New Husky... Problems, solutions?

Question

Hi I recently acquired a Siberian Husky. He's 2 years old and has been raised from a pup by a particular family. They moved and couldnt keep him so we inherited him. However, having some difficulty. He howls all day long and is driving my household and the neighbors cRaZY!! I understand they get lonely or bored easily, but since we're essentially strangers to him, he doesn't let us get close enough to him to take him for a walk or pet him, just give him the attention he needs. Or play with him, but he just howls and whines. Is he maybe suffering from separation anxeity from the family that moved? How do we gain his trust, and how do we become dominant to where we can get him to kind of be quiet when neccissary? I purchased a dummy's book on husky's and it has some useful tips and ideas, but really nothing on how to gain their trust really when they're coming from a family they've known since they were born..... What DO I do?!!

Answer 1

It shouldn't matter that you're strangers. Siberians -- if well bred and properly socialized -- like all people.

It may be a lack of socialization, it may be poor breeding, but if this dog is too shy to let you near him, you have a problem. How long have you had him?

You need to spend time with him -- make him accept the fact that you are the person in his life, now. If he just sits in your backyard all alone, it really is no wonder that he's noisy. This breed needs a pack. If there are no other dogs in your household, you and the people in your house are his pack. If his pack is inside, and he's outside, he will whine and howl.

Bring him inside. If you can't, contact a local Siberian rescue group and have them help you place him with someone who can.

Once he's with you, put him on a leash and tie it to your waist. He won't be able to avoid you, and you can show him that you are the source of all good things -- food, treats, affection. Hopefully he'll get over his issues. You should seriously consider taking him to an obedience class -- this will help your bond, and help you learn to deal with his noise issues.

Good luck!

Answer 2

first things try beef jerky mine go crazy for it!

secondly

this should settle down after a little bit your husky is basically morning and howling is the only way it knows how! its probabily scared and has a lot of new things to get used to and very quickly!

treat him like a friend and earn his trust start slowly tempting him with treats and staying calm try putting some music on in a quite room next to his bed and sit with him even if he ignores you for a while keep coaxing him and trying to relax him. the main thing is to stay calm and patient, i have never found force to work with huskys but food treats and cuddles are great to help. maybe try explaining to your neighbours that it is going to settle down and your very sorry and keep working with him.

it took me two weeks of this with my baby before she became to fully trust me, now she never leaves my side and is good as gold as long as she's not on her own! lol

also note that they do get bored very easily and shouldnt be left on their own in the house as they will destroy everything and anything they can get to! and they generally dont come back if you take them off the lead!

mail me if you wana chat to another owner and good luck

hope this helps

Answer 3

Yowsers.... I would go to library and get any dog whisperer video and book that I could... do not do some of the stuff like rolls etc...

Get treats and give him treats when he responds.  How do you feed him... ????   I noticed at costco yesterday that tghey have a 100% duck (dried) as treat.  I would try that as treat for super behaviour. Not sure how huskies do with treats though so I will star this question and hope some of my contact friends answer.

If he responds enough I would sssh him and reward as soon as he stops the howl.  

Call someone experienced in huskies and training and get them over toyour house to work with him. .

good luck

Answer 4

I would bet it is separation anxiety. My Malamute mix was the same way. I got her when she was 2 also. There is hope! She has turned into the best and most loyal dog I have ever had. She is now almost 12.

Malamutes and huskies are pack dogs and yours has been removed from "his pack". It may take a little while and effort to get him to be an active member of your pack.

To be dominant you need to be consistent. You need to be the Alpha (or pack leader) from the very beginning. Always feed him after you've eaten, have him enter a doorway after you, etc.  once he settles in and realizes his role in his new pack everything should fall into place.

Also, check out the book BE THE PACK LEADER by Cesar Millan.  There are a lot of good tips in there.

Best of luck!