Husky character and behavior: how a dog treats children, animals, family

The Eskimos have a legend about northern dogs. She talks about how husky howl - this is her cry of repentance for not fulfilling God’s instructions. God sent a blue-eyed puppy to earth to grow up and tell people that there is no death, and beyond the mysterious limit there is eternal life. But husky did not fulfill the will of God, got everything mixed up, instead of life, told people about death and the finitude of existence, and now howlsbecause I was worried.

Whether the Eskimos really have such a legend or whether this story is the product of the imagination of Internet writers is not known for sure, but it is a fact: many believe that huskies cannot bark , but only howl .

Character and behavior

These dogs are distinguished by their peacefulness and friendliness. They enjoy the company of dogs, people, and the attention of their owner and family. However, like all northern breeds, they are prone to dominance, willfulness and stubbornness. Huskies prefer to be free, although they unquestioningly obey the owner who can prove his leadership.

Animals are very active and need constant training. If the pet does not splash out energy, then it becomes destructive. In the family they behave like perky family dogs, always ready to help. They treat their owner with trepidation and cannot tolerate long separations.

External differences

Externally, the dogs are similar, but they can be distinguished by several criteria:

Size . Huskies, according to the standard, reach 55-60 cm at the withers and weigh up to 28 kg. Since there are several Laeks, it is impossible to talk about their size. The largest is the East Siberian - 64-66 cm at the withers; small – Karelo-Finnish – 42-50 cm.
Format and body. Almost all Laikas are of a square format - the length of the body is equal to the height of the withers. Huskies are rectangular.
Tail. A characteristic feature of the Laika is its curled tail, thrown over its back. For the second breed, a straight long tail is prescribed, hanging down in a calm state and reaching the hock joint.
Coat, colors. The standard prescribes for the Husky straight, fluffy, hard coat with a dense undercoat and a standard black-gray or black-and-white color. They often have glasses on their face - circles around the eyes. The coat type and color of Laikas depends on the specific breed. They come in red, brown, gray, black, and white. Often, dogs have medium, hard hair with noticeable thickening around the neck (collar) and on the head.
Paws. Huskies have more powerful limbs, which is associated with their direct functionality, the metacarpus is wider, and the fingers are stronger.

Attitude towards children

Even in the far north, it was customary to get a Husky when a baby was born in the house. It was believed that every child should have a dog.

The animals not only served as working dogs. They were nannies, toys, hot water bottles. In severe frosts, all the pets were gathered in a room to keep the children warm.

Huskies treat children of different ages with trepidation, play with them, and take care of them. They will protect babies from danger. The dog is considered a family dog, so it is suitable even for couples with newborns . Any angry or aggressive behavior is not observed among representatives of the breed.

Correction

You can stop a dog from howling alone only through consistent, correct actions. It is easier to teach her to be independent from puppyhood. But if the moment is missed, it is possible to correct the behavior of an adult dog of any age. The main thing is patience.

Since dogs howl most often due to improper training, methods for correcting this problem are discussed below. Other causes - diseases, psychological disorders - require the intervention of a veterinarian or dog handler.

Accustoming a puppy to loneliness

A well-mannered dog will not howl, whine or bark for no reason under any circumstances. It’s easier not to retrain an adult dog, but to instruct a puppy, immediately show him what is right and what is wrong.

Therefore, dogs are raised from the first seconds of their life together. So that she does not even have thoughts of howling when her owner leaves the house, she is taught to remain alone from puppyhood.

send the puppy to the bed with the command “Place”;
To prevent the baby from getting bored, toys are left on the bedding;
leave the room - all people and pets leave it;
if the baby follows the owner, they come up and return him to his place;
if the kitten begins to whine, he is scolded.

When returning, you cannot punish the dog, shout or, conversely, talk and lisp. The puppy is returned to the bed or scolded calmly, using only gestures, commands “Place”, “Ugh”, “No”.

At first, the baby is left alone for 3-5 minutes. Every day the interval increases. When the puppy has sat quietly for half an hour, he will survive for several hours.

It is important to exhaust the puppy before the exercise, otherwise he will spend unspent energy on resistance.

How to stop an adult dog from howling

It is more difficult to wean an adult dog from whining, barking, and howling than a puppy. Use special exercises. They are repeated every day 2-3 times. The training will take 14-20 days.

A simple behavior correction for your dog is to ignore him when he whines. But this works if the pet attracts attention, demands a treat, or asks to play with it. When a dog whines out of fear of loneliness, the method is useless.

The correct ways to solve endless howling in the absence of owners are aimed at calming the dog. They explain to the dog that he is left at home on purpose, he must behave calmly, and separation is normal.

To ensure that an adult dog remains calmly alone in an apartment, a series of lessons are conducted. They are arranged from simple to difficult. Each next lesson is a complicated variation of the previous one:

First lesson

The dog is taught to sit quietly in a separate room at home. They bring the pet into the room, leave and close the interior door. They stand not far from her - as soon as the dog whines, they express dissatisfaction with a cry. They scream immediately when they hear whining - if even a few seconds pass, the pet will not understand why he is being scolded.

Relationship with the owner

A dog can have different relationships with its owner:

The most common and correct model is the leadership of the owner and the obedience of the pet. If the Husky understands that a person is a leader, then he will obey him. This can be achieved through long-term training.
Another acceptable model of relationships is fraternal. When the dog and the owner live and work on equal terms: they share food, bed, house, work together, performing their functions. Then the pet will consider the person an equal and obey him as a partner.

Two wrong parenting options: an idol dog and a rad dog. In the first case, the family exalts the pet over its own needs, which is why the Husky becomes uncontrollable. In the second, the animal is abused, which destroys its psyche.

Working with an adult pet

Often a dog comes into the home as an adult, fully formed individual, be it a dog adopted from a shelter, a foundling, or a pet of friends or acquaintances.

If a dog loses sight of its owner on the street and whines or makes these sounds in anticipation of some event, then such a pet should be taught to concentrate with the help of praise and goodies.

To train a dog to stop whining or howling indoors, use the same method as for a puppy. But remember that the process will take longer due to the age of the pet.

You cannot calm an animal down or praise it if it whines. She will take this as approval and will repeat this action over and over again. The owner should not aggravate the problem, but behave as if the owner of the pack is tough and fair.

You should not hit your pet; in rare cases, the strict command “Fu!”, spoken in a stern voice, is allowed. This way, the dog will feel inner strength and will probably obey. When obedient, grab your dog.

Another important point is not to let your pet out for a walk or to open the door when she barks or whines. Say “Ugh!”, wait until she stops making these sounds and only then release her. If the animal is kept in an enclosure, then accustom it to the place. You should only pet and encourage her when she calms down and becomes silent.

If your dog whines while driving, as soon as he starts doing this, close the curtains to prevent him from looking out the window. Don't get distracted and don't shout, you can command “Ugh!” or “Place!”

If your pet howls or whines from loneliness, then take her for a good walk before work in the morning. A fed and tired dog will rest and sleep longer, and therefore whine less.

Don't forget to leave toys for your animal to chew on. This will calm her nerves, strengthen her gums, and occupy her free time. And besides, you will protect yourself from torn slippers, chewed wires, etc.

How do dogs get along with cats?

A husky can get along with cats only if they grow up together from childhood . They are even able to make friends. Otherwise, certain problems will arise, although with proper upbringing the dog will restrain its hunting instincts.

Due to the fact that dogs are pack animals, they are accustomed to living off their own feeding. Their habit of killing small animals for survival has still not been eliminated.

Behavior with other pets

All fur-bearing animals, birds, and livestock can become the object of sudden hunting. Huskies love to track game for food. Therefore, it is better not to keep this dog and other pets in the same house. If the dog lives on a farm, then all animals must be well fenced.

Education

In order for a dog to respond well to training and education, it is necessary to begin these trainings from childhood. Also, suppress all bad habits in young puppies so that they do not develop into big problems in the future. All achievements should be praised, and misdeeds should be punished. The most important thing is to give your pet as much time and attention as possible.

Strangers and Huskies

Due to its excessive friendliness, the breed cannot serve as a guard or simply protect property. Huskies do not consider strangers dangerous because they are used to being in the company of people and helping them.

As puppies, dogs adore everyone they see. They strive to get to know the whole world. Adult pets become more reserved, a little indifferent to people, and can be wary. However, any traits of aggressive behavior are considered unacceptable for this breed. Cases of outbursts of anger are very rare.

Dog habits

Habits can be physiological, age-related or psychological:

So, for example, during the period of changing teeth, you can notice your pet’s desire to try everything “to the teeth.”
Another physiological bad habit is swallowing large pieces when receiving food . This is due to the fact that the animal tends to slow down its metabolism in order to stay full longer.
Age-related habits include eating feces, stones, and branches. During the period of active growth, the puppy needs many useful microelements. With their deficiency, the pet tries the surrounding objects, getting used to their consumption.
Another unpleasant feature is the tendency of male dogs to mark corners. This is due to the desire to show that the territory belongs to a certain pet. Simple education will help avoid this.
Huskies love to dig holes. They can make digs or simply destroy flowerbeds for fun. They like to wallow in the ground and snow, and dig through garbage. During puppyhood, dogs are considered especially destructive.
Despite the fact that the breed is classified as “quiet” (non-barking), one of the problems is howling. Most often, dogs whine out of boredom or to attract attention. This can be attributed to psychological habits.

Quiet

One of the quietest and most intelligent breeds that almost never make any sounds is the. If the whippet gives a voice, it means that something out of the ordinary has happened, requiring the immediate attention of others.
Another quiet breed not prone to howling is Shar Pei. They do not howl and almost never bark. While playing, they may squeal and whine, especially for puppies. But in general the breed is not prone to howling.
Akita Inu, Japanese hunting dogs also do not tend to make any unnecessary sounds, be it barking or even howling. If there are no serious reasons to attract attention, they will prefer to remain silent.
Saint Bernards are huge, but at the same time good-natured animals; I do not have the habit of not only howling, but also barking. Any sound they make that is louder than normal sniffling or grunting is a signal of some kind of alarm.

Advantages of the breed

The owner determines the merits for himself, because all dogs are individual and differ in character. The main advantages of the breed are highlighted:

Friendliness, positivity, affability;
Openness, sociability, contact;
Good intellectual abilities;
Good relationships with relatives;
Huskies rarely bark;
There is no specific dog smell;
Not aggressive;
Mobility (remain active until old age);
Dogs do not need large amounts of food;
Strong immunity, endurance to cold and work.

Disadvantages and difficulties

Breed disadvantages include:

Stubbornness and willfulness (like all northern dogs, Huskies love freedom, although they are used to living side by side with humans);
Tendency to dominate in the family (the breed is a sledding breed, its representatives have worked for centuries in a pack, where it is important to show leadership qualities in order to become a leader);
Tendency to run away (vagrancy is one of the main disadvantages of northern hunting and sled dogs);
Strong hunting instinct (any bird or small animal in the eyes of a Husky is prey);
Intolerance of loneliness (the pet constantly needs human attention);
Dogs love to dig and chew;
The need for high physical activity;
Twice heavy molting (in spring and autumn);
The breed is not suitable for beginners and requires training;
Not suitable for security.

Folk signs

There are a lot of folk beliefs about dog howling, and some of them may contradict others. Some resulted from random coincidences, while others have a completely adequate scientific explanation.

If a dog howls at the moon at night, it was considered a sign of a change in the weather.
A dog howls at a house - to a fire.
If the dog howls with his head down, there is a dead person in the house. If a dog howls while lying down, it has a presentiment of its own death.
The dog howls, holding his head straight - to hunger, pestilence or war.
A pack of dogs howling means big trouble.

Behavior in the house and apartment

Pets are fussy in enclosed spaces . They can get used to life in the city, but there should be plenty of indoor space. The activity of the breed can be considered a disadvantage, especially if walks are rare and short. The animal will run, chew and damage objects, and howl. This can be weaned off in childhood, although the basis of good behavior is regular physical activity.

Huskies can be annoying and demand attention. If the dog is often left alone, it will become sad, lose interest in life, or become completely uncontrollable.

Why does my pet whine?

This question worries many breeders and dog owners. Why is this happening?

Expression of animal emotions. Your furry pet cannot do this in any other way.
The dog got sick. The cause may be injury or pathology of internal organs. With this behavior, he simply attracts attention to himself or asks for help from the owner. It is worth paying attention if the pet is whining, and in addition he has a bowel disorder, he is shivering, the dog becomes lethargic, does not eat, or has a poor appetite.
To attract attention. With such signs, the animal asks to take a walk or play with it or treat it with something tasty.
The sadness of loneliness. If the owner is constantly traveling or at work, then the pet will often lack communication and affection.
Wild joy or delight. The dog jumps, barks, whines, runs around the person, expressing its emotions in such an unrestrained way, and can uncontrollably grab everything from the floor or ground.
Apology, guilt. Sometimes a pet may whine after doing something wrong or being caught doing something wrong. Often such whining is accompanied by flattening of the ears and drooping eyes.
Nothing to occupy yourself with. Sometimes puppies and adult dogs are unable to entertain themselves on their own and, being confined to four walls for a long time, begin to whine and may even run away.
Defecation. The dog hasn't been walked for a long time and his bladder is full, so he can't hold back and needs to go to the toilet (how to tame it).
Fright. This reaction occurs when meeting an aggressive animal on the street, going to the veterinarian, traveling or changing the environment surrounding the animal.

Behavior in the yard of a private house

If a Husky lives on the street, then he must be provided with the necessary conditions: a comfortable kennel or enclosure with a strong fence, a high fence, a place for running and active games.

Pets are accustomed to living in cold climates, so frosts will not frighten them, which cannot be said about heat. They like to wallow in the ground, snow, flower beds, and garbage. Therefore, it is worth protecting dangerous or expensive objects.

Dogs are overly curious and often run away by jumping over the fence. Plus, they love to dig. To protect your pet, the exit should be lined with hard tiles, and for digging, organize a special place with a mountain of sand or soft earth.
If livestock and poultry are kept nearby, the demarcation of the territory should be strong and high. These dogs mistake chickens and geese for prey. If they collide with a cow or horse, they may be trampled.
One way or another, Husky will like this kind of life, even in an enclosure. Because in free conditions they can frolic as much as they want. A pet living on the street also needs less stress.

Problems

As with any dog, a person may have a number of difficulties with a husky. In general, they are all solvable and only those who are unable to cope with them can call them problems. The question arises - if you can’t cope with your dog, then why bother with it at all. All problems arise from the inability to handle your pet.

Howl at night

Howling huskies are a natural phenomenon. Huskies have a bit of northern wolves in their genes, and they can and will howl at night for a variety of reasons, it’s in their nature.

Bites

If a puppy bites, you need to wean him off this habit immediately . Even if it is an innocent biting with the front teeth, a kind of canine equivalent of a kiss. With age, the biting will become stronger, and this is already dangerous. Therefore, when a puppy tries to bite its owner, even in play, it is stopped by a formidable “no,” pronounced in a stern voice.

If this does not help, you need to spank the puppy with a broom or fly swatter - an object that does not hurt, but scares. Subsequently, an adult dog will be afraid of this same fly swatter, which will allow it to be weaned from other bad habits.

Chews furniture

In this situation, you need to offer the Husky an alternative. It could be a rubber toy, a ball, or just a piece of fire hose stuffed with old rags and sewn up at the ends. This “biter” will become a favorite toy for any dog.

Doesn't want to go home from a walk

It’s more difficult here, because living and playing outside, in the wild, is a husky’s natural desire. Therefore, we need to make sure that she understands that home is good . For example, you can give something tasty at home or continue the game.

Naughty

Husky, like any dog, recognizes the authority of force.
But you don’t need to hit the dog for this. It is necessary to press the naughty puppy to the floor with your palm so that he lies on his stomach, and if he resists, then you need to press your finger between the shoulder blades, where the dog has a sensitive place. In this position, you need to hold the puppy until he stops resisting and pulling out, recognizing the strength of the owner. It is enough to repeat this procedure 2-3 times during the week so that the dog never again has doubts that the owner is stronger and must be obeyed.

Bad habits

Bad habits are usually called those actions that a particular owner does not like . For example, barking, howling, running around the apartment, etc. Some of them can and should be fought.

Why does he run away from his owners?

It’s hard to fight this, because it’s known that a curious dog is a sign of intelligence. And if your pet shows constant curiosity, then this will only benefit his intellectual development. So that he does not try to run away on independent reconnaissance, you need to captivate him with a game - throw him a stick, a ball, a Frisbee, at the same time practicing the command “fetch”.

The dogs destroyed the apartment

Another dog trait is hooliganism. Staying at home, huskies are able to “catch and destroy” a sofa or chair . To prevent such thoughts from entering their heads, you need to walk them longer in the morning and in the evening. They should play enough outside and then, being left alone at home, they will not start entertaining themselves. We must not forget to leave toys for them and close rooms where their presence is not desirable.

Growls at the owner

This reaction can be observed in a dog when eating.
If a puppy growls when you try to take food, a bowl or a bone from him, you need to suppress his will with the already mentioned exercise - press him to the floor with your hand and hold him until he stops struggling. Ideally, a dog should allow its owner to calmly take its food while it eats, be it a bone or a bowl of porridge.

Behavior on the street

The dogs are very sociable, they love the company of their relatives, the puppies strive to sniff and play with everyone they meet. Males often run away when they smell a female. The owner must accustom the pet to the fact that it is always more interesting to be with a person. To do this, while playing with other animals, the owner needs to periodically call the puppy, give him treats, and concentrate his attention on communicating with the family.

In general, outdoor animals are active, playful and curious . They will not phlegmatically stroll around their owner; they need to study everything and get to know everyone. Huskies can chase cats and pigeons, although otherwise they react calmly to objects: they rarely bark and do not run after bicycles or cars.

During the winter season, pets love to play in the snow and even often sleep in snowdrifts. In the summer, they won’t refuse to swim in a pond or pool.

Why do animals whine?

When faced with a problem, you should not scold, much less apply physical violence to the animal. There are humane ways to stop whining, but first you need to determine the cause:

To attract attention. Often the pet becomes bored and begins to demand a walk, a tasty treat, a toy, or the affection of the owner. Even if you shout or hit, the dog will still achieve what he wants (he got attention). Small breeds often use this technique.
Disease. Whining is accompanied by vomiting, diarrhea, passivity, lack of appetite, lacrimation, constipation - a serious reason to consult a veterinarian.
Physical trauma. Howling is a natural reaction to fractures, bruises, serious abrasions, cuts, and any manifestations of pain. In this case, you should immediately contact a veterinarian.
Loneliness. The owner is rarely at home, devotes little time to the pet, leaving him alone in the apartment, yard, enclosure or on a chain, and there is also no frequent communication with his own kind. Perhaps your four-legged friend has nothing to do, so he whines alone.
Need for toilet. We didn’t take the dog for a walk, she urgently needs to go outside to relieve herself, because being patient is already becoming problematic.
Fright, fear. The reason may be the aggressive behavior of another animal, a visit to the veterinarian, a trip in transport (car, train, plane, etc.), a change in the environment, or the animal’s individual phobias.
Apology for wrongdoing. If it is not yet clear what the dog tore or broke, whining is accompanied by a guilty look and ears pressed to the head. Similar behavior occurs, but not in all individuals.
Delight. Showing joy from meeting the owner after a long separation, whining before a walk, eating, or other things. Can be combined with jumping, barking and running around objects and people.
High emotionality. This is how a dog expresses feelings.
Bitches may whine during pregnancy and childbirth.
Mental disorder. The above points do not apply, but the animal whines at any time of the day (mornings, afternoons, nights).

Unlike an adult dog, a puppy has several additional reasons for this behavior:

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Separation from family. From birth, the baby communicated with his mother, sisters, brothers, and other people. A sudden change of environment, loneliness is a serious stress. You should not scold the puppy; this reaction does not last long.
The unknown. New conditions, feeding, owners and rules also cause discomfort to the baby; in the first days, howling is present - this is natural.

Features of walking without a leash

The breed is northern, bred for persistent hard work, transporting goods and people over long distances. Therefore, when going outside, the animal feels free. Huskies love to run a lot and for a long time, they are curious and rarely obedient, so they often get lost and run away. A weak and slow person will not be able to hold and later catch up with the dog. Many owners keep their pets off a leash to avoid such situations, although this breed needs free runs.

Very often, city authorities prohibit walking medium and large dogs without muzzles and leashes. In this case, the pet must be taken outside the populated area: to the river, to the landing, to the lake, avoiding public crowded places.

Dog handlers recommend teaching your Husky a leash from the first walks and not letting him go in urban environments until he is completely submissive, where the dog can get lost or get hit by a car. The animal needs to know all the commands and be able to carry them out under any conditions. Although this breed is difficult to train to obedience.

Upbringing

Dogs of this breed are more suitable for games than for protection. This must be understood when choosing a training method. For such training to go better and bring more results, you need to turn this process into a game and be sure to praise your pets .

Reference. Husky is one of the easiest dogs to train, but he must have an owner in the family whom he will obey.

At home

In order for education at home to be successful, you should follow a few simple rules:

It is necessary to delineate parts of the house where the puppy can be and where not.
Carry out training 30 minutes after eating.
Choose one special place to relieve yourself, always praise him if he goes to the toilet there.
Always monitor his behavior.
Praise the puppy for his actions.
Take your puppy to the toilet before bed and immediately after he wakes up.
Be sure to talk to the breeder, as he knows his parents and their characteristics.

From a specialist

It is better to send your husky to a special school for training, as experienced people work there who know how best to raise your four-legged friend. To begin with, it is better to come to the lesson alone, without a pet, and watch the instructor’s work. Most often, huskies are trained in one of the common ways called “classic”, that is, using gestures .

ATTENTION! You should definitely pay attention to how the instructor works with the dogs; he should not overload them, as the husky stops responding to his commands. The owner of the animal must also work with it, because the instructor only guides the pet and its owner in the right direction.

Who is the breed not suitable for?

These pets are characterized by increased activity . They need to train a lot, walk, play. Therefore, Husky is not suitable for homebodies, sedentary people and elderly people.
In addition, dogs are strong and fast. In case of escape, an unhealthy person will not be able to catch up with an animal that has not been trained in commands.
Also, puppies need to be trained for a long time and persistently, accustoming them to the rules of behavior, walking and feeding regime . If the family is not prepared for the fact that at first the dog will not be obedient, neat and restrained, then getting a Husky is not recommended.

Even a teenager can work with representatives of the breed, because they learn quickly and easily. But the dog is best suited to an avid dog breeder who has already kept northern Laikas or similar pets. Although a beginner can practice his training skills with these doggies.

Vaccinations

Two-month-old puppies are first vaccinated against common diseases with complex vaccinations only after deworming.

Ten days before vaccination, the puppy is given anti-worm medication, then vaccinated at three-week intervals.

The quarantine ends two weeks after the second vaccination, and only then can you start walking your pet.

Some veterinarians recommend another vaccination up to a year, in the period after changing teeth.

Little “Eskimos” - they definitely won’t let their owners get bored

This disease is fatal without treatment, and the animal often dies in a matter of days.

Drops on the withers, anti-tick collars and sprays - these products can be combined for the best protection.