Shave Doubt, Not Your Husky
If you're like me, you've wanted a Husky for as long as you can remember without actually knowing much about them, to begin with. Then one day, a Husky is brought to you and your dreams are finally a reality... so now what? If you're a new Husky parent (a good one at least), you're probably going all over the internet asking Google why your furry friend does this or does that. Well if you're anything like me, you're willing to click through every article out there to get some Husky knowledge and not let your new kid down. Well, I've got great news for you, you don't have to. After hours online looking up everything and anything my main man Neo did, I'm here to share with you the answers to some of the top burning concerns you might have as a new parent. My goal is to minimize your google searches and get you feeling ready to care for your new best friend.
Here are the answers to the top burning questions I had as a new Husky parent.
Huskies; what are they?
Before diving into the ins and outs of a Siberian Husky, it's important to know what they are and where they come from. Siberian Huskies are originated in Northeast Asia where they were bred mostly for sled-pulling. These dogs are active, energetic and come from a line of ancestors who lived in the extremely cold and harsh environment of the Siberian Arctic, hint - Siberian Husky. It's important to know simple information such as this because many people will say they want a Husky until they actually own a Husky.
My good boy, Neo, was actually passed down to me by family friends who really had absolutely no idea what they were doing. He was given to me because after spending the majority of his first year tied up outside, they realized they couldn't give him the time or attention that he needed. There are other mistakes they made that you might end up making too. I'm pleased to say that Neo is now living his best life with a family that can't get enough of him and that doesn't leave him tied outdoors.
How should I feed my Husky?
Feeding something that isn't yourself is always a difficult task; especially considering we don't know what to feed ourselves most of the time. Huskies, just like humans, are all different in their dietary needs and trying to accommodate that can be difficult sometimes.
If you simply Google "best foods for huskies," you're going to get thousands of different opinions and everyone ranks the same food differently. However, after searching through multiple rankings, "Taste of the Wild" Dry Dog Food is present in one way or another. Of course, as I mentioned before, dogs have different needs based on their size and dietary restrictions so it's always good to find that specific bag that meets their needs.
I myself would highly recommend Purina One from Walmart as you can get 36 pounds for under $50. Purina One is 100% nutrition with plenty of vitamins and protein to keep your bud going. Neo is a huge fan of anything Salmon flavor so his preference is "with real Salmon and Tuna." Currently, though, he's going through a turkey and venison bag as I don't want him to get tired of one flavor too quickly.
Another great choice that people online seem to like a lot is "Blue Buffalo." This food isn't one that I go for seeing as a 20-pound bag is 45 dollars, but Neo is a fan of the Blue Buffalo treats. Whatever you choose to feed your husky though, make sure it's something they will enjoy.
Speaking of eating:
It is completely normal for your husky to eat grass when you take them outside.
They tend to do this to make themselves throw up or just because they want to. Neo loves to nibble on grass when he's outside and it's honestly the most annoying thing. You'd think they'd stop after throwing up, but they don't.
Is a Husky hard to train?
The thing about Huskies is that they are intelligent dogs that value their independence. However, despite their intelligence, huskies are also very stubborn. There are, of course, different ways to train and every husky will be a different experience.
Neo, for example, was given to me at almost two years old and I thought training him was going to be hell. Lucky for me, Neo learned and basically trained himself when it came to using the bathroom. He learned to use the bathroom outside and not inside due to him being outside for most of his childhood. When he came to live with me, he learned to wake me up in the morning if he needed to go and slowly fell into a routine and constant schedule for bathroom time.
When it comes to training a husky, or any dog for that matter, positive reinforcement and consistency is the best way to go. According to Dog Behaviorist and Trainer, Beverly Ulbrich, providing a treat and encouraging tones/voice is an effective way for your husky to repeat its good behavior. Disciplining should also be done consistently and effectively such as positive reinforcement. Some effective ways to convey this include; being firm with words such as "noo" or "stop," walking away and ignoring what they want, putting them in "time-out."
How high is a Husky's activity level?
I always heard their energy levels were extremely high, and based on past huskies I've met, it's true. For me though, Neo is extremely laid back. He'll roam the house and rather than destroying everything he sees, he drops on the floor and naps throughout the day. When we go for a walk or head to the dog park though, he's unstoppable and very hard to persuade to head home. I've been told by everyone at his vet that he is one of the calmest huskies they have ever seen, so I really lucked out.
Ideally, your friend should get at least an hour of exercise each day. Going on a walk is the easiest way to do so and get your own steps in. Taking them to the dog park is also a great option as they get to run around in a fenced area and get to make friends of their own.
Are Huskies really escape artist?
Many people, including myself, brush off the warning that we all hear about huskies and the fact that they are sneaky escape artists. You might think, "my fence is high enough," "my yard is big enough," "my husky is going to be well trained." I'm sorry to say that the unfortunate truth to any of those is far from what you might believe. I myself have had to run around my neighborhood chasing after Neo multiple times because someone wasn't fast enough or careful enough when leaving the house.
According to huskyowner.com, a site that I have utilized myself when I first got Neo, huskies try to escape simply because of their nature. Huskies are creatures filled with curiosity that can make them restless and bored with what they have around them. This always leads to the misperception that for a husky not to be bored, it needs a yard that's big enough to keep its attention. Unfortunately, not even that can prevent your furry friend from wanting to see what's beyond your fence. The truth of the matter is a husky doesn't care how big a yard is, as a person typically wouldn't care how big a house is if there's no one around to share it with. A yard is like a husky's Netflix, and we all know the feeling that despite there being thousands of things to watch, there's nothing to watch.
Make sure your husky gets enough exercise: Huskies are energetic, they love to be outside and would honestly be okay with roaming around hours on end. Tiring out your husky is a great way to keep him/her relaxed and minimize the risk of them escaping your home. Releasing their energy is also a way to deter them from finding their own way of releasing it; such as digging holes, ripping your furniture, and once again, escaping.
How bad is a Husky's shedding, really?
Bad. Okay, don't freak out because it's not that bad all year long. Huskies are a little different than other dogs who tend to shed all year long. For a husky, there are two times a year where they really go through it and leave you pulling your own hair out. This process is called "blowing" their undercoat. Hopefully, by now, you know (and if not know you will) that huskies have two coats of fur on them. The reasoning behind this is that the inner coat is there to keep your buddy warm while the outer coat is there to help repel whatever mother nature throws at 'em. When the temperatures start to rise, they begin to go through their blowing stage.
Neo is currently blowing his coat out and I'm dreaming of dog hairs at this point.
Having the right tools to help you in this time is important and I've come to find a lifesaver of a product. Seeing as this is a guide for new owners, I want things to be as easy as they can be for you and your new friend. When Neo started blowing his coat out I bought the greatest brush on Amazon, and it has made my life so much easier. I brush Neo once a day and I've seen a drastic drop in the amount of hair he drops around the house. It comes with two brushes and a free nail clipper, and it's currently on sale for $7.97.
Another great product that I found on Amazon is this vacuum cleaner. Highly recommend to minimize throwing hairs back into the air when sweeping with a traditional broom.
Since Huskies shed so much when the weather begins to get hot, people tend to think "hmm, I should shave my husky." This thought may seem like a good idea considering that no hair equals your friend not getting hot and most importantly, no cleanup. However, this is far from the truth. A husky's coat is critical to its survival. The coat doesn't just protect against weather, it helps regulate their body temperature. Shaving a husky can lead to strokes, being unable to grow their coats back, and in some cases even death. Think of it this way, would you rather wear a hat in the sun or let the hot rays hit your face all day? Their coat is your hat.
Can I shave my Husky?
Absolutely NOT. I know I mentioned this already in the section above but I feel like I have to double down on this because there will always be someone who thinks shaving their Husky is a good idea. If you're that someone, don't.
The only reason to shave a husky is for medical emergencies.
Neo currently has a bald patch on his back, but it's because he's undergoing Heartworm treatment that requires injections into the spine.
I mean just look at that! How is that cute?
How often should my Husky take a bath?
For the most part, people seem to bathe their husky at least once a month, or once every two months if they don't stink up. During their blowing season, it may be a good idea to bathe them a little more often to help get the loose hair out and minimize the amount of hair that is dropped around your house. Make sure to dry your furry friend as well as you can and it's a good idea to comb them after.
I've seen the TikTok of the Husky in the snow, is that animal abuse?
No. The thing about TikTok or any social media really, is that there is always miss-, or lack of, information going around. Everyone likes to think that they know everything and in reality, they don't. The thing about Huskies, as I stated at the beginning and throughout the article, is that they are working dogs. These are dogs that were quite literally bred to pull sleds through the snow and whose ancestors braved the Arctic. That dog you saw refusing to come inside and insisted on staying in the snow, was in heaven. A Husky, with its double coat, can withstand up to -75 degrees F (-59 degrees C). Saying it's animal abuse to leave the pup outside in the snow is the furthest thing from an accurate statement.
Unfortunately for me and Neo, we live in the city and aren't lucky enough to get snow. I for one am excited for the day he sees and gets to roll around in it like his ancestors. Trust me, it won't be abuse when he's having the time of his life. Now obviously don't leave your Husky outside overnight as you should always provide them with a place to sleep protected against the wind or sudden rainfall, but allowing your friend to live its best life outside in the snow for a few hours will go a long way.