If your husky grumbles a lot, you might be wondering why and what you can do about it.
This post will show you a number of reasons why it might be doing it and what you can do about it.
So, why does my husky grumble? Possible reasons are that it wants attention, it is bored, it is excited, it’s protecting food or possessions, fear, illness, injury or it might be warning you.
The most likely reason that your husky grumbles will depend a lot on the context in which it does it. Despite that, there are a number of things that you can consider that will help in figuring out the exact cause.
Why your husky grumbles
Each of the different reasons that your husky grumbles will likely come with some clues in the way that it does it.
Below, I will show you a number of possible reasons that your husky grumbles and what would make them more likely.
Boredom
Huskies are a breed that is meant to get a lot of exercise on a daily basis. The reason that your husky grumbles could be that it is bored or understimulated. Generally, it is recommended for them to get at least an hour of exercise daily. If your husky is not getting that much it would help to make sure that it does.
Excitement
Sometimes, dogs will grumble when they are excited and it could be the reason why your husky does it. This would be more likely if your husky grumbles in situations such as when you come home or when you are about to walk it.
It wants your attention
The reason that it grumbles could be that it is looking for you to give it attention. This would be more likely if it does it when you have not been giving it much attention and if you tend to give it more attention when it does it.
It would help to give your husky attention throughout the day by training it, playing with it and exercising it. Avoiding rewarding it with attention when it grumbles at you would also likely be helpful.
It’s protecting food or possessions
It could be the case that your husky grumbles because it is protecting food or possessions. This would be more likely if it does it when it is eating or when you try to sit in the same spot that it sits in.
In this case, it would help to give it lots of training so that it learns how it is meant to behave and so that it sees you as the leader. If it seems to be doing it aggressively, getting the help of a certified dog trainer or behaviorist would likely be the safest option.
Fear
The reason that it grumbles could be that it is fearful. This would be more likely if it grumbles in situations such as when there are sirens or thunder and lightning.
In this case, it would help to try and reduce its exposure to the thing that makes it fearful or you could try desensitization training.
Illness or injury
The reason that it has been grumbling could be that it is ill or injured. This would be more likely if it has started doing it suddenly and if it has been showing signs of being ill or injured such as limping, being fatigued or vomiting.
If it seems like illness or injury could be the cause, the best option would be to take it to a vet.
Aggression
It could be the case that your husky grumbles because it is being aggressive.
This would be more likely if it shows its teeth when it grumbles, it has its ears erect and it moves stiffly from side to side.
If it is the case that your husky seems to grumble in an aggressive way then the best option for you would be to get the help of a dog behaviorist in your area.
Things to consider
Below are some things that you can consider that will help in figuring out the exact reason that your husky grumbles.
The way that it grumbles
It would help to consider the way that it grumbles. If it shows its teeth, lunges towards you, stands more erect and moves stiffly then it would be a strong sign of aggression. In this case, it would be best to keep your distance from it and to get the help of a professional dog behaviorist.
If your husky does not show many signs of aggression when it grumbles, it could still be the case that it is doing it as a warning. So, it would still be important to be cautious when dealing with its grumbling.
When it first started to grumble
It would help to consider when your husky first started doing it since it could be the case that there was an event that caused it to start doing it.
Some things that might have happened could include:
- Moving homes
- Someone was aggressive towards it
- Someone moved away or another pet died
When it grumbles
It would also help to consider the timing of when it grumbles.
If it only seems to grumble at certain times it would help to consider what is different at that time. It could be that it is doing it due to excitement, boredom, wanting food or it could be warning you.
If it seems to be doing it at random times it would make it more likely that it does it for attention or that it is ill or injured.
How to stop your husky from grumbling
Below are some things that you can do about your husky’s grumbling.
Positive reinforcement training
Positive reinforcement training is where you get your husky to behave in a certain way by rewarding it when it behaves that way and not rewarding it when it does not.
To use it to get it to stop grumbling you would do something such as:
- Stop giving it attention when it starts to grumble
- Give it attention when it stops grumbling
- Stop giving it attention again if it starts to grumble
- Repeat the above and reward it with treats when it does not grumble when it normally would
Avoid negative reinforcement training
Negative reinforcement training is where you inadvertently train your husky to behave in a bad way by rewarding it when it behaves that way. If you tend to give your husky treats, toys or attention when it grumbles, it could be the case that you have negatively reinforced the behavior.
Instead, it would help to avoid rewarding it when it grumbles and to use positive reinforcement training to get it to learn not to do it.
Make sure it isn’t ill or injured
If you cannot figure out why your husky has been grumbling or it seems to be ill or injured, the best option would be to take it to a vet. By doing so you will be able to get expert advice tailored towards your particular husky.
Give it attention throughout the day
It would also help to give your husky attention throughout the day so that it doesn’t feel the need as much to get attention from you. Ways that you could give it attention would be to train it, walk it or to play with it.
Get the help of a dog behaviorist
If you can’t get your husky to stop doing it or it seems to be doing it aggressively, getting the help of a certified dog trainer or behaviorist would be recommended. By getting their help you will be able to train your husky in a safer way.