Husky 101

Siberian Huskies are very misunderstood. They are high energy, working dogs who play rough and have a high prey drive. They are known to run, jump, dig, and chew and should NEVER be off leash. They must be contained in a fenced yard and in the house, they should not be left alone or unattended for long periods of time. They will get bored easily and quickly and If left to their own devices, they will find something to do which probably won't make you happy when you come home!

If they are allowed to run, instinct takes over and they will find something to chase. If first it is a bird it will soon become a squirrel which will become a deer, etc. Each time their prey drive increasing until they no longer seem to recognize human presence.

Routine is the best management tool. Having a routine daily walk, consistent meal times, play time, and time to rest will make a Siberian a wonderful companion. The anticipated daily walks give the Siberian an outlook that can deter him from howling, chewing, digging, jumping, and running all undesirable behaviors.

They have magnificent personalities and will make you laugh and cry and pull your hair in frustration.

Siberians are athletes therefore their weight should be maintained so that pets have a waist and the ribs are visible. They should have muscle and maintain that muscle with daily walks. Siberians should not carry extra weight. Heavy dogs are more likely to have health problems as they age. Keep your dogs at a reasonable weight-45 to 60 pounds max for males, 35 to 50 pounds max for females. Weight is in proportion to height. Feed a good quality food that is high in protein and fat with moderate carbohydrates.

They rarely bark but they will talk to you and to each other and will acknowledge complete strangers with a friendly greeting. They are not guard dogs and will not protect you-they would probably lick a thief with excitement before attacking him.

They love the outdoors and thus make for great trail dogs but they also enjoy a life of luxury in the house. Their energy should be managed so they can live in both environments equally.

Many Siberian Huskies become strays, end up in shelters, injured on the road, become the neighborhood nuisance, or abused and mistreated because the owner did not understand the breed. For these reasons, it is important for any potential owner to learn about the typical traits of the Siberian husky before entering the challenging commitment of living with one.

Despite their many challenges, the more time you spend with a Siberian the more you will understand that there is usually a logical explanation for most of their outlandish behaviors. While the Siberian will not submit quickly to your will and will insist that you prove yourself as a good and reliable leader, once you have earned his or her respect you will be rewarded for years to come.

Rule 1: Assume that your husky will be casing his home for escape routes. They have the ability to squeeze through the smallest of holes, break or chew their way out of a tie out, run through electric fences, just for the sheer joy of it.

Always be aware of where your husky is when you are coming and going
Avoid doors with intentional delays, they offer precious seconds that a husky will take full advantage.
Lock your doors or put the latches up high. Think your husky won't open your door? Think again.

Rule 2: Do not over feed your athlete. Huskies were originally bred to perform on a minimal amount of food, they require less subsistence per pound that other breeds their size. Some will monitor their own intake and pass on a meal here and there. They do require a balanced diet, high in protein.

Rule 3: Huskies typically have a high prey drive. We won't tell you the will never be able to live with a cat, but you should exercise extreme caution if you own felines. Chances are the rabbits, geese, chickens or goats down the street are probably not safe. Take extreme care when walking your dog to make sure you have control of the leash when small critters run across your path.

Rule 4: Never, never, never allow your husky off leash! Repeat 100 times until you have this ingrained in your head. Huskies are nomads by nature but can adjust to a new environment. They have intense curiosity which makes it extremely important to always have them confined or on a leash. With no fear of cars and no homing instinct, this tendency could easily leave them prey to hunger, injury, disease or worse. When you combine this wander-lust with their ability to escape and prey drive, you have a recipe for disaster and heartbreak. We recommend crating your Siberian when you are not at home to cut down on escape opportunities.

Rule 5: Don't spend a lot on landscaping. Siberians have a natural tendency to dig. If left to their own devices, they may dig large craters in your yard (or dig an escape route under the fence, see rule number 1 and 4). They may also decide your bush outside needs some trimming, they may want to help prune your prized rose bushes.

Keep a towel by the door to clean off muddy paws.
Consider setting up physical boundaries or maybe give your husky a novice garden of their own and keep yours separate.
Forget the garden and learn to use the words, "oh, well".

Rule 6: Invest in a good vacuum or 2. They have beautiful thick coats and shed a lot. Their undercoat will fall out in clumps 2 times per year, but expect to have fur on your clothes and carpet year round.

Rule 7: Do not shave your husky in the summer. They need their undercoat to insulate them and keep them cool. It also protects them against harmful UV rays.

Rule 8: Huskies are not meant to be left alone for long periods of time. They are pack animals - that may include humans or other dogs. They require companionship of others and if left with no others around to occupy them, howling begins, the escape route is started, or something will be destroyed. During alone time, a crate is strongly recommended. If you don't use a crate, please don't complain about the Jimmy Choo's that got chewed, or the woodwork that was used to clean their teeth.

Rule 9: Invest in an alarm company or service; your husky will be useless as a watch dog. Siberian huskies are extremely sociable, if a burglar broke into your home, your Sibe would likely show him where the money is kept and invite him to play.

Rule 10: Train your husky, but be prepared for a challenge. Siberian huskies are intelligent and stubborn which can be difficult when training. They might talk back when you ask them to sit and before you know it, you're having a conversation with your husky about why he should sit for you. Or they might stare directly at you in understanding and decide they just don't feel like listening.

Be consistent, have patience and a good sense of humor.
Use lots of positive training.
Don't train for too long, maybe 10 minutes at a time as your husky will become bored.

Rule 11: A tired husky is a very good thing. Fire your personal trainer, your husky has just moved in. Your husky is an athlete and requires a lot of exercise. Daily walks are important for exercise and bonding. They will have a strong tendency to pull hard on the leash - they were bred to pull. Breaking this habit will be difficult, this is 3000 years of breeding so don't expect a few minutes or days of leash training to curtail this. You may want to consider urban mushing with scooters or running which teaches your dog mushing / pulling commands. If you have the space, get a sled or cross country skis and try your hand at skijorling.

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