All dog owners can agree that their pet has unique traits that set it apart from all the others at the dog park. Husky owners can certainly attest to the fact that their dogs go beyond the typical quirky canine traits—they are certified drama queens.
Huskies can throw temper tantrums, similar to a tired and hungry kid who has yet to take a nap. In this article, we will explore the reasoning behind these hilarious, yet often irritating outbursts known as "husky tantrums".
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What's Considered a Husky Tantrum?
In short, a husky tantrum is a way your dog expresses things that may be exciting or distressful for them. Whether they are experiencing discomfort, fear, or even joy, they will certainly let you know. Just like humans, tantrums are just another way to let you know how your dog feels, and these episodes could be an advantage that huskies have over other dog breeds.
Typical signs of a husky tantrum include:
- Howling similar to a wolf or coyote
- Loud crying and whining sounds
- Behaving in an aggressive or erratic way
- Disobeying your commands or completely ignoring you
- Growling or attempting to bite you
- Tearing objects apart
Emotional Tantrums
It is difficult to pinpoint one reason why your husky is throwing a tantrum, as there are many different causes for this type of behavior. It's possible that your dog is experiencing frustration due to lack of attention, boredom, anxiety, or some sort of threat that is causing him to be fearful. Sometimes your dog just doesn't like what you have to say, and he will certainly let you know! This type of behavior isn't exactly limited to the husky breed, but most husky owners can tell you that they are the most attention-seeking breed.
Physical Tantrums
Emotional outbursts are not the only type of tantrums that the husky can have. Often times tantrums are also caused by physical distress that your dog may be feeling. Usually, the cause of a physical tantrum is something small such as being hungry, needing to be let outside to use the bathroom, or even being upset because you took their beloved toy away.
Sometimes a tantrum can be caused by health issues that your dog is trying to let become known. This often isn't the cause, but it's always important to rule anything out just to make sure your pup is feeling okay.
How to Stop and Prevent a Husky Tantrum
Now that we've gone through the reasoning behind these pesky temper tantrums, let's go over the number one question that most dog owners have. How do we stop this from happening? It's not always easy, but the more you understand your dog, the easier it will be to find some peace and quiet.
It's important to know that the husky is not a breed you should adopt if you don't plan on giving your dog the care and attention they need. Otherwise, you will be dealing with a dog who exhibits tantrums on a daily basis, and that can be very frustrating for both the dog and the owner.
The first thing you should do when trying to prevent a tantrum is to keep note of any patterns that you may be noticing. Some things to think about are:
- Is this something that is happening on a daily basis?
- Is there a specific time that the tantrums usually occur?
- Has your dog had a meal before it had a tantrum?
- Did you take your dog out on their daily walk, or have they exercised?
- Does your husky do this alone or when they are around other dogs?
Take notes whenever you see this happening, and it will be much easier to pinpoint the issue and where exactly this behavior is coming from. It may even be beneficial to ask your local vet or even a dog trainer to help get you on the right track.
What Can You Do?
There are different techniques that dog owners use to keep their pets' tantrums at bay. All dogs have limits, and it's important to find out what these are and how you can make sure they are comfortable and living their best life.
I can not stress enough how important it is to make sure you start training as soon as you adopt your husky. Whether you get them as a puppy or an adult dog, it is crucial to embed rules and structure in your dog's life so you can avoid emotional issues going forward.
Not everyone can do it on their own, so don't be afraid to get your dog enrolled in some obedience classes or hire a personal trainer to help you out with some struggles that you may be facing.
Are Tantrums in Huskies Normal?
It can be quite concerning to see your dog in a state of distress. Especially when they can be quite loud and vocal about it. Not to worry, this is something that all husky owners have experienced at least once in their dog's life. Huskies are a naturally expressive breed, and it's simply in their nature to be more outwardly forthcoming about their feelings.
Don't put it past your dog to cry and howl when they don't get the treat they were promised earlier or if they want to go for a walk but it's pouring rain outside and they are confined to the house. It's best to accept this behavior as part of your dog's personality, but don't let it get too out of hand.
Should You Punish a Husky For Having a Tantrum?
There's no doubt that it can be extremely frustrating when you're trying to watch your favorite TV show and your pet is howling away in the background. Just like your dog, you may have your own impulsive reaction and feel the need to shout at your pup. But it's super important not to let your own emotions get the best of you and to always be patient with your dog and remain calm.
It is never acceptable to scream at or hit your dog when they are having a tantrum. Always treat your pup with respect and speak to them in a relaxed and soothing manner. Remaining calm and at ease will help your dog calm down quicker and learn that whatever frustration they are feeling is not something to be reprimanded over.
The Perfect Training Exercise to Increase Patience, Self-Control, and Obedience
All your options have failed, and you don't know where to go from here. So now what? Sometimes we need to follow a step-by-step guide in order to keep everything in check. Below you will find one of the most simple and easy-to-follow sets of instructions for beginners to start training their dogs. Keeping up with these exercises will guarantee that you can limit the temper tantrums and help your pet feel more at peace.
The first thing we want to do is practice self-control and train your dog to develop patience. We do this by playing a little game called “sit and wait." This is nothing new for people who have tried to train their dog, but in case you haven't gotten it down yet, here is a way to help you out.
“Sit and Wait”
- Get your dog to sit in front of you
- Tell your dog to “stay” (holding your hand out in a stop-motion may be helpful)
- Place a treat on the floor, then take one step back and once again tell him to “stay”.
- Count to five (in your head) and finally tell them “go!” in an encouraging voice
- If your dog has performed correctly, praise him heavily so they know he has done a good job.
- Repeat from step 1.
Need more of a challenge? Try this:
- Don't say “stay” every time. Eventually, your dog will pick up on the action and anticipate for you to give him the okay.
- Move further away from the treat than you did the first time
- Wait longer before you tell your dog to “go!”
- Go to a different room while he waits (it will take some patience to get to this level)
Positive reinforcement is extremely important when following these steps, so make sure to make your dog feel as loved as possible. You can even give him another treat or his favorite toy, so he definitely knows he did something worthy of praise. Have fun with it, this is supposed to be an engaging experience.
Start slow. If your dog isn't quite getting the hang of it, don't move on too quickly. Make sure that he has got the first step down pat. Only move on when you are confident that your dog is ready to learn something new. Don't give up! It can be tedious, but I can assure you that the results will be worth it in the end.
This is not the only approach. For more stubborn dogs, it is recommended that you research as many training options as you can until you find the one that works for you.
Summary
Now that you know why your beloved Husky is the way that he is, I hope you can utilize these tools to help you navigate the world with your pup. Tantrums don't always have to be a bad thing. Many of us find these little quirks adorable and even humorous! These are just some of the perks of having a Husky, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
There are several informative videos online that you can watch to get a better idea of the different types of tantrums that a husky can have. Who hasn't documented their dog's silly behavior at least once? We've all seen those videos of huskies showing their unique and often human-like personalities.
It's one of the reasons we fell in love with the breed in the first place. Being a Husky owner can be very exhausting at times, but at the end of the day, it is extremely rewarding. We can all agree that we love our pets, silly personalities and all!
For additional pet-parenting tips, head over to TryFi.com's Off Leash blog.
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