Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am the proud owner of a beautiful Siberian Husky named Quint. He is one year old, lovable, and very energetic. We have had him for about 5-6 months - he was rescued from a home that was not treating him well and where he was left tied outside at all times. I've been doing extensive research on the Husky breed and have learned that they are not the easiest dogs to train. They also have certain qualities that may drive an owner crazy (as I have learned!).

My questions for you - I am very much in need of help when dealing with the behavior of my Husky. He (due to the breed) has an incredible desire to run and escape. He lives the perfect dog life - he has a large fenced in yard where he can run all day with two other dogs. However, he continues to try to find SOME way out, despite our continual "dog proofing" efforts. Recently he has been hit by a car, luckily only suffering minor bumps and bruises, during one of his infamous escapes. We have tried everything! He hates staying in the house alone when we leave and he doesn't like being tied on a run. I WANT to be able to let him run in the yard during the day and not have to worry about him devising a plan on his next escape route! I really need to fix his obsession with running before he is hurt more seriously or we are not lucky enough to get him back.

I would really appreciate it if you could give me ANY info on the Husky breed and their strange quirks (i.e. running, being escape artists, their longing for companionship, etc.) and any tips on how I can prevent him from wanting to run. I love this dog with all my heart and would be devestated if something ever happened to him. Please, please, please help!

Lisa

Pottsville, PA

Hi Lisa and welcome to the Doghobbyist. Sibes are beautiful dogs and as you can see can be quite a handful as is the case with most spitz type breeds. It doesn't sound like Quint had the best start in life but sounds like he now has a terrific home to live in. Usually with behavior like this the dog may be bored. I know you mentioned you have a large yard and he can run with two other dogs but sometimes that it isn't enough. I think you need to give your Sibe a job. I would recommend buying a doggie back pack. You can fill it with a couple of water bottles or what have you and take him for a nice long walk. If you live where it snows you can have him pull you on a sled or have him run beside you while biking. Try anything to help him burn off some of that excess energy. Good Luck and continue to post back with some updates.
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Dogs are not our whole life, but they make our lives whole.
PHMax

I wish I could tell you there was a good solution to your problem, but unfortunately, I can't. Leaving a dog (any breed) in a yard all day long unsupervised is a bad idea for more reasons that I can list. A husky just makes the situation much worse. They are bred to run and run for hours without stopping. If that physical energy is not burned off of them, they use their minds and a normal sized back yard just doesn't have enough mental stimulation to keep them happy for long. So, they use that energy and drive to get out.

Your best solution is to put this dog in a kennel during the day. I don't 100% advocate outdoor kennels, but it's better than getting loose and getting hit by a car. Build a kennel run with a cement floor, good dog house, and most important a cover. There will still probably be problems, but at least your dog will safely be contained when you can't supervise. A crate indoors would be better because they just curl up and go to sleep and won't be bothered by the stimulation of outdoors.

Then, when you get home from work, put a backpack on this pet and go for a LONG hike of at least an hour. That should curb most of the tendency to find out what's on the other side of the fence all the time. You also might want to buy a harness and try skijouring with this one. It's an awesome sport and one I'd love to try if my own dogs were a bit bigger.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

I have a fun loving, very well behaved sibe male, but this is alot of work.
He gets walked 2 times a day no matter what unless Im very very sick. These are not short walks either, I encourage him to drag me (except on ice, he knows better most times), and we go for a few miles each walk. On my days off he burns off energy playing with other dogs for a few hours at a dog park, or long hikes in the mountains.
Sibes are not dogs that can be allowed to run off leash except in fenced in areas and only closely supervised, they are after all great fence jumpers.
I think Im getting him a dog-back-pack also.
Im in central PA, we have been awaiting another sibe from a rescue, someday.

i agree with SH
siberians are magnificent animals but they need alot of exercize or other wise boredom strikes onto destruction.
My siberians do dogsledding, but when its raining or the nasty weather really sets in they get really restless.
some people bike jorr, (hook the dog on a lead to the bike) and they get alot of exerzise that way.
i have a rig and my dogs run in teams... and they live to work
youd never see a happier husky than seeing it do what it was bred for!
good luck
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