One of the most important things for families to consider when buying or adopting a husky is, are huskies good with kids and young children?
These beautiful animals have a gentle and friendly nature but their size and wolf-like appearance can make people wonder how huskies and children go together and ultimately ask: are Siberian huskies aggressive?
It’s natural to want your children and your dog to be safe and happy around each other — and that is certainly possible with a husky. But there are a few things to consider if you’re wondering if huskies make good family pets — and the answer is that it depends on the family.
Let’s find out more…
Are Siberian Huskies Good Family Pets?
Aggression isn’t a common personality trait in huskies, but like with all dogs, it can happen in certain circumstances. That said, huskies are naturally friendly with mild temperaments.
Siberian huskies enjoy having fun and being playful. Put a baby and husky together and you shouldn’t have a problem — just make sure that there’s always a responsible adult around to supervise.
They make wonderful family pets, but you always need to remember that they are still animals and require plenty of training and stimulation to mold their behaviors to suit your family.
The best way to keep their behavior in check is to keep them physically and mentally stimulated through lots of exercise and obedience training every day.
So – are Siberian huskies aggressive?
Generally only if their behavior has been allowed to get out of control or if they’re provoked.
While they never mentally become adults, huskies are highly intelligent animals that are easy to train. You may want to consider getting some professional training to enable you to control a husky dog’s behavior and ensure they are good-natured with the whole family.
Are Huskies Good With Kids and Babies?
Most huskies are good with babies, and the breed is known for adapting quickly to newborns and new presences in the family. It should go without saying, however, that young children should always be supervised when around any breed of dog.
Huskies tend to be very affectionate towards small children and even strangers. As they are very sociable and dramatic animals that enjoy being around people, they generally love youngsters and pair well with kids of all ages.
Take a look at this video of a husky and baby getting along great:
Also, huskies are very good at sensing when someone in their pack (their human family) is sad or upset and love nothing more than showing support when needed.
Whether the husky became a part of the family before or after the baby’s arrival, a baby with husky is no different. It will still be loving and protective.
Just be aware that a larger dog may overwhelm a young child and may not know its own strength — that’s why it’s important to always supervise all huskies and children interactions.
At the end of the day, the relationship between a husky and a child will depend on the nature of the child.
When a kid is careless or vicious, it may provoke a negative reaction from a husky.
The same can be said with all breeds of dogs, so it’s important to teach children how to behave with a husky from a very young age.
Tips for Huskies and Children
Not only are huskies family pets but they can also be a valuable member of your family for a very long time when treated with the right care and respect. Here are some tips regarding raising huskies and children to help prevent any problems.
Never leave a baby or young child unsupervised with a husky
It’s extremely important to watch a husky (or any other dog) when around your children. Yes, they are friendly and caring animals, but you must always take every safety precaution possible.
Always ensure your husky gets enough exercise
Huskies have high energy levels and need lots of exercise, attention and mental stimulation every day. Without enough exercise, your husky will gain weight and vent pent-up energy, so be sure to take them for plenty of long walks and runs. It’s worth investing in some husky chew toys, too.
Make sure your child doesn’t ever tease or goad your husky dog
While huskies tend to be super-friendly, never let your child play rough with your dog. That includes poking, pinching, acting aggressive and pulling on their hair. Even the best-tempered husky can become aggravated when upset or in pain. Remember, a dog can’t verbally tell you when they are uncomfortable, so never give them a reason to snap.
Never leave your baby on the floor with a husky
A husky will never intentionally cause harm to your infant, but they may scare or hurt your baby while playing. Huskies are curious animals who love playtime, so only let your baby roll around on the floor when your dog is elsewhere.
Take your husky for some obedience training
It’s really important for your dog to know that you are the leader of the pack. Regardless of how tame your husky is, you should still train your dog to be obedient, well behaved and responsive to your commands. You can do this yourself at home, hire a specialist trainer or attend group classes. Obedience training also helps to ensure your husky stays calm and friendly, as well as prevent your dog from developing any unruly behaviors.
Involve your child in the training
Once your child is old enough, it’s a good idea to get them involved in your husky’s training regimen in order to better their bonding experience. Always make sure that you’re supervising, but ask your kids if they want to control a game of fetch, or even command training.
Give your husky lots of attention
Siberian huskies crave attention from humans, so don’t adopt one if you can’t spend much time at home. They don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time and are at their happiest when they have the company of others.
Don’t adopt a husky if you already have other small animals
Huskies love to chase small animals, such as birds, rabbits and cats. They can even kill small household pets, which of course, can be very upsetting for your entire family. To save heartache, tears and resentment, it’s best not to combine a husky with other small pets.
Further reading: 5 Things Owners Should Know Before Getting A Husky
Now that’s everything you need to know about huskies and children.
What’s your experience: is a husky good with a baby?