And if I get a Husky, will it definitely run away from me with a 100% probability just because all Huskies do that?
The most notable challenge and drawback of Siberian Huskies is their exceptional ability as escape artists and their propensity for roaming. These negative reviews contribute to the breed's poor reputation.
Let's delve into this and dig deeper to understand the root of the issue
Siberian huskies are incredibly intelligent and curious dogs, known for their energy and agility. They love exploring new territories and are enthusiastic about sniffing various scents, just like other breeds. Are you familiar with the history of Siberian Huskies as a breed? They are northern sled dogs, running without knowing where or why, pulling sleds in blizzards, freezing weather, and poor visibility. Most normal creatures would wait or not venture out in such conditions for self-preservation, but not these dogs. They are meant to be this way; otherwise, the whole purpose of having such dogs among northern tribes would be lost. That's why independence is a prominent characteristic of Siberians. As working sled dogs, they are required to make independent decisions.
Not all Siberian huskies escape, and not every Husky will necessarily escape from its owner.
However, you may come across various opinions on the internet and reviews from some owners suggesting otherwise.
It's crucial to understand that Siberian Huskies are living beings with 'brains', emotions, intelligence, and expectations; they have personalities.
As a result, their behavior within a family is influenced by many factors, including the environment and conditions they were raised in as puppies, their overall socialization, and their relationships with the owner and the family, as well as the role they play within that family.
For what reasons do husky escape?
Let's start with the simplest one.
BREEDING PERIOD
A male Husky may run away if he senses a female in season. Females may also run away due to the call of hormones, seeking to mate and have their own "male" adventures.
That's why if you are a female Husky owner it's essential to keep track of the heat cycles if you own a female Husky. During the entire heat period, it's best to walk her on a leash and avoid locking her indoors to "wait it out." Instead, continue regular walks but shorten the duration and increase the frequency of going outside.
If you own a male Husky, it's your responsibility to train him to switch his attention in different critical situations, making it easy for you to recall him or stop him. Socializing him well, attending classes with other females in heat, is crucial because nothing distracts a male Husky more than the scent of a female in heat, especially if he can't control his emotions.
ABSENCE OR LACK OF REGULAR WALKS
Regular walks are essential for Huskies to satisfy their needs. The simplest reason is to take the dog out for a potty break. Do it especially If you live in a house with a backyard, your Siberian may feel the need to make its potty things outside since she considers the yard a territory of her home. Huskies are very clean and don't like to do a potties where they sleep or rest.
Furthermore, walks allow Huskies to assess and leave their own marks in response to other dogs' markings. It's their way of exchanging information and communicating with other dogs.
Walks also fulfill their curiosity about the surroundings and allow them to explore parks, streets, waterfronts, forests, and beaches. This mental stimulation during walks can be quite exhausting for them, fulfilling their desire for novelty, the unknown, and mental challenges.
By the way, sniffing is a very resource-demanding activity for a Husky's brain, as it is for any dog in general.
The main message here is that Siberian huskies are not just fluffy beautiful toys you bring home and confine behind four walls or a fence. They have fundamental needs - physical, mental, and resource-related - that must be fulfilled. So, it's essential to remember and cater to these needs rather than just feeding, petting, and playing with them while ignoring their basic requirements.
LACK OF PROPER RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A HUSKY AND ITS OWNER CAN LEAD TO VARIOUS OUTCOMES
When a Husky sees its owner as a trustworthy leader and feels confident that the owner (or the whole family) is their pack, the Husky is unlikely to want to run away in search of another family. However, if the relationship is built on dominance and lacks trust in the owner's leadership, there is a higher chance that your Husky may try to escape under certain circumstances.
The topic of relationships between a Husky and its owner, based on trust and leadership, is a significant and crucial aspect to consider.
INSUFFICIENT TRAININGS OF BEHAVIORAL MODELS
can result in the following issues for a Husky:
- Properly teaching the most wanted commands such as "Come" and "Stay/Stop."
- Training for mental stability, enabling your Husky to remain composed in critical situations and respond to your voice or body language.
- Training to desensitize your Husky to various non-natural sounds, whether sharp or prolonged, preventing fear-based escapes.
- Fundamental socialization of a Husky puppy during the breeder stage.
- Ongoing socialization training as a responsible owner.
- Thematic walks aimed at teaching your Husky to walk around you within a 5-6 meter radius without a leash, and also training for non-verbal interactions to keep your Husky within your field of vision.
These aspects of training are crucial to ensure a well-behaved and happy Siberian Husky.
HUSKY'S STRONG HUNTING INSTINCT AND DESIRE TO PREY DRIVE
It can lead them to escape from your property if you live in a rural area or a private sector with various wildlife such as chickens, rabbits, hares, squirrels, etc. Your Husky may be naturally driven to hunt for its own food, and if they lack physical and mental stimulation, they might feel resource-deprived and seek opportunities on their own.
I'd like to remind you that the problem of Husky escaping cannot be solved by increasing the height of fences with barbed wire on top or locking them tightly in a kennel.
In doing so, you're just sweeping the issue under the rug without addressing it properly. In reality, this means you're postponing the solution and making the situation worse in the future.
"And what should I do to reduce the likelihood of escape?" - you might ask. And you would be right.
Regular walks, even if you live in a large suburban house, villa, mansion, or a remote village and have a special dog yard or playground, are essential to keep your Husky engaged. These walks should be enjoyable for her in terms of interaction with you as a team. You can try activities like "following the hand game (with a treat in your hand)" or "obstacle course game for both of you (with treats reinforcing)." These games effectively simulate the main task of an adult Siberian Husky, which is hunting and scavenging. In the wild, hunting is a collective effort involving all family members, and the mentioned games replicate that concept perfectly.
To satisfy their true breed spirit, physical exercises such as running in a harness are crucial. You can engage in activities like running with a bicycle, a kick scooter (not electric), jogging alongside your Husky, going on mountain hikes, swimming together, using cross-country skis while the Husky is in a harness, or attaching them to a sled. Taking your Husky on vacations or long trips can also provide excellent physical stimulation.
Mental stimulation is equally important. Various activities can promote self-control, relaxation, and problem-solving skills. You can involve her into so-called 'Searching games", attend group socialization sessions together, or join handling classes to be ready for dog show Conformation ring.
Maintaining markers of a family and leadership is vital to maintain your Husky's trust in you. This involves providing protection when needed, responding to your furry friend's requests, sharing meals and sleeping areas, and granting access to safe spaces, like your bed. Engaging in shared activities further strengthens the bond between you and your Siberian Husky.
In conclusion, all of the above can be summarized in the phrase - "to love your Siberian husky," "a life with a Siberian husky."
I wish you luck and success in dealing with any behavioral issues with your Siberian and truly enjoy the joy of living with a Siberian husky.