[Dunixi]

Hello! First time poster. I found this forum while reading through different forums for advice. I am going to meet an Alaskan Husky tomorrow. He is three years old, and just doesn't want to be a sled dog. He lives with 5 other sled dogs, and he just doesn't want to pull. His current owner says he does good with cats and kids who are calm. What I'd like is any advice on either stuff to ask or to look for when I go see this dog. I have had huskies in the past (well a husky/malamute mix breed) and grew up with large dogs. Still, any advice is appreciated. Thanks.

Christine

 

[Pepper]

Well an Alaskan husky is not really a breed, so what type of husky is it?

Siberian, Malamute?

If your taking about the type of Husky us Alaskans use, well that's a combination of dogs, usually husky/GSD/greyhound, etc..

The main thing about huskies is they require a very large amount of exercise, and if not properly stimulated can be destructive, and well..bad haha.

They are very intelligent dogs also, so must be stimulated mentally with training and games.

 

[MissMutt]

Yep, definitely try to figure out how much stimulation this dog needs, as the Northern Breeds in general need alot of mental/physical stimulation.

I would just get it confirmed that the dog is good with cats, as there is always the possibility of a prey drive.

Also bear in mind that you may never be able to allow this dog offleash.

 

[Dunixi]

I will hopefully know wether he is a Siberian or Malamute later today. She has him listed as a black and white Alaskan husky. So who know. From what I know, his yard is full of barn cats and he leaves them alone BUT he has other dogs to play with. While I'm home (which is most days during the week) he will have me to entertain him. When I work (which is weekends over night) he will either be crated or go to my mom's to visit with her dog.

Miss Mutt, without fenced yard he will hardly be off the leash. His current owner says he does well of a leash but I know how that goes. I had a beagle who did great for me off leash, but when he went to his new home..no such luck. They let him off his leash once and he took off into the potato fields for hours.

 

[rosemaryninja]

Don't forget to get vet records.

 

[Dunixi]

Don't forget to get vet records.

Thanks Rosemary!! It is added to my list of stuff for today.

I'm at work (which is why I'm posting instead of sleeping) and slowly compiling a list questions to ask/stuff to look for. So far (and I know this isn't complete...far from it) I have:
1) How are his leash manners? (I am hoping to get to walk him tomorrow)
2) When home without his humans, is he crated or let to roam lose?
3) Any bad/destructive habits? (I want advance warning so I can be prepared)
4) Does he have any allergies to food or fleas?
5) Is he altered? (although I'm sure this will be obvious lol) or chipped?
6) What sort of command/reward system is used?
7) How does he respond to grooming?

And if things don't work out with this boy there is an absolutely adorable poodle/terrier mix at the local shelter who needs lots of TLC. They say he's shy around people, but came right up to me and started licking my hand and tried to lick my face.

 

[rosemaryninja]

Sounds like a pretty comprehensive list of questions.

 

[Dunixi]

Thanks. BTW, I love you quote about beagles. Life with mine was never dull...he never bayed, and if the neighbors German Shepards were outside..he get so scared he'd forget he had to go potty. I kinda miss that dog.

-Christine

 

[RonE]

Dunixi, as a favor to other members who may want to read your posts, please consider posting with the default font and color.

 

[rosemaryninja]

Thanks. BTW, I love you quote about beagles. Life with mine was never dull...he never bayed, and if the neighbors German Shepards were outside..he get so scared he'd forget he had to go potty. I kinda miss that dog.

-Christine

Yeah, Beagles are absolutely wonderful dogs... I can't imagine myself without one!

 

[Donna5503]

Hi...I adopted a Siberian Husky from a Rescue Shelter in September --- he was 7 months old -- when I first brought him home he was a little skiddish -- it took about 3 months before he trusted us completely -- now he loves us to death -- and we do him! He knows we mean business by just two sayings -- Good Boy he loves! Bad Dog he really hates! (luckily I don't have to say that too much) but he will look at me from a distance with those baby blue eyes and his head down -- and won't come back near me until I say Good Boy again! Just those two words will make him stop what he's doing - except running!

I live in the City...but I have a very large yard----I'm lucky I do, because he LOVES TO RUN...he also loves to hide under the tree and watch for squirrels --he hasn't caught one yet -- but he gives them a run for their money! I hope he doesn't catch one!

When you hear they shouldn't be off the leash--- it is a true statement -- they are very smart -- but when it comes to running -- they won't lesson to you when you say come --- they might slow down a bit -- but believe me - they're going to keep going! I would never chance it! My guy got out twice -- but we were very lucky!

They love to dig!....so don't leave them alone in the yard for too long or they will dig big holes -- the longest I've left Chubby(that's his name) out alone is for about a 1 hour -- and there was a hole! When you leave him out make sure he has some toys to keep him busy --- the Kong Toys are great!

There very friendly dogs and love to play -- he loves plush, squeaky toys -- will squeak them for hours -- just watch the plastic kind though -- they will eat plastic.

He should be brushed at least twice a week to keep the shedding down -- I brush mine with a Furminator once a week and a regular brush twice a week.

Never cut there hair!

Huskies have sensitive stomachs -- after trying different combinations -- I now feed Chubby -- 1 Cup of Blue Buffalo Dry Food in the morning & 1/2 Cup at night with 1 Cup of Boiled Chicken or Beef in a little broth -- most of the time this is enough for him -- if he eats his dinner real fast -- I will give him 1/2 Cup of Dry Food more (only because I know he's really hungry)--he also likes raw carrots, string beans & broccoli.

During the day -- I give him 2-3 biscuits - his favorite is Milkbones.

I hope this will help you --- they are great dogs -- Chubby is my baby -- my husband gets jealous! ...but he'll get over it!

Good luck & keep in touch!

Donna

 

[jconli]

We adopted Casey as a puppy at the shelter. DNA test results show he is at least 75% siberian husky. He is now 9 months old. He is a great dog, but has tons of energy! I ditto what has already been said: don't have off-leash, loves to dig and chew, likes to chase things, etc.. Casey does well with our cats (well, he does like to chase them if they run...but he just licks them if he catches them). Casey is very smart, and has learned most commands well. The problem we still have with him is his pulling during walks- this dog wants to be a sled dog, lol!

 

[Dunixi]

Well, I brought him home. He is adorable althought skiddish. He is much smaller than his two brothers (who were also present). I learned he isn't calm about pulling. He freezes up and refuses to move when hooked to the sled. On his leash though he is an angel. I'll have pictures coming soon. My computer is being a pain (nothing new there).

He is three and has little to no training. He is not altered..so he is going into get fixed ASAP. He knows come, and is crate trained. So I'm basically starting from scratch. Thankfully there are obediance classes up here and in Houlton (which is an hour south) that I can take. He rides in the car beautifully! He is also terrified of our cats. They hiss at him and he scoots back as far as he can and lays down. He is also on a kibble and raw diet. Apparently he loves beaver...joy for me. hehe

Well, I brought him home. He is adorable althought skiddish. He is much smaller than his two brothers (who were also present). I learned he isn't calm about pulling. He freezes up and refuses to move when hooked to the sled. On his leash though he is an angel. I'll have pictures coming soon. My computer is being a pain (nothing new there).

He is three and has little to no training. He is not altered..so he is going into get fixed ASAP. He knows come, and is crate trained. So I'm basically starting from scratch. Thankfully there are obediance classes up here and in Houlton (which is an hour south) that I can take. He rides in the car beautifully! He is also terrified of our cats. They hiss at him and he scoots back as far as he can and lays down. He is also on a kibble and raw diet. Apparently he loves beaver...joy for me.

Right now he is eating Ol' Roy. But that is probably going to change. She (his previous owner) had Tiberius (that's his new name) on some very high end racing formula made locally...and of course Beaver and beef. This is my first dog on a raw diet so it should be a fun learning experience. Off to explore the forums I go

-Christine

 

[Erick Aguilar]

Well an Alaskan husky is not really a breed, so what type of husky is it?

Siberian, Malamute?

If your taking about the type of Husky us Alaskans use, well that's a combination of dogs, usually husky/GSD/greyhound, etc..

You just answered your question... an Alaskan Husky is a type of Husky, such as the Showing,Standard,or Sprint-racing husky.
However, the alaskan husky is a gene pool in the fur, mixed with many breeds, even with wolves, however it's not considered a Hybrid.

The type of sled pulling dogs alaskans use is actually the Alaskan Husky, the preffered breed to pull sleds faster and with more endurance than Siberians. Alaskans are actually a spitz breed without GSD, most likely greyhound, foxhound, staghound, and even doberman(besides the Siberian Husky)

The main thing about Huskies is shedding! Not excersize
Having a husky tired is not difficult at all, they get exhausted over mental games instead of long walks.
The destructive part is true though... a bored husky is a furry demon.
''I will bite your shoes, pee your carpets, crap your sleepers, dig your garden, chew you to death, impersonate houidini'' that must be their memo

VERY EASY to train, they are a dream! However consistency is a must with huskies... you MUST use NILIF and Doggy zen on them, it will make your life easier with them. Always have them with a leash when outside, recall training must be practiced all his life, have it in the commands lists, but don't trust him offleash, his running instinct might be bigger than the will to please you.

 

[Pepper]

The type of sled pulling dogs alaskans use is actually the Alaskan Husky, the preffered breed to pull sleds faster and with more endurance than Siberians. Alaskans are actually a spitz breed without GSD, most likely greyhound, foxhound, staghound, and even doberman(besides the Siberian Husky)

I don't agree with that. I live up here and am friends with many mushers so I would know what breeds they use. The most common mixes are HuskyxGSDxGreyhound mixes. Some people even mix st.bernard in. No musher I have ever met uses dobes or foxhounds.

No one really uses wolves in the mix either, that is more of the native population still relying on wolf/husky mixes to pull sleds, but most of those live in villages out of town, and actually rely more on snow machines than anything else.

Many of the mushers up here don't use a lot of wolf in the mix because wolves are rather large and they are going for smaller more compact dogs who can go faster, but still pull large amounts.

 

[Dunixi]

Thanks very much Erick. He hasn't been off leash here, but he was off his leash at his previous owners and wouldn't leave my side. He is downstairs sleeping right now. Today has been busy for him. I set him up a safe zone at the front of my house since I don't have a crate yet. He has a bed and toys, not that he uses either yet. I am getting him used to treats..but the only goodies he ever got at his other home were milk bones..so I'll have to get some of those. Since he doesn't answer to either Blaze (his original name) or Tiberius (his new one) it will be fun teaching him. He is going into obedience class as soon as they start...but he is so timid I'm sorta nervous for him.

Christine

Here is a pic of Tiberius (not the best one...he was worried the 4 lb cat was going to eat him).

Just a mini update on Tiberius. He got a good brushing after he got over being afraid of the brush. He also asked to go out and go potty which is a good sign to me since his previous owner had done no real house training with him. He still won't leave his little safe zone in the mud room at the front of the house without alot of coaxing. But I'm sure I'll get him there.

 

[Donna5503]

Your new addition is adorable!....He looks to me like he has alot of Siberian Husky in him....but I also see Greyhound.

He will come around with alot of love -- The first night I brought Chubby home he was very, very nervous -- and very skiddish of everyone - except me, he took to me right away. Sat by my side and watched everyone in the house with those baby blues very carefully.

I let him sleep in my room and when I woke up in the morning, I found him sitting in the bathtub in the dark! The next night I closed my bedroom door and he was fine ---he has a blanket & a pillow and sleeps at the foot of my bed on the floor -- and he sleeps right through the night!

He now loves everyone...the more the merrier! He knows the time too --- when it gets to be about 3:00pm he automatically looks out the window and waits for my kids to come home from school.

Good Luck with your guy --Dogs are terrific, they will be your loyal companion forever - through thick & thin -- Shelter Rescue dogs are special, they can't tell us where they've been or what they've been through -- so we just have to be patient with them and they will come around.

Donna

PS - Please be careful with the raw diet --

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." -- Author Unknown

 

[Dunixi]

Thanks. He is doing much better. We went out for a walk today and he did fine with both the dog we passed and the girl. He actually let her pet him. Its kinda cool to see him slowly come out of his shell. He is currently hanging out downstairs with my cats while I check email. As for the raw diet, I am still iffy on doing it right off. He got some hamburger today at lunch..and loved it. lol. But I think I'm gonna get him some Eagle Pack dog food when I can make it to Fort Kent instead of getting the stuff at Wal*Mart. I'll have more pics add to the pictures forum a bit later today.

 

[jconli]

What a cutie!!

 

[JustTess]

What a cutie! Sounds like a good begining. If he's anything like my Sibe, you'll be greatful about the way he likes to keep clean and is repulsed by doggy poo.

Ilya was timid and skittish when I first brought him home. I had to build a relationship with him and it was important for him to be underfoot until I could trust him. I talk to my husky when he's upset and massage his face. Maybe you could hand feed him his kibbles and see if he warms up a bit.