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If you have a cross breed dog, it is always a good idea to find out what is the breed make up, especially if you suspect that it has some Husky in it. Different breeds have different needs, and the Husky really does need a lot of exercise and social interaction and stimulation. Knowing the breed make up will make your more aware of any genetic concerns, your dogs compatibility skills with other dogs, the behaviour concerns related to the breeds, and possible health issues. Done in the comfort of your home and so easy to do. Please visit our website for more information. www.muttmix.co.za
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Common behaviour problems with the Siberian Husky
by Scotty Valadao - Canine Behaviourist
by Scotty Valadao - Canine Behaviourist
These are stunning looking dogs, especially those with blue eyes, plus their association to the wolf makes them a very popular breed. Just like other breeds they have their own set of possible behaviour problems, especially if they end up in the wrong home.
Social Problems
This breed is incredibly social and loves to be with their family and other dog companions. They do not do well at all if left alone for periods of time and can easily develop separation anxiety, which can result in howling, digging, escaping and being destructive just to mention a few.
Although we do not recommend they are left alone for long periods of time, especially alone, they still need to learn that being alone for reasonable amounts of time is not a reason to stress. In order to prevent separation anxiety, we recommend that they are taught Alone Time Training, right from being a puppy, and practised on a regular basis. Alone time Training teaches a dog to be not only confident when alone, but that it is a rewarding experience for them as well.
We have also put in an article at the bottom about Separation anxiety, signs, how it develops, how to avoid it and how to change it – the last thing you want is a dog with separation anxiety due to the work the owner has to put in to change same, and that the dog should never be left alone longer than it can cope with, can make it a very challenging and time resuming behaviour to change.
Diggers
If you love your garden, and even if you have made your Husky a Digging Pit, not the breed for you. This breed loves to dig, looking for small critters, a cool place to lie, when they are bored and just because they can – Husky’s dig and they are not selective where they engage in this fun activity!
Not coming when called
The Husky breed loves to run, and if they get an opportunity to do so they will and when they take off like this, they are not the best at coming back when called, even if you have trained an excellent recall. If the area is not enclosed, then rather make use of a long line.
Escape Artists
The Husky is well known as an expert escape artist and an expert at getting over, under and making holes in fences to get out. This tends to happen more if they are bored, frustrated, and especially if they are not getting sufficient socialization and exercise – these dogs need vigorous exercise and are not a breed to be left alone in the garden, and only taken for walks once a week. As a matter of interest, a dog that is what we call ‘a weekend warrior’, where it only gets out at weekends, is a lot more likely to end up with injuries. In addition to getting lost, this poses a very real danger that the dog could be run over or lost.
Vocalization
Many of you will have seen the many videos of a Husky ‘singing’ along with it’s person or when a specific noise is heard - the Husky is an extremely vocal dog! They are known to howl, whine and whimper rather than actual barking, and this goes back to their origins with the wolf. The wolf will seldom bark, rather it will howl to communicate to the rest of its pack whether it be calling them or communicating with them in other ways. They don’t only howl and whimper when they hear a specific noise, it seems as if they use this way of communicating with their people on a regular bases.
Small Animals
The Husky, due to originally being one of a pack, is a very social and friendly dog in general, however, they are not the best around other small animals as their prey drive tends to kick in.
The Husky really is a stunning and intelligent dog, however, as we mentioned above, they need to be in the right home and receive the social attention and daily exercise they require, as well as being stimulated mentally.
These are stunning looking dogs, especially those with blue eyes, plus their association to the wolf makes them a very popular breed. Just like other breeds they have their own set of possible behaviour problems, especially if they end up in the wrong home.
Social Problems
This breed is incredibly social and loves to be with their family and other dog companions. They do not do well at all if left alone for periods of time and can easily develop separation anxiety, which can result in howling, digging, escaping and being destructive just to mention a few.
Although we do not recommend they are left alone for long periods of time, especially alone, they still need to learn that being alone for reasonable amounts of time is not a reason to stress. In order to prevent separation anxiety, we recommend that they are taught Alone Time Training, right from being a puppy, and practised on a regular basis. Alone time Training teaches a dog to be not only confident when alone, but that it is a rewarding experience for them as well.
We have also put in an article at the bottom about Separation anxiety, signs, how it develops, how to avoid it and how to change it – the last thing you want is a dog with separation anxiety due to the work the owner has to put in to change same, and that the dog should never be left alone longer than it can cope with, can make it a very challenging and time resuming behaviour to change.
Diggers
If you love your garden, and even if you have made your Husky a Digging Pit, not the breed for you. This breed loves to dig, looking for small critters, a cool place to lie, when they are bored and just because they can – Husky’s dig and they are not selective where they engage in this fun activity!
Not coming when called
The Husky breed loves to run, and if they get an opportunity to do so they will and when they take off like this, they are not the best at coming back when called, even if you have trained an excellent recall. If the area is not enclosed, then rather make use of a long line.
Escape Artists
The Husky is well known as an expert escape artist and an expert at getting over, under and making holes in fences to get out. This tends to happen more if they are bored, frustrated, and especially if they are not getting sufficient socialization and exercise – these dogs need vigorous exercise and are not a breed to be left alone in the garden, and only taken for walks once a week. As a matter of interest, a dog that is what we call ‘a weekend warrior’, where it only gets out at weekends, is a lot more likely to end up with injuries. In addition to getting lost, this poses a very real danger that the dog could be run over or lost.
Vocalization
Many of you will have seen the many videos of a Husky ‘singing’ along with it’s person or when a specific noise is heard - the Husky is an extremely vocal dog! They are known to howl, whine and whimper rather than actual barking, and this goes back to their origins with the wolf. The wolf will seldom bark, rather it will howl to communicate to the rest of its pack whether it be calling them or communicating with them in other ways. They don’t only howl and whimper when they hear a specific noise, it seems as if they use this way of communicating with their people on a regular bases.
Small Animals
The Husky, due to originally being one of a pack, is a very social and friendly dog in general, however, they are not the best around other small animals as their prey drive tends to kick in.
The Husky really is a stunning and intelligent dog, however, as we mentioned above, they need to be in the right home and receive the social attention and daily exercise they require, as well as being stimulated mentally.
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