Are Huskies Stubborn? 9 Things You Should Know

Siberian Huskies are a wonderful breed of canines that were initially bred and brought up by the indigenous Chukchi tribe. They were native to areas in North-East Asia. Now you’re likely to find them all over the world as they have become a popular breed. 

They were bred to be companions, sled pullers, and guardians. So they are wonderful dogs to have as pets. Let’s come to one of the most commonly asked questions regarding Huskies. Are Huskies stubborn? Are they easy to train and discipline? Well, keep reading to find out. 

To answer the question in short, yes. They can be perceived as a stubborn breed. However, a lot of traits comes down to the owner of the dog. They were bred to survive and work in challenging conditions. This means that they evolved to be brilliant dogs that tended to make decisions for themselves. They need to be trained very diligently and given enough exercise and playtime. Otherwise, Huskies can become very stubborn and difficult to discipline. 

They are a complex breed, and understanding their behavior patterns and temperament can take some time and some getting used to. However, if you are already the owner of a Siberian Husky and wish to learn more about them, or if you are planning to get one, read on. There’s some valuable information about these dogs and how to take care of them in it for you.  

Understand The Behavior Pattern To Understand Why They Are Stubborn

1. What do they look like? 

Siberian Huskies are incredibly beautiful dogs that have a wolf-like appearance. They are generally medium-sized, often confused with the much larger breed known as the Alaskan Malamute. 

In general, Siberian Husky makes can grow up to around 21-23.5 inches. The females will usually grow up to approximately 20-22 inches. Siberian Huskies come in a variety of colors. However, the most common is the white and black coated Husky. They are known for their stunning eyes that range from blue to brown in color. 

2. What is a Siberian Husky’s lifespan like? 

These dogs tend to be among the longest living breeds. If you are the owner of a Husky, you can expect to have around 12-15 fun-filled years with your dog. The pedigree of the breed also matters, so if you do get a Husky from a renowned breeder, you can expect your pup to be around for a long time. Huskies can adapt to a wide range of temperatures. They need to be fed a very nutrition-rich diet if they are to stick around for long. 

3. What is it like living with a Siberian Husky? 

They aren’t perfect apartment pets. They have endless energy, so they need lots of space to run around in. Usually, one bath a year is enough to keep them clean. Using dry shampoo every now and then is enough.

Siberian Huskies will require at least 30-60 minutes of exercise a day. When they aren’t allowed to spend their energy productively, they can become very destructive. They have been known to chew through drywall out of boredom. They are loud dogs. They don’t bark much but are known to be loud howlers. This might be a disturbance for your neighbors. 

4. What kind of health issues can they have? 

Siberian Huskies are usually quite tough and resilient dogs. Hip dysplasia, which is an ailment that affects a lot of other dogs, doesn’t affect them much. Make sure that your breeder has screened them for any sicknesses or illnesses before you bring them home. 

They do have sensitive eyes, though, so you have to be very careful when it comes to their eye health. Cataract issues, corneal dystrophy, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) are some of the eye issues that have been observed with the breed. 

Now, the most important piece of information that you need to know. 

What Can I Do About A Stubborn Husky?

Firstly, think about it very carefully before you decide to bring a Husky home. You will have to put in a lot of time and effort to train them well. Here are some of the important things to keep in mind about training your Huskies and teaching them discipline. If not done correctly, you could end up with a very stubborn dog that doesn’t follow instructions and has behavioral issues. 

5. You need to be in charge

You have to establish yourself as the leader of the house, and therefore the pack. These are pack animals that have a lot of respect when it comes to dealing with the leader of the pack. You, or the person who will be spending the most amount of time with the dog and training it, must be seen as the alpha in the dog’s eyes. 

Don’t let them take up that role because you will find it difficult to get them to listen to you. From the day you bring them home, establish a pecking order that has to be followed by them. 

6. They can use their intelligence against you 

Being such an intelligent breed, Siberian Huskies will always challenge you. They will try to test your authority as the leader, so you must make sure that you are one step ahead of them. They will use their intelligence to try to bend the rules that you have made. 

They can also always be looking to escape out of the areas that you have designated for them. They will continuously be on the lookout for escape routes, so keep that in mind when you create a play area and so on for them. It’s wonderful to see how smart they can be, but ensure they don’t use that smartness against you. 

7. You have to keep them physically in check

Crate training is very important when you bring a Siberian Husky home. Teaching them crate training from an early age can curb their destructive tendencies when they get bored. Don’t let them sleep in your bed or get on the furniture. 

These are habits you have to discourage from the moment they come home. Leash training is also important, as they were evolved to pull sleds through the snow, so you have to train them to not be pulling on the leash during walks. Make sure they stay at your heels while on a walk and in their place at home. 

8. They are extremely social creatures

Huskies, as mentioned before, are pack animals. They tend to live in large groups, so they need a lot of socialization in their lives. Since they are generally social creatures, you will notice that they get along very well with other humans and animals. 

Make sure that you allow them to do a lot of socialization from when they are puppies. This will help them get along with your guests and maybe their pets, later on, I’m their lives. Don’t keep them isolated for long periods. This will lead to them being very bored, leading to destructive behavior. 

9. Let them burn their energy out 

Huskies have an enormous amount of energy to spare. They are smart, playful creatures that come with an abundance of energy, willingness to play and work. Make sure that they are being exercised daily. Rigorous exercise is a must for a Husky to be satisfied. 

Jogging with them, going on long walks, and extensive training exercises are great. These are ways to ensure your Husky has no pent up energy that can be used in ways that could be a problem for you. 

Does The Stubbornness Make Them Less Of A Good Pet?

Now that you know about the finer details of the breed, you can take a decision on whether the Husky is the right dog for you. If you’re already a Husky owner, you now have the tools to train them in the right way. 

Now, while we’ve discussed the temperamental issues they could have, we have to mention the positives as well. They are an extremely friendly breed and are excellent with other adults and children alike. 

They love spending time with people and enjoy the company of humans. They make wonderful pets and are excellent companions who can give you years of pure joy. 

Whether a Siberian Husky becomes stubborn or not, all lies in your hands. When we said that you have to establish yourself as an alpha or leader of the pack, it doesn’t mean beating your dog or being abusive to them to instill fear. Be a kind but firm leader. 

They respond well to such tactics. Make sure that they know you love them but will not tolerate misbehavior or any kind of rule-breaking. 

In Conclusion 

So to conclude, are Siberian Huskies stubborn? It’s entirely up to you. It’s very similar to how children respond to parenting techniques. If a parent is not strict at the right times and lets them get away with anything they want, they end up with a misbehaving child. 

Huskies are a wonderful breed. They just need a lot of care and attention. If you feel that you are a dog owner who is willing to spare that time and effort, go ahead with a Siberian Husky. You definitely won’t regret it. Hopefully, this guide on Siberian Huskies has offered you some more insight on the breed, its temperament, and how to deal with them.