Hello everyone, I've encountered this forum today and found out great tips for training huskies. I always wanted an husky since I was little and maybe in about a year from now I will have my first Husky. But I am worried how I will train my husky to behave well around other animals (cats, birds, rabbits, etc) where I live there are plenty of stray cats on the streets and thousands of birds. I have a cat myself so I am a bit concerned on what to do, I'd like some tips beforehand so when I have my husky I am prepared to train him or at least know what I will be dealing with
My boyfriend had a Lab and he was very much respecting around other animals but just to a certain distance, he would chase cats and birds if they got too close I guess is just a dog's instinct but it would be nice to have a way to ease that up if possible xD

Thank you!

Socialize your puppy with other dogs. Take it to a puppy training class if you have those near you. A highly socialized dog usually behaves well around other dogs or animals. Some dogs and especially Huskies can have a higher than normal prey drive so be on the look out for that when your future dog is near small animals. Obedience training along with socialization will be good starting points.

Cats especially tease a huskies prey drive. If you ever want to own a cat it is best to get it before the pup and have the pup come up with the cat. Some can handle getting used to a cat after the fact but it is no guarantee that it will. Even if you have a cat in the house that you set hard boundaries concerning while the pup is growing up there is no way to ensure that the pup will be okay with stray cats it does not know. Cats are just a different bear. They don't act like dogs, not even small dogs, and they have a tendency to run fast which gives our high prey drive dogs the urge to chase. Your best bet where stray cats are concerned will be to work on desensitizing you pup to them at an early age. Teach him to heel and reward for it. Put him in a heel when passing a cat and reward for not reacting or trying to chase. Other than the cats good socialization with dogs of all sizes from an early age, as WolvenSight suggested already, should be enough. They will go through ups and downs but staying consistent in what you ask of them and keeping their experiences with other animals good should have you a well manored dog.

Thank you all for your advices! I am for sure noting all of what you said for future reference and training, it did all make sense This forum has been great so far, maybe I'll post some pictures in here when I get my future husky too, meanwhile I'll keep reading and perhaps post a thing or two xD

My advice is to socialize your puppy with cats, birds, and people. This will teach them that cats and birds are friends, not lunch.

I, too, am a first time Husky owner. I was worried about bringing Zhukov home since we have Colby (Mini-Schnauzer), Amy (my wife's basic dumb cat), and Lily (my wife's other basic dumb cat).

We brought Zhukov home when he was 3 months old, and he and Colby hit it off right away. He appeared apprehensive around the cats, but now will let them curl up next to him in the sun, step on him when he is laying in the middle of the living room, and he even will lick their ears (though I tell the wife that he is just tenderizing them for later). He will chase Lily around, but only when she wants to play (typical cat), other wise she just stares him down. He will even wait politely till they finish eating to attack their food bowl.

Maybe I got lucky with Zhukov, but, I really think that the earlier you introduce them to other animals, the better off you will be.