Howdy!

Joined the forums to try and gain more insight and knowledge into owning a Husky. I have owned dogs before in life (15 years ago - definetly small dogs), and I am considering taking the plunge and bringing home a Siberian.

The biggest thing I keep reading is that Huskies are not good for inexperienced dog owners - how seriously should I take that statement? I've done a ton of reading, I've hung out with a friends Husky, I've been planning and saving for the past few months to make sure I would be setup properly and have a bunch of 'disposable' income should anything arise, and I lead a very active lifestyle! How do you become an experienced dog owner without a dog!

Look forward to any answers anyone may have!


Regards,

Ryan

Welcome to the forum Ryan!!

haha, yea, huskies can be challenging, even for experienced dog people. However, if you read the vast amounts of info this forum has to offer and questions when they come to you, you may have a better idea on if a husky is right for you. Huskies need serious amounts of training and consistent structure in their lives. You must be dedicated, and have enough time per day to interact with them. Active as in dog friendly activities is a plus and must, lol. I will give you the positives too, I have never had a dog nor been around a dog like my girl. She is very human like, my best friend, and just makes everyday a wonderful one. I wouldn't know what life would be like without her. Ask your questions and read, and good luck!!

Looks like the Texans are staying inside today - it's HOT down here - 94f at the moment.

I *am* a dog person, I've either had my own dogs or been around family dogs for most of my life. My two, Avalanche who is an Alaskan Husky and Sasha who is supposed to be a Sibe are my two of the moment.
Sibe are like most dogs in some ways, if you're easy going then they probably will be as well; at my age, I'm really not up to getting out and running with them, but on the other hand they do make me get out and get some exercise - it works out.

If my (very long gone) memory is right, I can ask if you're in the plains or the mountains in AB (or is it all mountains?) If you're in mountainous country, you've got half the battle of raising a Sibe licked, they can manage down here in our weather, but I think they'd do better where it's not quite so warm.

As Renee says, ask away and chatter away, we're a pretty laid back group so anything you ask will eventually get an experienced answer.

MiyasMomma wrote:

Huskies need serious amounts of training and consistent structure in their lives. You must be dedicated, and have enough time per day to interact with them.

I know that I have the dedication and I think I have the time. I do work though, sometimes 8-9 hour shifts. Mostly evenings and weekends. Generally I work from 5:00 PM -> 12:00 AM, and/or 6:00PM -> 1:00AM. I have friends, family, and an amazing landlord that is more than willing to spend time with my prospective pup when I am unable to do so. Is that too much time to keep an animal in his crate (6-8 hours) if it came down to it?

aljones wrote:

... I can ask if you're in the plains or the mountains in AB (or is it all mountains?) If you're in mountainous country, you've got half the battle of raising a Sibe licked, they can manage down here in our weather, but I think they'd do better where it's not quite so warm.

I am in Central Alberta, so no mountains, but definetly not just plains either. A good mix. I do head west/south to the mountains generally once a week for whatever day hikes and adventures I can have locally. Lots of time spent at the lake nearby. I adore the winter, generally I continue hiking and/or snow-shoeing through the winter months, and love me some good winter camping.

To be honest I've been getting nothing but encouragement from my close friends and family about moving forward and getting the pup. Everything really fell into place, but 'dog' people keep trying to talk me out of it. Telling me to get another breed. I'm not sure why but its really discouraging. I don't think there is a better time to bring a Husky into my life and I don't particularly have a fondness for other breeds the same way.

My landlord is also slightly concerned that the fence we have isn't high enough, I'd be willing to take the cost to build it up for sure if it came down to it. I'm curious if there are other solutions? We have a huge dog friendly yard. Would it be crueul to create a completely caged in 'run' for just my dog? The landlord has an older lab that has free reign.

I really have my heart set on a Siberian.

Ryan

Ryan, a good part of living with a Husky is making sure you know what you're getting into.  And it looks like you're getting that in spades.

Crating a pup - even a full grown pup -  for 8-9 hours is doable, but as a puppy it's not.  The little one is going to need to go out often!  If I remember right, you can expect a dog to "hold it" one hour for every month old they are (and someone will correct me if I'm wrong there), so it's going to be 8-10 months before you can really expect full security overnight.
The fact that you work nights is advantageous since that's the time it would normally be sleeping and they can hold it longer then.

Your friends and family know you - do they *really* know the commitment that goes into living with a "high maintenance" dog like a Husky?   You're mature so one hopes this isn't just fulfillment of a pipe dream and your consideration of the problems and the solutions is encouraging - for example giving thought to your landlords concerns about the fence.  That speaks well.

Ultimately, it is *your* decision just as ultimately it will be *your* responsibility to care for your furry friend.  The fact that you have support now in getting a pup suggests that you can get him through the first few months - before his antics wear on everyone - without any major trauma to anyone.  Personally, I'd say go for it.  You're asking the right questions, of the right people.  You appear to have your head on straight and I'm sure we'd all welcome you to the crowd of us who live with and love Husky's (most of the time!)

Ryan - my first-ever-dog-on-my-own at age 20 was a Siberian Husky. We did have dogs growing up but my part in that was just having an Irish Setter tromp around with me and my sisters, no real responsibility for it and my mom's Old English that she bred and showed.

I did not find a husky particularly difficult - only rewarding. It was in a tiny 1 bedroom student apartment. And it was fine. We didn't crate then (at least, I never heard of it). She did tear down the wallpaper in the whole apt. And she did dig/chew up all the furniture cushions. And she was a pain in the ass about taking off and going "walk about" But we survived, thrived and adored her.

As for the fence thing - at first, while puppy is small, probably any fence will keep it contained. My two (Ami and my son's pup) were adequately contained in 4' chain link. BUt we wanted to give them more area to run so put in a Petsafe Yard Max fence - you could do this around the existing fence for added safety if you are concerned about dog leaving.

My husky is very laid back - these days, if we are not taking a walk or son's dog is not here, than Ami is snoozing under the rhododendron's during the day and on the edge of the lawn at night. Unless there's a bull on the lawn, then he's sort of excited

Seriously, I think you should do fine with a Siberian Husky - if you end up with an escape artist, there are ways to contain the beasty.