The Siberian Husky can be a very dramatic dog, if you own a Husky, you will see they are not like any other breed. Their attitude and behavior are one of a kind. They are so loving and cheerful all the time, but they can be stubborn and moody, they like to get their own way sometimes.
So, why are Huskies so dramatic? Siberian Huskies have a strong personality and sometimes they want to get your attention or do not like that they did not get what they want. This can lead them to be so dramatic and this is generally when the drama begins… This is called reactive behavior.
So, Why Are Huskies So Dramatic?
Siberian Huskies have a whole different personality than other breeds. They are free-spirited, have minds of their own, and can be stubborn, not forgetting they have a massive amount of energy. Siberian Huskies can be or are descendants of sled dogs and that burnt up a lot of energy. If Huskies are not given the correct training and exercise, you will find that they will get up to all sorts of mischief.
I am not saying it will stop them from being so dramatic but letting them burn off some energy and helping them not be bored helps a long way.
What can trigger them to be so dramatic?
It can be a lot of things, from you asking them to do one simple thing but they decided they do not want to. They are very strong-minded and once again can be stubborn. It can also be due to boredom; they will try and trigger playtime by jumping on you or passing you, their toys.
Training is key here; you cannot let them control the situation. It may be cute and funny at the start, but it will soon become more of a bigger problem later in there and your life.
They make get the “Zoomies” and suddenly your house or garden has turned into a racetrack.
Other generally dramatic things a Husky can do is just sit there and stare at you in till you decide to cave and get up. They can decide to Serenade you or just howl which can sound like they are talking to you sometimes. Lastly, their favorite which is playing dead, they love doing this.
What Is Reactive Behavior In Huskies?
When it comes to dog training, when you mention reactive behavior, it usually means a dog can be aggressive or anxious, which can cause aggression with other dogs or strangers. This is usually because the dog has become emotional and is feeling discomfort for the situation or stressed.
More often than not this is because of something that happened in their past. You can usually tell if your dog is acting strange or is not acting their normal self. Most of the time there are some warning signs that your dog is feeling uneasy.
When we talk about reactive behavior with a Siberian Husky, this is not usually the case. Siberian Huskies are not really aggressive. Their reactive behavior is usually as mentioned above, they can be funny, dramatic and have lots of energy, but they can also be annoying sometimes.
What Else Can Make Huskies So Dramatic? (Reactive)
There could be a genuine reason for why your Husky is acting so dramatic and it is not just to get you to play or feed them. Siberian Huskies are very smart dogs that are always on alert. Let us see if it is one of the reasons below.
Household Objects
Now, this may seem like an obvious one, for example, the vacuum but I thought I would put it out there. Sometimes it can be less obvious items such as your radio. Some dogs do not like loud sounds or if they cannot figure out what the sound is coming from it can bother them.
For example, if your radio is on top of your refrigerator, too the Husky it just seems to be coming from the Refrigerator to which they might react too. Or on the other hand, they might just want to howl along with it. When they react try to think, what did I just do?
Stressful Situations
Siberian Huskies like things done their way and they like to get whatever they want. You will notice that your Husky will whine and howl and make all kinds of noises when they want your attention, or something has upset them.
This is what you need to learn the difference between. Are they just trying to get you to play or has something just happened that has upset them? Are they acting crazier and sillier than usual? Like most breeds of dogs, they do not like stressful situations. These situations can be different for each dog, especially if they are a rescue.
Some things that can stress a Siberian Husky could be constant yelling in the house, constant loud noises e.g. construction, Loud Football matches on the TV, Children fighting, and making loud noises constantly.
Signs that can show you your dog is feeling anxious or stressed are running away and hiding, shivering, pacing, whining/barking, and howling. As mentioned above when you find your dog being dramatic, check the situation out and see what is happening around you.
More serious problems of stress in your dog could be shedding more than normal, loss of appetite, licking or chewing on their paws, causing more discomfort. Once you have found the reason, the first thing you should do is remove them from the situation and solve the problem that is making them stressed and anxious.
Lastly, if your dog is crying, howling, or shivering the minute you leave the house or even while putting your boots on then your Husky might have separation anxiety, which is very serious. You should consult your vet if you are worried about this.
Their Environment and Surroundings
We have covered a lot of this in stressed situations but furthermore, I just want to say that it can be the simplest things that can have your Husky howling away. Sometimes they will try and copy your everyday noises and you might think no different of it. These can be doorbells, emergency sirens, car horns, timers, or a baby crying.
They might not look like it at times, but they are always listening away and on guard. The slightest sound can set them off. Especially if you have a neighbor dog that likes to be vocal just like your Husky. They are just communicating with each other, letting the other dog know they are there.
Communicating With You
Sometimes your Husky is just looking to communicate with you, usually, this will be because they want to play, have a treat or they want their food earlier than usual. It can be as simple as that.
Other times they could be in another room and start howling for no reason, which would have you wondering what is wrong. It could just be them wanting to express themselves and wanting to hear their own voice. Siberian Huskies are very vocal, if you currently have one, I am sure you have already figured this out. You will also of noticed that they hardly bark, there is nothing wrong with that. Huskies main method of communicating is howling.
If they start howling for no reason, it is important to check the reason why they are, as it could be something important. If it is nothing, you should not give them appreciation or praise. This can lead to them becoming more stubborn, showing they can always get your attention.
You Could Be The Reason
Surprisingly enough, you could be the reason for them being so dramatic. A few studies have been done on this subject, and the results are quite surprising. They think that if you have been with your Husky for a few years now, they might start copying your behavior and reactions. If you react a certain way to something, your Husky picks this up and tries to copy you.
If you are finding your Husky does react when you do certain things and it is becoming a problem, then you should check on how you are reacting that is setting them off.
Another problem can be that when your Siberian Husky was younger you encouraged all this cute behavior, but now it is a daily thing it is becoming a problem. Proper training is needed to make sure your Husky is behaving the way they should be.
There is nothing wrong with them howling every now and then. But it becomes a problem when they are doing it all the time for no reason because they think it entertains you.
How Can You Stop Your Husky Being So Dramatic?
Let us start by saying, you will never stop Siberian Huskies from being dramatic, it is in their nature. I am guessing their attitude and how they act is the reason why you wanted one to start with. But there is a time and a place for everything. You do not want your Husky being dramatic all the time, especially when you are out, and it looks like you have no control over them.
Training Your Siberian Husky
Having a training schedule when they are a puppy will help you a lot when they get older. If you start training them as a puppy, they should be less dramatic and be more obedient. You should keep the training up even when they get older, this will keep what they have learned instilled them in. As Siberian Huskies do not like following orders. One of the most important things you can teach your Husky is recall, this is vital for them to learn.
Making sure your Husky has a good recall will help you with a lot of your training. Having good recall will help when you are giving your Husky instructions, there is a bigger chance they will follow your commands.
As mentioned above you will never have a fully obedient Siberian Husky. They are a handful and love to cause mischief, it is in their nature. They will dig under your fences and try and escape and much more. I would not take it personally; they are just natural escape artists and have immense amounts of energy to burn.
Siberian Huskies need long daily walks to burn off their energy. It is important that your Husky is not bored, a bored husky is a troublesome husky. They are a very active dog breed; they need mental and physical activities and exercise.
Siberians are active, athletic dogs who need a lot of exercise. They are a working breed and happiest when they have a function to perform. Regular exercise is important both physically and mentally, and doing activities together strengthens the bond between dog and owner. Siberians were bred to run and will do so at every opportunity; it is vital to keep the dog on a leash, in harness, or in a fenced yard at all times.
Read The original Article – American Kennel Club
By training them you will notice that your Siberian Husky will be less dramatic. The key is not to reward bad behavior, which can be hard when there acting all cute and funny. Once you know why they are being so dramatic, your best ignoring it and not paying attention to them.
You Are The Alpha
Your Siberian Husky needs to see you as the Alpha, they cannot see you as an equal. If you are their equal this will cause you so much hard work, especially while trying to train them. They will not listen to any commands they think are above them.
Even though you are the Leader or Alpha, you should never raise your voice or get angry at them. This will not work; you should always keep a calm tone. You should always use positive reinforcement, not negative reinforcement.
It is important you give the training you all and do not just so a bit here and there. Siberian Huskies can be a handful and they do need proper training if you only give them a big of training here and there. Then your Husky is not always going to listen to you, probably hardly listen to anything important.
Training is not a choir; it is a bonding experience between you and your Husky. It will bring you both closer, and they will learn to respect you and see you as the Alpha.
Rewarding Their Good Behavior
It is important to reward them, rewarding them is still key to training them. By receiving a treat, they know they have been a good boy. When starting off, give them one of their favorite treats when they obey a command. This shows them that good behavior will be received by a treat.
Once they have mastered the commands, you do not want to keep giving them a treat afterwards. You want it to be random and in fewer instances. This is because they have mastered the command and you do not want them relying on that treat.
Should You Worry About Their Dramatic Behavior?
More times than not, your Husky is just acting like its normal self, doing “zoomies” and dying to get you to play with them. This is normal and it keeps you both happy.
But honestly, you know your Husky best you know their eccentric behavior better than anyone else. If you feel like they are acting more abnormal than usual, or they are acting strangely on their walk and becoming aggressive to other dogs. Then you should contact your vet straight away, they may not be well. They could just be anxious because they are not feeling well, and they feel vulnerable when other dogs approach them.
Summary
Overall, Siberian Huskies are amazing! We love how Huskies can be so dramatic about things. They can be so funny… Siberian Huskies will always be hyperactive, cunning, and determined to get their own way. It is just important that they are fully trained, and they don’t rule the house.
Most importantly it is important that you take them for their walks and show them the love they deserve because I guarantee you will get it back ten folds. They are one of a kind and they will change your life for the better.
Check out the video below showing how dramatic Huskies can be, they truly are one of a kind.
