The Siberian Husky, or simply Husky, is a very energetic working dog, meaning they need to get plenty of movement and exercise to stay active and happy. He is loyal, has a naturally mild character and has a sincere love of life; for these characteristics many people would like to have it as a pet. However, he can be very stubborn and quite difficult to train, so you need to be sure you can make the commitment. If you are considering getting a Husky as a new family member, define if you have the time, patience, energy and willingness to provide them with a long, happy and fulfilling life.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Train it
Step 1. Have him socialize since he is a puppy
Socialization teaches him to interact appropriately with the various components of the environment that surrounds him (people or other dogs), helping him to grow and to make him become a self-confident and well-behaved adult specimen. Let him spend time with different people and have various olfactory and acoustic experiences.
- Kindergartens for dogs are being established in many cities, which help puppies interact with others like them. Also take your little friend to this type of course when he is between the ages of four and five months.
- In addition to these realities, you can make him socialize by exposing him to different situations in his environment, such as the sound of the horn of a passing car; you can also invite friends over to help your puppy feel more comfortable with new people.
- A walk in the park is also another way to bring him closer to new people, landscapes and sounds.
- Watch as he explores his new world; if he seems fearful or frightened about certain experiences, don't insist on exposing him to the same situations.
Step 2. Enroll him in an adult dog obedience training course
Huskies are very independent and intelligent by nature; however, they can also be very stubborn, which makes training difficult.
- Enroll him in a "junior" obedience course when he is 4 months old and continue with that for adult specimens when he is about one year old; if you want him to become really well trained, it is imperative to start from a young age.
- Keep in mind that he could use his intelligence to behave differently during course training and sessions at home - he could do the exercises perfectly in class and instead misbehave when at home. While such conduct can be frustrating, continue to practice and reinforce the training even when in the home environment.
Step 3. Train him to the cage
If you have a puppy, this is an important factor. Teaching him to use the cage is a fundamental step in the training process to make him go to the toilet outside the home, since he will not want to urinate or defecate where he sleeps; moreover, the cage becomes a safe place where he can take refuge when he is afraid or needs to rest.
Remember that it doesn't have to be a place of punishment; if you send him to the cage when he has misbehaved, the Husky develops a negative association with that space
Step 4. Get him on a leash
If you don't keep him tied up, he probably tends to get away for a good run or some other fun activity away from you. He may also be happy with you as his master but, if he has the chance, his desire to run and hunt (perhaps also due to his predatory instinct) takes over; for this reason, it is essential to get used to staying on a leash.
- Thanks to this type of training, you also teach him not to pull; should it start to do so, you can stop and call it back or walk quietly in the opposite direction.
- Do not shake or pull the leash, as this will encourage your dog to tug harder.
- Do not use retractable models, as they can cause him to pull even more, as they allow him to move further away as he exerts a pulling force.
- If you have a puppy, allow him to sniff and "explore" the leash and collar around the house before attempting to walk him.
- The obedience training course can help you get used to using this accessory.
Step 5. Establish that you are the "pack leader"
The Husky is a working dog who expects clear guidance and should consider you as the pack leader. A good way to establish your leadership is to keep them waiting when it's time to eat.
- By managing his meals, you lead the dog to understand that you are his only source of food, resources and therefore his "boss".
- Another way to establish your leadership is to lead the dog on walks; by taking the lead, you make it clear that it is he who must follow you and not the other way around.
- Don't be surprised if every now and then he tries to become the pack leader and wants to guide you; in this case, remember to take a firm and firm stand by claiming your role.
- Do not impose your authority by treating him badly or by beating him; if you establish your supremacy with physical intimidation, the dog does not trust and respect you.
Part 2 of 3: Exercise and Play with Husky
Step 1. Exercise with your dog every day
As already mentioned, Huskies are working animals, they originate from Siberia and have been used to pulling heavy sleds for long distances. It is therefore completely normal that your furry friend needs intense daily physical activity (at least half an hour or an hour) to release the accumulated energy.
- Long walks are a great way to get him to exercise.
- To encourage his "working dog" instinct (and if you're feeling particularly adventurous) tie the leash to your bicycle or wheelbarrow and let yourself be pulled; However, avoid this technique if the dog is not well trained.
- Other valid alternatives to keep him physically active are the game of carry and long hikes.
- If you live near a body of water, you can take it swimming.
- Keep in mind that Huskies are very vigorous animals and are almost always available to play and move; make sure you have the energy to keep up!
Step 2. Prepare the garden to prevent it from escaping
These dogs are masters of the "art of escape". If you allow him to play in the garden, you must avoid the risk of him escaping by erecting a fence at least 180 cm high. However, that may not be a good enough solution, as these dogs love to dig and your specimen may find a way to escape by making a hole in the ground.
- To prevent this from happening, you need to bury the fence several inches below the soil surface. You can also lay a concrete foundation for the fence or put a sturdy wire mesh at the base of the fence to prevent the dog from leaving the property.
- Contact a fencing company to readjust the fence so your dog can't dig underneath.
- If your faithful friend has managed to make a few holes, you can fill it with concrete blocks to discourage him from making more gaps.
- Always check him when he is in the yard; although he really enjoys being outdoors, if you leave him unattended and don't give him attention he may feel lonely and bored, starting to engage in destructive behavior and digging.
Step 3. Find him a playmate
Huskies are very sociable animals and surely your dog would also like to have another dog to play and exercise with; the ideal companion is another similar one that is about the same size and that is able to maintain the activity level of your four-legged friend.
Allow him to meet other dogs so he can choose his playmate
Step 4. Don't make him exercise in hot weather
Huskies have double fur which makes them more suited to living in cold regions. This doesn't necessarily mean you can't have a Husky if you live in a hot climate, but you need to be extra careful when playing and moving around during the summer months.
- If you live in a region with a warmer climate, only exercise it in the early morning, when the outside temperatures are not yet scorching.
- If it stays outside for too long on hot summer days, it could overheat; try to keep it indoors during the hours when the sun is scorching.
Step 5. Distract him
The Husky is a very intelligent dog and needs mental stimulation to stay happily occupied and entertained. Kong games are particularly suitable: they are resistant and mentally challenge the animal to figure out how to extract the food that is inside.
- Fill the game with your favorite wagging friend's treats.
- Be aware that the Husky tends to destroy many objects; choose sturdy chew toys that can keep your dog busy but won't break easily.
- In addition to games, you should teach your dog several tricks (for example, the dead man or fetch game), to keep him mentally active at all times.
Part 3 of 3: Feed it and Brush it
Step 1. Give him high quality dog food
Huskies were originally bred to survive on little food; therefore, your faithful friend does not need to eat too many calories to stay healthy and have enough energy to play and exercise.
- Feed him once or twice a day and avoid him exercising too much for at least 90 minutes after a meal.
- Your dog may need more or less food based on various factors, such as size, age, and general health.
- If you have a puppy, you need to offer him three meals a day: early in the morning, early afternoon and in the evening; by the time he reaches three or four months of age, he is likely to be able to spontaneously cut back on his meals and eat only twice a day.
- Human and canned foods can cause them to become picky about food and / or may cause them diarrhea.
- If you have taken your dog to a breeder, they may recommend the most suitable food for you; Alternatively, you can ask your vet and other Husky owners to recommend appropriate foods.
Step 2. Brush the pet's fur
In nature, Huskies are very clean; they give off very little odor and often smooth their hair themselves, so it is not necessary to brush them frequently. However, they tend to shed a lot during the spring and fall when they shed completely.
- The moulting period lasts at least three weeks.
- Rub his fur with a dog carder at least once a week throughout the year, to eliminate dead hair and keep the fur regenerated and shiny; you can buy this type of metal bristle brushes at pet stores.
- Do not think about shaving his hair in the summer. You may believe this is a useful method of keeping it cooler, but it would actually be depriving it of protection from harmful ultraviolet rays.
Step 3. Give him a bath
Since the Husky does a great job of personal hygiene on its own, you should wash it infrequently; usually, once a year is enough. If you are unable or unable to wash it, you can choose to go to a dog groomer.
Step 4. Trim your faithful friend's nails
You should do this every one to two weeks. If the character and size of the dog create difficulties and you are unable to proceed with your intent, make an appointment with the vet to take care of the matter; keep in mind, however, that the animal is likely to be able to keep its nails short by itself, simply by moving and playing.
Step 5. Clean his teeth
If you can manage the dog and "tame" his vitality, you should brush them at least two or three times a week. You can purchase vet-approved toothpaste at drugstores or pet stores.
- Cleaning their teeth not only guarantees fresh breath, but also prevents the formation of plaque and tartar, problems that can lead to serious dental disorders and systemic diseases.
- Check with your vet for more tips and instructions for brushing Husky teeth.
- If you are unable to do this yourself, make a vet appointment for a dental cleaning; be aware that your pet will need to undergo general anesthesia and this can be quite an expensive procedure.
Advice
- On average, Huskies live 12-15 years.
- Given their determined character, these dogs are recommended for people who are able to assert clear and constant leadership.
- You need to have a lot of patience and perseverance to train a Husky.
- Make regular appointments with your vet to ensure your wagging friend has a healthy life and promptly get him vaccinated.
- Get him on monthly preventive heartworm treatment, as well as flea and tick treatments.
- Make sure she always has plenty of fresh water available.
Warnings
- Huskies are predatory dogs, they might consider a cat as their prey; if you have cats in your home, you should perhaps choose another dog breed that does not have this strong hunting instinct.
- They are not guard dogs, on the contrary they could enthusiastically welcome an intruder or a suspicious stranger, thus endangering the safety of your family. If you wish to have a guard dog, you should get one of another breed, such as the German Shepherd or Doberman.
- Huskies are easily prone to diseases, such as hip dysplasia and eye disorders (e.g. progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts), which are not always detectable when they are still puppies. Consider purchasing a puppy from a breeder who checks their animals for hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy. if you find that your dog has difficulty walking or seeing, take him to the vet.
- Huskies can do a lot of damage when left alone and not engaged enough and / or mentally stimulated. Make sure your little friend always has lots of toys when you are not at home and always keep an eye on him when you are around.
