Mazz

I just received a book I ordered today. Title is "The Siberian Husky: Able Athelete, Able Friend" by Michael Jennings. I'm still reading it, but so far, it is one of the best books on the breed that I've had the opportunity to read. It goes into quite a bit on the background and early years of the Siberian Husky in Alaska and North America, as well as some of the early breeders, as well as the Standard for the breed. It's written in an easy-to-read style and provides a wealth of information on characteristics, temperment, makeup, care, health, training, living, and loving of Siberian Huskies. The book also discusses showing and racing. There are loads of photos inside, some showing when the breed was introduced outside of Russia. There are also numerous photos showing various physical traits and examples of great looking Huskies.

I don't believe the book is in print any longer. New copies are still available, at highly inflated prices. I was able to find a used copy that looked brand new through amazon.com.

Another well deserved nod. Congratulations. Don't forget to check your paycheck to make sure you got the raise they promised.

Congratulations. Well deserved. Now you will make the big bucks! Right?

Great looking pack. Welcome and enjoy the site.

Our last Husky, Elke, did this with socks from the clothes hamper. She's been gone a liitle over a year now, and I found some socks in behind a chair in the living room last week. She also did it with chew toys. Zoya, who will be 1 year old in a few days, does this all the time with chew toys. But not with treats. I think it's fairly common. Huskies you know, can be deceptive. The funny thing is, they are so good at it, that we sometimes don't realize what's happened until much later.

Hey Mike, welcome. Yeah, we want to see some pics of Nico! This site is the best when it comes to Huskies. There are so many folks on here who are not only friendly, but very helpful as well. Plus, they understand, because they've gone through the same issues we all do with Huskies.

Wow. she is a big girl. Our Zoya just turned a year old. She weighs between 55 and 60 pounds, and that's big for a female. She is still gorwing, though it's slowed down. I would not worry about it. Some dogs are bigger than others, just like us humans.

Bless you for taking Koda.

All I can offer is they ain't Siberian Huskies.

Dave, I just picked some up. I read that I should slowly make the change, but the people at the store, who were very knowledgeable and friendly, said that I shouldn't have to based on what I'm feeding her now. (Pro Plan chicken and rice) Your thoughts?

When we transitioned Zoya, we used 3 parts current food to 1 part new food for two days. Then 1/2 and 1/2 for two days, followed by 1 part current food to 3 parts new food for two days. Then on the seventh day it was all new food. Since switching to TOTW, we now alternate between the High Prairie and the Wetlands without any transition. We have not gone with the Pacific Stream. The reason is because fish that is not destined for human consumption, by Federal Law (in the US), requires a chemical treatement to stabilize the flesh from spoiling (can't remember the name of the chemical). This chemical is not something we want to introduce into Zoya's diet.

Kimberley - Welcome. It's always nice to see a new member post. Too bad about Keisha. You know, she may be a great asset with Duke coming on board. Please post pics when you have a chance. If you have any questions on Huskies there are a lot of very friendly folks here. - Dave

dave for some reason this link http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/ doesen't seem to work

That's funny. I just clicked on the link in your post and it worked. Must be something at your end.

wow dave thanx for the info. i see your point. and this totw, where do you perchase it from is it in reg pet stores of something you have to buy online??

http://www.tasteofthewildpetfood.com/ There's a link on their site for where to buy. I pick it up at a local feed store. I have not seen it in any pet food stores. Some farm supply stores like Tractor Supply carry it.

You may want to check this out: http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showproduct.php?product=126&cat=all

Sscience Diet Large Breed Ingredients:

Lamb Meal, Brewers Rice, Rice Flour, Ground Whole Grain Wheat, Ground Whole Grain Sorghum, Corn Gluten Meal, Cracked Pearled Barley, Animal Fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols and citric acid), Chicken Liver Flavor, Soybean Oil, Dried Beet Pulp, Potassium Chloride, Flaxseed, Iodized Salt, Choline Chloride, L-Lysine, Vitamin E Supplement, vitamins (L-Ascorbyl-2-Polyphosphate (source of vitamin C), Vitamin E Supplement, Vitamin B12 Supplement, Vitamin A Supplement, Thiamine Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Niacin, Folic Acid, Calcium Pantothenate, Biotin, Vitamin D3 Supplement), Taurine, Glucosamine Hydorchloride, Chondroitin Sulfate, minerals (Ferrous Sulfate, Zinc Oxide, Copper Sulfate, Manganous Oxide, Calcium Iodate, Sodium Selenite), L-Carnitine, preserved with Mixed Tocopherols and Citric Acid, Beta-Carotene, Rosemary Extract

Guaranteed Analysis:

Protein (min) 19%

Fat (min) 13%

Fiber (max) 3%

Calcium (min) 0.7%

Phosphorus (min) 0.4%

Items in red are either grains or fillers. I'm not a big fan of grains, especially corn, brewers rice, and sorghum.

We feed Zoya Taste of the Wild. It is grain free, contains meat from several sources, fruits for anit-oxidants, and is high in protein and omega oils. It's grain free with no by-products. She gets along fine on two cups a day and her stools are well formed and firm. Her coat shines and she has plenty of energy and absolutely loves the stuff. Here's the info on TOTW. We've fed her both the Wetlands Canine Formula and High Prairie Canine Formula.

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showproduct.php?product=1287&cat=all

Taste of the Wild Wetlands Canine Formula Ingredients:

Duck, duck meal, chicken meal, egg product, sweet potatoes, peas, chicken fat (preserved with mixed tocopherols), potatoes, roasted quail, roasted duck, smoked turkey, natural flavor, tomato pomace, ocean fish meal, choline chloride, dried chicory root, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, yucca schidigera extract, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevesiae fermentation solubles, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D supplement, folic acid.

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein 32.0% Minimum

Crude Fat 18.0% Minimum

Crude Fiber 4.0% Maximum

Moisture 10.0% Maximum

Sodium 0.3% Maximum

Zinc 150 mg/kg Minimum

Selenium 0.4 mg/kg Minimum

Vitamin E 150 IU/kg Minimum

Omega-6 Fatty Acids * 2.4% Minimum

Omega-3 Fatty Acids * 0.4% Minimum

http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/dog_food_reviews/showproduct.php?product=1285&cat=all

Taste of the Wild Pet Food High Prairie Canine Formula Ingredients:

Bison, venison, lamb meal, chicken meal, egg product, sweet potatoes, peas, potatoes, canola oil, roasted bison, roasted venison, natural flavor, tomato pomace, ocean fish meal, choline chloride, dried chicory root, tomatoes, blueberries, raspberries, yucca schidigera extract, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Saccharomyces cerevesiae fermentation solubles, dried Aspergillus oryzae fermentation extract, vitamin E supplement, iron proteinate, zinc proteinate, copper proteinate, ferrous sulfate, zinc sulfate, copper sulfate, potassium iodide, thiamine mononitrate (vitamin B1), manganese proteinate, manganous oxide, ascorbic acid, vitamin A supplement, biotin, calcium pantothenate, manganese sulfate, sodium selenite, pyridoxine hydrochloride (vitamin B6), vitamin B12 supplement, riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin D supplement, folic acid.

Guaranteed Analysis

Crude Protein 32.0% Minimum

Crude Fat 18.0 Minimum

Crude Fiber 3.0% Maximum

Moisture 10.0% Maximum

Sodium 0.3% Maximum

Zinc 150 mg/kg Minimum

Selenium 0.4 mg/kg Minimum

Vitamin E 150 IU/kg Minimum

Omega-6 Fatty Acids * 2.8% Minimum

Omega-3 Fatty Acids * 0.3% Minimum

This site http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/ rates Science Diet Large Breed with 1 star, TOTW with 6 stars. We used to feed Zoya Nutro Ultra Large Breed Puppy Food, but switched to TOTW at ten months, based on recommendations from both Zoya's breeder and her vet.

I work with a fellow who has a Siberian Husky. Last year, his insurance agent found out he owned a Siberian Husky and a few days later, he received a cancelation notice on his homeowner's insurance. He called his agent and asked what was going on, and the agent told him Huskies are on their company's aggressive dog list and they will not insure any homes where the homeowner owns any of the dog breeds on the list. That is absolutely the stupidest thing I have ever heard.

Well, guess what, I found out I have the same insurance company. So, I'm keeping my mouth shut.

Great looking Huskies! Look forward to seeing more pics in the future.

There used to be a gal in our area that would weave the undercoat from Huskies (and other dogs/cats) into yarn. I guess the yarn from Huskies was very soft.

Siberian Huskies have a very strong prey instinct. Smaller animals, unfortunately, fall into the "preyed upon" category when it comes to Huskies. Some Huskies do very well with smaller dogs and even cats, while with other Huskies, these same smaller dogs or cats would not stand a chance. With a Husky, it's not just a puppy thing, it's a lifelong thing. All you can do is stay in control, keep things separated, and be consistent in your approach.

It can be nasty. We had a Cairn Terrier that did that. The breeder told us to sprinkle some meat tenderizer on the food, that it was a lack of some enzyme. So we did, and the Cairn gave up the poop eating. Of course, this is anecdotal evidence, and is isolated to just our situation. There is more than one potential cause for this. I saw some supplement in the pet store last week to put on their food, but I think it just makes their poo taste bad (as if it didn't already).

I'm not sure I quite understand what your post is all about. Perhaps it's because I live in a rural area, and don't interface with some of the issues you have. But then again, maybe it's because when I see a person, I don't look at their color or their social status. Or, maybe it's because whenever someone approaches Zoya, her ears go back and her tail wags, and she goes, "woo-woo". Not very scary for anyone who encounters her.

What we did with Zoya, of course, she slept in the crate. Dogs do not like to, and most often will not, go potty in their bed. That's what the crate became, Zoya's bed. So in order to communicate to us, that she had an issue, she would whimper and cry, which would wake us up. I would take her out on a leash, when she did her business, I would praise her, then bring her in, give her a treat, give her a few pets, and put her back to bed (crate). In the morning, first thing out of the crate, it's outside for potty. Praise, treat, allow her to socailize etc. We also used the crate while we ate dinner and for about 15 minutes before we'd take her outside. The real key is getting onto a schedule and sticking with it as best as you can. The rule of thumb I go by, is for every month of a puppy's age, it can hold no longer than 1 hour. Zoya is nearly a year, and she can go almost 12 hours if need be, but that is hardly ever necessary. She was almost 8 months old before I got a full night's sleep. Did not bother the wife at all, she'd sleep right through it. A few little peeps from Zoya, and I'm up and ready to take her out.

Here's a link that may help as well. http://siberianhuskypuppy.net/Puppy_Crate_Training.html

Oh gosh, never even thought of the caffiene. That is extremely bad for dogs, moreso than for humans.

Those are common issues with some Huskies. The bathrrom issue requires continued effort on your part. When Zoya was a puppy (she'll be a year old in a few weeks), we took her out at 30 minute intervals. When she did her duty outside, we praised her, brought her inside right away, and gave her a small treat. She still had accidents in the house. When we caught her in the act, we gave her a terse "NO", and took her outside immediately. Of course, if she did not do anything after a few minutes, we brought her back in, but no treat, no praise. If she did do some more duty outside, praise and treat followed. It took about a month before she was fully house broken.

Biting can become a real serious issue if not "bitten" in the bud early. Huskies do not like being ignored. They will almost give up anything to not be ignored. Again, Zoya was a biter. I actually have scars on my arm from her, where she sunk her razor sharp puppy teeth into me. I would take hold of the upper portion of her nose with my first two fingers inside her mouth and my thumb on top of her nose, gently squeeze, look her straight in the eyes, and then give her a resounding "NO". I would then give her one of her toys and ignore her for about ten minutes. If she started with the biting again, I would turn away from her and ignore her. Even today, she will try to mouth me, once in awhile. I simply ignore her and she so does not like that, that she is willing to forego the biting.

Don't know if this helps or not. I'm sure others will have some good ideas as well. Just don't let the little guy get under your skin to the point where you loose control of the situation. Are you using a crate at all? We also found crate training with Zoya to help a great deal with potty training.

Sugar is not a good thing for dogs. Once they develop a taste for it, it's hard to break them away from it. Too much sugary or starchy foods can lead to diabetes in a dog, so keep that in mind. Aside from that, feeding them human food too often entices begging. To be honest, we gave our last dog some "special treats" (mostly carrots, peas, beef, or chicken), and she did fine. Never any bread, or sugary foods though.

Welcome! I'm fairly new here myself. This is a great forum. Most everyone here is extremely helpful and they really make you feel part of the pack. Great looking Husky. Thanks for posting the photo.