Arrival of Koda....

You here those corny sayings like... "Huskies are like potato chips, you cant just have one" or "I suffer from MHS (multiple husky syndrome). I've come to the conclusion that there is some truth to these quirky quotes.

As Maverick grew larger he became increasingly mischievous. Yes, I know it was bound to happen, but just let me provide you with some of the damage...

1. He has managed to rip, shred, and eat all of my plant life in the backyard minus the large pine trees which he has stripped some of the bark off.
2. He has torn through my cable cord twice which Comcast had to be called out twice to fix.
3. My daughter now owns about 10 dinosaur plastic figurines with missing limbs, heads, and tails. (His favorite snack)
4. My backyard could be mistaken for a moon landing site from all the holes dug.
5. I must body block the fridge opening from a diving husky. (He managed to run off with a newly purchased pound of salami one day and I couldn't catch him before he ate it all)

So then you must think I am crazy for wanting two of these unruly creatures.

However when I saw Koda's picture...a beaming black and white smiley husky , my heart melted. Koda's family could no longer care for him so we adopted him into our family and as a playmate for Maverick. Even though they are both males, it was love at first site. They are inseparable. They eat, sleep, play together, and whine for each other if separated.

A few days ago Maverick just about lost it when he went to his vet appointment alone.(Without his beloved Koda) He caused such a scene in the waiting room with his excessive screeching and howling. It got so bad they had to muzzle him and bring him in the backroom until the doctor was ready. The vet techs couldn't answer the phones! You really couldn't help but laugh in that situation.

Well back to the point I was trying to make. The addition of my second husky has been a wonderful experience. Maverick's behavior has improved about 80 percent with having a husky playmate. We are so grateful to have Koda. Two huskies are definitely better than one!

A social event...

On our way to Veterans Park Maverick was a little upset about being sent to the back of the car. It's understandable when he is use to riding in the passenger seat directly in front of the air conditioner. I had my dad in town this weekend who came along with us to check out the Husky meet and greet. So it was an interesting ride to say the least with classic rock blaring up front, my daughter singing with her interactive Little Mermaid book, and the persistent howling coming from the back seat. Not to mention the white fuzzy head blocking the rear view mirror.


So as we pulled into the dog park, Maverick was overly excited as he saw a golden retriever outside the car door. This urged him to howl and carry on further jumping into the air a bit. Some lady barely managing to keep two pit bulls under control across the parking lot chimed in that we should correct our dog. Without bursting into laughter I shot her a look as if to please move on...


Maverick was the first husky to arrive, bursting through the green fence to be met by an assortment of dogs. Kouri particularly liked the little toy poodle and the black and white Great Dane that she referred to as the Dalmatian.


Husky groups entered one by one each being greeted by the group of dogs already in the park. I really didn't count them but there must have been about ten huskies running around and chasing each other. Kouri ran right along side them telling them they were doing a great job racing. She has no fear of dogs. Sometimes scary. I was really impressed how Maverick handled a four month old husky...at one point they were cuddled in a mud pile together panting from exhaustion.


All in all it was a great day which led to a sleepy four year old and a worn out husky. Maverick had no complaints on the ride home. He was passed out in the back seat.

Into the woods....

People are so funny. It cracks me up when people walk by Maverick at the park. Some shield their children like they are walking past an African lion. "Wolf" or "Snow Dog" are the most common phrases children call out. Others pour in front of him asking if they can pet him and get free kisses. Needless to say I can't walk a quarter of a mile without getting some sort of comment. That's why you will find us in the middle of the woods most times!


I started walking Maverick as soon as I got him. I started off in the woods, a more private setting before attempting the crowded park. Maverick has always done well on a leash until he spots a lizard, a squirrel(his favorite), a bumblebee or butterfly, or a leaf blowing in the wind. A couple outbursts of pulling and taking off on the leash like wildfire had me watching out and locating animals on the trail before he did!


My daughter Kouri loves to go exploring in the woods. She found her best bud on the trail....Maverick. Whatever Kouri picks up, Maverick must investigate. When she throws pebbles into the creek, Maverick lays right down beside her to watch.

Hello squirrels....where are you?

Early basic training (a work in progress)...

I am not an expert. I do a lot of research via Internet and Animal Planet. I have also volunteered a few years at a no kill shelter in Beacon NY. I pick out what I think will work and stick with what Maverick responds to best. I prefer to train him myself rather than drag him to obedience classes which I'm not entirely sure will work anyway.

Find the motivator! (I find food and toys to be the most common)

Maverick will do just about anything for a piece of food. I use puppy biscuits and ham. I have his full attention when he knows I have food for him. Well, unless a squirrel happens to wave through the window.

I train him by saying his name first, then the command. Hes rewarded when he figures it out and responds positively. There is no need to shout at a dog if he doesn't do as told. Trust me, he will be more receptive to a calm/firm voice.

Most huskies like Maverick are very intelligent and pick up training quite easily. That doesn't mean he will always do as he is asked even if he knows how to do it. Maverick sometimes will sass me or talk back. His basic commands he learned in a day...Sit, lay down, and give paw.

"Stay" took a couple of days to learn. I practice this command with the help of my daughter. She would place a bowl of food about 6 feet from him and we would tell him to stay for 10 secs and then give him a command of"OK" signaling its time to eat.

I have always had Kouri feed Maverick, I encouraged her to put her hands in and near the food, take it away from him and give it back. I do this with his toys and bones as well. He was a little growly at first with the bones, but soon learned that any negative behavior resulted in his stuff being taken away. I encourage this if you have small children! I am at the point where I can leave a piece of ham or biscuit sitting on Maverick's paw and he won't eat it until I say its okay!

Bringing Maverick Home....

I did quite the extensive research on the Siberian Husky before deciding on bringing one home so you can say I knew what I was getting myself into.

"OMG how cute, " was my initial reaction as well as a few other passengers as they wheeled him in with three other dogs on the luggage cart. Kouri, my four year old daughter was dancing around the pet crates trying to kiss all the dogs oblivious to the people around her.

I expected some whining upon looking into the crate, but there he stood...a big ball of fluff with wide eyes and erect ears not making a sound. He pressed his brown nose up against the kennel door trying to lick our fingers.

I had to say the ride home I was in disbelief. It was late, around 11pm. Maverick was in complete silence the entire ride home. Not a whimper, bark, or howl. He wasn't sleeping, we could see his eyes dart around the car from peering out at us to the flashing lights outside the car window.

As we pulled into the driveway I got his leash and collar ready so he could immediately go potty in the yard. He did his business and then plopped down on the sidewalk to chew on an apparently tasty pine cone.

I carried him through the garage into the kitchen and he nearly flew out of my hands as I placed him on the floor. With his tongue hanging out and tail wagging he was bounding around the kitchen smelling and licking us. My 10 year old grouch of a cat Oscar (fitting name) was hovering above him on the kitchen table, trying to make sense of what came through the door. After Maverick crunched on some kibble, Oscar exited over the safety gate not too impressed with the whole ordeal.

I was planning on keeping Maverick in the kitchen for his first night. The only room without carpet. I left a bowl of water, some new puppy toys and a cozy bed. Well, Maverick had other ideas about his sleeping arrangements. I certainly underestimated him. As we walked out of the room we watched him climb up the gate as graceful as a cat, heaving himself over the other side. Freedom into the living room! He was most undoubtedly taking notes from when Oscar did it!

So plan B.
He slept contently in his kennel next to my bed the entire night. Quiet as a door mouse.