We just got our 18 month old female about a week ago. To do she started growling after a toy she has never done that. Later today we had her of the chain almost all day sorry. She bit my 10 year olds pants leg and as the day went on mouthing my hand then she started biting at my stomach at my shirt then she was jumping up and biting at my shirt sleeves short sleeves. To be honest she was starting to make me nervous so I sent my kids in the house I finished the work myself then I put her on the chain and came in. When she did the growling and nibbling and biting I firmly told here no and she hesitated but stopped. Can someone help with advice. Thanks David

David, What type of info did the rescue give you on your new girl? Did they mention what type of training she has had? Were they growls, teeth showing, hair standing? or playful tugs and nips? Please give me a little more info to help better.

Adding to what Renee has already said, I know of *no* rescue that would release a biting dog to anyone.
Husky's are generally mouthy unless they've been taught different. Mouthing is a *lot* different from biting since they never ( intentionally ) get skin. If no hackles were up and no teeth showing, then I'd be inclined to say that you had excited Husky who wanted to play.
Example, I'm setting here in my recliner reading, Avalanche goes by and I stick my foot out to stop him (playing and he knows it's play) he's quite apt to grab my leg and pull. Yeh, he's got a good grip on it and there have been a few times I've ended up with bruises, but he's never broken the skin. It's all good rough play.

Add to that the fact that Husky's tend to be vocal and if you don't really know the dog well it is sometimes hard to tell whether it's serious or not.

Some things I can suggest is never be afraid, unless it truly is aggressive behavior, and you still don't want to show fear. If you are afraid please call a professional trainer, or a behavior specialist to help you.

Next, kids can assist in training, am I remembering correctly you have 3 boys 8, 10, and 12? All three need to be involved. Teach drop it, leave it, enough, if she doesn't know these commands. Arooroomom has some excellent training threads here, she list positive training techniques as well as the Nothing in life is free technique, both are great training methods. Go to search and type in positive training, scroll down and under authors look for her name.

Lastly I second what Al said. My girl is a rough player, and if she hasn't had a lot of exercise she will be a big brat. They are very much like kids, just like kids, huskies get bored and will seek attention, nibbling is one of them. I let Miya chase me all over the yard, I push her around as much as she pushes me around, and I assure you that no adult husky will intentionally bite you unless they have a serious problem, and like Al said no rescue will release a serious guarder. Once huskies are adults they have a natural instinct as to placing slight pressure when mouthing. Miya applies more pressure to my husband than to me, she knows I am smaller. It's extremely odd to know this, it can cause fear, but please take a second look at your girl and reassess if you truly have a problem, or she was just bored and trying to get one of you to play. Also the rescue will not place a husky in a home with children unless tested with children.

First, she isn't a rescue. Got her from a lady who was moving out of state. She said Zena was a loving family dog. Great with kids. She doesn't appear to have been groomed in quite some time as she still has last winter's coat. It also seems that she has been left alone and not played with very much.
Second, as for the growling, it isn't a teeth shining growl, just more under her breath. The nipping and biting seems to be playful but can be aggressive at times. It just concerns me because our 10 year old has disabilities and was recommended that we get a pet. He is very gentle with her. He already loves her.
I appreciate the help.
David

Thank you David, this helps indeed. Did the lady have kids and if so how old were they?

Indeed a pet is very good for children, especially children with disabilities, I totally agree. Huskies are a little different than most dogs, they are a very loving dog with their pack. It sounds to me like Zena has some trust issues. It can be corrected, at least this is my observation. She isn't sure she can trust you and make sure you won't leave her too. You have to form a bond, in order for the kids to form one also. Grooming is my first suggestion. Sit with Zena outside and brush her, make her feel relaxed, talk to her. I know that seems crazy, but trust me, bonding and trust is paramount. Hand feeding is also a great idea, you start with it, get a bowl and sit with her, talk to her softly, happily, and feed her. Once you feel confident with her then have your oldest hand feed or groom and so on. Don't give up on her. You may also be surprised that down the road she may want to be an inside dog, I remember reading that she prefers being out. I and others will be more than happy to help......Renee

The lady that we got her from had 4 kids ages 2 - 8 or so. She was bred once. She was kept outside in the back yard on an invisible fence. It didn't seem like she was given much attention at all. I know the family was busy with the move so that could explain the lack of attention.

David, what it sounds like, to me, is that you've got yourself a real prize there. No sarcasm at all intended.
Going back to the Chukchi, Husky's were raised in the family, they were the ones who watched the kids and they were the ones who kept the kids warm. It's no wonder that Husky's have a natural affinity for the little ones.
Renee and I are coming at it from slightly different angles; while you and she seem more concerned (and that's understgndable) I hear you talking about a dog who's so happy that they can't contain themselves.

Get out the brush and set her down and take the time to get to know her. Let your eldest have a chance with the brush and watch how they interact. (And, BTW, when Sasha's had enough of the brush she'll either grab my hand or the brush; like kids, they seem to have about a ten minute attention span, then they want to go on to something else - one exception, they'll play till they wear you out)

Well at least she has been around little kids, that's a plus. In all honestly she is still a baby, she probably wasn't trained much, and not groomed nor exercised much. Huskies need a lot of training, exercise, grooming and love. It's going to take some work, patience and time. In the end you're going to have a great pet and friend. If you don't mind me asking, you don't have in your profile, where abouts do you all live? Socializing is a must as well, having playdates and such will get some of her energy down so it's easier for you to build that bond.

Huskies are incredibly smart. Training needs to start, you need to figure out where she is at as far as training is concerened, as well. If she is not spayed, I would seriously look into having her fixed as well, for some dogs it makes them a little more mellow, not a lot, but it should help.

What type of experience/knowledge do you have with dogs, huskies, and training. I can at least point you in the right direction if you need help there. You're biggest thing for right now is bonding, trust building, and some basic training.

Argh, I can't preview or edit on my tablet.
Re your ten year old, it may take her a bit to realize that she has to be more careful with him than the other two, but simple correction when needed should take care of that; you may be surprised to find in time that she's more his dog than anyones, that just the way they are.

I second Renee's comment that in time she'll want to be inside with you all, again, they were raised as a breed in familia and that's normally where they are happiest.

Al I totally agree with you that she appears happier than a pig in poop, that someone is paying attention to her. I only express caution, to make sure the little ones are ok. Some people do not understand the playfulness of the husky and interpret aggression. Brushing and hand feeding will get you the bonding time and trust building going, also though it will give you a better idea on her disposition. Huskies are notorious at wanting to be everywhere their humans are, I would like to think that Zena is just a thrilled teenager, and expressing herself with playfulness. Btw, there are many huskies who are trained at warning their people of diabetic shock, we also have a member here who's husky is his seeing eye dog(forgive me I don't remember the correct term), as well as many who are SAR dogs. They are very in tune with their surroundings.

David please keep us in the loop.

David, thank you for fixing your location. We have such a huge group here and people all over the world. I know there are many H2M2 groups that have monthly meet ups so the dogs can play. Unfortunately for myself and Al we live way out in the middle of nowhere, we have to create our own play dates, too bad you live so far away David and Al, Miya can always have another buddy, lol.

Thanks for all the encouragement btw she is spayed.  I will start working with her first thing in the morning feeding. Thanks again I will keep y'all  posted David

I agree with Al - I think you have a dog that is overjoyed to be part of the family. When we first got Ami he was this big bouncy, leaping, running, nipping ball of joyful energy. Including his basso profundo woo...husband thought Ami didn't like him, said he growls when he comes near him. Since that was not my experience at all, I was a little confused. A day later, I happened to be nearby when Wayne went by the dog - Ami did his aroorrooo (which is really a very low rumble). I asked if that was the "growl" and he said yes - I told him "that's not a growl - that's a "hi, how are you, I missed you, where I have you been, I'm so happy to see you..."

As for the nipping - Ami was full of it. But it was not any kind of aggressive biting. It was how he played - it took a while to teach him I was not another dog and that my skin is fragile - for months I looked like someone was beating me (I take steroids for asthma - even reaching into a cereal box has caused my skin to bruise )

However, that is not to say Ami was suitable for small children in the beginning. He was just too big, too bouncy. He once had the zoomies all over and around one of my grandsons - absolutely terrified him. I really had to contain him on short leash around my grandchildren at first. Not so much anymore.

My antidote to all this was exercising him I walked him 5-6 miles a day in 2 divided walks, played tuggie with him, threw tennis balls, the squawky chicken and the squeeky. Now we have my son's dog 3 days a week and that goes a long way towards keeping him tuckered out. Also, I used to say "ouch" in a very loud voice when he nipped, that seemed to make him more excited. Now I say "gentle" in a soft tone of voice. I don't know which worked, I only know that now, a year later, my overexcited, bouncy, uncontrollable boy has become a love...we can have him in the house in the kitchen with us, he'll sleep under the table (unless he's rarin' to go for his walk, at which time he climbs all over me, pulls my hair with his teeth, pulls at my pant legs...). And I did not even realize the nipping was no longer a problem until I read your thread.

Thanks a lot. Everyone has been so great about helping I know I found t right forum board. Thanks David

Just make sure that y'all come back; some pictures of your rowdy crowd wouldn't be remiss either! << hint, hint!! >>