First off I'm so glad I found this forum! Have gotten great advice and insight into raising a husky so far and excited to hear more! Today Lutsen went on a little farther of a walk with my boyfriend this morning and when I got home I could tell he was ansty for his night time workout. So since he's so little still my first go to is to take him out in the backyard and run around the yard with him a few laps back and forth (I've been trying to teach him that chasing me is more fun than chasing him...is this a good idea? Let me know!)

When he made his "I'm tired" signal to me we came back inside and he had some dinner. Not even 20 min later as I'm doing my own workout he starts biting at my shoes wanting to play again. So I literally incorporated my pupkid into my workout and started running around. I turn my back after 15 min of this and I don't see anymore Lutsen....turns out he made one of his first trips up the big flight of stairs onto his bed...he gives me a look that says "OK OK mom you win I'm pooped!"

It won't be long before he's going to out do me!

making it fun for them to chase you could help you out if he ever gets loose from his leash and you have to get him back. if he isn't strong in recall your best bet for his return is going to probably be the chase method if you don't have food or squeaky toy close at hand to get his attention to return.

The great thing is that once they are 1 year old then you get the joys of biking with them and then you will once again have the ability to outrun them.

TwisterII wrote:

making it fun for them to chase you could help you out if he ever gets loose from his leash and you have to get him back. if he isn't strong in recall your best bet for his return is going to probably be the chase method if you don't have food or squeaky toy close at hand to get his attention to return.

The great thing is that once they are 1 year old then you get the joys of biking with them and then you will once again have the ability to outrun them.

Thank you TwisterII! He really likes chasing me. Any time he thinks about taking off in the other direction he always stops midway and stays there to see if I am behind him. He knows his name now which has been really helpful but that's probably also because we have been extensively training him on sit, stay, come and lay down. I only really use squeak toys when we are playing in the basement but that is a good idea to bring one outside.

The social aspect of huskies is so dominant in his personality. He literally needs to feel our presence even when he's tired out. I'm surprised that he is getting so used to his crate because going into the crate means no mom and dad for a little bit.

Do you think the fact that he wants to be around us and involved with us so much might help in the future as far as the whole running away thing?

As he gets older you will start to see his independent side show and he won't feel the need to be around you as often. That's just part of growing up and building confidence. my girl will go and sit all alone in the bedroom on the other side of the house sometimes and that's totally normal. Having a strong bond with him will help keep him from wandering too far away but it is unlikely that as he ages that he will feel the need to be right next to you all the time. More than likely if he gets loose he might not get completely out of your sight but he will still feel the need to explore which would mean not coming back when called and still just doing what he wants potentially on the other side of the highway from you. Recall work is still very important. you can't place any stock in bond alone being what keeps them at your side when the urge to explore everything is at hand.

TwisterII wrote:

As he gets older you will start to see his independent side show and he won't feel the need to be around you as often. That's just part of growing up and building confidence. my girl will go and sit all alone in the bedroom on the other side of the house sometimes and that's totally normal. Having a strong bond with him will help keep him from wandering too far away but it is unlikely that as he ages that he will feel the need to be right next to you all the time. More than likely if he gets loose he might not get completely out of your sight but he will still feel the need to explore which would mean not coming back when called and still just doing what he wants potentially on the other side of the highway from you. Recall work is still very important. you can't place any stock in bond alone being what keeps them at your side when the urge to explore everything is at hand.

That's a very good point. I guess it's like an child growing up I'm sure. One minute they need you all the time and then next they're like "see ya later!" We do have a 6 ft fenced yard and our neighbors on either side of us do as well but nothing is 100% secure. We will always be outside with him bottom line, that's how Ryan (boyfriend) raised his dogs. My childhood dog is a springer spaniel mix and for some reason is the only dog I've ever known that can be off leash no problem.

Because I incorporate workouts into my every day routine I am not too worried about having a bored misbehaving husky. I realize that some days might be exceptions but I just have to remember to plan ahead and make sure that if I know we wont be home for a bit on a Saturday (for example) to wake up early enough to exercise him so he feels that fulfillment.

My biggest worry (I do all the worrying in our household) is that past our fence is a HUGE cornfield for a few miles. I guess I can look at the positive and at least if he did ever get out and made it for the field it would be better than playing in a busy street? Oh dear!

I would much rather see a dog dart across a corn field than a road. We have trees behind us but our front is on a somewhat busy road. Every dog is different. We have a 6 ft fence on two sides and 4 foot chain on the other two sides and I've never had an issue with them jumping the fence and running off. mine go out in the morning while I'm getting ready for work and are alone, but that's just the personality of the dogs I have. They are a little older too. (4 & 6) Frankly, my husky is better about not running off when her leash drops than my German Shepherd mix and usually it would be the other way around. You are starting off on the right food with how you are training with recall and chase. you sound prepared and as long as you keep up with exercise as he ages you will be golden. Don't feel bad when the terrible teens hit and it seems like all your hard work flies out the window. They are like growing children. They are cuddly bears one moment, terrible teens make them rebel against us, then they grow up and need mama again. It's a cycle.

Just a quick 2 cents from me.....The question you asked about chasing you, excellent tactic, not only from what Jenn said, but also, it helps in keeping his eventual prey drive in check. If he sees you as prey and keeps his focus on you, you are really fulfilling his natural desires. My girl is 3, and I still have her chase me, it makes huskies happy to chase something.

TwisterII wrote:

I would much rather see a dog dart across a corn field than a road. We have trees behind us but our front is on a somewhat busy road. Every dog is different. We have a 6 ft fence on two sides and 4 foot chain on the other two sides and I've never had an issue with them jumping the fence and running off. mine go out in the morning while I'm getting ready for work and are alone, but that's just the personality of the dogs I have. They are a little older too. (4 & 6) Frankly, my husky is better about not running off when her leash drops than my German Shepherd mix and usually it would be the other way around. You are starting off on the right food with how you are training with recall and chase. you sound prepared and as long as you keep up with exercise as he ages you will be golden. Don't feel bad when the terrible teens hit and it seems like all your hard work flies out the window. They are like growing children. They are cuddly bears one moment, terrible teens make them rebel against us, then they grow up and need mama again. It's a cycle.

When I first got in touch with the breeders, they are a super nice family up northern MN who have a recreational dog sled team, I literally emailed the woman a novel about how prepared we were to have a high energy dog. I wanted the member of our family to be a motivator to get us out doors more and more.

I had some doubters and "are you sure you're ready" people hound me. I think it was mainly because he turned 8 weeks 2 weeks before Christmas...so the timing seemed like we just wanted a dog as our xmas present to each other. That was just how the timing worked out though!

Do you like having two different breeds of dogs? German Shepard's are beautiful dogs.

I just got a call from Ryan that Lutsen has officially played outside in his first snowfall! Ryan takes him to his parents house (he's off work all this week) and he has been enjoying playing with his parent's dogs.

MiyasMomma wrote:

Just a quick 2 cents from me.....The question you asked about chasing you, excellent tactic, not only from what Jenn said, but also, it helps in keeping his eventual prey drive in check. If he sees you as prey and keeps his focus on you, you are really fulfilling his natural desires. My girl is 3, and I still have her chase me, it makes huskies happy to chase something.

Thank you for the encouragement! After reading a lot of input in the "so you think you want a husky" discussion I figured this would be a beneficial thing for him to try! Your Husky is so cute and that is nice to know that after 3 years of age she still is entertained by chasing you. Makes me feel better about the future!

It is kinda nice having two different breeds. I would have liked to have had another husky when we were looking for a second but it just didn't play out that way. Keno has more the hound personality than the shepherd personality, which has been nice since it means one dog at least is totally willing to just chill out and sleep all day instead of being pestered by two to constantly be on the go. MiyasMomma also has a shepherd. Her's is full bred though and has been great compatibility wise with her husky. They do make good companion breeds if you want a second dog that can keep up with your husky but desire a change of scenery in your living room. lol.

My dad was one of those doubters when I got my husky. I got her in spring so Christmas wasn't a factor to battle with people. But then my dad grew up with one whose needs weren't met and that dog was a holy terror so he was a little jaded to the breed before I got mine. Doubters gonna doubt. haters gonna hate. That's why we keep on keepin' on and prove them wrong.

haha, Jenn is soooo right.

Greta thanks!! My girls keep me busy, Sofie my GSD is 19 weeks old, so yea, they are always on the go, and the two breeds are a good mix. Both are high drive dogs, so activity wise, yup, go, go, go. And the gsd hopefully will be a little more obedient, lol, right now, I swear my Sofie was a husky in another life.

Keeping your husky entertained is half the battle at having a happy husky. As we say here a tired husky is a happy, behaved husky, haha.

TwisterII wrote:

It is kinda nice having two different breeds. I would have liked to have had another husky when we were looking for a second but it just didn't play out that way. Keno has more the hound personality than the shepherd personality, which has been nice since it means one dog at least is totally willing to just chill out and sleep all day instead of being pestered by two to constantly be on the go. MiyasMomma also has a shepherd. Her's is full bred though and has been great compatibility wise with her husky. They do make good companion breeds if you want a second dog that can keep up with your husky but desire a change of scenery in your living room. lol.

My dad was one of those doubters when I got my husky. I got her in spring so Christmas wasn't a factor to battle with people. But then my dad grew up with one whose needs weren't met and that dog was a holy terror so he was a little jaded to the breed before I got mine. Doubters gonna doubt. haters gonna hate. That's why we keep on keepin' on and prove them wrong.

Hmm...I might have to keep you both posted within the year. We will probably wait on it awhile but we eventually want to have a second dog so it's nice to hear which breeds compliment huskies unless we were to get another husky.

I could see from your dad's history with one that he would have his doubts.Ryan's parents were "meh" about it because Ryan has a husky mix that now lives with his parents. After Ryan moved back home before we bought our house his dog just got so used to ryan's parents dog that he didn't want to separate them. His dad had the whole attitude "If you want a dog so bad you have one at our house" truth is Ryan knew how much his mom loves his dog and Brodie doesn't listen to anyone but his mom and Ryan. He has special needs and it would have been too hard to bring him into a new environment especially since Brodie is so used to being with other dogs now.

Now that we have Lutsen his parents are in love with him and think it's all great.

gretalutsen wrote:

Now that we have Lutsen his parents are in love with him and think it's all great.

I know how that goes - we are "grandparents" to my son's dog Archer...and part-time caretaker.  He has stolen our hearts (and dinner...shoes...what have you  )

I was heartbroken when it looked like son may be moving or DIL was going to be taking him more.  But, happily, looks like we will be having him the same or even more

amymeme wrote:

gretalutsen wrote:

Now that we have Lutsen his parents are in love with him and think it's all great.

I know how that goes - we are "grandparents" to my son's dog Archer...and part-time caretaker.  He has stolen our hearts (and dinner...shoes...what have you  )

I was heartbroken when it looked like son may be moving or DIL was going to be taking him more.  But, happily, looks like we will be having him the same or even more

Its true! I am very comfortable with Brodie living with Ryan's parents. That's where he fits in and listens! Taking him away from his pup friends and alpha (Ryan's mom) would just make it 1000 x more confusing...Brodie's one of those dogs that does NOT go with the flow...ever!

MiyasMomma wrote:

haha, Jenn is soooo right.

Greta thanks!! My girls keep me busy, Sofie my GSD is 19 weeks old, so yea, they are always on the go, and the two breeds are a good mix. Both are high drive dogs, so activity wise, yup, go, go, go. And the gsd hopefully will be a little more obedient, lol, right now, I swear my Sofie was a husky in another life.

Keeping your husky entertained is half the battle at having a happy husky. As we say here a tired husky is a happy, behaved husky, haha.

It sounds like you have your hands full... in a good way though! I would love to eventually have two dogs...but I want to make sure I'm getting Lutsen a friend for the right reasons! Any other advice you have on keeping them preoccupied let me know!

Make training fun, I, imho, think they learn more, huskies can be so independent and stubborn, so I incorporated play time with command training, tires them out faster, I think anyways.

MiyasMomma wrote:

Make training fun, I, imho, think they learn more, huskies can be so independent and stubborn, so I incorporated play time with command training, tires them out faster, I think anyways.

What would be an example of command training? Like sit, stay come sort of things?

Yes, tiring them out physically and mentally is, again, imo, the best way to have a happy husky. Especially since you are limited in how long you can walk them as puppies. So if they like to play fetch or tugs, play the game for a few minutes and then, before you throw the ball tell him to sit, tell him good boy then resume the game. It is a great way to tire them, learn to focus on you, keep them mentally challenged, by not knowing what's going to happen next. It's a great bond builder, builds respect. When you are done, you are the one to always stop the game.