husky puppies

Question
I'm not sure if you'll be able to help me because my dog isn't a full blooded husky. In fact I'm not sure what she is even though I know that her mother was a full blooded husky. I was told that the father was a full blooded Malumute (sp?). But once again I can't verify this. My puppy is solid black with some spots of white on her and her name is Ebony. I love her dearly and for right she's an inside/outside dog. Meaning that I am seriously going to have a fence built but right now we don't have one so when we're out of the house (which I'm never gone for very long) she's inside because there is a road nearby and I don't want her wandering. Anyway, she's a good puppy but I'm a little worried. I have 3 cats and they're 5 months old. Sometimes they get along really great together but other times she plays far too rough and I'm worried that one of them will end up getting hurt but I don't want to have to get rid of either my cats nor my dog. And at times she gets too rough with me. Even if I dont' feel like playing with her she'll bite me very hard and it's hard to get her to release her grip on my arm. I've tried to tap her when she gets too rough but it doesn't do any good. Any time I've acted like I'm going to discipline her she growls at me or tries to bite and I'm starting to worry about this. I don't want her to continue this behavior because once she gets older I may not be able to control her at all. Anyway, I hope you don't think I'm a complete idiot. I do love my dog and I'll do anything that will help me train her. Any advice, websites or tips you could give me would be greatly appreciated it!
Thanks,
Ashley

Answer
Dear Ashley,
Mmmmm done this one before, this is classic dominance aggression situation, and your little angel is trying to get you trained early. She wants to call the shots, so at the moment she is trying it on with you to see how far she can go.
If left unchecked this behaviour will only get worse and you will be living with Satans Child! Bear in mind your girl is part of a pack, and the pack members consist of you and your cats. You need to observe some pack behaviour strategies to help your girl understand you do not want to be bitten all the time, and that you are boss dog and you call the shots.
So how do you go about this? Well firstly do not initiate rough play of any kind. Do not play games like tug O war, dont set your self up to be challenged. If your girl does overstep her bounds show your displeasure immediately by growling loudly and suddenly and flipping her over on to her back, placing your self over her. She will learn through this in a very short time that you are pack leader not her, and she should improve in her behaviour.
This might look hilarious to your neighbours but I know from experience this is what works with these guys. Then after the lesson has been administered just leave her alone, ignore her completely, and she will soon learn that in order to be noticed she has to be good. Dogs hate to be ignored. I find this works well and an intelligent dog will soon work out she will be ignored if you are displeased.
The cat thing however is something quite different, and I am afraid to say with this breed of dog more sinister. In time you will find in all probability that she will hurt or kill your cats. Huskies are really little more than wolves barely domesticated and they just love to hunt and kill small animals. Once she gets one there will be no stopping her from wanting to do this over and over again. So you will be forced to keep the 2 seperated, or you may have to make a decision about who goes and who stays to keep harmony. I have had this sad event happen to me and it is a good idea to avoid it before it happens, trust me. I know that is not what you wanted to hear, but it is the truth of the matter. I thought wrongly if I was vigilant I could avoid my cats getting hurt, but even all my care was not enough to prevent a bloody disaster.
I hope this helps you understand what you are dealing with, these dogs are a breed apart, very different from most breeds of dogs. Do not hesitate to write to me again if you need more advice.
Good Luck Faye and Husky Tribe