Hi everyone!

My name is Ashlee, i'm getting ready to become a first time husky owner. I get my baby girl on May 16th, i'm so excited! I'm still trying to think of names and find out as much information about huskies as possible. I would love all the advice I can get

" />

" />

Welcome to the forum and welcome to the wild ride of husky ownership! Definitely take a look at the husky 101 thread and all the stickies. She looks really young though, I wouldn't recommend bringing her home until she's at least 8 weeks. Also, in most states it's illegal for breeders to let puppies leave before the age of 7 weeks.

Either way she is gorgeous!

Sorry my pics are so big!!

The pictures I have of her i've been getting from the breeder. I believe when I pick her up she will be 6 weeks, I am from Michigan and not sure what the rules are!! yikes   

Hm. I'm not sure either, but there are a lot of Michegan folks on here, and hopefully they will chime in and can help you out. It's really in the puppies best interest to stay with her mom and siblings until she's 8 weeks. They learn a lot of important social skills during those last two weeks. Her mask is really cute.

I hope so!

Thank you, I love your website! Your puppy is so cute!! I love all the pictures    looking at how small yours was at 9 weeks makes me worry more about the 6 week thing, he was tiny!

Yeah, he's my little bud and I love him dearly. Last Sunday (May 4) was the anniversary that he came home last year and I've been a puppy slave ever since. Maybe ask your breeder if she can keep your girl until she's 8 weeks.

according to http://www.animallaw.info/articles/ovuspuppysaletable.htm it's illegal in Michigan to sell a puppy under 8 weeks. I would definitely do some deeper research and possibly inform the breeder that what they are doing by letting puppies go under 8 weeks is not only unhealthy for their dogs, but also punishable by law. She is a cutie of a pup for sure though.

I am a bit worry would Husky is your ideal breed as the basic 8 weeks rule you seems didn't know about. If I were you I would spend a bit time to research on the breed before taking it home. =(

all due respect but the basic 8 week rule doesn't just apply to Huskies so how does that have anything to do with the breed of the dog? I've researched quite a lot about the breed as well as talked to other owners, I think I have a pretty good understanding of what i'm getting into.

I did speak to my breeder and I was mistaken on her birth date, April 4th was when I went to look at her not the day she was born. Too many ads looked at and breeders talked to!

When we pick her up she will be almost 9 weeks old. To clarify, the picture you see on the side is the first time I ever went to visit her, in that picture she was 3 weeks old.

Well that makes sense. the reason people say the 8 week rule is important, especially with huskies, is because they tend to be a very mouthy breed in general and taking them away early means they have less time to learn bite inhibition.

9 weeks is much better than 6.

Oh my goodness look at those eyes!!!!! *melts* what an adorable pup.

Yeah, 8 weeks is the earliest pups should be taken, because they learn social skills that are much needed, at that age every day is a very long time for a pup and much can be learned and achieved. Actually, an interesting fact, most reputable breeders for huskies won't adopt out a pup untill they are several months old to see which of the litter is champion material to keep for themselves.

Here is a suggestion. Okami is my first husky, and like you I was totally in the dark at first. I picked up a book to help me out in the beginning. "Huskies for Dummies". It was the first dummies book I ever purchased, and it was totally worth it. It gives you tons of information like, the history of the breed, health care, how to take care of them, training do's and don't's, reputable breeder checklists, the list goes on. Also, the amazon ebook is way cheaper than the physical copy.

Make sure you buy an enormous amount of different textured toys at the early ages for teething. You may purchase things you would never buy them later in life like stuffies, my rule of thumb, when they can finally tear it apart it is time to upgrade to much tougher. I started with nylabones when she needed tougher stuff, eventually they were not tough enough... so I have switched to antlers, omg best chew in the world. They last forever, and they are better for teeth cleaning than anything ever (of course still brush teeth though lol) but always supervise antler chewing, never let them chew unsupervised .

Make sure you figure out a solid potty training plan, stick to your guns. There is plenty of advice on that bumping around on here

Crate training!!!!!!!! Very important. For yhe saftey of your pup when no one can keep an eye, also for saftey of mind for the pup. Huskies like dens, and that is what a crate will become after crate training

Okay, I will stop writing a book now.... I am a Michigander, if you ever want to meet up let me know. Also if your interested there is a group called Husky Huddle Malamute Mingle ~ Michigan on facebook. If you request to join you will have access to events where there is meet ups at off leash dog parks to socialize and give the fur beasts some pack settings. Hope any of this helps!!!!

Also on a side note the markings make the pup look like it has a giant clover lulz

Thank you for all the advice Lilith!!! I love hearing things like that

I will definitely have to join that group, sounds like fun! Where in Michigan are you?

Welcome! We are also in Michigan

Yay! Kylah is so beautiful!

Thank you! Yours is going to be a cutie too   

Do you guys have any recommendations on crate sizes/brands? I'm trying to prep for when she arrives

I have the 42" midwest crate with the divider panel. That way you can size it up as she grows. If she's a typical female size 35-50 lbs you may only need the 36". I also need to get a 36 for traveling and shows, because, unfortunately the 42 doesn't fit well in my smallish car.

You should get a crate that is big enough for them to stand up and turn around in. Some crates come with a separator... also if you get one from the store, someone there should be able to recommend what size for a husky in their available stock. If you want to save money, check out friends and family, check out craigslist. I have two crates, one I paid 175 bucks for at a store, and one I got from my Aunt for 50 bucks.

Also since you are in Michigan, you will find the only thing you ever need to go to Meijer for, is Frontline (anti flea med) it is like 60 bucks at PetSmart, 50 at Petco, and 30 at Meijer. It is amazing lol. But nothing else they have is worth it... Petco is better for everything else. Also, do your research on what food you want to feed. Everyone has an opinion, but I will always suggest what we ended up with, Tractor Supply has their own line of food brand called 4Health. It is just as good at ToTW or Blue Buffalo, but half the price. Best choice we ever made... they only have the Turkey and potato as the grain free option so that is what we feed.


I am on the east side of Mi... Fenton. It is like 20 minutes away from Flint. (No offence to anyone from Flint) where we are is opposite of the way Flint looks lol.