Behavior issue

Question
I have a beautiful husky (looks like Demon from the movie Snow Dogs) who my kids love and I as well...but she won't have anything to do with us! We got her from a breeder and I noticed when we picked her up, the owner walked around with a stick hitting the dogs as they got in her way.  So I am assuming she was abused. Also, she was the runt of the litter. I don't know if that has anything to do with it either.We have done everything we can think of to show her we love her but she won't let us touch her. We have had her now for 1 1/2 years and nothing has really changed. We took in a stray who has been with us for a year, and with having that dog around, has made Sasha a little more playful. She will eat from our hands, but she will not come in the house, she will not let us touch her.
Unfortunately, we do not have lots of money to send her to someone to train her and even if we did, we can't catch her! Please help us. I baby her as much as I can - at a distance of course.
I hope you can help.
I want to add that we are big animal lovers. We have two dogs and two cats. Most people that I have talked to about this told us to give her to someone else. But there is no way I could do that b/c I don't know if someone is going to take care of her like we do, even though she doesn't have anything to do with us.
Look forward to hearing from you soon.
Carey

Answer
Dear Carey,
Yes what you appear to be seeing is probably the product of abuse. It should have been a big warning sign to you that the breeder you went to see was not deserving of being entrusted in making the Siberian a better breed. Sadly all too many times I see people breeding dogs for money, where as I know if you do it right you actually can run at a loss.
Young puppies are acutely affected for life by experiences they have before 6 months old or so. Perhaps being runty she was also a very meek dog being pushed around by her littermates as well. Also some huskies are naturally very aloof, though I do not think this is the problem in your case.
No amount of training will change this, all you can do is what you are doing. Be kind, patient, and accept her for what she is. I have an abused horse who is just the same it is frustrating I know but only time will perhaps make a difference.
Also having another dog does not work in your favour. Siberians are very pack oriented and she will prefer the company of the other dog to you, so she can afford to stay distant more easily.
I commend you on taking on and persisting with this challenge. I hope you will be rewarded but it will take a lot of time.
I know this does not help you much, but every so often I too rescue an animal who is this way, some times kindness wins out, other times it doesn't.
Do not hesitate to contact me again if you need any more help.
Faye and Husky Crew.