Madeline Magnolia and she and Kaiser will play well together =D
how do i teach my Siberian Husky/Alaskan malmmute how to heel he just wont listen.he gets to distracted and wants to play i tried to put him in an open area without any other dogs with his leash on and with treats and off the leash with treats too. what do i do? he just wont listen he is only three months old but he was easy to teach him to sit lay down shake roll over and he is potty trained and crate trained. please help me
Does he already know the basics of leash training? I.e., is he trained to walk on a leash without pulling?
What helps with my Sibes is to always start at the beginning, and to set them up for success. With walking, I first get my dog comfortable with having the collar and leash on. Then, I get her comfortable with having me hold the leash. Once we are good with this, I do leash training exercises, which teaches her not to pull while on a loose leash. I don’t do more advanced leash work, e.g. heel, until after we have mastered loose leash walking.
With heel training, I found that timing, position, and technique are all very important. It helped a lot to first do it under the direction of a professional trainer.
i love huskys
Hi Shibashake,
I left my sibe with my mom and dad who are both 80 years old already. I got a call today and they are worried because my sibe named Stolich lost her appetite for the past 2 days and don’t want to eat anything. She drinks water and eat some grass for the past 2 days. By the way she is 5years old (human age). Is it normal for her not to eat for 2 days? She is active and everything’s seems normal though.. What should i do? Thank you!….Stolich
I would take her to the vet ASAP.
I have owned and worked with dogs for about 30 years. Dogs do sometimes not eat for several days. It is more important that your dog is drinking and her energy level is about the same. Sometimes, they are prone to not eat if they have some sort of anxiety (perhaps when you left her at your parents’ house?) Just watch the signs, she may start eating again shortly or you may want to offer her plain chicken and white rice if her stomach is a little upset. If ANY other signs become evident (lethargy, not drinking water) I would immediately take her to the vet. Good luck and I hope she is back to normal by the time you read this post!
@Stolich Maybe she misses you. Our husky is like that also (when he’s being stubborn) I have read that Husky doesn’t really eat much or has a huge appetite but as owners it is something to be consulted to the vet (like what Shibashake said) or the experts. I guess, what happen to your dog (unless she’s introduced to other dog foods or there’s a change in her diet) is something psychological. Dogs by the way, learn this from the elders, eat grass or certain plants/grass when they have an upset stomach or is hungry; I’ve seen our Siberian husky doing that and so our other dogs.
I recently “rescued” a husky from a busy intersection. I have three other dogs, a neutered male Standard Schnauzer (the oldest, 10 yrs), a neutered male minature poodle (middle dog 5 yrs) and a spayed female chihuahua (youngest 4 yrs). The husky is intact and seems to NOT be dog aggressive but did give a warning growl while in the when first introduced which seems normal. My concern is the high prey drive. Do you think I need to worry too much about the smaller dogs? He did try to mount the poodle but the poodle put him in his place quickly. I still don’t allow them to all be in the backyard alone without supervision yet.
Thank you!
Here is an interesting thread about the Husky prey drive and small dogs-
http://www.prodoggroomingsupplies.com/dog-forums/showthread.php?t=73746
I need help. My daughter, her husband, husky and two cats moved in with me. He crates her at bed time and when they aren’t home. I love her and take her out for walks, but sometimes she becomes aggressive with me and bites her leash and rund around my ankles an tries to nip me. I am 60 years old and only 4’11 inches. I don’t know how to stop this. I buy her a lot of toys and throw her ball around the house for her to chase. she is very high energy and tires me out. Help!
Hello Joyce,
Huskies are very high energy dogs. They are strong, need a lot of exercise, as well as structure and boundaries.
Is it possible to do the initial training with your daughter or her husband? Getting help from a professional trainer may also be helpful. When my dogs were young, I also hired a dog walker and sometimes took them to dog daycare. This gives them an outlet for their boundless energy and also helps with socialization.
Here are some of my experiences with leash biting.
http://shibashake.com/dog/train-your-dog-to-stop-biting-on-the-leash
However, each dog and each situation is different, which is why visiting with a good professional trainer can be very helpful. I always make sure that everyone is safe during training, and do not take on more than I can physically handle.
I understand that Siberian Huskies are generally not good guard dogs, but I had an unusual experience with mine. The Siberian Husky is well known as an Arctic sled dog and has been placed in the “working dog group” category by the AKC, so I was very surprised when our Siberian Husky named “Odin” turned out to be a good coyote tracking dog at the ranch in Arizona. The coyote has killed several of our chickens and peacocks at the ranch. Yesterday, my wife Veronica went out to feed the chickens in their pen and found Odin was aggressively barking at something in the bushes behind the chicken pen. When Veronica walked up to the chicken pen she observed a hungry looking coyote covertly sneaking behind the pen trying to find a way to enter. The coyote ran away from Odin, but instead of returning to the ranch house Odin tracked the coyote for more than 1/2 mile into the desert brush behind the ranch house. When Veronica advised me of the situation, I grabbed a rifle and ran toward the sounds of Odin barking in pursuit of the coyote. By this time, our second Siberian Husky “Freya” was also in pursuit of the coyote with Odin. For a short period of time I couldn’t determine Odin’s location as he cornered the coyote in a wash about 1/2 mile away. To my surprise, Freya actually ran back to me and led me to where Odin had the coyote cornered. When I arrived, the coyote ran again but I was able to shoot him. We adopted the huskies primarily because we thought they were beautiful dogs and might be good to scare coyotes, foxes, and bobcats away, or just bark to let us know something was outside, but we never thought a working category dog would actually track a predator into the desert bush like a hunting dog.
Yeah, my Sibes also have high prey drive. They love to give chase. They don’t really have much guard/defensive drive though, which I think is a feature.
i love huskies i have always wanted one if i ever get one i might name him blue or if its a gril well idk yet but i love them i have been looking on for sale websites on them
How to get a good Siberian Husky puppy.
They r so wonderful. I would love to have one too.