How to Train a Husky to Not Run Away?
Having a runaway dog is something that no pet owner wants to have to contend with. When it comes to owning a husky, there is a chance that they could be a runaway—not that they want to be away from you, but their nature makes them more prone to doing so.
Knowing why huskies behave how they do is important. From there, you can learn how to train a husky to not run away and avoid some of the heartbreaks that can come from a runaway dog.
Why Do Huskies Run Away?
There are a few different reasons why your husky might be running away. Because they are naturally high-energy dogs, most of the time it has to do with them being curious or bored. They want to explore and find out more about the world around them. Sometimes, that includes going outside of your home.
They are also easily distractable. If they see something, like a cat, they might be inclined to follow that distraction. Huskies will also want to get your attention as much as possible, so if you are outside, they will want to join you.
It isn’t that they don’t want to be around you—it is more that they are distractable or want more attention. Knowing how to train a husky to not run away is a little easier when you know why they are doing it in the first place.
Do Huskies Come Back When They Run Away?
No matter what their intentions may be, huskies don’t actually want to be away from you. They are high-energy and quite distractable, leading them into situations that they may have otherwise avoided. But will they come back?
Even if they have the intention of coming back to you, they may not know how. It depends on how far away from your home they get. The further away they get, the more likely they are to get lost and be unable to find their way back. That is why training is so important.
Training Your Husky
Now comes the time to learn how to train a husky not to run away. There are a few techniques that have proven successful. Which one you choose depends on your preference as well as the prior training that your husky has.
Come
The first method is known as the come method. When you are at home, make sure that you have a few treats on your person. Anything that could lure them to you. Call their name once a minute or so, holding the treat out in front of you.
When they get to your feet, make sure to praise them verbally and give them a reward. They need to know that coming back will result in a positive result. Eventually, they will understand that if they get distracted and run away, returning will be a good thing.
Going forward, when you take them out for walks, unhook their leash. If they move away from you, use the aforementioned tips. It is a good way to ingratiate them with the idea that they should return. Just make sure that you are consistent in your teaching methods. Before long, they should be familiar with the concept of returning if they make a break for it at any time.
Meeting Needs
Keep in mind that there are a number of reasons why your husky may be running. One of them is that they have had potty-related accidents and are simply trying to avoid punishment. Make sure that you take your husky out on a regular basis as it can help to avoid accidents and any ensuing drama.
There is also the chance that they are running in search of food. Evaluate their diet and make sure that their needs are being met. Feed them at the same time each day so that they know when to expect their food. This should cut down on them feeling as though they need to look elsewhere.
Another reason can be a lack of attention. Huskies need to be given lots of attention, or they will be easily distracted. Make sure that you give them a few minutes here and there, petting and playing with them. That love and attention should placate them enough that they don’t look for it somewhere else.
Huskies also tend to get quite bored if they aren’t given the proper attention. Though it is understandable that we all have busy lives and can’t dedicate all of our time to the dog, it doesn’t change their need to play. Invest in both toys as well as food puzzles. Huskies need mental stimulation, and these can keep them busy for hours. If you leave for work, make sure to leave them with treats and puzzles to keep them occupied.
Finally, set boundaries. Hook them up to the leash and walk them around the perimeter of your home. Do it in the morning and once again at night. It’ll take a few walkthroughs, but the goal is to show them where the “home” begins and ends. Their natural inclination will tell them to stay within those boundaries and also to defend it. When they have loose boundaries, their need to explore and uncertainty about where the home ends can lead to unwanted trips.
Conclusion
Implementing training techniques can help teach your husky not to run away. There are a lot of things that can happen if they get free and aren’t under your supervision. As a pet owner, it is the very last thing anyone wants to deal with.
Thankfully, you can try out a few different training techniques that will keep them from running. They can be quite obedient dogs when they have proper training. That includes not bolting from the house any chance that they get.
