Customer Reviews

Siberian Huskies For Dummies

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have been deeply involved in the dog world as a trainer, exhibitor (conformation and obedience), owner, fosterer and rescuer for a number of years and I love this book series. As a relatively new Siberian husky owner, fancier and rescuer, I found this book to be accurate, frank and totally fun to read. That last quality is especially important because I am finding increasingly that many people who acquire puppies or dogs have no real idea of what is involved in dog ownership. This seems to be especially true with a beautiful purebred like the Siberian husky. This book pretty much tells it like it is, from the fact that NO husky can be trusted not to run away if not on leash or fenced (they are bred to "run", after all)to the idea that Siberian huskies help remind you what is important in life--as long as it's not keeping a perfect house (they DO shed). It also has more information than any other single book I have found on general dog care, health, first aid, behavior, training (much of it specific for Siberian huskies--a great plus). This book even contains chapters on grooming, "working" huskies for fun and also very interesting information on the history of the Siberian husky as a breed. I would give this book 5 stars (or more) except for two things: 1) I would have liked to have seen more emphasis on finding and acquiring homeless Siberian huskies from rescue programs. This was mentioned, but only briefly. Siberians frequently find themselves homeless (I guess because not everyone has read this book and is prepared for them!) 2) I found the section on whether to have a Siberian husky live inside or outside--a major decision with great ramifications for the dog's life and the family's enjoyment of the dog--somewhat confusing. The book states that a secure fence is almost a necessity with dogs of this breed but also that they are escape artists, should not be permanently chained outside and that they need to be part of the family. It would seem that keeping such a dog inside is the only option, at least for the pet owners for whom this book is evidently crafted. But after saying these things, the book continues to tell readers how to keep their dogs living outside. Even those tips are excellent, though, and could be useful once the issue was resolved. In general, this book is a huge improvement over the textbook style of so many breed specific books and manuals for dog owners. It has an immense amount of useful information in spite of its small size and easy readability. The icons in the margins help immensely in making the book useful, too--noting which sections are "warnings" and "tips", etc. Oh, and the cartoons are wonderful too, as if the book itself weren't valuable enough!

Well, this book is a good dog primer, with a lot of material specific to Siberians. I really liked the fact that the author covered both history and the wonderful sport of mushing. The training and medical info is also useful and well done if basic.
The thing that annoyed me is that the author suggested that buying a puppy at a pet shop was OK, and also said something about Alaskan Huskies being awful pets that no one should adopt. As a person who has owned both Alaskans and Siberians, I found this comment untrue and annoying. Many Alaskans make wonderful pets, even retired sled dogs. In fact I recommend adopting a retired sled dog if you are interested in a recreational mushing- I did. It reminds me of what people used to say about Greyhounds 20 years ago, that they make awful pets. That is also untrue! Why put a stamp of approval on puppy mill pet shop Siberians, while keeping well cared for Alaskans from getting a chance at a good retirement home? Maybe she thought pet shops would not carry her book if she criticized pet shop puppies.
However, if you look at the book as a lifeline for a first time owner surviving thier Siberian's puppyhood, the book can literally be a lifesaver. She says yes, the puppy will grow out of many behaviors- hang in there! Your Husky needs company and training, please provide these things! It's a working breed, please let it work if possible! In these areas, the author does a good job. I just didn't like the untrue comments on Alaskan Huskies ( many of which are part Siberian) and the wishy-washy acceptance of the puppy mill industry and buying a Siberian puppy that way. That's a BAD idea and really brought an otherwise good book way down in my eyes. Find a good breeder who cares about the dogs, either racing or show, or try a rescued Husky if you have the time to deal with an unknown background.

I am the happy and proud owner/companion of a beautiful Siberian Husky -- Rocco. This book is a wonderful resource for raising and living with a Siberian Husky. The book gives easy-to-follow instructions on how to train your dog, understand your dog's actions, care for and feed your dog, and how to make sure your dog is healthy and happy.

I was a little afraid at first that the book was a simple cut-and-paste job with generic information and just name of breed inserted where necessary giving only information that applies to all breeds of dogs equally. Fortunately, that is not the case at all. Obviously there are many tips provided that will and do apply to other breeds, but, for the most part, the book is carefully focused on how to raise a husky. Indeed, the book provides useful tips (that have worked!) on how to deal with some behavioral situations that are unique to huskies.

It is very clear that the author has huskies and loves her dogs and maintains a good relationship with her dogs. Following the simple instructions in her book assures that the reader will likewise have a good relationship with his or her husky.

Although I already had Rocco before getting this book, the book also gives very useful information and making sure a husky is the dog for you and how to find a good match once you have decided on getting a husky.

For anyone who is thinking about getting a dog, I HIGHLY recommend huskies. They are extremely loving, good-natured companions. And this book will help you get the right one. And if you already have a husky, I recommed getting this book to make sure your good friend stays happy and healthy.

My fiance and I recently got a siberian husky puppy. She confused the heck out of us with the things she was doing. When we got this book it solved alot of our problems. It explained to us why she was doing the things she did. If you have a husky you should definatley pick this book out!

My wife and I are VERY new at the Siberian Husky thing (we just adopted our first guy last Saturday from a rescue - a two year old named Yukon), but decided to pick up a few books to read up on them. Maybe we didn't buy the right books, but it really seems like this one has a lot of information that other do not have. I also suggest "Siberian Husky: A Comprehensive Guide to Owning and Caring for Your Dog (Kennel Club Dog Breed Series)," as it is a great, comprehensive look at the breed, and includes information found in "Siberian Huskies Complete Owner's Manual" (which is itself a good book, but tends to skimp in a few areas).

I would pick this book up as an addition to your library but, if you are going to really research these great dogs, I recommend buying one or two others to go along with it.

this book helped me so much with my 1 1/2 year old siberian husky/labrador retriever mix. even though he is only half husky, through this book i have realized that the husky in him seems to be more dominant. this book really helped me to understand that all the little "odd" things that he does, really aren't odd at all, they are only natural to his breeds. i would recommend this book to anyone with a full or partial breed husky!!

I have a young Siberian with 1/2 Golden Reteriver. After reading this book, I was able to understand, while in training classes, she was so good at tasks, but very stubborn on others - that is the Husky trait. The other traits, of affection, quickness, hardly any barking, less the doggy smell when she gets wet, the ability to be in tune with young children and and ability to play with dogs, still amazes me. She loves the outdoors, but enjoys inside as much. Because, she has high energy and requires at lot of walking, playing, etc.,every day, rain, snow, sleet (her favorites)it is such a joy to be with her. So just a reminder, this type of dog takes a lot of work - as the book states. Training, should start as soon as possible, it takes time, especially with a husky, who has a mind of its own makes a happier dog.

I "aquired" my first husky about two years ago when my boyfriend and I moved in together. I love this book. It is simple to read and really gives you a load of information that is actually useful. I am a full time veterinary technician student who also has a full tme job, so any extracrricular reading, for me, needs to be an easy read and to the piont. My only worry is that this book tells at one point to lay off the protein in a husky's diet to combat dominance. However, being that huskies are avid athletes whose metabolisms are what dreams are made of, be careful with feeding them too much carbs. Remember, they don't need a whole bunch of energy to survive and too much carbs tend to overload them. Otherwise, this book is grade A material!!!

This is an awesome book. Not only was it an easy read packed with information, it was hilarious! Buying this book saved me a lot of money that I would have had to pay a trainer. I would recommend to anyone with a Siberian Husky, or anyone thinking of getting one.

A great book with a wealth of information. It touches on almost every problem you will come across with your husky.