Ouch! A single bite from your beloved canine companion is painful and surprising. Still, when biting develops into a weekly or even a daily occurrence, the situation can become anxiety-provoking and stressful. In search of a solution, husky-owners flock to the internet to ask: why does my husky bite me?
Huskies bite you to assert dominance. Huskies also bite when they are nervous, playful, or dealing with anxiety. As puppies, huskies bite because they are teething or learning how much their bites hurt, a vital lesson for all dogs. As adults, huskies bite because they feel nervous, aggressive, or bored.
This article will discuss why your Husky bites you, what it means when they bite different parts of your body, and how to stop this undesirable behavior.
Reasons Your Husky Bites You
Age and other conditions can really dictate how often a Husky bites. Below are a few common reasons you’ll see across Huskies of all ages.
Your Husky Is Trying to Assert Dominance
When a bite is accompanied by growling, raised fur, or flattened ears, your Husky is trying to assert dominance over you. Because dogs are pack animals, even the friendliest Husky wants to be the “alpha.”
It is vital to remain calm and maintain eye contact with your dog. Say “No!” until the behavior stops. If this occurs frequently, you should seek a professional trainer to correct the issue.
Your Husky Feels Threatened
When a husky feels threatened, it will bite you out of a perceived need to defend itself. You can tell if your Husky is nervous by its body language: when he is low to the ground, his tail is tucked between his legs, and his eyes are anywhere, but on yours, he feels threatened.
Your Husky Is Bored
Because huskies are especially active dogs, they need to be consistently exercised to feel happy.
You should expect to take your dog for a one-hour walk in the morning and another in the afternoon. Try to go on walks at the same time every day; dogs love routine! If your schedule does not allow for so much exercise, consider hiring a dog-walker.
Your Husky Wasn’t Trained Properly As A Puppy
Much like babies, puppies chew on things when their adult teeth are coming in. At such a young age, puppies aren’t aware that their bites hurt, either. If a husky wasn’t taught what can be bitten (a rope or a chew toy) and what can’t (your hand), then the behavior will carry into adulthood.
Huskies Were Bred To Be Active And Aggressive
Although huskies are more popular as household pets today, they were initially bred to pull sleds across miles of snow and ice. They need plenty of exercise to keep their mood in check. If your Husky has been especially bitey recently, ask yourself: am I giving my dog the recommended two hours of exercise every day?
Your Husky Is Excited
In the blind joy of a good tug game, a husky might give you a nip on the fingers. While this is not a sign of aggression, you shouldn’t reinforce this behavior. If your husky bites you every time you play a physically aggressive game (tug, wrestling, etc.), you should stop playing these games.
Why Does My Husky Bite My Hands
A husky will most often bite your hands like a puppy since, at that age, huskies are teething and often unaware that their bites hurt. If your Husky is an adult, he is biting your hands for attention or because he is hungry.
Why Does My Husky Bite My Ears
This is a case of mistranslation: your husky loves you so much that he bites your ears! Have you ever seen a puppy grab another puppy by the ear? It’s playful behavior. However a bite is meant, it is still a painful occurrence and shouldn’t be rewarded.
Why Does My Husky Bite My Face
If your husky bites your face, you were too close to him. Although we all love to snuggle with dogs, close contact can be stressful for specific canine individuals, who will respond with a nip on your nose.
If this happens, take it as a warning–your dog is asking you to give him some space! The best solution is to keep your face out of your dog’s reach.
Why Does My Husky Bite My Arms
A husky bites your arms to get your attention. He may want a pat on the belly or a nice, long walk. A dog will rarely bite your arm out of aggression. Remember: dogs are living creatures that succumb to boredom as surely as you do!
Why Does My Husky Bite My Hair
If your Husky bites your hair, he is trying to get your attention. He may also see your hair as a tug rope. Although the behavior may be endearing, it is essential to train it out of your husky since it could be generalized to other, more painful bite areas.
Why Does My Husky Bite My Ankles?
Huskies are closely related to wolves, so they are more predatory than other dogs: he may see your ankles as prey! They may also bite your ankles because they are stressed or anxious; aggressive responses in dogs are often linked to stress and anxiety.
How Do I Get My Husky To Stop Biting My Hands
The best way to get your husky to stop biting your hands is to tell him, “No!” when the behavior occurs, and then ignore him for a few hours. Be consistent, and do not break your shunning until you want to. It is a good idea to set a timer for an hour and tell yourself; I will not look at my dog until this goes off.
It would help if you also considered coating your hands in taste deterrent before interacting with your dog. Dogs hate mint, so minty hands will teach your dog to stop biting them.
Remember: professional dog trainers are based all over the world. If the problem persists, find someone local to train your dog correctly.
Why Is My Husky So Aggressive Towards Me
Your Husky is aggressive because he hasn’t been appropriately exercised, feels anxious in your presence, or wasn’t trained out of aggression as a puppy. Check your Husky’s body language: does he seem agitated and easily excitable? If so, he needs a walk.
Remember, huskies need two hours of exercise every day. Does he cower, whine, and look away from you? Then you are unintentionally creating an anxiety-provoking setting. Does he seem confused when you reprimand him for biting? Then he was never trained out of aggression as a puppy.
At What Age Do Huskies Stop Biting
If your Husky is appropriately trained, he should stop biting once he’s around seven months old. When a puppy is three to seven months old, his adult teeth are growing is an uncomfortable experience for any creature! At this age, you should provide your puppy with plenty of chew toys and train him to bite those instead of your shoes or your hand.
How Do You Assert Dominance Over A Husky
To assert dominance over a husky, feed him at the same time every day, keep him at your side or behind yourself when you walk him, verbally reprimand his aggressive behavior, and consider hiring an obedience trainer. These behaviors help your dog understand that you are the alpha.
How Do I Get My Husky To Stop Biting Me
Regardless of what caused it, whenever your husky bites you, say “No!” and ignore him afterward. Dogs hate boredom, so ignoring your Husky for an hour or so is a suitable punishment.
Pay careful attention to your dog’s body language to address the core of the problem. If he seems hyperactive, he needs more exercise. If he seems nervous, he needs a calmer and more consistent environment. If he seems flat-out aggressive, then you should contact a professional to teach your dog proper behavior.
Do not ever abuse your dog to “teach” him. Physical punishment never works; it will simply make your dog more aggressive, twitchy, and fearful.
Other Considerations
While not all bites are signs of aggression, it is important to punish the behavior since it could be generalized to a deeper issue. A puppy’s niblings are cute–an adult’s fully-grown canines are not.
Body Language
When your dog bites you, please pay careful attention to his body language. Dogs bite for many reasons, and it is essential to understand the cause of an attack so you can most effectively deal with it.
If your husky:
● Doesn’t sit still
● Jumps onto and off of couches, dog beds, etc.
● Destroys furniture
Your Husky is hyperactive; he is trying to find a way to let off steam. Make sure you are giving your husky the recommended minimum of a two-hour walk every day. If you can’t commit to this, hire a dog walker.
If your husky:
● Crouches
● He tucks his tail between his legs
● Looks away from you
● Yawns
Your Husky is stressed. Do you have enough space for your dog? Do you stay calm when telling him “No”? The best way to destress a dog is to remain consistent, quiet, and slow-moving. Loud noises and sudden movements can frighten an already anxious dog.
If your husky:
● Raises the fur on his back
● Curls his tail high
● Flattens his ears
● Snarls
Your Husky is feeling aggressive. At this point, it is essential to back away from your dog and allow him to calm down. Your safety comes first.
If the problem persists or worsens, contact a professional and attend obedience classes; they are trained to solve these problems for concerned dog owners such as yourself. The investment is well worth it.
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