I was at one of my friends’ house the other day and we were playing with her new Husky puppy. OMG, when is the last time you saw a Husky puppy?! Anyway, she kept getting mad at him because he was going to the bathroom everywhere (except where he was allowed to). I wasn’t sure if that was the best way to treat him, so I looked into potty training Siberian Husky puppies.
So, are Huskies easy to potty train? Yes. Compared to other dog breeds, Huskies are easy to potty train. Siberian Huskies are not known to be difficult to housebreak, like many smaller dog breeds.
I bet you’re relieved to know that Huskies are easier to potty train than many other breeds. However, “easy” to potty train does not mean you can snap your fingers and your dog is housebroken.
But keep reading and we’ll give you the best methods to potty train your Husky (and how long you can expect it to take).
How to Potty Train a Husky Puppy
There are a few key methods that I read about here that work well when you want to train your Husky to use the potty.
Method 1: The Verbal Cue Method
This is when you ensure that your dog is going to the potty at regular intervals and times during the day.
Whenever taking your dog to the potty, use verbal cues or commands like “time for potty”. This alerts your dog so that they know when they need to use the potty.
Using commands to get your dog to go on a regular basis will cause them to get used to knowing when to go.
Method 2: The Routine Method
Another method which can be quite effective is the routine method, which is as it sounds. You establish a strict routine for your pet for every time you want them to use the potty.
This means that after each meal you get them used to using the potty. For example, they have breakfast, then potty time, lunch, then potty time and so on.
Use Rewards as a Boost
You can also encourage them to use the potty by using a rewards based system. In a nutshell:
No matter if you use the routine or visual cue method, reward your puppy (with small treats or toys) and lots of praise each time they use the potty at the right time.
Please note that not every method will work for your Husky. And, you might have to mix and match different aspects of them to make it work for your pup, but don’t give up!
What to do if Your Husky Puppy Keeps Peeing and Pooping in the House
If you’re reading this in the middle of trying housebreak your Husky pup…and I’m telling you they’re easy to train…you might want to fight me!
But I just want you to take a deep breath. Have a little trust. And take a look at these tips.
Oh, and remember: puppy stomachs are very sensitive, so accidents are normal. It could be the food if he’s having too many accidents, so make sure you’re feeding him age-appropriate dog food.
Tip #1: Keep a close eye on your dog
It may sound simple at first, but by “close eye”, I mean I want you to watch your dog like a hawk.
By eye-hawking your Husky, you will be able to recognize the warning signs that come before your dog is about to have an accident. Like scratching or sniffing at different things around your house (plants, rugs, etc.).
This is actually good news because it means your dog is trying to find an appropriate place. And that’s your cue to show your Husky the door!
Tip #2: Use a rewards-based system
Introducing a rewards-based system will teach them that is good when they go to the bathroom outside and not inside your house.
Once they’ve stopped having little accidents inside, you can ween them off of the reward system.
Another term for rewards-based training is positive reinforcement training. This is the opposite of getting angry at them.
Please never yell, hit, kick, or abuse your Husky.
Because, really?! Come on, tough guy.
Ok, friendly reminder/rant over.
Also, this teaches them to fear you and relieve itself when it is near you out of fear. Talk about backfire! Give a firm “NO!”, but keep calm, and continue training after your dog has an accident.
Tip #3: Clean up immediately after your dog has an accident
You can do this by removing its urine and feces and then use a deodorizing spray to finish up.
Dogs are creatures of habit. This is important when housebreaking because when they smell their feces/urine in places around the house, they will continue do this as they know they’ve done it before.
How to Make a Deodorizing Spray to Clean A Husky’s Accidents
Knowing how to make a deodorizing spray you can use to clean up after your Husky has had an accident is essential when trying to potty train your pup.
Here is a basic deodorizing spray recipe that can be used on tiled, linoleum and carpeted flooring
What you’ll need:
- Vinegar
- Water
- Lemon
- Baking Soda
Method:
- Mix one part water to one part vinegar and add the juice of a lemon to cut through the vinegar smell.
- Then spray it on the spot until it’s soaked and use a paper towel to blot the spot.
- Then sprinkle baking soda over the spot to soak up the rest of the mess and remove it after a few minutes.
- For carpeted floors spray the spot then scrub it using an old toothbrush until the stain has lifted.
- Spray some more deodorizing spray and water on the spot and let the carpet soak it up and then blot the spot once again.
- Sprinkle some baking soda over the spot where the accident took place and after a few minutes remove it.
- Continue doing this until the spot is up to the standard of cleanliness you want it to be at.
Doing this every time your dog has an accident indoors will discourage it from returning to the same spot to do their business. Soon they’ll learn that they can’t pee or poop inside.
How Long Does it Take to Potty Train a Husky Puppy?
On average, it takes 4-6 months to potty train your Husky puppy as long as you consistently stick to a routine.
Which you should.
Because it’s confusing to your Husky pup (and damaging to your house and relationship) if you don’t.
And straying from this routine too much will discourage any progress you have made so far with your pup.
Keep in mind that this is the average time for pups who are 12-16 weeks old. This is because they are still young enough to adjust to a new routine as they are not yet in a set routine.
Potty training Huskies older than 16 weeks old may take a while longer. Some may even take up to a year to train.
Remember, it’s your job to patiently work through any and all challenges that come with your dog.
This is because they have adjusted to defecating in the wrong places and it takes consistency, patience, and unconditional love to break this bad habit.
This is especially true if they come from a pet store where they are locked in cages. Be patient and things will work out. 🙂
Related Questions
A puppy pad is a pad specially designed pad which your pup can defecate on. It is something that you can use temporarily while training your Husky to go potty.
You can use a puppy pad to potty train your Husky. This will allow your dog to learn how to defecate indoors with minimal clean up for you. You can teach them using this pad by slowly dragging the pad closer to the outside each day. Until the pad is outside where you can now teach your dog where to go to do their business. As they’re already used to having a specific place to relieve themselves.
Yes, you can use a litter box to train your young Husky pup. This is also recommended when training a young pup. By teaching your pup to relieve itself in the box on a regular basis this will help them develop a set routine. Using a litter box is also a great idea if you live in a place with very little to no yard area at all. This will create a specific place for your dog to relieve itself and prevent any accidents. Meaning less clean up time for you.
