rpataca wrote:

Malathe,

Going to answer the 'house size' question. We live in a town house with almost no backyard - not even fenced. Our puppy seems to do just fine. We use the backyard more for his bathroom. I run him in the morning before work and right after I get home. My wife runs him at lunch and we contently play with him. I don't think having a backyard or fenced yard is a requirement (some might disagree) but for us it certainly isn't.

As far as the weather we live in Atlanta, Georgia(SouthEast US) - right now our guy is only 3 months and only had him now in the winter months but I worry as well - maybe more can talk to this. However there's plenty of people on here who live in FL so can't think its too bad. However I really enjoy cooler weather and our house stays pretty cool year round. We have noticed if it gets warm in the house he doesn't really like it. He likes to sit on cold surfaces like stone or tile.

Hope that helps some.

Hi, rpataca....
Thanks for replying... Your husky should be so lucky to have you and your wife to take care of it all the time...I got the advice that it should be fine if i dont have spacious yard and husky prefer cooler weather....Well, im still single and living with my family... Would it be a problem if we put him in cage when all of us are away for work? I was thinking of taking him to my workplace also, but there are some street dogs, so im a bit concerned that they might harm him....

i<3neo wrote:

A fenced in yard is nor a requirement to own a husky, although some rescues wont adopt to non fenced yards. As long as the dog has proper Excersise, and i dont mean a 10 min stroll down the block, it will be fine.
As far as the weather, huskies do enjoy cooler weather, and do not do well if out in the heat to long. I'm not sure about the heat in Malaysia, but here in the summer, I do walks in the early morning and at night after the sun goes down. My Neo just acts miserable in the heat of the day. As long as h has a cool house to cone into after potty breaks, he does fine.

Hi there...
First of all thanks for replying.... I heard of husky is good in finding his way to escape from fences...Do u thinking fencing is not important... As i dont want him to wonder around to other neighbors house or yard.... So all i have to do is to give him a proper and cold house and he should be fine right?

Koda wrote:

Malathe wrote:

im worried that i wouldnt be able to keep up with the demands...
first is sometimes proper training wouldnt be enough as he is more independent and in-obedient...i dont want him to 'attack' any new visitor...

I don't understand what you mean by this. Can you explain this more?

You can own a husky without a fenced in yard, it's just a lot more work. We owned Koda without one for years and he was fine. You just have to put in the time to go on long walks, find fenced places for him to run around and give him plenty of exercise.

Huskies can survive warm temperatures just fine. Their fur acts as an insulator so it keeps them cool in the summer as much as it keeps them warm in the winter. They prefer colder climates, but they adapt to warmer weather without an issue.

Hi, Tori...
What i meant to have a husky is not a easy task... We have to spare good time with him, give him proper space and proper training too....I read that husky is a independent dog n without proper training, sometimes it could be very hard to train and control him as he wont listen to the owner....i want him to behave well to the visitors... because i have seen many dog that barks so loudly to the visitors till the owner have to tie them outside...So i just want my husky not to bark at any visitor because this might scare them....

Here4thePics wrote:

Huskies are not wolves so they don't attack.

They will swarm over you though just to give you deserved kisses.
They do require lots of exercise so if that demand can't be kept then please don't get a Husky.

Hi Len...
Sorry if i sound to harsh....Dont get me wrong...
I have seen and experienced my friends and relatives dogs bark so loudly at visitors which makes me so uncomfortable n scared that the dogs might attack me....So i just wanna make sure that i could do something so that my husky wont behave the same to my visitors....
Exercise is not the problem is i always go for jogging in the morning for atleast 30 mins and on the evening, my bro will take him for a walk....

ilovenanuk wrote:

I have a small fenced in yard, which our husky barely ever goes except maybe to make a late night wee.... Having a yard doesn't eliminate their need to go for long walks/runs.

Maybe check around for some good local dog parks as well, the socialization is great and my dog is always niiiice and ready for a nap afterward (a tired husky is a GOOD husky!)

Exercise is definitely their most important need, so before even considering you really need to be honest with yourself about whether or not you will be able to commit to that in your life style. If you have any doubts at all, don't do it. If you are the active type and like to run, then a husky is an awesome running partner! I have been in great shape since I got my boy

Also, I'm not sure if some one already said this, but one thing about living in a warmer climate --please please never shave their coat off! Not only is their thick coat insulation for cold weather, but it keeps them cooler in the heat.

best of luck to you!!

Hi Kim, thanks for the advice.... Malachi is very cute.... I love the colour... Was thinking of getting a husky in that colour too...
Exercise is not my prior concern... The problem is im working from 9am to 6pm...All of us at home are working...So during that time, there will be no one at home to take care of him... I was thinking of taking him to my workplace also, but worried will be attacked by streetdogs there....Thanks for the advice 'not to shave their coat off'...Will bare that in my mind always....

Well I was told the same horror stories about Huskies when I started wanting one, especially because I wanted to train him as a guide dog (what I actually did).
Well from my experience and all the Huskies I met, most of the negative stories you hear are bullshit. Yes they are no off leash dogs, yes they need more attention and exercise than many other breeds, but .like every other dog they can be trained.
So to me it is no big difference if you wnat a Siberian or a Golden or something else. I saw many Labradors that weren´t listening to their owners etc..
So my recommendation to everyone that wants a Husky, and is aware of what the breed needs and is willed to give those things to the dog - do it.

SiberianHuskySibhee wrote:

Has anyone watched Eight Below? I cried while watching this movie with my Sibhee. This movie will surely enhance your relationship with your Husky.

Oh my goodness yes. Great but sad movie!!!

SiberianHuskySibhee wrote:

Has anyone watched Eight Below? I cried while watching this movie with my Sibhee. This movie will surely enhance your relationship with your Husky.

Since I wasn't able to report this - this user is clearly not a real person, just someone who commented on all the posts and then went back and added links back to sites for SEO purposes. I've already called this person out via the report feature previously - it's hurting the site to leave these signature links up.

I haven't had too much trouble with Kya, except the running down the road after the cable guy left the back gate open.

The one thing that i was NOT prepared for, and was warned, was the digging. She has dug holes in our backyard that my poms DISAPPEAR into. We have killer (literally) rotts that live next door so I have to inspect the fence line several times a day bc they like to dig too. It's like she is digging to china. And they are atleast every few feet. We fill them daily with poo and dirt and she still redigs it. TURD.

I had also never had an issue with chewing, until she chewed my favorite pair of flats. And she has not chewed anything inappropriate since then. VERY ODD.

Tiff&amp;Kya wrote:

I haven't had too much trouble with Kya, except the running down the road after the cable guy left the back gate open.

The one thing that i was NOT prepared for, and was warned, was the digging. She has dug holes in our backyard that my poms DISAPPEAR into. We have killer (literally) rotts that live next door so I have to inspect the fence line several times a day bc they like to dig too. It's like she is digging to china. And they are atleast every few feet. We fill them daily with poo and dirt and she still redigs it. TURD.

"Huskies will always try to run north to Canada and try to dig to China." That's the way we describe it in this house! The little poo-poos cannot be trusted for a minute...

lol..great thread...so much he does is the same as all your fluff balls..
We had the back and front gardens fenced over 5 feet high, all the way around..i miss my hedges, but it was a must.
But one thing, we live near a wood's, with a wide field, that leads to it, maybe a 3/4 mile walk, if no one is about, i let him run free, and he can't really go anywhere, if he gets out of sight, he stops and waits..i don't trust him, its every now and then, and he's been ok for the most part..
Oh on fence panel at the front, had to be replaced as he broke it by jumping up on it with his front paws..
Its all reinforced with 4by2 timber batons....for now.

I still think a mal/husky is not for me and I am a dedicated owner. I work with huskies all the time, I pet sit mostly that breed. I have convinced people of other breeds. Luckily the hair is the only issue, maggie acts more like an old dog than a 1 1/2 year old. lol

I dont know if its been mentioned already, but i would also advise a potential husky owner that since huskies are not really a One owner type of dog, thy are pack dogs and would pretty much be a 'whole family' dog, that getting a husky should be a family decision, I say this because let m tell ya, my brother and sister live with us and they hate finding husky hair in their morning coffee lol.

oooh also its super important to door train them, i am currently teaching ax to wait at any door he goes through, and he waits till i go out first.

my horror story
its short...
I opened the door to take my kids to school. Ax darted out.
Ax ran into traffic.
Ax got hit by car and broke his paw.

Thrfor: Door train your dogs.

MetalMama wrote:

I dont know if its been mentioned already, but getting a husky should be a family decision, I say this because let m tell ya, my brother and sister live with us and they hate finding husky hair in their morning coffee lol.

Ax is family now.......... tell your bro & sis to rinse their cup out before using.

oh they just deal with it, they dont like it but they know he is as permanent here as they are haha.

Well Balon is my first but I think the worst thing is their sensitive tummies! Oh and his stubborness while adjusting to being crated, he screamed, ranted, raved, and howled everynight for a month. Now he is good thank god!

Mine is quite vocal when he doesn't want to be in the crate, and it took me 3 weeks of agony before he slept all night without crying lol. BUT he has picked up tricks as fast as my lab, and she is smart as a whip. The two play endlessly, getting quite mouthy which each other. I love them both lol.

I have just read through this whole thread as we are bringing home our baby on Saturday! What a wonderful, and sometimes humorous, read Thank you for this! I just realized I may be posting some of my horror stories about Snow here one day That thought actually makes me happy!

I learned very quickly that the "escape artist" mentality comes paired with "by any means necessary" when I came home to find two husky puppies gnawing a hole through my wall to escape their pen.

Why are Huskies "NOT OFF LEASH DOGS"?

Because they are leashed.

Juturna67 wrote:

Why are Huskies "NOT OFF LEASH DOGS"?

Simply put, they love to run and won't think twice about heading for the beyond. (without you)

Definitely check out "Siberian Huskies for Dummies" at the local bookstore as soon as you can - it's really, really awesome and has great tips for your husky! If you have time to order online, North Star Husky Rescue sells them online to benefit the huskies.

And to follow up on everyone's stories here - it's really to help prevent new owners from any grief.

Motto in our house: Never trust a husky. They'll lull you into a false sense of security before doing something stupid and husky-like.

Never leave out anything you don't want them to eat. Don't leave shoes or socks where they can reach them. Never let them off leash. Never leave them in an unsecured area/yard. If you think to yourself "Hmm..there's really no way they can get out of here" - you're DEAD wrong. YMMV.