Education

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For a Siberian Husky owner, “off lead” or “off leash” is a dirty word! These guys were born to run and given their stubborn temperaments and poor recall, they’re not coming back. A Husky can run up to 28 miles per hour, can you catch up to them?

Now every Husky owner thinks they can defy DNA at some point and some are tempted to try it. Some have even achieved being off lead. But the DNA can kick in at any time and a Husky chases prey into the road and is killed by a car. We read about this all too often. Ask yourself, is it worth the risk?

To us, it surely is not and so much so, it’s in our contract! If you’re looking for a dog to have off lead, even while hiking, this is not your breed. A Husky should be on a leash at all times. Huskies make for strong pullers on a leash, but we can help recommend a harness that will best work for your newly adopted friend.

The Siberian Husky makes it onto the renters restricted list often! They tend to be vocal and destructive when left alone, not only doing damage to the property, but annoying your neighbors. Huskies aren’t barkers, but “talkers.”

Their woo-woos and howling can be persistent when they’re not getting their way. They do sound beautiful and who wouldn’t encourage their Husky to sing? Well, your neighbors might not be very appreciative of this and if you’re a renter, you’re going to have a tough time finding a Sibe-friendly home.

Be mindful of your landlord’s guidelines. We do our best to determine if any of our dogs are quiet enough to be apartment dwellers. Most aren’t and some Huskies are so vocal that even a townhome is a no-no. 

By nature, Huskies are terrific with children. They welcome new siblings into their pack easily. Though keep in mind, teaching your child proper dog etiquette is a must in any situation. If a child pulls on, sits on, steps on, or puts their hands on the dog’s food/treats/toys, they are subject to being bitten.

It’s not fair to your dog – or any breed! A dog is also entitled to their sense of space in the home. Also take note that Huskies do not make good watch dogs. They’re more inclined to offer up their belly for rubs to an intruder than they are to sound an alarm. 

The Husky’s need to set pack order runs strong with their breed. Welcoming a new Sibe into the home with other dogs, especially other Huskies, can sometimes be stressful.

It’s important to set your dogs up for success. This includes introducing them on neutral territory, walking them together until they’re more interested in their surroundings than each other, and walking them in the door together.

Leashes stay on! Let your dogs drag their leashes around the house. This allows you to give them verbal commands and stand on the leash if they don’t comply. It’s a much better concept than going hands-on for redirection. The leash can also help you to separate them if need be.

Remove items from the household that can be catalysts for conflict – treats, toys, bones, food bowls, etc. These should be introduced slowly in the weeks to come once the pack order has been established.

Food bowls go down and get picked up after meals. It’s always best to feed your dogs in separate areas, even using a crate if need be. Dogs typically share water without incident though. The entire goal is to successfully socialize them.

Huskies are very social animals, but they tend to hold grudges that are hard to overcome. So we want to get it right from the beginning. If you have not experienced Husky play, it’s something that can take you by surprise the first time. Husky play tends to be rough and vocal – they often sound like they’re killing each other, but don’t worry. They’re really just playing.

Just like toddlers, Huskies need routines. When they know what to anticipate next, they’re less likely to make up their own rules and get themselves in trouble. The more your pack grows, the more you, as the owner, need routine too. Routine helps them to potty train, crate train, and establish a healthy metabolism.

While a Husky can adjust to all types of climates, they prefer to be out of the heat. They often will lay on your air conditioning vents to keep themselves cool during the summer months. A Husky should never be left out in the sun without proper shade and water.

This does not mean you should shave their coats. A Husky has a double coat for multiple purposes. It not only protects them from the cold but also the sun, and when properly groomed, serves as a natural air conditioner. Shaving their coat is a big no-no as it can damage their skin and cause hair follicle issues.

Huskies shed a ton! They tend to blow their coats twice a year. This means their undercoat falls out in clumps. However, they shed non-stop all through the year. You’ll learn to carry lint rollers and minimize the amount of black you wear.

Your Husky should be brushed at least once a week and sometimes daily when they’re blowing. The best type of brush to use is a rake – this helps to pull out the undercoat. Make no mistake, a rake is not a Furminator. Furminators can be damaging to their top coat.

Grooming a Husky is serious work, but there is one large benefit…a Husky doesn’t need to be bathed very often. In fact, once a year is usually suitable. A Husky produces a natural cleansing oil which keeps their coat clean. Overbathing your Husky can cause them to stop self-cleansing.