Hello everybody! My name is Grant, I'm a 20 year old real estate agent who is a new resident to Ohio.

This isn't a bio about me, this is for my little guy Thane. He is only 3 weeks old so I have yet to pick him up but he is a gorgeous black/white little bundle of cuteness.

I've always wanted a husky ever since I was 3 or 4. I saw one and swore it was a wolf and thought it would be so cool to own a wolf. Later on I educated myself with the breed and still maintained the love that I held for them. I am finally fortunate enough to be in the position where I can welcome one into my life!

So for a new parent are there any veterans here who can help me out and give me some pro tips/tricks to raising a little one? Much appreciated and I'm so happy to have found this great community!

Regards,

Grant (And soon Thane )

Welcome from a fellow husky owner also ohio owner too! First bit of advice is to seek advice before getting frustrated. Puppy classes also are good for socialization and learning for you and puppy. Not sure which part of ohio you are in but there is a few of us on here that could help you with advice or possibly places to go for training. Good luck if you need anything feel free to ask. Ben

KembasWalker wrote:

Welcome from a fellow husky owner also ohio owner too! First bit of advice is to seek advice before getting frustrated. Puppy classes also are good for socialization and learning for you and puppy. Not sure which part of ohio you are in but there is a few of us on here that could help you with advice or possibly places to go for training. Good luck if you need anything feel free to ask.  Ben

Hey Ben!

Thanks for reaching out. I just moved to Cleveland a couple months ago. So wherever that places me in proximity to you. I'm sure its ages away.

As per socialization my parents have 2 dogs that are both smaller females. Should I make sure to bring Thane around them? And also have a good mix of dog park activity and such?

I'd love to talk more and learn all I can so if you would like to reach me outside of the forum please feel free to contact me at 216-559-3519

Yea I'm down around cincinnati so opposite corners of Ohio. You will want him to have all his shots before dog parks especially with your parents dogs as long as you know they are current up to date on all vaccines the choice is up to you. I'm no expert on this forum so don't be surprised if someone corrects me but I lurk around here and pick on some stuff. Also watch out when you get him he will be a bundle of energy and you'll think of walking him or running him but you shouldn't. Try to stay on soft ground as much as possible and I believe the rule around here is 5 minutes per walk per month of age.

Welcome, Grant! I am so happy you are about to have a lifelong dream fulfilled. I can't wait to see pics of Thane and hear all about his antics. I love his name! I am still a newbie, so I will now sit back and enjoy all of the excellent advice I know you will receive here.

Welcome HuskyLovers! Thank you for your kind words, I truly cannot describe the excitement I have. Only a month until I can go pick him up! I'm very excited.

And Ben, per the 5 minute/month rule what is the reasoning behind it that you've heard? Because I was prepared to run like the wind!

LordHalfmann wrote:

Welcome HuskyLovers! Thank you for your kind words, I truly cannot describe the excitement I have. Only a month until I can go pick him up! I'm very excited.

And Ben, per the 5 minute/month rule what is the reasoning behind it that you've heard? Because I was prepared to run like the wind!

The growth plates on the weight bearing bones do not close until a year of so of age - continuous repetitive pounding in leash walking or running can damage these growth plates leading to early arthritis.

Fantastic! Thank you Amy. That's huge and I know huskies have potential hip issues so I want to make sure that I take all precautions.

Good an expert chimed in when you do start start running if that's your choice of exercise with your dog I would suggest buying a hands free belt. I had never heard of one until I joined this forum and stumbled on it here. I picked up one from alpineoutfitters.net and have no regrets lasted 4 years couldn't even tell it wasn't shipped yesterday. You'll end up with a whole arsenal of dog gear by the time your dog gets old enough.

Good advice! I've seen many people get them and that was a big concern of mine as to their reliability/usability. Glad to see thats a good buy. I'm compiling a list of items that I will buy in the coming weeks before I get Thane.

Also good luck training him to walk on collar by your side but start young and often. I always use a harness also huskies have fragile windpipes so watch out for choke collars and prong collars search this site for information on that.

KembasWalker wrote:

Also good luck training him to walk on collar by your side but start young and often. I always use a harness also huskies have fragile windpipes so watch out for choke collars and prong collars search this site for information on that.

Oh good! I'll be sure to get a harness type collar for him. Regarding training while on a leash I had a huge trouble with my parents dogs when they were puppies, so I feel like I've been adequately prepared for this little ball of energy. Then again, I have a feeling I'll be surprised.

Huskies are head strong I never could get mine to walk right on a leash. Since most of the times we go out we run so pulling isn't much of a problem. But if you can train him on walking on a collar and by your side that's obviously the way to go.

Several of us on here use prong collars without mishap. Several members also have strong feelings against the prong. For me, I would not have been able to handle Ami when we got him - he was 60 pounds, is strong as an ox and completely un-leash trained. I was 62, small female in debilitated condition so the prong collar was a life saver for both Ami and me. It just needs to be properly fitted - I combined it with a bungie leash to absorb shock and it worked wonders.

Oh good, I didnt think of alternate leashes as well. I have plenty of options on my plate so I can see what fits best I suppose.

For sleeping plans I was hoping to be able to let him sleep on my bed. Are there any strong thoughts or feelings on that?

LordHalfmann wrote:

Oh good, I didnt think of alternate leashes as well. I have plenty of options on my plate so I can see what fits best I suppose.

For sleeping plans I was hoping to be able to let him sleep on my bed. Are there any strong thoughts or feelings on that?

Fast forward 3 years..you have a significant other...allergic to dogs maybe?  Intimacy?   Just thoughts.  My first girl slept in the bed with me, not a problem...Ami has attempted when we have stayed in motel rooms but quickly gets up and leaves - he's too hot.  Even in the same hotel room, he's up on the bed, down on the floor, walks around, hrrumphs.  Can be a distraction (And that was before he found out he had to go down a stairway if he wanted to pee )

I found that taking his blanket with us defined an area as his and really helped him quiet down so getting a blanket or dog bed that is packable and giving it a spot in your bedroom might be useful in the future.  I would not spend very much on a dog bed or blanket(a wire crate, yes).  He will most likely chew it up, tear it to pieces.  Especially as a pup.  Ami's purchased bed is in his dog house in shreds - he's used the filling as "chinking" all around the perimeter - sleeps on an old satin bed spread (again it has multiple tears in it but its "his")  In the house he has an old moving blanket folded into quarters.  Again, he has made a hole or 2 in it and has used the edges as a tuggy but it is now "his" and he doesn't seem to molest it any more.  But he is also now 2 yrs old.

Good point, my thinking is very near sighted. Although any significant other might have to be completely fine with dogs, although I see your point on intimacy and having that be an issue. The blanket or item that is his is a very good technique that I'll have to adopt due to planned traveling and things such as that. Will I have to worry about him being territorial about his item in case other dogs are ever around?

Puppies like to pick up and eat/swallow EVERYTHING, so my advice to you would be to keep a close eye on him to make sure he doesnt pick up anything dangerous. I'm STILL having this problem with my little Mishka (and she's 7 months old), on our walks she finds these "berries" that fall off palm trees, she's so low to the ground I can't always catch her in time so she often swallows them. Next morning I find vomit with that little berry in the middle of it. But yeah, always supervise him with his toys, if they come apart, throw them away so he doesnt swallow any of it, things like that.

And welcome!! I hope you post pics of him when he arrives

I'll be sure to keep an EXTRA clean room now! I tend to keep everything tidy and stored away, but I feel the first stray sock is going to be an instant loss when Thane gets a sight of it. But for walking I'll be sure to do so and make sure I pay attention to everything within his reach.

And I'm trying to get more pictures from the breeder but sadly no such luck. The breeder must be very busy or just not too tech savvy. But once the little man is mine expect LOADS of pictures