Outdoor Puppy

Question
QUESTION: Hello I am thinking about buying a Husky from a breeder, but my dad does not want the dog inside the house. So I wondering what is the best way to teach the puppy to sleep outside the house, but inside the doghouse

should I Bring in the doghouse and put it in another room alone with the puppy? or should I let the puppy sleep with me for 6months then train it to sleep in the doghouse?

ANSWER: You're very smart to think about these things before bringing a puppy home!!  Good job.  

Huskies are high energy dogs.  Leaving a husky alone in the backyard is a recipe for disaster.  As a former husky owner, I can tell you that she'll dig, she'll destroy landscaping, she'll find an escape route, and once she gets out, she'll run and have no idea how to get home.  

Dogs want to be with their human family - their pack -  and are very rarely happy spending time alone in the backyard and will show it in the ways described above.  

The best way to have a dog that can live nicely in a house is to train it.  Have a training plan in place before bringing the dog home and perhaps you can convince your dad that the dog can be part of the family in your house.  The other consideration with a husky is the amount of shedding they do. If you truly want the dog in your house, there will always be dog hair to clean up.

Huskies will also require some type of physical activity.  What do you plan to do with the dog once she's grown up and growth plates are closed?  Biking, hiking, running, sledding are all options - but have something in mind.  Huskies have to do something or they will constantly be in trouble ;-)  

If you go ahead with your plans for this dog and intend for it to live outside, don't bring it into the house at all.  Provide a doghouse, but she'll probably only use it on the very coldest nights.  You won't have to teach her.

Let me know if you have questions.  Good luck!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sorry, I do not know what growth plates are. When the dog grows up or even at a young age. I am planning on taking her to a dog park once in a while, but mostly I would be taking her on walks with me for an hour or so whenever free.

My family only had small dogs in the house. The only reason my dad does not want a husky in the house because of them blowing their coats year long (twice a year Sum/Win). The other reason is that a Husky is a medium size dog 3xs the size of a toy poodle.

I also have a question about fences. my fence height are around 5-6ft tall, My neighbors also have small dogs. so I was wondering if the Husky can jump over the fence and attack their small dogs, because I know they have a high prey drive.

Answer
Yes, a determined husky can go over a 6' fence, but don't assume she'll be aggressive.  Although they do have a keen prey drive, the breed is pretty easy going with other dogs.

Here's a good article about bones and growth plates and exercise for pups:  http://life.familyeducation.com/dogs/exercise/45655.html