If the puppy is struggling to finish his meals or his tummy is very full and distended on three meals before the age of three months, then divide the daily allowance between four meals instead. At 12 to 16 weeks, you will notice the puppy just picks a little at the afternoon meal. At this point, you can discontinue it. Feed a high-quality food that is not full of artificial additives. [1] X Research source This is important at any age, but especially so for a growing puppy. Feeding on a regular schedule will help with housebreaking the dog, as most husky puppies will need to go outside 15 to 30 minutes after eating. [2] X Research source Do not allow your husky to “free feed” at any age. Providing meals at set times, and taking the dish away when the dog is done eating, is one way to show your stubborn husky that you are in charge.
Most of the year, you should brush your dog once a week, taking this opportunity to clean and inspect its ears and brush his its teeth. [4] X Research source During shedding season, daily brushing will help decrease shedding in your home. [5] X Research source
Dogs have blood vessels in their nails, so it’s important not to trim too short. If you aren’t experienced trimming a dog’s nails, it may be best to ask a groomer or vet to do it, or at least show you how. [7] X Research source If your dog isn’t comfortable with you grooming its nails, you can train them to be calmer by playing with and touching their paws often. [8] X Research source Ulbrich, Beverly. Personal interview. 30 January 2019.
Cataracts, a film over the lens of the eye. Corneal dystrophy, cloudiness over the cornea that females are especially prone to. Progressive retinal atrophy, a condition in which the dog’s eyes slowly degenerate until it becomes blind. These conditions are often hereditary. Find out all you can about your puppy’s parents to find out if they are likely to occur.
A husky requires more or less constant vigilance. It will also require a fence that is at least 6 feet (1. 8 m) high and difficult to dig under. Concrete or strong mesh at the base of the fence works well. [11] X Research source
Huskies were bred as working dogs, so they are easily bored if they do not have a task. To keep your husky happy, you will need to make sure it gets 30 to 60 minutes of vigorous exercise every day. [12] X Research source Huskies are great dogs to jog with once they get a little older. They love to run, play, and to chase things. Huskies are energetic and become bored easily. If you don’t provide adequate exercise, the consequence will be an unhappy dog that howls constantly and tears apart your home. [13] X Research source
If your puppy seems nervous or suspicious of other dogs or people, puppy socialization and training classes can be a good idea. These classes help your dog learn the right way to interact with others. [14] X Research source Socializing your dog at a young age will have a major impact on its personality later in life. Undesirable behaviors like biting, barking, and “resource guarding” are often a result of poor socialization. [15] X Research source
Do not let your puppy sleep in your bed, as this creates confusion about its role in the family. You may make an occasional exception when the dog gets older. [16] X Research source Have everyone in the household feed the dog a handful of kibble. This teaches your husky that everyone in the house can control its access to food. [17] X Research source Be consistent with all rules you set. If you are not, the dog will learn that it can sometimes get what it wants if it tries hard enough. Make sure everyone else in the house on the same page. [18] X Research source Be patient. Your dog can be trained if you are firm and consistent. Huskies often enjoy training tasks because they are work dogs. [19] X Research source
Monitoring your puppy. Keep a close eye on your puppy when it is inside to prevent accidents. This is easiest if you confine the dog to a small part of your home. [20] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source If you catch your dog in the act of urinating or defecating inside, make a loud noise and say “no!” Then, promptly take the dog outside. [21] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source Frequent trips outside. A puppy will need to go to the bathroom more often than an adult dog. To minimize the risk of indoor accidents, take the puppy out as often as you can, and on a regular schedule. [22] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source Rewarding the desired behavior. When your dog goes to the bathroom outside, praise the dog and give it a reward in the form of a small treat. This will help it understand where it should do its business, and reinforce the behavior. [23] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source Using a clicker can help your pup learn this faster (see below).
For huskies, this is also a good way to minimize damage to your home when you can’t be there. [25] X Research source When you can’t keep an eye on your puppy, put it in its crate with a treat or kibble and a chew toy. After a while, the dog will begin to enjoy spending time there, and may even retreat there if things get stressful. [26] X Research source Crate training is easiest if you start by offering your dog a treat inside its crate without closing the door. After a day or so of doing this repeatedly, you can try closing the door for short periods of time. You can then build up to longer periods in the crate. [27] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source Puppies under ten weeks old should not be confined to a crate for more than an hour. From weeks 11 to 14, your puppy can spend up to three hours in a crate. At weeks 15 and 16, up to four hours may be acceptable. After 17 weeks, a puppy can spend up to five hours in a crate. [28] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source Never use going to the crate as punishment if you want to successfully crate train. [29] X Research source
Huskies can easily run off and get lost if not on a leash. [30] X Research source Get your dog used to the collar by putting one on it while it is eating. The dog will develop comfort and even a positive association with the collar. [31] X Research source Then, start by just walking it around the house a little, giving it treats whenever it walks at your side and doesn’t pull on the leash. Once you’ve got that down, try it outside![32] X Research source
In clicker training, every time your dog does something desirable on command, you click the clicker and give it a treat. the combination of the sound and a reward helps your dog more quickly learn what you want it to do. [34] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source Start by teaching your dog to associate the click with a treat. Just click at random intervals, then immediately provide a treat. [35] X Trustworthy Source American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty Go to source Once your dog has learned this association, you can start using the clicker-treat combination to reward desired behaviors.
Males, on average, will grow to a height of 21 to 23. 5 inches (53. 3 to 59. 7 cm). They will weigh 45 to 60 pounds. [36] X Research source Females will grow to an average of 20 to 22 inches (50. 8 to 55. 9 cm) and will weigh 35 to 50 pounds. [37] X Research source Huskies don’t suffer from a lot of health problems. However, there are some conditions you should be aware of. In addition to eye problems, they also may develop hip and elbow dysplasia. [38] X Research source This is when these joints become malformed, resulting in pain and trouble walking. Huskies shed a lot, especially when the weather starts to get warm. Prepare to clean up a lot of dog hair. [39] X Research source Barring accidents, you can expect your husky puppy to live an average of 12 to 15 years. [40] X Research source You should be prepared to care for the dog for at least that long. Huskies do not do well in extremely hot or humid conditions. You should rule out a move to Arizona or Florida any time in the near future. [41] X Research source
Huskies are extremely energetic and free spirited. They are active, high-energy dogs that get bored easily. [42] X Research source This is why your husky may damage your home or yard and destroy your possessions if left alone for a long period of time. This also makes them ill-suited for life in small apartments. [43] X Research source Huskies are strong-willed and intelligent. This can make them great companions, but can also make them more difficult to train than other dogs. [44] X Research source Huskies are friendly and loyal. They are pack animals and do best with a family rather than a single owner. They are also friendly with strangers. [45] X Research source
Proper training and exercise will minimize this behavior. [47] X Research source But, especially early on, expect a lot of loud howling.
