Siberian Husky puppies desire a lot of attention to prevent boredom. Exercising them is a great way to help them stay entertained, not to mention grow up healthy, but how much exercise should they get? Here are our top five tips on exercising your Husky puppy.
1. Exercise every day
It is really important that Huskies, particularly younger ones, exercise every day. This is a form of training where you teach your puppy healthy habits, discipline, and encourage socialization. Doing it every day keeps the routine up: if you miss a day you will ‘feel’ it and not lapse into more than a day of inactivity. Your puppy will love you for it as well. Exercise helps build their strength and endurance – characteristics that Siberian Huskies are bred for.
2. Go slow for the first year
Your Husky grows rapidly during its first few months, reaching adult size after about a year. The joints, ligaments, and muscle mass of your puppy need time to develop, so don’t overdo it early on. If you push too hard, especially with repetitive-motion activities such as walking and running, you might put too much stress on the puppy’s ligaments which can lead to soreness, tiredness, and inflammation.
3. The 5-minute-month rule for walking
Walking is a great exercise activity: it is free, easy, and good for both your puppy and yourself! We recommend the ‘5-minute-month’ rule:
Walk your puppy each day, increasing 5 minutes each month.
For example, if your puppy is three months old, walk him or her for up to 15 minutes every day. If your puppy is six months old, walk up to 30 minutes every day. If you follow this simple formula you will build up the necessary walking exercise gradually and in sync with your puppy’s natural growth over the first year.
After your puppy reaches his or her first birthday, you will be up to an hour of walking each day and can stay at this level. You might also graduate to jogging or running, or go for longer sessions, but only if your dog is used to walking and ready for the extra effort.
4. Any time is playtime
15 minutes for a puppy does not sound like much, and it isn’t. However, you can take on other exercises in the form of playing games. Simply ‘playing ball’ with your puppy will mix up the physical movements: starting, sprinting, slowing, stopping, turning, etc. You can easily squeeze a few minutes in here and there of play to fill out the day and tackle boredom. Check out my Five Play Time Ideas for Husky puppies, to help fight the boredom of your dog.
5. Stay cool
You know already that all dogs need clean drinking water available at all times to stay hydrated. The coat of the Siberian Husky might be dense but this also acts as an insulator in warmer weather, helping to regulate body temperature. So although the Husky might have originated in arctic climates, they should do fine in warm weather. Just make sure water is on hand, and if your Husky shows any signs of tiredness, take it easy. If you live in a hot environment you might want to consider walking your puppy in the morning before the heat builds up, and makes everyone just want to laze back and go to sleep.
If you start slow and build up exercise over the first year of life, mix in lots of play, and remember to keep your puppy hydrated, you will give your puppy a great start to a long healthy life. Just as important, you will get some exercise out of the deal as well!
Sounds too good to be true? You are after a Siberian Husky puppy and see an advertisement in the local paper or online classifieds giving them away for free or a nominal charge. What could the catch be? Read on…
There is no catch
First, and we hope probably, there is no catch. Puppies of all breeds are adopted out all over the country for little or no charge. Owners change lifestyle, can not afford to keep the pet, or move. Rescue organizations pick up animals and are looking for homes. Check out our advice on adopting a Husky for what you should be looking for.
An unwanted offspring
Cross-breeding can create wonderful new and ideal variations on a breed, but only by experienced breeders who understand the genetics and health issues, they are trying to encourage or suppress.
Many thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats each year are born to owners unable to care for them. Often this is a result of a lack of birth control through spaying and neutering. You can read more about this problem at the Peta website.
While not a reason itself to avoid taking on board an unwanted pet, you should be aware of potential false claims being made about the bloodline of the pet or its ancestry. This is particularly true if the person giving the animal away does not show signs of being a competent breeder. You should avoid taking pets from unscrupulous breeders who might be encouraged to continue the practice if you do.
Health Issues
You must always get a dog checked out by somebody trained to identify current and potential health issues in Siberian Huskies. Your local vet is your friend when it comes to assessing the health of a dog. Anyone trying to offload a puppy for free who refuses to let your vet check out the dog is likely to be hiding something, so beware!
Socialization issues
It can be difficult to assess how social a puppy is, but there are some clues. If the puppy is “scared to death” of strangers that isn’t a good sign. Conversely, if the puppy is aggressive towards you (or your shoes!) that can indicate some mishandling or lack of supervision on the owner’s side. Again, neither is necessarily a bad thing if you have the patience and dedication to train the puppy. If you like to know more about husky training, check out our articles to learn more on how to manage your husky in your home – Husky Training.
Those new to the Siberian Husky breed, however, are likely to find it a better option to go with a well-socialized puppy that is inquisitive, playful, and has a temperament likely to match the owner’s lifestyle.
Still looking for a cheap or free Siberian Husky puppy?
Why not try rescuing one? There are Siberian Husky rescue organizations in many US states and countries across the globe. They are committed to matching the puppy to the right home and you can trust they are not simply offloading problems on to somebody else. A small fee might be involved which covers the survival of the organization, and maybe some basic health checks, vaccinations, flea treatments, etc.
Free or cheap Huskies advertised in the paper or online should be treated with caution, just as you would be careful in selecting a puppy from a breeder. Try not to be dazzled by the cheap price: in the long run, with pet food and vet bills for the life of the dog, any savings upfront are going to be relatively insignificant. Ask a lot of questions, take your time, and get some assistance from your vet. With this advice, you should be able to find a Siberian Husky puppy that matches your lifestyle and is going to be a healthy, happy friend for a long time.
As an alternative to buying a Siberian Husky puppy from a breeder you might want to consider adopting one from another owner, animal shelter or rescue operation. Each year millions (yes millions! according to the Humane Society) of dogs and cats are housed in shelters each year. You help to reduce this number when you adopt a Husky in need of a new home, but there are things you need to know first…
Why dogs are adopted out?
There are a number of reasons why animals are in need of a new home, some of which include:
Pets lost and not claimed
Owners who can no longer care for the pet by way of lifestyle change: moving location, family growth or split, etc
Owners who are unable to afford to keep the pet
And unfortunately, some pets are neglected and forcibly taken away from their owners
Keep an open mind when researching available adoptions. If a pet was abandoned it doesn’t necessarily mean that the animal is unhealthy or troublesome. Focus on the positive of trying to help an animal in need!
Availability
You can probably imagine that choice might be limited if you are looking to adopt a Siberian Husky. There simply might not be any of the breeds in need of rescue in your area. When you do find one, it might have been cross-bred and not look or behave exactly like the breed standard. Just like finding a puppy through a breeder, patience is the key.
Furthermore, the age of the dog will vary. You might find a puppy, a growing dog, or an older dog. This can be a good thing! Perhaps you are new to the breed and would like an older dog that has already undergone some training? Then adoption could be a convenient alternative to raising and training a puppy.
Health issues
Pretty much all rescue agencies and animal shelters will already have had the dog checked out for you. Vaccinations, de-worming, flea treatments, and de-sexing (neutering / spading) are likely to be part of the service. You can always get your own vet to check the animal out before committing.
Of course, some Siberians have been let go because of health issues, and these are likely to be identified to you when being introduced to a potential adoption animal. No particular health issue should stop you from adopting a Husky, but you might want to consider present and future costs if surgery is required. Again, your vet can help advise you on such issues.
Training issues
Siberian Huskies can be difficult to train at the best of times. If you are adopting a Husky puppy then you will have more control over training than if adopting a dog already trained (or not, or poorly trained, as the case may be). This shouldn’t stop you from adoption, but you do need to be aware that re-training an older Siberian with bad habits will require attention. But this is not that much different from training Husky puppies! Either way, your persistence will be rewarded with a well-behaved dog.
Where to adopt?
Firstly check your local animal welfare organizations, animal pounds, council rescues, etc. These are the places that sometimes struggle to adopt out animals and need your help. We have started putting together a list of Siberian Husky Rescue Organizations to help find one in your area.
Ask your local dog clubs, particularly Siberian Husky dog clubs, who will be able to recommend places to check out. Some dog clubs even run their own rescue service, helping to place Siberians into new homes.
Siberian Husky breeders should also be able to give you some advice on where to visit. Some breeders might also give away pets if they are struggling to find homes for a litter.
Finally, you can ask your vet for advice. They will have contact with local shelters and be able to give specific advice on what you should be looking for.
How much does it cost to adopt the dog?
Whilst some private owners might be willing to part with their dogs at no charge, organizations such as clubs, shelters, and rescue agencies are likely to charge a fee of between $50 and $200. This is to cover health checks, vaccinations, the de-sexing of the animal, microchipping, and of course help the organization’s survival. The fees charged are very reasonable for the service they give to your community.
Trial adoption agreement
Many times you will be able to take your adopted Siberian Husky home on a trail basis. In fact, some organizations require it, to ensure the animal is placed in the right home. The trial might last for a month and during this period you will be visited to see how well the animal is doing. We want to see if the Husky is warming up to your family and lifestyle, and a good “fit” is made. Sometimes matches don’t work out, or the trial extended. Keep in mind the agency is doing this for both your benefit, and the animal’s. If the animal is taken back it doesn’t mean you “failed”, it just means the match wasn’t a good one this time, but you can try again with another dog.
So there you go. We covered many issues to keep in mind when searching for a Husky to adopt, or as an alternative to purchasing a new Husky puppy. Be patient with your search, spread yourself out to make contact with lots of organisations, and consider a trial placement once you think you have found your new family pet. By taking time at the start you will find an appropriate Husky for your lifestyle and share a great life together!
Siberian Huskies and Alaskan Malamutes; both look similar, and as their names suggest, originate from colder northern areas, but how similar or different are they? Read on…
Alaskan Malamute
The fundamental difference between Huskies and Malamutes are their size. Malamutes are true sled-pulling dogs, built larger, with more muscle mass, and bred for pulling heavier loads over long distances. Huskies, on the other hand, are a medium sized dog that are better at pulling lighter loads over shorter distances. The AKC breed standard for Alaskan Malamute puts males at around 85 pounds in weight and females at 75 pounds. In contrast the Siberian Husky standard puts males between 45 and 60 pounds, females 35-50 pounds, and a couple of inches shorter. For more information on how large a Husky can grow check out our previous research on this topic.
For this difference in size and function you would expect Huskies to be a little more energetic, and Malamutes a little more laid back.
Siberian Husky
In other physical characteristics both have similarly colored and similarly patterned coats; thick to repel snow and ice. Malamutes will tend to have brown eyes but Huskies might have brown, blue, or a mixture of both. The Malamute tail is going to curl more and the Husky is straight, but both can be bushy in nature to help them curl up and keep their faces warm in the cold snow at night.
Both the Husky and the Malamute are born to run and be outdoors. They are both “pack” animals meaning they need firm direction. As an owner you will need to be the “alpha dog” and command them through solid training from an early age, or they might run amuck.
Also in similarities is their loveable nature. Neither will make a good guard dog (unless the intruder is afraid of being licked to death). Neither will bark so much as howl, whine, or moan to attract attention. Groomed appropriately both can be very attractive and pretty.
So if you are considering adopting or acquiring a Siberian Husky or Alaskan Malamute, you now know how to tell them apart and their differences. Malamute puppies will grow in to a larger, stronger dog, built for pulling heavier loads over long distances. Husky puppies will grow in to a medium sized dog, less bulk, and more energetic over shorter distances. Whichever breed you choose both are loveable dogs who will test your training skills!
Siberian Huskies come in a variety of colors, from black/grey and white, to red and white, to pure white. Whilst the darker colors are more common, red Huskies are increasing in popularity. Here is the lowdown on the red coloring and what it means if you are considering adopting a Husky puppy.
Firstly there is not one definitive red color out there. You will find that ‘red’ covers everything from a lighter orange color to a darker chocolate color. In puppies the color that the coat will end up as might not be apparent. However, like many dogs, you can look at the color around the ears to get an idea of how dark the coat will get in an adult dog.
The red color itself is the result of a recessive gene passed through generations of Huskies. Whilst the black coloring is caused by a dominant gene, and hence more common, parents may be carrying the “red gene” and pass it on to their pups. If at least one of the parents is carrying this gene then the pups produced may be colored red, even if both parents are black.
It is important to note that color is not considered in the AKC standard for Siberian Husky coats. The AKC standard recognizes all coat colors from black to red to pure white. Color is of least importance when judging Huskies at dog shows. For these reasons, responsible Siberian Husky breeders will not breed for a particular color and rather breed to eliminate health issues such as eye and hip problems. Any breeder that breeds to encourage a red color should be avoided.
So if you are searching for a Husky puppy, or simply observing Huskies in clubs and at shows, the red coloring can be quite striking. But in the bigger scheme of things the coat color is not as important as a healthy dog resistant to longer term health issues.
For a more technical description of the genetics involved, you can read about it in Todd Wood’s article.
Selecting your first Siberian Husky puppy from a litter is an important decision. You are about to choose your latest family member and you need to be sure that your new pet will fit in well with your family’s lifestyle, as well as be healthy for years to come. Here are some basics on Husky puppy selection to help you decide:
1. It is ok to say “No”
First and foremost – it is ok to say “No”, and not feel compelled to make a decision on the spot. Introducing a new family member is a long-term life-changing decision. You don’t want to make such a decision on a whim, do you?
If this is your first Siberian Husky you might want to visit a few breeders to compare experiences and the range of puppies available. Good breeders know that different litters come from different parents and so have different temperaments, adherence to breed standards, etc. They will be more than happy to see you more than once and be patient in answering all of your questions.
If breeders are few and far between in your area you might even delay your decision for a couple of years and wait until a new litter is born.
2. Male or Female?
In general male Huskies are going to be more outgoing, more affectionate, but also more dominating and difficult to train. You are going to have to exert yourself as the alpha dog of the pack to maintain authority. Female Huskies will be more reserved but tend to learn a little quicker and be more focused on training drills.
If you have other dogs in the home you might want to avoid placing two males together because they could compete for authority over each other. However, if you are a confident trainer and have some experience with Siberian Huskies you can probably overcome most of those issues.
3. Temperament and Engagement
An energetic puppy that can’t wait to climb all over you might be cute, but is that the kind of dog you want long term? Can you match the energy levels? On the other hand, pups that slink away and show fear of strangers probably have not been socialized properly. For most people, a “middle of the road” pup is the ideal choice. Look for a Husky puppy that engages with you, shows curiosity, and is not outright afraid of strangers.
4. Health check
All of the puppies you are looking at should have been vet-checked with a report of good health. The pup should be vaccinated and wormed as well. Look for any discharge from eyes or ears which might indicate a health issue – the face should be clean. The puppy’s coat should be clean and generally looking good. A sign of a good breeder is one that will offer a guarantee of the health of the puppy for a period, say up to five years.
5. Ask The Breeder
Finally, but by no means least, you can simply ask the breeder for advice. A good breeder will ask you questions on what kind of lifestyle you live and should be able to help pair you up with a suitable pup from the litter.
When you visit Siberian Husky breeders you should let the breeder help you in finding a pup suitable for you. Visiting a number of breeders might be required to aid in your selection. Unless you have experience in raising and training Siberian Huskies you are probably going to look for a puppy that is neither excessively shy nor excessively energetic. Always look for a puppy that is in good health and likely to remain that way.
Having difficulty finding a Siberian Husky breeder in your area? Check out our Breeders Directory for a breeder near you.
If you would like to keep your Siberian Husky puppy indoors at times, then housebreaking is an early and essential training activity to perform. Whether you call it housebreaking, toilet training, or potty training, all Husky puppies can be trained to do their business outside, and not all over your nice clean floors.
When to start potty training husky puppy?
You are probably going to start housebreaking your Husky puppy at around 8 weeks old (2 months old). It is about this time that puppies develop muscle behavior to control themselves. Attempting to train younger puppies could prove futile. This will be amongst the first formal training you will do with your puppy and if you can get this right, you will earn his or her trust for future training.
Find a spot
Head outside and find a spot in the garden where you would prefer your dog to do its business. Your puppy will prefer to return to a spot that it has already ‘marked’. Make sure it’s out of the way of human foot traffic so that you don’t start stepping in things you don’t want to!
Have realistic expectations
Housebreaking can take a little time. You should hopefully start seeing results after a couple of weeks, but if not do not give up! Siberian Huskies are independent dogs and can bea little stubborn to train.
Once the routine is setting in there is likely to be occasional accidents for a little while longer. You need to be patient.
Also be aware that puppies are growing in their first few months – which means lots of food going in, and a lot has to come out!
Crate Training
A dog crate is a closed container (typically plastic) that the dog can be confined to. Think ‘cage’ but use the more politically correct term ‘crate’. Don’t worry, crate training is recognized by the Human Society as an effective aid to housebreaking a pet.
The crate will be used as a training device for short periods of time. It is most definitely not a jail used to punish your puppy! The purpose of the crate is to confine your dog when you can not keep an eye on it, such as doing a chore around the house or ducking out for an errand. Because of the likelihood of the dog resting or sleeping in the crate, they are unlikely to do their business in there. If you let your puppy roam the house they could make their ‘deposits’ anywhere they feel like it.
Obviously you need to get a crate large enough for your puppy to fit in to, with room to grow. For a Siberian Husky that might mean going for an extra-large sized crate. You also might want to floor the crate with newspaper or absorbent material to aid in any little mistakes. A small amount of water and a toy could help comfort your pet. Huskies might be used to the cold but if you have a spot in the house that isn’t too drafty that would be ideal. They prefer a relatively warm and still place to rest.
Initially, you might only keep your puppy in the crate for 30 minutes. Over time, say from 8 weeks to 18 weeks of age, you can build up the maximum confinement from 30 minutes to 5 hours. That is approximately an extra 30 minutes each week.
After opening the crate, put a leash on your puppy and take him or her out to ‘their spot’ in the garden. They might not need to use it but they will learn the routine of restraining themselves while indoor and relieving outdoors. If you would like to know more read our full article on How to Crate Train A Siberian Husky Puppy.
Positive feedback only
If you see your puppy begin positioning itself to do its business, a firm ‘NO!’ will grab the dog’s attention. You can pick your puppy up and move him to the spot outdoors to complete the job.
After your puppy does its business be sure to give strong positive feedback – ‘good dog!’ with scratches behind the ear and cuddles. This should be done immediately (within seconds) so that the encouragement is linked to the behavior.
Avoid negative feedback – the added attention will confuse the dog. If a mistake is made, never push your dog’s face into a ‘mistake’ made indoors. The puppy doesn’t know any better while it is learning. Just take your dog outdoors to remind him or her of their place, and in your own time quietly clean up the mess indoors. You can check a more detailed explanation on positive feedback right here – Feedback When Training Husky Puppy
Watch the schedule
You will probably notice that your puppy likes to relieve him/herself when it wakes up, after meals, and perhaps after exercise. You can aid in the training by taking the puppy out to its spot after these times to encourage routine behavior.
If your puppy shows signs he/she wants to head outside, that’s great! They are learning. So take them out, let them do their thing, and again lots of positive encouragement. You might need to do a few trips out at night but rest assured, as the puppy grows larger and behaviors are learned, they will be able to restrain themselves for longer periods of time.
That’s pretty much all there is to it! Start at around 8 weeks, and use a crate for 30 minutes at a time, adding 30 minutes each week up to 5 hours. Give lots of positive feedback, no negative feedback, and most of all, be patient. The effort you put in now will pay off for the life of your Siberian Husky puppy.
Still need more help? Check out Doggy Dan’s online training course. We found it is very easy to implement and perfectly suitable for our huskies. They currently offer a variety of options, starting from 1$ trial for 3 days and also a yearly subscription for nearly 190$. Here’s one of his training video to give you more ideas of how to effectively potty train a puppy:
4. Any time is playtime
An energetic puppy that can’t wait to climb all over you might be cute, but is that the kind of dog you want long term? Can you match the energy levels? On the other hand, pups that slink away and show fear of strangers probably have not been socialized properly. For most people, a “middle of the road” pup is the ideal choice. Look for a Husky puppy that engages with you, shows curiosity, and is not outright afraid of strangers.
