Loki is going on 5 months. He has been getting weekly brushings that seem to be getting better. Not much hair comes off of him though. He has a slicker/shorter coat more like a lab I guess then a lot of fluffy husky puppy pictures I see (he may be mixed - not sure). He also smells some and it is almost 3 weeks since last bath, so would like to bath him soon. The vet didn't see anything wrong with his smell or skin, so I assume it is not serious as I did ask about it. Just have a few questions.

For his brushing, about how long and often should I get him use to brushing? For my other dogs, it usually is 5-10 minutes a day. Weekly normally and then daily or every other day when they are shedding a lot. Should he get use to longer sessions? And I have heard huskies can get matts, where do they get matts? Is it their necks and legs? I want him to be most use to be brushing those areas. Finally, does anyone use the animal attachment for hair from dyson? My lab is fine with it, just wondering if I can or should get him use to it.

He has been a little itchy, so the vet recommended a aloe vera based shampoo. But will that help the smell? He was a little better after the baths. He is really doggy smelly and not sure what to do to fix it. Would you agree on using aloe vera shampoo/condition? Any different options? I use oatmeal for my other dogs.

I am a dog groomer. ^_^
Huskies - usually the more fluffy ones can get packed undercoat that doesn't like to brush / blow out, that then becomes matted. Usually the most severe matting occurs in the fluffy butt-cheek areas, just inside of the back thighs (commonly known in my shop as "Golden knots"), and where a collar or harness might rub.

I have seen plenty of huskies with short coats, I'm not sure why husky coats vary so much, but I've seen every kind from lab-like to long coated. Since he is not so fluffy, just getting him used to being completely brushed in one sitting should be plenty. Its really up to you to discern how often he needs brushing since it can change seasonally and as he switches to adult coat. Weekly or more sounds good to me. ^_^ (My girl gets complete bath & groom about every 2 weeks and brushed once a week - but I'm super picky and take her out to a lot of places )

Oatmeal is great, but is not usually long-lasting... I've never heard either way about Aloe.. but we also have a Medicated Shampoo at our disposal that does have long lasting effect to fight itchy skin etc.

If you're willing to do a little searching / inspecting, you should be able to hopefully find a nice grooming shop - with a reasonable price - We charge around $30-$40 for huskies. He's at a good age -as long as his puppy shots are done - to learn all the ins & outs of grooming.
Any good groomer should also include nail trimming, fuzzy feet trimming, ear cleaning, 'sanitary' areas, etc. and your pup Will be fully and completely dried - if they're any good. Plus if power-dried, most of the loose undercoat should be blown out.
Staying damp for a lengthy time near their skin / in undercoat - even if they seem dry on top, can lead to some funk and possible skin irritation.

So if he gets itchy / funky sometimes, you could get him on a schedule to get the whole thorough package occasionally.

We have huskies that come in every 4 weeks, and others every few months. all depends on you - since he is shorter, you might not need to go to the groomers often, unless you really like it lol.

If you really want to get into it.. you could see about buying yourself a power dryer, I know some husky owners on here have. I don't know how I'd live without the use of a power dryer.

Hope this helps. ^_^

Continue on the weekly grooming routine, so it will be normal for him one day.
Bathing with shampoos is not really good for the coat. I wouldn´t bath him more often than two times a year. If you have a garden or a yard take him outside, take a garden hose and there you go. He might not like it but it will do without shampoo

For brushing, i useually brush blu for about 15 to 20 minuets a day (or try to anyway, some days he just doesn't want to stay still for that long). for a brush i have this thing called a shed blade (i think) his groomer who i've become good friends with gave it to me (she also happens to be a husky breeder, blu loves going to her house!) and it seems to work great.

as for bathing, blu use to get a bit of a funk to him when he was younger, but that seemed to have stopped. he useually get's a bath once every 2 months or so, or as needed (for instance... playing at the lake and coming back smelling like river water and fish!) i personally like the shampoo they use at petsmart, im not sure what it is called exactly but it seems to keep him smelling nice for up to 3 weeks. for drying i use towels and a regular blow dryer (on a low cool heat) seems to work fine but take quite a long time to get him fully dry.

I'd have to agree with what colleen has said, taking him to a decent groomer as needed is most certainly an option... and for 30 to 40 bucks for all the work they do... totally worth it. atleast for me because im terrible with trimming nails (mainly dew claws, but i can never find that quick vein >.<)