Useful Tips for Siberian Husky, Malamute and Sled Dog Owners

Chewing

Some owners find products such as Grannicks Bitter Apple Spray work well in discouraging their huskies from chewing the furniture. You can also try using hot-sauce like Tabasco, but it might not smell too good after a while if you use lots of it. We have in fact heard that some huskies actually like the taste - or at least are not discouraged by it!

Food and Water Bowls

As far as food bowls go, there is no need to spend too much money. We use simple stainless steel bowls to feed our huskies, which we wash after each meal.

Some dogs eat very fast and 'bolt' their food. If your husky does this, it is worth finding a way to slow it down as it eats. One method is to feed your husky in a specially designed feeding bowl with built-in obstructions which the dog has to eat-around.

Try the brake-fast bowl or the Skid Stop Slow Feed Bowl, which has built-in obstructions, as well as rubber feet to stop it skidding around the floor as your dog eats.

Older huskies may be more comfortable eating from raised dishes that reduce the strain on their neck, back and shoulders. Adjustable bowls are one option, or you can construct a simple feeding bench from a couple of pieces of wood quite easily.

Crates and Bedding

There is no need to spend too much money on a dog bed for your husky - it will probably just get torn apart if you do.
Vet Bed does the job fine, and is reasonably priced and very easy to wash too.
Do buy a crate - they really help with toilet training and keeping your dog or puppy safe. See our page on Crates and Bedding for more info.

Vacuum Cleaners

Vacuuming tends to stir up the 'doggy' smell from the hair and dust around and about being disturbed. A good thing to pick up is a pack of vacuum fresheners. Glade produce a product called the Drop-in Vac which we use - others are available too.

Shedding and Grooming

Grooming your husky will be an ongoing project. The FURminator deShedding Tool is by far the most popular grooming tool amongst husky owners we know. You will need a Medium sized FURminator for grooming your Siberian husky, but may feel a large one is better suited to malamutes.