Hello everyone,

I got adopted by a husky stray about 20 days ago. I work deep nights and this real skinny critter, looked like a coyote to me at the time, kept chasing some grey fox near where I was writing reports. It eventually got tired of the game and approached where I was parked. Turns out it was a husky that was incredibly skinny. It looked like she had been on her own for several months.

I brought her home with me and after trying to find an owner and not seeing anything in the paper reporting her missing for a couple of weeks I took her to the vet and made it official. I never really gave any thought to living with a Husky before, but now that she's home I wouldn't have it any other way.

Anushka is about 1 year old and stands 19". She only weighs 32 pounds and her coat is pretty shaggy, not the short tight coat I see on the dogs on this forum. Might be it's due to the heat here in Texas, or maybe she's a mix, I don't know.

I know very little of the breed other than what I've read on websites. Having worked with Belgian Malinois so I know smart dogs, but Anushka constantly suprises me with her raw Intelligence. She appears to have a good grasp of the English language and 90% of the time knows what I would like her to do even if it's a new concept.

She's good with my 11 year old Golden Retriever and knows her place in the heirarchy and shows no food agression at all; even though she obviously was not well fed. She loves my young kids (ages 2 and 4) and is incredibly gentle with them. She quickly took to the harness and loves to go for walks. She takes a loose leash already after only having walked with me a few times.

I do have some questions and concerns though. She is slowly getting greedy with toys. I took her to PETSMART and let her pick out her own toy. Now she thinks all the toys in the house are hers (dog toys, she ignores the kids toys) and will gather them all together and lay down on them when Hannah (retriever) is in the room.

Also, I was in the backyard doing some bbq when I looked over and she's digging a gigantic hole near the fence (7' tall wooden fence) and had her head under the fence. I understand they like to dig and I want to discourage this. I'm not used to working with "soft" dogs.

I also need to put some weight on her. She eats doggy junk food now (Beneful) but will be slowly changing to Taste of the Wild. Anything I should add to this or is it good as is?

Thanks and I really enjoy the forums.

Welcome!! She is gorgeous!! Your in for an adventure and a fun one at that Cant wait to see more pictures of Anushka in her forever home!

You should post your question in the "training" section so the knowledgeable people here can give you some advice

Kale and I say HELLOOO from California

Welcome to the forum! Anushka looks like a very pretty, and smart girl

Welcome to the forum! Anushka is gorgeous, and thank you for rescuing her

Welcome and thanks for saving her! She is pretty, more pics please.

As for food. I took in a very malnourished husky for a kill shelter, he was 23 pounds. I fed him lots of small meals during the day. Lower protein <25% to start as not too cause more diarrhea that he already had. TOTW is a good choice if she tolerates it, remember to feed less.

As for digging you can create a "sandbox" or area where you let her dig. Bury treats or toys and positive rewards or praise when she dig there. If she digs else where, take her to her spot and dig or play with her. Also consider securing your fence bottom by burying stone or wire. Consider micro-chipping and id tags are a must.

Good luck you'll find lots of good advice here.

Welcome!

For the fence, dig a trench from the fence line to a few inches inside. Fill with quikcrete and chicken wire, and let dry. Top with soil and reseed with grass (if you have grass). This will ensure she can't get under the fence.
Instructions from husky owners:
http://everydaytalesofwoe.blogspot.com/2006/09/husky-proof-fencing-how-to.html

In the meantime, put a bit of her poo in the digging spot - she'll stop digging there.

Good luck!

Brian and Sam thanks for the digging advice. Looks like I'm heading to the tractor supply tomorrow for some materials for a weekend project.

Welcome and congrats on saving Anushka!

Welcome and congrats on saving Anushka!

Decuervo wrote:

Having worked with Belgian Malinois so I know smart dogs, but Anushka constantly suprises me with her raw Intelligence. She appears to have a good grasp of the English language and 90% of the time knows what I would like her to do even if it's a new concept.

We have always been amazed by their intelligence! When teaching him tricks, sometimes Sabaka is just like, "Stop explaining it already... watch me do it... and give me one of those treats!" Then there are those times you will see the understanding in his eyes but watch him purposefully disobey... Intelligence come with a price!! But it's all fun!

So glad Anushka found you to love her! Welcome to the forum!

She is very pretty! Thank you for opening your heart and home to a girl in need!