I adopted a year old husky, and I am aware that huskies need a lot of exercise, so we run an hour every morning and an hour every night. This dog still wants to run. She still whines and howls and paws at the door to get out. If I open the door, she'll run out and I'll have to chase her, which is just what she wants. I want her to be happy though. Plus when we don't run, she gets frustrated and tears up my bedding. Any ideas?
2006-09-29 07:23:43 · 21 answers · asked by parsleysoda667 2 in Pets ➔ Dogs
I didn't buy her, I adopted her from a kill shelter on her last day. We have a yard she has free roam of and another dog to play with. We go to obedience classes. I am thinking now of getting someone to teach her to pull things.
2006-09-29 08:50:53 · update #1
She got the window open and walked out onto the roof. This is rediculous. I am taking her to Alaska and we can race sleds or something. PS she only has one eye. I love her v. much. See you in Alaska.
2006-09-29 08:58:20 · update #2
Younger dogs usually have more energy to expend and if they don't get enough play or exercise, their energy may be channelled to problematic behaviour like being destructive. I know because i'm an owner of a Border Collie who can run till the cow comes home! :)
How about letting your dog run while you cycle or roller blade? Teaching her to fetch a ball or frisbee? (Some dogs can go on forever, but at least you don't have to be running all the time!)
It may also be a good idea to start some obedience training with her as it is not desirable for dogs to run out of the house as soon as the door is opened. On top of that, some dogs actually tire out with obedience training as this is a form of mental stimulation or mental exercise. May be more effective that all that physical exercise!
You can also engage the help of a professional dog trainer or dog behaviourist to work something out for you and the dog. These people may be more experienced in finding out the underlying problem behind these issues.
Good luck!
2006-09-29 07:39:26 · answer #1 · answered by manniqueen 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are always doggie-tread mills. They are REALLY expensive, though (but maybe not as expensive as replacing your bedding all the time). Be patient with you're dog--she's still a puppy and huskies are always on the active side. I commend you for giving her as much exercise as you do--that's a lot of running!
In addition to exercise, do you spend time training her? That may help with the pawing at the door and the whining and possibly the destructive behvior. Remember, though, huskies are naturally vocal animals, so he's going to whine sometimes.
Tearing up stuff often results from lack of structure, so the more you can provide, the better.
You might also consider crating her (perhaps you already do) while you're out, so you can at least rest easy that she isn't tearing up your stuff when you aren't there. You can give her things to do in her crate while you're gone (like kongs with treats and other toys) so that she doesn't just sleep the whole time and get even more wound up.
One of my best friends has a huskie and he really was trying for about the first two years, but now he's a great dog--much calmer, doesn't chew anything. Hang in there--it takes most breed at least two years to fully mature.
2006-09-29 07:38:03 · answer #2 · answered by Stephanie H 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All dogs are bred with a purpose. Huskies are used to pull and if they do not pull, they can lose some of their muscle tone. If you have a yard, have it fenced in. Get an old tire and hook it up to a pulling harness. This great excercise for a Husky, and it will help your dog spend some of its energy. Also, it gives him some sense of that purpose he was born with.
I have a super active male beagle. I tried making him a house dog, but it wasn't meant to be. He has too much energy. He spends his days outside now, where he can run as far as his 30 foot lead will let him. He has a spot for digging his holes. I make sure he has food and water. I still walk him twice a day, but now it is for half hour walks. He comes in at 8pm and all he wants then is to cuddle.
2006-09-29 07:42:51 · answer #3 · answered by Social_D 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You know, huskies are just a hard breed to have. When you do run her you can make her pull weight. Get a cart and add some weight to her. This will tire her out, quicker. The problem is she will gain strength and stamina, so you will always have to increase the weight she pulls.
As to the chewing that is a way of showing you she is ready to go and you better obey. So when you do run her make her work for it. Give her lots of stimulating toys when you are not home and encourage her to focus her energy on them, not your favorite shoes or bedding. If she learns that she can get her way by chewing your stuff, she will do it every time.
Good Luck and Take Care
2006-09-29 07:42:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is why so many of these dogs end up in rescue and why people tell you to be careful before you get one as they need TONS of exercise. Most families can not get them enough exercise and they get destructive.
They were bred to pull a sled all day and sleep out in the snow at night.
Find a way to get her more exercise. Even if it means putting her on a treadmill. They work but some dogs get bored easily.
2006-09-29 08:13:34 · answer #5 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Look into dog sled clubs and see if there is anyone near you who might need another sled dog to train with. It is a situation that might help you out and the sled dog person out, and it would certainly help your dog out. You could also look into it for yourself. Weight pull is also something that Huskies are very good at, and the energy used in practice would help calm her. You chose a high energy dog, not a couch potato, so you will need to find things to use up that energy. It is the nature of that breed of dog to want to work.
2006-09-29 07:35:31 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I also own a year and a half full blooded siberian husky with the same problem. I fixed it by buying a harnest at the local pet store and had my husky pull me on my bike. believe me, jogging or a walking will not get huskys tired. They are born to pull it is in their blood but make shure you have a harnest first because if you use just a regular collar it puts to much pressure on their neck. also my dog loves the dog park that also get her tired from running and playing with the other dogs.
2006-09-29 07:41:33 · answer #7 · answered by owned by a siberian husky 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you could help tire her out throwing a ball or frisbee for her. How about some agility - that tires the dog out physically as well as mentally. Flyball might also be something she'd like. And there is the option of training her to use a treadmill. Teaching her to run beside you on a bike would also be a little easier on you.
2006-09-29 07:33:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Substantial exercise is essential for these dogs and they are an ideal breed for anyone wishing to be involved in the sport of dog-sledging. Siberian Huskys are well known for their speed and owners usually exercise them in front of a sledge at least twice a week. An alternative activity is having these dogs run alongside a cycle to burn energy. Siberian Huskys are known to wander and need to be kept in a fenced off backyard.
2006-09-29 07:57:10 · answer #9 · answered by VetTechJanet 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi there,
When I got my Siberian Husky she was a year old to and my god I couldnt even let her off the leash without her running the neighborhood and it was dangerous for her since we live on a busy road. Out of all the dogs I have had I could always let them in the backyard with supervision and let them do their business and they was fine not her boy if you opened the door out she went and couldnt catch her, I thought one of these days she isnt going to make it home to be honest.
She will grow out of it . My dog is 11 yrs old now and has no desire to be that way anymore maybe of her age or what.
About 5yrs old she stopped running. Also it is in their nature. Those dogs are runners and love to run its their breed. Also in the winter time if you live somewhere cold she will be outside more t hen in. In fact mine almost lives outside in the winter time its hard to get her in and when you do get her in she whines to get back out she loves the cold , in the summer its the opposite
My dog tore up my house to so I had to just get a nice sturdy chain cause they will break them if they are cheapie kinds and chain her outside. So now she is a outside/ inside dog. And a lot more happier dog
2006-09-29 07:51:26 · answer #10 · answered by dindy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋