The Siberian Husky journey is like no other! This breed is spunky and fun, super smart and have the best personalities. But there is always more to learn! We would like to share what we have learned over the years and help you with your journey. We will be posting tips and tricks for training your husky, did you know?’s and healthy dog treat recipes we have found that are doggie approved!
Contact us here if you have something to share as well!
Dog Treats ~ Watermelon Popsicles
What’s better than watermelon on a hot summer day! And even better as a popsicle! I’ll bet your pupper will agree! Try these sweet treats that are so simple to make! Your fur friend is sure to thank you for it!
Did you know…? That the Chukchi people believed two huskies guarded the gates to heaven?
Huskies were developed as working sled dogs over thousands of years by the Chukchi people living in the Siberian peninsula of northeast Asia.
The area is home to one of the most hostile and extreme climates in the world—where winds can reach 100 miles per hour and temperatures can drop to 100 degrees below zero. With teams of up to 20 dogs pulling their sleds out onto the ice in their search for food, the Chukchi relied on the dogs for survival, and the dogs were central to the people’s life and culture.
According to Chukchi belief, two huskies guard the gates of heaven. These guardians turn away anyone who was cruel to a dog during their life on earth.
How awesome is that!?
While we all have different beliefs on heaven, whether it’s real or not and what it will be like, I personally love the thought of being greeted by huskies when I leave this world behind!
Check out AKC’s website to learn more fun facts about Siberian Huskies!
Did you know…? Siberian Huskies can be expert escape artists?
Siberian Huskies are a high energy, fun loving breed with amazing personalities! They are very athletic and need lots of exercise. They can also be expert escape artists. I know all too well, because I have one that has mastered the skill! If you have an escape artist like mine, that seems to be able to free themselves from anything, I feel your pain! But there are some things you can do to keep your furry friend in your yard. Here are some ideas!
- Put up a fence if you haven’t already.
- Attach and bury 1-2 feet of hog wired fencing along the bottom of your fence.
- Bury gravel under your fence.
- Electric fencing. (I recommend a hot wire meant for small animals such as rabbits)
Tips n’ Tricks ~ Potty Training
Potty training… it’s never fun! You might get lucky and bring home the smartest puppy ever that never has an accident in the house, but we all know that most puppies aren’t so easy to potty train. Some catch on pretty quickly but some can take months to fully train!
We litter box train our puppies with natural pine pellets to try to help with potty training as much as possible. By the time our puppies are picked up, they are using the litter box, making them used to going potty in a designated area that smells like outside. Unfortunately there is still always that one that wants to be more difficult than others!
So what do you do? How do you potty train your puppy? First, remember that your puppy is a toddler. They have tiny bladders and it takes time to learn the rules, just like human toddlers, and they need to be taken out often to avoid accidents. I recommend taking your new puppy out every hour to two hours max. Take them out immediately after eating/drinking and if they don’t go potty, try again in 15-30 minutes. At night time, you may want to set an alarm for every couple of hours and put their crate somewhere near your room so you can hear them cry. If you hear them moving around a lot, whining or crying, take them out right away, if you wait, it may be too late!
During the day, in between potty breaks, keep an eye on your puppy at all times. Try not to give it full roam of the house as this is sure to cause more accidents and you may not always find out about them until later. Keep a look out for signs that your puppy needs to potty. They will usually sniff around, often in circles, and most of the time like to go in the same spot. Pick up on these signs and your puppy’s behavior to learn when to take your puppy out.
Another thing I like to recommend is to feed your puppy/dog on a regular schedule and do not let them eat after 4-5pm.
These recommendations are things that I have personally tried with my own puppies and dogs. I am not a professional and am only sharing my personal experience on what has worked for me.
Here is a link to some information on the AKC website about potty training a puppy.
Dog Treats ~ Doggy Biscuits
Here are a few recipes for some doggy biscuits! We hope your fur babies love them as much as ours!
Did you know..? Some foods can be toxic to your dog?
Let’s face it, we all want to spoil our puppers as much as possible, right!? They are our family and we want to make them happy. We give them the best kibble, yummy treats and maybe a little scrap or two from our own plates. They love it! But did you know that some human foods can harm your dog? There are some that I never would have thought would be toxic to dogs and I’m sure I’m not the only one. To help bring awareness, I’ve attached this list of some foods that are toxic and should never be fed to your dog.
One rule I like to follow, if you aren’t sure if it’s safe, look it up before feeding it to your babies! You’d be surprised at some of the things dogs should never eat!
• Onions, Garlic
and Chives
• Macadamia Nuts
• Coffee, Tea and
other Caffeine
• Chocolate
• Milk and other
Dairy Products
• Grapes and Raisins
• Xylitol
• Sugar
• Fat Trimmings
and Bones
• Alcohol
• Avocados
• Yeast Dough
• Persimmons,
Peaches and Plums
• Raw Eggs, Meat
and Fish
Tips n’ Tricks ~ Food Aggression
What is food aggression? Food aggression is when your dog shows signs of aggression while eating food, treats or even playing with toys (toys are like treats). These signs are growling, biting, and/or barking at anyone who comes near their food or treats. Also watch for body language. If you know your dog, then you should recognize the different body language when they are eating.
Does your dog have food aggression? This can be a serious issue and can be quite scary. Some dogs are worse than others and may need professional help. But there is hope!
First, I would like to give some tips on how to prevent food aggression and how to resolve minor food aggression issues (They are protective over their food but not necessarily showing signs of biting or aggression). In my personal experience, and from stories I’ve heard from others, you want to start making your puppy/dog comfortable with you being around their food and treats from the very beginning. You want them to trust you. To do this, I recommend starting a routine and teaching them sit, stay, and go. Have them sit before placing their food in front of them, stay while setting their bowl down and they cannot eat until you say “go”. This will let them know that you are the one giving them their food and that you are the boss. Pet your puppy/dog while they are eating and give sweet talks. Rub their head, neck and legs. I also put my hand in their bowl and move it around and then pet them some more. Do this at every feeding even just for a second. Hand feeding is also a great idea, especially if they are already showing some signs of aggression. Just simply feed them one piece at a time and always hand feed your treats. This will let them know that you are their provider. With toys, I recommend always being involved in their play time. Let them know that you are fun and you aren’t going steal their precious friend.
As for those of you who might have some serious aggression problems, check out these websites I found. They give some great tips and can help you on your journey to resolve your doggo’s food aggression! Good luck to you!
Dog Treats ~ Blueberry Gummy Snacks
These blueberry gummy snacks are packed full of healthy nutrients and are a big hit to our furkids! Try them out!
Did you know..? That Siberian Huskies come in many different colors?
I once was a person who thought Siberian Huskies only came in black and white with blue eyes! Yep, I said it! And lots of other people think the same, some to the point they’ll tell you your husky isn’t full blooded, or ask you what mix is your dog. But the truth is, they come in many colors that some people don’t realize. Some even have spots! They can also have different lengths to their coats ranging from the standard short coat to extreme wooly (super fluffy!), and can have any combination of blue, brown, amber, bi or parti eyes! It’s quite amazing really! Check out this website that demonstrates all the different husky colors you may not have known existed.
Did you know..? That you should never shave your husky?
Surely, if you have a husky or a double coated dog you already know this. But unfortunately there are many that don’t and some that have simply been misinformed.
Siberian Huskies, along with any other double coated dog, should never be shaved unless medically necessary. Shaving their coat does not make them cooler and it can cause permanent coat damage, sunburn and heat stroke. While we think they must be miserable underneath all that fluff, especially during the summer months, they are actually cooler than they would be if you were to shave or trim their coat. These breeds are able to adjust to their climate and their coat works as insulation to keep them warm or cool. Here is a picture that shows a great demonstration.
Dog Treats ~ Peanut Butter and Pumpkin Treats
Check out this recipe for peanut butter and pumpkin treats! Your furry friend is sure to love them! You can even make a big batch to freeze for later!
Tip ~ Make sure you use natural ingredients! Find peanut butter that does not contain Xylitol or other substitute sweeteners. And be sure to avoid nutmeg. These ingredients can be toxic to dogs.
Southern Siberian Life 