When you first brought that tiny ball of fluff home, you had no idea how your life would change. Here’s ten things every Siberian Husky lover has experienced:

1. You discover “husky tumbleweeds” in your home.

Every Husky parent knows about shedding season. By the time your pup is a few years old, you’ve developed a strategy – perhaps a high powered vacuum cleaner, a groomer’s appointment and a curry comb. Daily brushing and a healthy diet supplemented with omega-3s can help control shedding. Even so, shedding is an inevitable part of the Husky lifestyle.

2. Every friend of yours is a friend of your Husky’s. 

Though Huskies aren’t huge, some people find them intimidating. Most Huskies are incredibly friendly, and will walk up to anyone they meet on a walk or who comes into their home – even intruders. Siberian Huskies love people and adore making new friends.

3. You’ve gotten used to the digging.

When a Siberian Husky feels hot, they’ll find creative ways to get cool – by laying flat on a cool tile floor, splashing in a lake or digging a hole to lay in. While terriers dig for fun and to track rodents, a Husky digs to scratch away the hot top layer of the soil. This can be an issue if you have a precious garden, but providing a cooling pad and plenty of shade will usually remove your Husky’s motivation to dig.

4. You always have someone to talk to.

Siberian Huskies have a wide vocal range of howls, moans, groans and grumbles. They’re excellent at imitating sounds and voices. Your pup may sound eerily human as they “talk back” to you. The best part is that noisy greeting when you come home – no other dog is as talkative as a Husky!

5. You’re always looking for new ways to tire out your Husky. 

The Siberian Husky can pull a bobsled for great distances, so they are rarely content with a couch potato lifestyle. The happiest Huskies have many ways to exercise – by playing fetch and tug-o-war with their owners, playing with other dogs, and going for hikes. You may also have explored dog sports such as canicross, skijoring and bikejoring, all which engage your dog’s natural ability to pull.

6. Your kids have the dog of their dreams.

Most Huskies love children. While kids and dogs of all breeds should never play unsupervised, you can see how gentle your Husky is when they play with your kids. For your kid, it’s awesome to grow up with a “wolf dog,” and their imagination allows them to pretend they’re a brave warrior with a dire wolf sidekick, or little red riding hood with their very own Big Bad Wolf.

7. You’ve learned to negotiate with your Husky.

The Siberian Husky responds very well to positive reinforcement. Though they are stubborn when they’re determined to do the opposite of what you wish, they’re also very sensitive when it comes to punishment. You’ll discover that there’s always a way to teach your Husky something new. Anything can be turned into a game with rewards and toys.

8. Your Husky picks up on everything.

Siberian Huskies are quick learners, easily picking up new trained skills. They’re also clever enough to learn from observation. They’re fast to pick up on routines and phrases. Your Husky always knows your next move, whether you’re about to serve dinner, go to bed, go out, or give your pup a much-dreaded bath. Some are excellent at learning to open doors and gate latches – even the fridge.

9. You love your Husky for their personality, not just their looks. 

The Siberian Husky is a beautiful, enchanting dog, made especially popular by TV and movies, including Game of Thrones, Twilight, Snow Dogs and others. Many inexperienced owners are drawn to the breed’s looks, but do not realize just how much work it takes to keep a Husky happy. The silver lining? It’s not difficult to find a rescue Husky to adopt.

10. You never have a dull day… and you wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Your clever, mischievous Husky always keeps you on your toes. When you’re late to work, everyone knows your Husky probably got into yet another sticky situation. You’ve cleaned up invaded trash cans, picked up dozens of destroyed toys, even paid hundreds of dollars to replace household damage… but when that fluffy bundle of love snuggles with you at the end of a long day, you know it’s worth it.