Siberian Husky

Siberian Huskies are famous for their historic role as a sled dog. Don’t be fooled by this canine’s wolf-like appearance or icy origins—Siberian Huskies are some of the friendliest and warmest dogs you’ll ever meet. Smart, loyal and more than a little mischievous, Huskies can make a wonderful addition to many families. Just make sure you’re willing to give them all the love and attention they crave, as well as plenty of outlets for their boundless energy.

Couch potatoes need not apply to adopt a Siberian Husky. Huskies need lots of attention and make wonderful jogging, hiking and adventure buddies. Their extra-friendly disposition means you won't be getting a very effective guard dog, but you will have a wonderful companion for you and your family.

Extra lovey-dovey Huskies want to be everyone's best friend. This makes them a great fit for families who can spend lots of time with them. Leave your Husky alone for too long, however, and you might find they've kept themselves entertained by chewing your shoes or serenading your neighbors with mournful howling.

Known for their beautiful brown and blue eyes, sometimes they have one of each, Huskies are generally clean and healthy. A medium- to large-sized dog, the average Husky weighs between 35 and 60 lbs. Female Huskies usually top out at 50 lbs. Huskies do best with lots of early socialization and a family who can provide a large yard. Just make sure to check your fence for holes before bringing home a Husky; they're famous escape artists.

Like all dogs, Siberian Huskies need well-balanced and nutritious dog food to maintain good health. Make sure to feed your Husky food formulated for their life stage. This includes feeding puppy food to younger Husky pups and giving food formulated for older dogs to your senior Husky.

If you have a working Husky sled dog, increase their protein, fat and overall calories during their working months. In warmer weather or when they aren't working, cut back to match the change in their activity level.

One fascinating Siberian Husky fact is that these dogs can run for many miles on very little food. While this doesn't mean you should skip feeding your dog, it does help explain why Huskies are at risk of becoming overweight or obese. Remember, a full-grown Husky should generally weigh between 35 and 60 lbs. If your Husky starts tipping the scales, cut back on food and treats. Your dog's veterinarian can guide you on how much to feed your Husky.

Give your Siberian Husky the best life with Petco's recommended supplies. From palatial dog houses to comfy dog beds and chew-tastic toys, these supplies will make your Husky howl with joy.

Majestic, athletic Siberian Huskies are easy to love. Are they easy to train? Well… maybe not easy, but you might be surprised how successful training your Siberian Husky can be. If you’re consistent in giving clear cues, rewarding desired behavior and redirecting unwanted actions, you’ll see the lifelong benefits training will bring. Whether or not you’re enrolling in Petco’s Positive Dog Training Program, you’ll want to reinforce your Siberian Husky’s training at home with the help of Petco’s dog training supplies and equipment for puppies and dogs.

Puppy Power

Since independence comes so naturally to Huskies, you’ll find the greatest chance of success by making training a regular part of your dog’s life as early as possible. You can start training your Siberian Husky puppy when they are as young as 8 weeks old. It’s better to schedule shorter, more frequent training sessions throughout the day than to frustrate your dog and yourself by trying to force long lessons that might not be as productive. Start with simple cues—“sit,” “stay” and “come” are skills Huskies can begin learning as puppies that will serve them well throughout life. You can add more cues that test your dog’s attention and patience as they progress.

Reward-based training

Huskies are known to be fun and friendly dogs. No matter how rambunctious your spirited snow dog might act when it’s training time, it’s important to achieve your desired outcome through positive reinforcement rather than by utilizing aversive techniques, which comes with many behavioral fallouts. Becoming frustrated during Siberian Husky puppy training is understandable, but keeping a cool head is crucial. Displays of anger, shame and physical force are not only cruel responses to your dog while they are in the learning process, but they’re also actually counterproductive. If your dog feels anxious, scared and unsafe, they’re unlikely to experience the trust and focus necessary to perform well during training sessions and retain trained behaviors in the long term. Instead, rely on positive reinforcement when your dog is successful and follows cues. Provide your Husky with praise, rubs and treats when they respond as desired. Siberian Husky training will be a far better experience for both you and your dog if your focus stays on rewarding desired behavior rather than punishing “disobedience.” Check out some of the best dog treats and chews to reward your Husky.

Redirection, not retribution

But what if your strong-willed Husky continues behaviors that they know are naughty?

Instead of punishment, use redirection and ensure the training environment is conducive for learning. If your Husky is distracted, take a moment to observe their body language and what in the environment might be causing it. Remember to reward even baby steps toward the targeted behavior.

An outlet for energy

A key part of Siberian Husky training is not just directing your dog toward the behavior you want from them but finding your dog’s strengths and learning to work with their unique personality. Remember to let your Husky shine in the skills at which they excel and tailor your training to their learning style.

Siberian Huskies are born to run, and few dogs can match a fast-moving Husky in endurance and elegance. Ample exercise is crucial for Siberian Huskies, and they’re more likely to engage in undesired behaviors when they feel bored or pent up. Activities that give your Husky an outlet for their energy and endurance include jogs, hikes, romps at the dog park and ball-chasing. Just don’t be surprised if your dog is more interested in running after balls than bringing them back to you. Huskies tend to get along well with other dogs, so pairing them with other, similarly energetic pups for playdates can be a good outlet for socialization.

Household boundaries

For the sake of a harmonious home, your playful, rambunctious Siberian Husky’s training should include clearly defined boundaries. Puppy training that includes consistent guidance on which areas are for sleeping, playing and pottying will help your Husky grow into an adult dog who knows what is expected of them. Establishing a designated potty spot, communicating which pieces of furniture are off limits and deciding whether you want to crate train your Husky are important choices you should make early on. Once you have made a decision, stick with it and follow through on rewards or redirection based on your dog’s behavior. Without consistency, your Husky has no clear guidance and no incentive to learn the household rules.

Suggested Siberian Husky training services

Training your Siberian Husky requires love, trust, patience and time. Even the most devoted and well-intentioned pet parents sometimes come up short on these resources. If you’ve spent more than a few nights online searching “Siberian Husky training near me,” it may be time to take advantage of Petco dog and puppy classes. Petco makes it easy to customize training to your schedule and budget and to your Siberian Husky's age and needs through individual and group classes that can be completed in store or online. Think of Petco’s training school as a go-to resource, not a last resort. Every pet parent can use a little extra help sometimes.

In general, the Siberian Husky is a relatively healthy breed. Like any purebred dog, however, certain hereditary conditions are more common among Huskies than mixed breed dogs. In particular, Siberian Huskies are known to be at a higher risk for several types of eye, skin and metabolic diseases. If you plan on obtaining your Husky from a breeder, make sure the breeder knows the disease history of your dog’s parents and grandparents. You’ll also want to bring your Husky to regular vet appointments for eye checkups and bloodwork. If you’re looking to get set up with a vet, check out Petco’s veterinary services.

Huskies are well-known for their fastidious cleanliness, but that doesn’t mean they don’t require regular grooming. Their thick, double-layer coats go through a full shed twice a year, but also lose fur throughout the year so brushing is a must. Nail and teeth care are also important to maintaining your Husky’s health.

Make sure to stock up on all the dog grooming supplies you need before bringing your new Husky home. Begin grooming as early as possible in your pup’s life, so they get used to the routine. This includes brushing their coat, playing with their paws and touching their mouth and teeth when they are young.

If you are thinking about adopting a Husky, remember that Siberian Husky life expectancy can stretch to 14 years. This is a dog who could be in your life for a long time.

Browse Petco’s local pet adoption tool, Petco Love, or search for local Siberian Husky rescue associations in your city or in your state. You may be able to find a Siberian Husky at your local shelter. Many families love the idea of adopting a Husky, especially after watching inspiring movies like Balto. But they may not realize how much attention a Husky requires. For this reason, Huskies can be regularly seen at shelters. When seeking to bring home a Siberian Husky, you have multiple options, including working with a breeder, adopting from a rescue organization or adopting from your local animal shelter.

If you’re looking to find a purebred Siberian Husky from a breeder, do your homework when researching breeders and only work with those who are experienced and well-regarded. Responsible breeders will test their breeding stock for high-risk hereditary diseases to lower the chances that puppies inherit genetic conditions. They should also check their breeding stock for common Husky health issues, including eye disease and hip dysplasia. Don’t be afraid to ask a breeder about the medical history of a puppy’s parents and even their grandparents. A top-notch breeder should be more than happy to provide this information.