Hello I though I would introduce myself. I was looking for a good place to learn more about my Husky puppy. I have had 2 German Shepherds one passed away the other is still with us. We now have an 8 week old husky puppy.

I tried to ask some simple questions on Yahoo answers and got berated for everything and had to go back and explain that I already own a dog and we are an active and she is scheduled for a vet visit and puppy classes. Even when I just asked if anyone had recommendations for reading material.

So just in case you want to know the background on us. I did only general research before buying this puppy. We probably should have done more but I love her and I am not taking her back because we made a mistake. We got her at a little at over 6 weeks old and didn't realize that was a little to young. We have vet visits scheduled and she is scheduled for puppy classes and when she is done with those she will go to obedience training for at least two 8 week sessions. I would actually like to keep her in something for the first year.

Anyhow I work mostly from home and have lots of time to spend with the Kyra (our puppy) during the day. When I do work outside the home my husband is usually home. I teach dance classes for a living so I am usually pretty active. My husband likes to take really long walks in the neighborhood at least an hour a day.

So I am here to learn more about the unique things about huskies that I have not learned from owning a German Shepherd. Somewhere that I can ask questions and get answers. I am not opposed to criticism either I am here to learn but I don't like people who don't know me judging my character because I am asking questions. I am not stupid if it was a health question I will call my vet.

Sorry for the vent. It took me a bit of time to find this forum because I was typing in the wrong information.

So what are the joys and challenges to owning a husky? What type of activities can i get her involved in to keep her both physically and mentally challenged? What are the best resources to learn more about the breed?

Sorry you had such a bad experience on Yahoo! This forum is an amazing resource for new and experienced husky owners....you will be glad you found it. You can easily search and find helpful information for nearly any topic/question. We are proudly owned by a 3 year old and a 6 month old and this site was a blessing when we got our first husky!!

P.S. I would love to see pics of your pup!

Aw...so cute. Welcome to the forum! For the first year you will want to focus on training. Walking good on leash, potty, manners with other dogs, any tricks. Until they are a year old you can't really do any hard core body work with them because you don't want to stress growing joints. Keep walks short and on grass. Rule I think is 5 mins of walk per month of age. At two months go about 10 minutes on grass and no structured running. She can run all she wants in the yard of her own desire but don't take her jogging with you where she doesn't have control of the pace. Once she hits the year mark though you can start running and biking or any number of activities. We have some who do barn hunt and lure coursing, agility. I think the biggest challenge for me going from hunting dogs to a husky was just the sheer desire to ignore me completely that a husky has. They aren't trustworthy off leash and those that are have had many hours of hard work to get them that way and usually still need some backup guidance just in case their desire for a squirrel beats out their desire to listen. They can also throw the holy grail of tantrums. They are a quirky breed though with big personality and they can keep up with any active person out there as long as they are healthy.

Gorgeous pup!!!

hi, and welcome to the forums. very cute puppy.
i would get some puzzle toys or food dispensing toys for a good brain workout.

Thanks everyone! We started puppy classes and we got some good ideas there. She is a great pup and aside from the puppy biting she is doing very well but keeping me busy.

Welcome Aboard.
I'm happy that you found this forum. I kept seeing it in my searches and reading the post; eventually i was hooked. like you have a lot of questions. i did plenty of research and have spent 3 years helping out from time to time with a friend of mine's husky but it 's nothing like having your own. I have also have had a german shepard (male) who was as stubborn as i thought they came. My first was a lap/pit female and she was a total sweetheart and a teacher pet. Listened well and hardly ever did anything wrong. Good Luck with your new addition.

Welcome. Your pup is awfully cute. You are in for the ride of your life . Siberian delight, frustrate and amaze every step of the way.

Ugh! Yahoo answer can sometimes be such a pain, really glad that you found us and welcome to the forum.

I can't add much at all to what has already been said - just that if you've had, as you say, Shepherds and Labs, be prepared to be amazed by one of the most intelligent breeds you'll ever run into. That doesn't mean that they're "obedient" by any stretch they are really a independent pup.

"Excuse me, you want me to what? I don't see why I should!" seems to be the attitude I see a lot from my mess!! (One Alaskan and two Siberian Huskies)

Hi i am a first time husky owner and just got through the puppy stage A couple of months ago and i found that deer antlers, sticks, and water bottles in a protective sleeve helped me out a lot when she was teething. You do have to be careful with the water bottle because if she chews it long enough it can make sharp plastic edges.

Welcome both of you!

I am a new husky owner myself, we have a 4 month old little guys with worlds of personality and sass but man has it been a fun time. On this site you will find advice on almost any issue you come across. Both the Mrs and I have this site bookmarked so we can refer back or search issues. Im sure you will use it just as much.

Enjoy and goodluck!

Welcome to the forum! Your husky pup is so cute. As most on this forum. I have to admit that I am so jealous that I never had a chance to have a husky from that stage and have the same growing pain as most of you. But then I look back at it again and actually very glad that I got mine when she was 1yr 5 months and very well trained already. I don't regret it at all especially hearing about all the challenges that many of you go through but I probably wouldn't have mind either.

Good luck with your Kyra (beautiful name)!

Thanks everyone for the advice she keeps me pretty busy and she is gradually getting better with the biting issues I talked about somewhere else. Once I found a few toys she liked and got some buffalo horns we have had better luck redirecting and we have spent more time with spur of the moment short training sessions with her favorite treats which seems to make her less apt to be crazy wild. She is SUPER smart so we are going to have to be careful not to let her train us to do what she wants.

She had 4 weeks of puppy classes and she started her home obedience classes this past Saturday and will go 8 weeks through. Then I hope to sign her up for another 8 weeks of the next level class until she is old enough to participate in some sort of sport. I don't care if she wins any competitions I just want it to be fun for all of us.