I know this is probably not the best site to ask this, lmao. But I got a 9 week old Siberian husky last week from a breeder. I will admit I didn’t know too much about this breed outside of alittle research. My situation is I have no fenced in yard that I can let him loose in. I know huskies require a ton of exercise. Any suggestions?
Also, I have a house full of cats. Any success stories with Husky’s and cats or is this a nightmare in waiting. I’m also worried about this fall when school starts. I am currently crate training at night, but he would have to be crated all day long this fall because I work full time.
I’m conflicted because the breeder offered to let me return him. I have grown attached to him over the past week, minus his psycho modes that he goes thru, lol. At one week of being in my house, would he be attached to me already and suffer in the future? Am I wrong for debating returning a puppy because I don’t know if his needs can be met? Or is a husky not as hard as I’m now hearing? Sorry if confusing and thanks.
And that looks to me to be one part of a workable solution to a challenging situation: make the effort to socialize, and also make the effort to housebreak him without the crate, and otherwise husky-proof your residence, so that he can be with the cats all day when you're gone.
Full grown husky will hate the crate and they are very vocal dogs.
An older dog can take it.
No firm rule on dogs/cats. Its an individual thing on both sides. My stepson's Husky loved their cat.
No fence is a problem also. Huskies are notorious for wanting to wander "over the next hill".
Have you considered an older dog (say 1 year old)?
Your breeder probably can point you to a Husky rescue organization in your area; although a Husky may not be the best breed to leave alone all day.
Unless you have a solid plan to keep the puppy active and exercised I think it's probably the best thing to return him so someone who can take proper care of him can adopt him.
I'm just being honest - and I'm not quite an expert, but we have two dogs and we foster dogs and volunteer at the rescue where our dogs came from, so I know the process (just my anecdotal experiences)
I looked into huskies and our local breeder required a home visit to see our house, yard, meet our pets, etc. because they don't want their dogs to be returned, killed or have a bad home life.
My first adoption not going to lie we were overwhelmed by the puppy, I work from home and thought it was smart to get a 12 week old puppy. After a week I began having anxiety because it was literally harder than having a new born baby. there was no bouncy seat or place to put the puppy that she would just chill, so active, constant attention, so I lied and said one of my kids had an allergic reaction and asked if they'd take her back, they said of course and took her back.
I told them I felt guilty and they assured me that at that age puppies have zero memory and withing 5 minutes after me leaving would never remember me. they "remember" scents more than anything else, but even then unlikely. Not sure if they were trying to make me feel good or not but it did.
since them we got a puppy - in the summer when the kids were home to watch it and I wish we could do it over because it's basically 2 - 3 months of hell for a lifetime of reward and unconditional love.
lesson learned. hopefully for you too and you find the right puppy/dog for you.
You dont have to return him. I would suggest dog walker or daycare when you are working. Like every day though. If he grows up with the cats it should be ok. My guy would kill them all. He was on the streets and still has some gangster in him. He just ate a fucking chipmunk whole last weekend.
I would not take the decision lightly here. You need to determine if you want/have the time to put in. If so, they're very rewarding and awesome. If no, they can be a terror. Either way first 2.5 years they are fucking nightmares. Wait until 5-6 months. Fucking savages.
You dont have to return him. I would suggest dog walker or daycare when you are working. Like every day though. If he grows up with the cats it should be ok. My guy would kill them all. He was on the streets and still has some gangster in him. He just ate a fucking chipmunk whole last weekend.
I would not take the decision lightly here. You need to determine if you want/have the time to put in. If so, they're very rewarding and awesome. If no, they can be a terror. Either way first 2.5 years they are fucking nightmares. Wait until 5-6 months. Fucking savages.
also you can use a stake/lead while they are young. Harnesses are required for huskies. Would look into a fence too but again they will dig if not watched when young. My guy fortunately isn't a digger
Take the dog back, let it have a chance at the attention, care, and upbringing it deserves.
Quote:
My guy would kill them all. He was on the streets and still has some gangster in him. He just ate a fucking chipmunk whole last weekend.
He did! My wife was horrified. Chipmunks have been very brazen…he got one with his paws, 2 chomps, looked at my wife who was screaming to leave it, said “nah”, grabbed it and basically swallowed it whole. Chipmunks have not been seen in the backyard since.
Might return after a couple of days.
Likely eat a chicken if your neighbors keep them.
I liked them so much I started to research. My girlfriend had said she’d like to get a second dog sooooo … in my research I started to follow a couple husky Instagram pages. Holy shit!
I’ve had a lot of dogs in my life. I never realized huskies were THAT vocal.
Now, our Lab “talks.” She’ll say goodbye morning, she tells us verbally when she’s got to ho out or occasionally when we don’t notice the time, she gets mouthy.
But wow! Apparently huskies never, fucking, shut up lol. Talking, talking back, the howling!
In one way it’s hysterical. But I’m not sure I could deal with it non-stop. 😂😂😂
And she doesn’t tell us when she has to “ho out.” She is neutered. 😆
Have you checked with your insurance agent? Certain breeds are on "the list" and can trigger H.O. policy cancellation or a steep increase in rates due to liability concerns.
No fence is asking for disaster.
It’s in thier nature to roam and the can cover ALOT of territory very quickly.
You will also be living with fur. Massive massive Amounts of fur. Everywhere.
I’ve found it inside my iPhone case.😆
I would say look for a less maintenance dog
But I don’t think that exists.
And she doesn’t tell us when she has to “ho out.” She is neutered. 😆
Your she may be a he then, Beezy
This^^^
It sounds like your heart is in the right place, but getting a dog is a big decision for them and your family. It can't be an impulse decision you try to figure out after adoption.
Good luck to you.
Another way to look at it:
What do you do if your dog injures or kills a cat?
what do you do if your dog runs away?
what do you do if your dog destroys their crate and then destroys some of your house while you are gone?
Not trying to be rude - you asked for advice - but as someone who has had dogs since I was a kid and has five now - and a cat - and a fenced yard - I know how difficult it can be.
Akita, Alaskan Malamute, American Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Bullmastiff, Chow, Doberman Pinscher, German Shepherd, Italian Mastiff/Cane Corso, Pit Bull, Dingo, Presa Canario/Canary Dog/Canary Island Dog, Rottweiler, Siberian Husky, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, any wolf hybrid, or any mix of these breed
Companies differ on their approach and the lists are different. Our agent came by and met our new rescue dog.
As far as exercise and climate, I live up in the Adirondacks. I’m sure he will love the winters here. Summertime we will do tons of walks and day hikes and I plan on getting a bike attachment and running with him while I ride. I’m still trying figure out winter but my dog trainer suggested a dog treadmill for winter which she will train him to use.
As far as cats. I know I’m taking a chance. But I have talked to a ton of husky owners who said raising them together from puppyhood should help in that regard, but I still will not trust them alone in house together. Will block off part of house when he is older and I’m at work.
I took the responsibility to bring him home. I owe it to him to now do what I can do to give him the best life I can
As far as exercise and climate, I live up in the Adirondacks. I’m sure he will love the winters here. Summertime we will do tons of walks and day hikes and I plan on getting a bike attachment and running with him while I ride. I’m still trying figure out winter but my dog trainer suggested a dog treadmill for winter which she will train him to use.
As far as cats. I know I’m taking a chance. But I have talked to a ton of husky owners who said raising them together from puppyhood should help in that regard, but I still will not trust them alone in house together. Will block off part of house when he is older and I’m at work.
I took the responsibility to bring him home. I owe it to him to now do what I can do to give him the best life I can
Good for you. I am always reluctant to give definite advice on deeply personal matters, even to friends who are asking for it. I think it's better to discuss context and caveats to help folks arrive at a decision they are comfortable with.
We are all different and there is no black and white. Perhaps you made a mistake initially getting this pup with incomplete information. That's life and we all make mistakes like that. But you are better informed now, and you seem motivated by excitement and love to give this beautiful dog a great life. I wish you both the best.
Unless you have a solid plan to keep the puppy active and exercised I think it's probably the best thing to return him so someone who can take proper care of him can adopt him.
I'm just being honest - and I'm not quite an expert, but we have two dogs and we foster dogs and volunteer at the rescue where our dogs came from, so I know the process (just my anecdotal experiences)
I looked into huskies and our local breeder required a home visit to see our house, yard, meet our pets, etc. because they don't want their dogs to be returned, killed or have a bad home life.
This. My wife breeds (Havanese) and she interviews all prospective owners regarding the above. She has refused to sell on occasion due to the above. Sorry but you should have done more research. IMO for the good of the dog you should rehome it.
In comment 15745451 SimpleMan said:
Take the dog back, let it have a chance at the attention, care, and upbringing it deserves.
to fence our entire 1.5 acre property cost about $1500. pup was trained how to “use” the fence by Canine Co. professionals (and me), and let me tell you, I could throw a raw steak over the line and she wouldn’t budge.
i let her run around and play twice a day and she sleeps for the rest of it. everyone’s happy.
They require a ton of exercise we lived close to a golf coarse and would run them daily and my younger sister and I would ride our bikes with the leash daily and it still was not enough.
Bottom line return the dog or find a suitable home for it you and the dog will be better for it.
Our dog trainer made the point of, you’re not going to tire your dog out for long. Like us, they eventually get used to long walks. If you think a 5 mile walk is going to tire them out, it will at first. But then they’ll build up to it and 5 miles is easy. Just like people.
Our trainer often said, you can’t make your dog more smart. In other words, they have a ceiling, so if you work their brain hard, that’s going to tire them out a ton too. Like puzzle toys, activities where they have to really think, walking in new areas so they smell more often and have to think about it what they’re smelling. Our trainer said something like a 15 minute walk of intense sniffing is comparable to the normal hour walk.
Our dog is a working dog mix so that may be part of it. I know huskies are born to run, but I’d look into other enrichment.