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If you’re planning on welcoming a new dog into your family soon, you’re likely wondering how the dog you choose will get along with the kids. Those with their eye on a Husky will be glad to know that these dogs are generally good with children as long as they’ve been well-socialized, but there are a few important things to keep in mind.
In this post, we’ll explore how well Huskies get along with children and share some pointers for making sure your new dog’s entrance into family life is as smooth as possible.
Do Huskies Get Along Well With Kids?
Every breed has different traits that make them special and unique, and the Husky is no exception. That being said, there are a few factors that make all the difference in terms of how well an individual dog gets along with children—no matter what breed that dog is.
These factors include responsible parenting and a commitment to training and socializing the dog as well as teaching children how to respectfully interact with the dog. If you’re willing to do all of these things, there’s no reason why a Husky wouldn’t make a wonderful companion for both you and your children.
Huskies are typically very sociable, friendly, affectionate, and extraverted in nature. They also have an endearing goofy streak that means there’s never a dull moment when they’re around! Moreover, the AKC gives the Siberian Husky full points on its “good with young children” meter, which is a great sign.
All that aside, there are some important considerations before you choose a Husky to share your life with. Let’s dive into this in a bit more depth.
What Does “Child-Friendly” Mean?
It’s a term you’ll read a lot in articles about dogs, but what do we really mean when we say a dog is child-friendly? It’s not as simple as whether or not a dog will attack a child.
You also need to take into account the individual dog’s personality (energy levels, how laid-back they are, etc.) before deciding whether they’d be a good fit for your family.
- Anxious dogs may not cope well in a noisy environment or with young children who haven’t developed a sense of personal space yet.
- High-energy, playful dogs (like Siberian Huskies) will need close supervision around small children in case they accidentally knock or pull them over while playing (think tug-of-war).
- Young, unsocialized dogs may not have developed a sense of boundaries yet, so will need to be supervised to make sure they don’t play too roughly.
- Dogs that have displayed guarding behaviors (also known as resource guarding) aren’t suitable for homes with small kids.
- If your child is very young and hasn’t yet learned how to properly interact with dogs, they may hurt the dog by grabbing at them or pulling their tail. In turn, this may cause a dog to retaliate, so, once again, supervision is always, always crucial.
Tips for Helping Huskies and Kids to Get Along
If your heart is set on a Husky (we totally get why!), here are some tips for managing interactions between your Husky and your children.
Always, Always Supervise
Though Huskies aren’t typically aggressive dogs, it’s important to supervise them—as with any dog breed—around small children no matter what their temperament is like. This is for both the child’s and the dog’s safety. If possible, ask another adult to be present for the initial introductions just for a bit of extra support.
Go Slowly
Introduce your Husky to your children gradually and in a calm, neutral, non-threatening environment. Show them how to gently pet the Husky and reward and praise the Husky for calm behavior around the children. If you’re not sure if your young Husky is used to receiving treats politely without nipping, drop treats onto the floor for a while until you know they don’t/no longer do this.
If your Husky knows the command, ask them to “sit” and teach your kids how to give the command, too. Avoid using toys at first as this might cause too much excitement for the initial interactions.
Teach Respect
Respect is key for positive canine-human interactions. Teach your children about dogs’ body language so they learn to understand your Husky’s various emotions and when it’s appropriate to give them some space.
Also, explain how important it is to respect the Husky during play and when being tactile with them. Though Huskies are large and strong, they can still get hurt by a child who is too rough with them.
Desensitize Your Husky to Crying Sounds
The sound of babies crying can be stressful for dogs, so you can try desensitizing your Husky to this sound by playing sound recordings of crying babies. Start with a low volume and gradually increase the volume over the next sessions until they don’t react to the noise. This may take a few weeks or more.
Learn About Your Husky
Adopting an adult Husky is a wonderful idea as it gives you the opportunity to learn as much as possible about them before you bring them home. Shelters usually have an idea of how well dogs in their care get along with kids and your children will be able to meet the Husky in a controlled environment before you make your decision.
Final Thoughts
To recap, Huskies are generally good with kids because they’re sociable, funloving, and friendly in nature but it’s still important to get your new Husky used to your children (and vice versa) gradually, monitor interactions, and encourage positive, respectful interactions between them so they can feel comfortable around each other. It’s also a good idea to learn as much as you can about your Husky before you bring them home.
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Featured Image Credit: ANURAK PONGPATIMET, Shutterstock
