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<p><b>Introduction</b><b> 1</b></p> <p>About This Book 1</p> <p>Foolish Assumptions 2</p> <p>Icons Used in This Book 2</p> <p>Where to Go from Here 3</p> <p><b>Part 1: Getting to Know Your Siberian Husky</b><b> 5</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 1: The Lowdown on Siberian Huskies, Just the Basics</b><b> 7</b></p> <p>Knowing What to Look for: A Husky’s Breed Standard 7</p> <p>Understanding Why Huskies Make Great Pets 10</p> <p>Picking a Husky: Where to Go and Where to Avoid 11</p> <p>Introducing Your Husky to His New Home 12</p> <p>Ensuring you have the right supplies 13</p> <p>Listening to your Husky 13</p> <p>Helping your Husky make new friends 14</p> <p>Incorporating some discipline and training 15</p> <p>Keeping an eye open for behavior issues 16</p> <p>Caring for Your Husky 17</p> <p>Making sure your Husky has proper nutrition 17</p> <p>Giving your Siberian a spa treatment 18</p> <p>Ensuring your Husky is healthy 18</p> <p>Noting any changes in your Husky’s health 19</p> <p><b>Chapter 2: Recognizing What a Siberian Husky Is (and Isn’t)</b><b> 23</b></p> <p>Examining the Siberian Husky Breed Standard 23</p> <p>Size 24</p> <p>Body 25</p> <p>Front view 25</p> <p>Back view 26</p> <p>Neck 26</p> <p>Skull 26</p> <p>Teeth 26</p> <p>Expression 26</p> <p>Eyes 26</p> <p>Ears 28</p> <p>Feet 28</p> <p>Tail 28</p> <p>Coat texture 28</p> <p>Color 29</p> <p>Nose 31</p> <p>Gait 32</p> <p>Temperament 32</p> <p>Comparing the Lookalikes and Imposters 32</p> <p>Alaskan Malamutes 33</p> <p>Samoyeds 33</p> <p>“Alaskan Huskies” 33</p> <p>“Miniature Huskies” 34</p> <p>Alaskan Klee Kai 34</p> <p>Northern Inuit Dog 34</p> <p>Wolves and wolf-hybrids 34</p> <p><b>Part 2: Looking for Your Soul Mate</b><b> 37</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 3: Selecting a Siberian Husky</b><b> 39</b></p> <p>Determining Whether a Husky Is Right for You 40</p> <p>A Husky’s heritage 40</p> <p>Children 41</p> <p>Financial considerations 42</p> <p>Your house 42</p> <p>Climate 43</p> <p>Time and exercise 43</p> <p>Legal considerations 44</p> <p>Commitment 44</p> <p>Finding Your Dog 44</p> <p>Your first option: The breeder route 45</p> <p>Your second option: The shelter/rescue route 50</p> <p>Avoiding pet stores 51</p> <p>Choosing the Right Puppy 52</p> <p>General condition 53</p> <p>Size 53</p> <p>Sex 53</p> <p>Color 54</p> <p>Eyes 54</p> <p>Ears 54</p> <p>Temperament 54</p> <p>Age 55</p> <p>Recognizing When Your Husky Puppy Matures 56</p> <p><b>Chapter 4: Outfitting Your New Husky</b><b> 57</b></p> <p>Selecting the Right Collars, Leashes, and Harnesses 57</p> <p>Collars 58</p> <p>Taking your friend on a walk: A leash 60</p> <p>Protecting your dog’s neck: Harnesses 60</p> <p>Using ID Tags 61</p> <p>Choosing Food and Water Dishes 62</p> <p>Focusing on Grooming Tools 63</p> <p>Picking a Place for Your Husky to Sleep 64</p> <p>Finding the Right Crate 65</p> <p>Understanding when to use a crate 65</p> <p>Considering your options 66</p> <p>Getting Chew Toys 67</p> <p>Considering great toy choices 68</p> <p>Steering clear of certain toys 68</p> <p>Considering Pet Doors 69</p> <p>Considering an Outdoor Kennel 70</p> <p>Adding a Dog Gate 70</p> <p><b>Part 3: Living with a Siberian Husky</b><b> 71</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 5: Welcoming Home Your Husky</b><b> 73</b></p> <p>Choosing a Veterinary Practice 74</p> <p>Naming or Renaming Your New Dog 76</p> <p>Surviving the First Day and Night 76</p> <p>Feeding your new dog his first meal 77</p> <p>Helping your dog adapt to his new family 77</p> <p>Reassuring your dog on his first night 77</p> <p>Determining Whether Dog Is an Indoor or Outdoor Dog 78</p> <p>Securing your Husky outdoors 78</p> <p>Keeping your Husky hydrated outside or inside 79</p> <p>Wintertime fun: Keeping your Husky outdoors 79</p> <p>Summertime blues: Helping your Husky avoid heat stress 80</p> <p>Giving Your Pup the Love, Exercise, and Discipline He Needs 81</p> <p>Knowing when your Husky needs exercise 81</p> <p>Rewarding your dog 82</p> <p>Housetraining Your Husky 82</p> <p>Using crates to help housetrain 83</p> <p>Getting the basics of housetraining 84</p> <p>Figuring out what’s behind the accidents your Husky has 86</p> <p>Cleaning Up: Siberian Housekeeping 87</p> <p>Taking care of the yard 88</p> <p>Getting rid of urine stains 89</p> <p>Dealing with vomit 90</p> <p>Cleaning up blood 90</p> <p><b>Chapter 6: Figuring Out What Your Husky Is Telling You</b> 91</p> <p>Picking Up on What Your Dog Is Saying: Audible Cues 92</p> <p>Barking 92</p> <p>Howling 92</p> <p>Wooing 94</p> <p>Whining 94</p> <p>Growling 94</p> <p>Yelping 94</p> <p>Soundless chattering 94</p> <p>Interpreting Your Husky’s Body Language: Visual Cues 95</p> <p>Circling and sniffing 95</p> <p>Mounting behavior 95</p> <p>Pawing 96</p> <p>Bowing 96</p> <p>Nudging or punching 96</p> <p>Wanting a belly rub 96</p> <p>Hand-holding 97</p> <p>Mouth-licking 97</p> <p>Constant licking or tail-chewing 97</p> <p>Reading Your Dog’s Facial Gestures 98</p> <p>Watching Your Husky’s Tail 99</p> <p>Making Sense of Weird Behavior 99</p> <p>Rolling in nasty stuff 100</p> <p>Scooting 100</p> <p>Eating grass 100</p> <p>Rock eating 101</p> <p>Eating feces 101</p> <p>Noticing Your Siberian’s Sleeping Style 102</p> <p><b>Chapter 7: Socializing Your Siberian</b><b> 105</b></p> <p>Interacting with Your Puppy 105</p> <p>Visiting with your Siberian 106</p> <p>Staying safe: No dog kisses 107</p> <p>Enrolling in puppy kindergarten 107</p> <p>Introducing Your Siberian to Children 107</p> <p>Training the children to be pet-friendly 108</p> <p>Dealing with toddlers and your dog 108</p> <p>Getting your Husky ready for a baby 109</p> <p>Helping your Husky welcome a baby into your family 110</p> <p>Introducing Your Husky to Other Animals 110</p> <p>Other dogs 111</p> <p>Cats 111</p> <p>Birds 112</p> <p>Livestock 112</p> <p>Small pets 112</p> <p><b>Chapter 8: Training Your Husky</b><b> 113</b></p> <p>Training the Family before You Train Your Dog 114</p> <p>Setting Your Training Goals 115</p> <p>Agreeing on Commands 116</p> <p>Commanding without words 116</p> <p>Paying attention to your tone of voice 117</p> <p>Using your dog’s name 117</p> <p>Teaching Your Husky the Basics 117</p> <p>Watch Me! 117</p> <p>Come 118</p> <p>No! 119</p> <p>Sit 120</p> <p>Stay 120</p> <p>Down 121</p> <p>Leave or Get Out 121</p> <p>Off 122</p> <p>Give It and Drop It 122</p> <p>Heel 122</p> <p>Correcting forging in your Husky 123</p> <p>Taking Advantage of Formal Obedience Training 125</p> <p><b>Chapter 9: Solving Bad Behavior</b><b> 127</b></p> <p>Coping with Separation Anxiety 128</p> <p>Sensitize yourself 129</p> <p>Desensitize the dog 130</p> <p>Medicate the dog when necessary 131</p> <p>Coping with the Thunder Phobia 132</p> <p>Addressing the Vocalist 132</p> <p>Dealing with Holes: The Digger 133</p> <p>Stay observant 134</p> <p>Discourage digging 134</p> <p>Chomping on Everything: The Chewer 135</p> <p>Understanding why dogs chew 135</p> <p>Curing chewing 136</p> <p>Preventing chair chomping 137</p> <p>Stealing Set-Out Food: The Counter-Cruiser 137</p> <p>Dumping Trash: The Trashman 138</p> <p>Running Off: The Escape Artist 139</p> <p>Hunting Other Animals: The Big (or Small) Game Hunter 140</p> <p>Heading for the Door: The Charger 140</p> <p>Being Playful: The Nipper 141</p> <p>Getting Your Attention: The Jumper 141</p> <p><b>Chapter 10: Dealing with Aggression</b><b> 143</b></p> <p>Establishing Your Leadership 143</p> <p>Handling Aggression 144</p> <p>Relative dominance among dogs 145</p> <p>Predatory aggression 147</p> <p>Aggression toward people 147</p> <p>Understanding Types of Aggressive Behavior 149</p> <p>Fear-induced aggression 149</p> <p>Territorial aggression 150</p> <p>Food or toy guarding 150</p> <p>Pain-induced aggression 151</p> <p>Irritable aggression 151</p> <p>Maternal protectiveness 152</p> <p>Genetically based aggression 152</p> <p>Environmental aggression 152</p> <p>Hiring a Professional 153</p> <p>Avoiding Dog Bites 153</p> <p><b>Part 4: Keeping Your Husky Healthy</b><b> 155</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 11: Feeding Your Husky</b><b> 157</b></p> <p>Knowing Your Husky’s Nutritional Needs 157</p> <p>Protein 158</p> <p>Fat 159</p> <p>Minerals 160</p> <p>Water 160</p> <p>Carbohydrates 161</p> <p>Reading the Labels 161</p> <p>Taking a Look at the Main Types of Dog Food 163</p> <p>Dry food 163</p> <p>Canned food 164</p> <p>Semi-moist food 164</p> <p>People food 164</p> <p>Considering Supplements 166</p> <p>Figuring Out How Much to Feed Your Dog 166</p> <p>Looking at Performance, Maintenance, and Low-Calorie Foods 167</p> <p>Feeding your puppy 168</p> <p>Feeding your senior dog 168</p> <p><b>Chapter 12: Grooming Your Siberian</b><b> 169</b></p> <p>Brushing and Combing Your Husky 169</p> <p>Basic grooming 101: Important points to remember 170</p> <p>Combing and brushing: Easy-peasy 171</p> <p>Bathing Your Husky 173</p> <p>Dealing with Shedding 174</p> <p>Paying Attention to Your Husky’s Entire Body 176</p> <p>Feet 176</p> <p>Nails 176</p> <p>Teeth 177</p> <p>Eyes 179</p> <p>Ears 179</p> <p>Anal sacs 179</p> <p>Finding a Professional Groomer 180</p> <p><b>Chapter 13: Focusing on Your Husky’s Health and Wellbeing</b><b> 181</b></p> <p>Knowing What to Expect on the First Vet Checkup 182</p> <p>Neutering and Spaying: The Biggest Decision 182</p> <p>Eyeing why you’d want to spay your Husky 183</p> <p>Considering why not to spay your Husky 183</p> <p>Eyeing why you’d want to neuter your Husky 184</p> <p>Choosing not to neuter your Husky 185</p> <p>Examining Vaccines in Plain English 185</p> <p>Looking closer at vaccines 186</p> <p>Considering key points about vaccines 187</p> <p>Focusing on the Different Viruses That Can Afflict Your Husky 188</p> <p>Canine parvovirus 188</p> <p>Canine distemper 189</p> <p>Infectious canine hepatitis 189</p> <p>Rabies 189</p> <p>Kennel cough 190</p> <p>Canine coronavirus 190</p> <p>Avoiding Heartworm 191</p> <p>Knowing How to Prevent Leptospirosis 191</p> <p>Being Aware of Canine Hip Dysplasia 192</p> <p>Being Aware of Degenerative Myelopathy (DM) 193</p> <p>Tackling Arthritis 194</p> <p>Eyeing Eye Problems 194</p> <p>Recognizing common eye problems 194</p> <p>Testing your Husky’s vision 198</p> <p>Identifying Cushing’s Disease 199</p> <p>Concentrating on Epilepsy 199</p> <p>Attending to Diabetes 199</p> <p>Watching Out for Fleas and Ticks 200</p> <p>Fighting fleas 200</p> <p>Preventing fleas 201</p> <p>Tackling ticks 202</p> <p>Getting the Lowdown on Hypothyroidism 204</p> <p>Keeping an Eye Out for Cancer 205</p> <p>Dealing with Zinc Malabsorption Disorder 205</p> <p>Achoo! Controlling Your Husky’s Allergies 206</p> <p>Treating allergies 206</p> <p>Food allergies 207</p> <p>Inhalant allergies 207</p> <p>Flea allergies 208</p> <p>Biting into Dental Problems 208</p> <p>Addressing Bloat 208</p> <p>Understanding Aging Issues in Your Husky 209</p> <p><b>Chapter 14: Responding to Emergencies</b><b> 211</b></p> <p>Staying on Top of Your Dog’s Vital Signs 212</p> <p>Assembling the Complete Pet First-Aid Kit for Your Husky 213</p> <p>Administering Meds 214</p> <p>Handling Accidents 215</p> <p>Dealing with Bites 216</p> <p>Snakebite 216</p> <p>Spider bites 217</p> <p>Stopping External (Wound) Bleeding 217</p> <p>Keeping a Lookout for Bloat 217</p> <p>Addressing Breathing Difficulties 218</p> <p>Stabilizing Broken Bones 218</p> <p>Paying Attention to Coughing 218</p> <p>Tackling Digestive Issues 218</p> <p>Diarrhea 218</p> <p>Constipation 219</p> <p>Vomiting 219</p> <p>Attending to Choking 220</p> <p>Cooling Down Heat Stress 220</p> <p>Treating Poisonings 221</p> <p>Antifreeze poisoning 221</p> <p>Chocolate poisoning 222</p> <p>Onion and garlic poisoning 222</p> <p>Rat poison 222</p> <p>Taking Care of Porcupine Quills 223</p> <p>Managing Seizures 223</p> <p>Aiding Wounds 223</p> <p><b>Part 5: Bringing Out the Sled Dog in Your Siberian</b><b> 225</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 15: Sledding with Your Siberian</b><b> 227</b></p> <p>Sledding 101: The Basics of the Sport 227</p> <p>Identifying a sledding team’s makeup 228</p> <p>Examining today’s racing world 229</p> <p>Watching a sled race 231</p> <p>Understanding some mushing lexicon 231</p> <p>Recognizing basic mushing equipment 233</p> <p>Getting a Sled Dog 233</p> <p>Sledding for Fun 234</p> <p><b>Chapter 16: The Last Great Race: The Iditarod</b><b> 235</b></p> <p>Understanding How It Began: The Start of the Iditarod 235</p> <p>Following the Trail 236</p> <p>Looking at the Iditarod Today 237</p> <p>Entering the race 237</p> <p>Following the race rules 239</p> <p>Running the race 240</p> <p>Finishing and even winning the race 241</p> <p><b>Part 6: The Part of Tens</b><b> 243</b></p> <p><b>Chapter 17: Ten (or So) Tips for Traveling with (or without) Your Husky </b><b>245</b></p> <p>Go for a Walk 245</p> <p>Include Your Husky on Your Bike Rides 246</p> <p>Travel in Your Vehicle 247</p> <p>Fastening your Husky’s seat belt 247</p> <p>Dealing with a nervous Siberian 248</p> <p>Find a Pet-Friendly Hotel 249</p> <p>Take Public Transportation 250</p> <p>Fly with Your Husky: Yes or No? 250</p> <p>Find a Reputable Pet-Sitter 252</p> <p>Locate a Good Boarding Kennel 252</p> <p><b>Chapter 18: Ten Hazards for a Husky (and How to Avoid Them)</b><b> 255</b></p> <p>Electricity 255</p> <p>Rat and Mouse Poison (Rodenticides) 256</p> <p>Household Cleaning Agents 256</p> <p>Medicine Chest Menace 257</p> <p>Hazardous Plants 258</p> <p>Holiday Hazards 259</p> <p>Garage Doors 260</p> <p>Antifreeze 260</p> <p>Lawn Chemicals 261</p> <p>Swimming Pools 261</p> <p><b>Chapter 19: Ten Great Dog Activities for Your Husky (besides Sledding) </b><b>263</b></p> <p>Agility 263</p> <p>Bikejoring 264</p> <p>Canicross 266</p> <p>Carting (with a Cart or with Equipment) 266</p> <p>Conformation 268</p> <p>Diving Dog 269</p> <p>Obedience 269</p> <p>Rally 270</p> <p>Skijoring 271</p> <p>Therapy Dog 272</p> <p>Tracking 273</p> <p><b>Chapter 20: Ten Reasons to Have a Siberian Husky</b><b> 275</b></p> <p>Huskies Always Smile 275</p> <p>Huskies Make Terrific Exercise Partners 276</p> <p>A Siberian Husky Can Pull You Wherever You Want to Go 276</p> <p>Siberians Have No Doggie Odor 277</p> <p>Huskies Are Educational 277</p> <p>Huskies Provide Social Mobility 277</p> <p>Huskies Are Great with Children 278</p> <p>Huskies Will Make You a Better Citizen 278</p> <p>Siberians Remind You What Really Matters in Life 279</p> <p>Huskies Love You Unconditionally 279</p> <p><b>Appendix A: Glossary</b><b> 281</b></p> <p><b>Appendix B: Siberian Husky Resources</b><b> 287</b></p> <p>The Siberian Husky Club of America 287</p> <p>International Sled Dog Racing Association 287</p> <p>American Kennel Club (AKC) 288</p> <p>International Siberian Husky Club 288</p> <p>Mushing/Sledding Equipment 288</p> <p>Sled Dog Central 288</p> <p>National Association of Professional Pet Sitters 289</p> <p>Pet Poison Helplines 289</p> <p>Index 291</p>

<p><b>Diane Morgan</b> is a Master Instructor of English, Communication, and Modern Languages at Indian River State College in Florida. She's also a writer and longtime owner of many breeds of dog. The Siberian Husky—with its fascinating beauty, personality, and history—is one of her absolute favorites.

<ul> <li>Enjoy activities with your Husky</li> <li>Keep your Husky happy and healthy</li> <li>Welcome a Husky into your home</li> </ul> <p><b>Get up and running with your Siberian Husky!</b> <p>Is a Siberian Husky right for you and your family? The updated edition of this straightforward and friendly guide answers this and all your other questions about getting, caring for, and living with this beautiful, sociable, and ancient breed. Siberian Husky devotee Diane Morgan provides insights into the Husky's intelligent and easy-going temperament, along with fun facts, instructive and amusing anecdotes, and easy-to-follow tips on how to make sure your new pal is happy, healthy, and having lots of fun! <ul> <li>Decide whether to adopt or buy</li> <li>Communicate with your Husky</li> <li>Groom your Siberian</li> <li>Feed and exercise your dog</li> <li>Recognize common health issues</li> <li>Break bad habits</li> </ul>

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