Husky Puppy Care Guide

Huskies are playful, active dogs that require a lot of training and care as puppies to become well-balanced adults. Husky puppies that are not well-socialized have a tendency to become fearful and skittish as adults. In addition, huskies can have dominant personalities that need to be addressed during puppy-hood, to avoid aggression and obedience problems later on in life. With persistence, patience and the right amount of training, you can have a husky that is confident and happy.

  1. Establishing the Leadership Role

    • Huskies tend to be a bit stubborn and will obey, but on their own terms, says the dog breed information website CanisMajor.com. Because of this trait, it is essential to establish your role as the leader while your husky is a puppy. Huskies are a breed that rely on the pack mentality, says SiberianHuskyPups.org; therefore, yours will look in the household for a pack leader. If it doesn̵7;t find one, it will try to take on that role. However, if you make it clear to the husky that you are in charge, it will likely follow your role and obey.

      Make your husky puppy wait and ask permission before you allow it to eat, to establish the dominant role. Place your puppy in a ̶0;sit̶1; or ̶0;stay̶1; position, and do not allow it to eat until you say it is acceptable. Touch your puppy̵7;s food before he eats, so that your scent is on the kibble. This will tell the husky puppy that its leader is around at all times. Do not allow your husky to walk through doors before you and when on walks, always keep your husky puppy next to you on a short leash. If the puppy walks ahead, it feels as if it is leading and you are following.

    Socialization

    • Socialization is one of the key components in husky puppy care. While most husky puppies are loving and outgoing, there are a few that are shy and nervous. If these behaviors are encouraged by not allowing the puppy to interact with other animals and humans, they will only progress into behavior that is aggressive or skittish. Allow your husky to play with other animals in your house. Similarly, encourage your puppy to interact with your neighbors, friends, relatives and other humans, especially children. The more your husky is exposed to these experiences, the more it will become confident and comfortable in those types of situations. However, do not allow your husky to interact with other dogs outside of those in your household until it has received all of its puppy vaccines. Doing so could put your husky at risk for contracting potentially deadly illnesses.

    Physical Activity

    • Huskies require daily physical activity. Huskies love to run around and play. A husky that does not receive the physical exertion it needs can become anxious and nervous, as it does not have an outlet for its pent-up energy. Play with your husky puppy on a daily basis and take him for walks. Do not push the puppy̵2;it will let you know when it is done by lying down or panting heavily.

    Grooming

    • Huskies have thick coats that require a good amount of brushing. Get your puppy used to the process by brushing it daily with a slicker brush. In addition, rub your husky puppy̵7;s feet and ears to get it comfortable with having those areas handled. Huskies loudly howl and cry if they dislike something and getting your puppy used to these actions may avoid that sort of future protest.