Husky Social traits

Huskies sure do like to be part of a "pack" as they are a social dog. Our full husky really hates to be separated from the husky/shepherd mixed dog. We chain them out during the day where they can see each other and get within a foot of each other, but not get entangled. When we are home, they are almost always inside with us. The husky will whine to get the other dog in for the company. He cries if left home when the other one has a vet appointment, so they both go in the car together. Even the family members are "part of the pack" with each person in a pecking order to the husky.

My husband is the Alpha, or leader, of the pack, and that's something is seems that both dogs need. One of our daughters (the youngest - who was 15 when we rescued our husky) is usually slightly below him in the pack. She has to work hard to maintain a place of near equality.

One thing the husky especially needs is lots of attention from each person as soon as he or she gets home. He does lots of "talking" - as small portion of which I've put on my website. A lot of the ruuu-ruuu-aruruaru stuff when we get home seems to be an "about time you're home to be with me" type of message. The husky also likes a schedule - for instance in the evening we're "supposed" to get into the living room and lie around on the floor with the dogs to watch TV or movies. The dogs sleep with us adults, one on the bed and one on a doggy bed. The husky also "tells" us to get to bed when it's late!

Also, along with love and companionship, the husky needs to be active. He will initiate play with a toy, having taught himself to fetch. This dog was abused and neglected, and afraid of children and bicycles when we got him. He did not know what treat was, and he did not know what to do with toys. Now he does! Additionally, huskies need exercise, like a good walk a few times a week. If you don't get them out enough, the dog will dig up the yard, for instance. We have concrete blocks to fill holes in various places in "his" area because of times that we have not gotten out for walks frequently enough.

We were afraid that our husky might be mean because of the abuse, but instead he was shy. The patience and love, and training (stay, sit, come - just expecting him to be "good") was enough to bring out the natural husky lovingness.

One other thing, which I don't know is a husky trait, but might just be a Lobo (our husky) trait. He chews off any nylon (or leather or any material) harness when he is chained in the yard. It only takes him a half hour! He has even chewed off his collar when it was too loose. The only type of harness we can keep on him is a custom made (by my husband) chain harness. It's really loose, but he does not back out of it (unlike the mixed dog, who is more intelligent, and has a belly band in addition to the nylon harness). We switch the husky into a nylon harness for walks so the chain doesn't dig at his skin too much. My husband never trained the dogs to NOT pull during walks, so they look like a sledding team - shoulder to shoulder.

One thing a fellow husky owner told me to do is to blow gently into the dog's nose (early during ownership - don't know if she repeats this occasionally). Something about your breath and your smell is supposed to bond you to the dog. This gal has owned up to 5 huskies / mixes at a time and has done some sledding. I know my husband had done this nose / breath thing, but I don't know if it was for that reason.