You've seen the videos on Tiktok: adorable huskies across all continents are talking away, yelling, and singing at their owners. Each video racking up hundreds, if not thousands, of views. It's no secret that huskies are high-energy, anxious dogs that yell at any chance they get. Whether it's from not receiving attention or because they're stressed out, these gentle furballs want all the attention to themselves.
After years of yearning for a white husky, you've found yourself one. Although they may be adorable and loving, you may have seen them become increasingly anxious. While it may be cute for a moment, your white husky may be experiencing stress that you should focus on resolving.
Identifying and Resolving White Husky Stress
Your standard white husky may have a bit of a sassy personality behind their yell, but observing their other mannerisms during different activities will clue you in on their stress levels. Your white husky may have a howl that can be heard all across town; however, they may be experiencing stress and are trying to vocalize it to you.
There are many reasons this can be so, but let's look at 11 of the most common reasons why your white husky experiences stress.
Your White Husky Isn't Getting Enough Exercise
High energy dogs like huskies will want to run outside no matter the weather. Ensuring that they're receiving proper exercise every single day will allow them to be happy and tired. Remember: a tired dog is a happy dog. When a white husky is stuck all day at home, they aren't receiving the proper stimulation they require.
Purchasing self-starter puzzles and automatic ball-throwing toys can ensure your husky is receiving exercise, even if it's through the means of artificial intelligence. There are even treat cameras now that allow you to speak through the camera and feed your Fido a snack while you're away at work. Every time you see your white husky following home rules, press a button and throw them a bone! They'll get excited and see this as positive reinforcement.
Intimidating Sounds or People
While most huskies aren't shy, they may exhibit some behavior that shows evident anxiety. If your white husky is new to your home, and they're showing signs of "airplane ears," you may want to give them their space, but keep a close eye on them. If there are no threatening figures around, like a human or a thunderstorm, look at your white husky's energy towards other animals in your home.
When their ears are flat against their head and not erect, they could be experiencing anxiety submission. Your husky's body language will include tail tucking if they're genuinely anxious. Remove them from the room they're in and place them in their den – this could be a crate, a fluffy dog bed, your bed, or something they often find solace in.
Your White Husky's Toys Aren't Challenging
While most dogs love completing tasks because a reward is involved, huskies are one of the few breeds that LOVE long workdays or constantly keeping busy. When they haven't been stimulated enough, you'll find that they begin chewing, digging, and yelling for hours on end. Their energy requires an immense amount of care, and all-white husky owners must be seeking options for tiring out their dog.
Say you're already keeping up to date with exercising your white husky, and they still aren't remaining calm. Try looking at the toys you're giving them. Running is a great way to engage your pup, but it's not the only way. White huskies are incredibly intelligent dogs, although goofy, and require toys that are more complex than your standard treat puzzle.
Your White Husky is Experiencing Separation Anxiety
If you find yourself at work all day while your husky is at home wreaking havoc, try hiring a friend or a professional dog walker to take them out for a bit. There are also daycare centers for dogs that include playtime with other pups around their size—finding your white husky something to do all day while you're gone while allowing their separation anxiety to forget that they have you at home.
Interaction is essential when it comes to toys and your white husky. Treats that will have them thinking outside of the box will keep them busy for hours. Don't forget to implement relaxing chews that can work together in harmony, bringing peace to your husky home.
To combat separation anxiety, try putting them into daycare. After picking them up multiple days in a row, your white husky will get into the routine of not being with you for a bit and being excited when you come to pick them up. The best part is that they'll learn to socialize with many other dogs in the process.
It's in your white husky's nature to be a pack animal, and when their leader isn't around, they're going to experience some intense separation anxiety. Keeping a familiar object, toy, or blanket around your dog will calm them down. After giving them this item, you'll want to leave the area for short periods throughout the day to get them familiar with their "safe objects" and being okay without you.
Potential Medical Concerns for Your White Husky
Huskies are notorious for yelling if they want attention. Usually, you'll be able to tell the difference between your daily sass master and when something is a bit more serious. If you find their voice is starting to change (not hoarse because they're always yelling), you should look into the various laryngeal disorders. After observing your white husky for a few days, you should seek veterinary assistance in diagnosing your pup. Huskies are known for their voice boxes, so being preemptive and diagnosing early will likely yield an excellent prognosis.
Maybe you've seen your white husky go through a series of behavioral changes the last week or so. If you have, medical issues should be the first to look at. If your dog is becoming more clingy than expected, it may be feeling ill or are experiencing pain somewhere they aren't able to show you. If it seems like you have a newfound shadow lately, look at how your white husky is eating, urinating, and if they're drinking like normal. If any of the above changes, seek veterinarian advice immediately.
Your White Husky's Background
Adopting is a wonderful way to bring a new white husky into your home. If you're lucky enough to adopt one, you may want to consider their background before freaking out about their behavior. Rescue dogs, especially those who are older, often suffer from abandonment or anxiety issues. Unfortunately, not every previous dog owner is perfect, and you must take potential prior abuse into account.
For instance, you may allow your dogs on the couch at home. In their other adoptive homes, their experience may have been different – much different. If you see your white husky attempting to climb on the couch, or cuddle on it with a bit of apprehension, cheer them on in a positive tone. Every time you see them doing so, continue positive reinforcement. Eventually, this will train them into being okay with their new lifestyle and what they can do. It will also reduce residual fear from their previous home.
A great way to positively introduce yourself to your new rescue is to give them a safe space with treats and water. Don't force them to go to an area where they're going to be seen by other dogs in the home until they're ready. Allow them to come out of their crate or bed at their own pace. Dogs will come around when they're comfortable.
Once your white husky has gotten more comfortable with you, you can send them to daycare to socialize with other dogs. In doing so, your furry friend will realize with repetition that you'll always come back to get her. After a few days of exposure to this socialization method, they'll start to see it as a fun task and become increasingly happier.
Your husky's previous owner may have also passed away or may have had to give them up. Allow time for them to grieve while giving them love when they ask for it. Anxiety can present itself during this time, so giving them options in the form of toys and treats will help them cope.
There's a "333" rule when it comes to adopting dogs. It takes them 3 days to realize they're at a new home for good, 3 weeks to decompress, and 3 months for them to warm up to you. If they aren't showing signs of aggression or illness, it may be best to let them relax and get used to their surroundings before exploring other options.
Your White Husky is Aging
You may wish your dog could live forever, but after 6-7 years old, a dog is considered a senior. Their energy may bottle up inside as they cannot run like they used to, transpiring in the form of anxiety and stress. If your white husky is quite old, they may become clingy and start to forget their daily routines. Confusion often takes shape in the form of anxiety.
While there are holistic approaches to combatting the effects of aging, there's nothing you can do to turn back the clock. Make sure their safe space doesn't frequently change to ensure they're able to recognize their sanctuary. Keep your canine in a routine to ensure their anxiety lessens through familiarity.
You're Giving Your White Husky Too Much Attention
As much as we want to shower our animals with as much attention as possible, it's not always the healthiest option. When we bring them everywhere with us for no reason other than wanting to, we aid them in developing separation anxiety. Recognize their favorite objects and materials to ensure you're able to create a comfortable den in their crate/bed area.
This bedding area can be a large crate, an entire room, or somewhere quiet that you trust them to be. Provide them with food and water, their favorite toys, and their favorite sleepy time bedding. When you're gone, they'll be able to be comfortable.
This reason goes hand in hand with combatting separation anxiety. If keeping them at home while you're gone doesn't sound like a feasible option, you may want to try social events or doggy daycare. This way, your white husky will be preoccupied all day while you're gone, and their stress levels can decrease.
Your White Husky Doesn't See You as an Authority Figure
If a crazy white husky doesn't have an authority figure of sorts, they'll begin to act anxious as they don't have a pillar of guidance. They may recognize you as the one who gives them food, love, and water, but not reprimanding them or keeping them in line may be harming their thought process. Learning to tell them "no," "stay," and other basic commands will help make you an authoritative figure in their eyes.
Huskies need structure as much as they don't want it. Like humans, huskies are all about being wonderful students. They love doing well and receiving rewards for doing so. When you were in school, think about your favorite teacher. Now you can become that for your dog!
As you progress through basic training commands with your dog, you may see a difference in how their anxiety manifests. Providing structure may reduce their stress overall while still allowing them to keep a bit of their sassy personality.
You Keep Your White Husky's Routine the Same
Some huskies require structure and routine to keep them from going crazy, but not all huskies are alike. Some huskies become too clingy if you do not incorporate small changes into your routine. Dogs become bored and won't interact with the same toys repeatedly. It's great that dogs love a good challenge, but sometimes owners can also get set in their ways.
If you shift your routine a significant amount, make sure you don't change it again for a little bit. Too much changing in a short period will confuse your husky and give them even more stress than before. For a few weeks in the winter, you may want to play in the backyard, and then a month later, try hiking every other day.
Huskies may become destructive and rip apart toys they love because they're upset it's boring. They want a good challenge, and providing them with a more intricate puzzle toy can help engage them further.
Your Female White Husky is Experiencing Proestrus
All female dogs experience "heat" just like female humans. This typically marks the season where your dog wants to mate. Anxiety increases are entirely normal within this period and can last as long as three weeks. Your pup may be clingier during this period, as well. Spaying your dog will remove the ability for them to be in heat, but if there are any tissue remnants left behind during the procedure, they can still experience Ovarian Remnant Syndrome.
This happens when there are some tissues still present within the ovarian system. Since hormones and estrogen can still increase from these little bits of tissue, your dog will experience the triggers of heat. If you know your dog has gone through a spay procedure but is experiencing these signs, you may want to ask for advice from your veterinarian. There also may be an underlying medical issue that needs attention.
While not pretty, some signs that your dog is in heat include slightly bloody discharge, "below the belt" swelling, and behavioral changes. If your husky is trying to get more attention from males, this is a good sign heat is starting. The frequency of the heat period is every six to eight months, depending on the tissue remaining.
If you feel that your husky has tissue remnants due to their personality changes, your veterinarian will conduct a series of tests to determine the truth. Through cytology, checking hormone levels, ultrasounds, and hormonal stimulation, your vet can determine if your dog is just being weird or is experiencing ORS. The treatment is simple, and it involves surgically removing the bits of tissue left behind during the first procedure.
White Huskies Are Fun But Unique Creatures
The popularity of owning a husky has risen to the 14th most desired breed according to the American Kennel Club, with a portion of new owners grabbing inspiration from "Game of Thrones." While rescuing dogs is a respectable move, make sure you're prepared for the personalities that come along with the boisterous man's best friend.