I hate it when I hear people say “Siberian Huskies are known to be destructive.” Instead, I believe it’s “People are not doing their job as responsible dog parents because they are not meeting the needs of their Siberian Husky which therefore leads to destruction.” Huskies are not the problem – the humans are. If you bring home a Siberian Husky, you must commit to meeting their needs: daily physical exercise and mental stimulation. That’s how I prevent my Siberian Husky from destroying my home.
Siberian Huskies are a high-energy breed. I can never understand how some people can think it’s OK to leave them in a crate all day and expect them not to try to escape or destroy it. Huskies are bred to run and to run fast! If you know this is built in their DNA why would you crate them all day? Being in a crate all day is like being in prison. They won’t thrive. Their spirits die.
I know some people might say “My Husky is in the crate all day and they like it.” I highly doubt that! I think it’s OK to create them for a few hours. However, if crated for 8-10 hours a day, I’m sorry but I consider that animal abuse and neglect. If they are not crated, leaving your Husky at home all day with pent-up energy and expecting them not to destroy anything is not realistic.
Three reasons why your Husky is destroying your home:
- Your Husky is at the puppy teething phase
- You are not providing enough physical exercise and mental stimulation (read more about how I provide mental stimulation for my husky here.)
- Separation anxiety
A tired Husky is a calm Husky. They will be too exhausted to even mess with your stuff. My Husky has never ever destroyed anything in my home. I even let him roam free in my apartment when I need to go out.
How I prevent my husky from destroying my home:
Exercise – My husband and I work 9 AM-5 PM. We wake up at 4:30 AM EVERY morning (even the weekends) to walk Gatsby for about 45 minutes rain or shine. Before leaving him home alone, we will always walk or hike with him first. Play fetch, use a flirt pole in your yard, walk, run or do a quick hike. Be active! Make that sacrifice of losing extra sleep to exercise your Husky.
Doggy Daycare – When I am at work, I take Gatsby to doggy daycare. He gets to interact with other dogs and is moving around. This is a big expense and I see it as a necessity if you are unable to attend to your dog for 8-10 hours a day. If you are thinking about bringing home a Siberian Husky, I would suggest budgeting for doggy daycare.
Put your stuff away – Before I brought Gatsby home at 8 weeks old, I already pet-proofed my apartment. I installed baby locks on my cabinets, put away things I didn’t want my puppy going after, and closed off any rooms I didn’t want him to go into. When they are still a puppy, they will find anything to chew on because they are teething. So don’t blame your dog for chewing up your expensive stuff. YOU could have prevented this. Obviously, you can’t put away your couch. But if they are tired enough, they’ll use it for snoozing instead.
Food Puzzles – Create your own or buy some food puzzles. When Gatsby played with these, he went to sleep right after! You can also play hide and seek. Hide treats around your home and ask your Husky to look for them. Use paper towel rolls or toilet paper rolls and stuff it with paper and treats. Fill an empty box with leaves or paper and toss in some treats. Let them forage their treats. All these are great for mental stimulation. If you tire their brain, you tire their body.
Rewarding for positive reinforcement– Gatsby experienced separation anxiety when he was younger. Rewarding him when he is calm in addition to physical exercise and mental stimulation before leaving the apartment has helped. When I come home, I would also give Gatsby a high-value treat. Rewarding your Husky before leaving and when you come home allows them to think: “When the human leaves I always get a treat. Plus, I get another treat when they come back!”
Training – I practice daily training with Gatsby in the morning after his walk. We go through the basic cues even if he knows it. Teach your Husky something new. Training sessions help high-energy dogs to stay focused, therefore tiring their brain.
So that’s how I prevent my Husky from destroying my home! If your Siberian Husky has destroyed your couch, tried or broke out from their crate, chewed up everything you own, why don’t you try out what has worked for me? Based on my experience, once I met my Husky’s needs physically and mentally, he is the goodest boy.
If you want a successful life with a husky, you’ll have to shape its world to be as well-suited to its instincts as possible.
BLAIR BRAVERMAN
I have a hard time walking my husky he pulls and walks like he’s ready to go to a race , I bought a really good harness for him
But he still pulls, he’s only 8 months old!
Hi Cathy! My husky does the same only to new places he’s never been to. But if it’s a place he’s been to before he walks next to me. I did a lot of training with treats. I used real chicken and bacon. Plus, lots of patience. It’s a long process especially we have the breed who loves to pull!! ?
This article is exactly what I’ve wanted tell husky owners! My Sawyer is almost five and has never ever destroyed a single thing. He has never dug holes or been distructive. And I never crated him. Exercise is the key. As for pulling in leash… It’s what they do! A good trainer helped me with that. It’s not perfect but as he gets older he is much better. Positive re enforcement is the best way to train these smart!!!! ( Not stubborn) dogs. If you put in the time, you will be well rewarded. Consider adoption… Sibes are one of the most abandoned breeds. I wish I could take them all!
Hi Kim! Totally agree! ?
This lady is absolutely right. My son has a husky, he teaches. Im retired live near by so in the morning I take him for 2 hour walk, run on nature trail. In afternoon we go for another walk, run on a different nature trail. Bt the time he gets home from school to take him to dog park hes tired. Huskys are loving,loyal, beautiful dogs but dont get one if you arent going to be active with them. A good husky is a tired husky. Dont crate them or leave them inside all day cuz you work you will break their spirit, they dont deserve this.
Love your content!
Thank you so much! I hope it’s helpful!
My husky is 4months ,she’s big she always pulls ,unless l stop n walk but that take too long
do you watch those great Huskies on YouTube?
Sherpa Key Meeka Tonka Monroe the mountain Huskies?
I don’t but will check it out. Have you seen the Husky Squad? They are my absolute favorite.
Beautiful dog looks like my smoky
Cathy, I watched an episode of the dog whisperer about a boy and his husky, he had the same issue along with too much built up energy, they got him a “doggy” back pack” and it helped a lot! I got a hiking one for my husky and just put water bottles in the side pockets (2 on each side but she’s very small for a husky) for her to wear on our walks and runs. It helped so much!! She never pulled hard to begin with but with the back pack on she doesn’t pull at all, and half way through our walk I take 2 bottles out because she starts to get too tired. By the time we’re done with our walk/run she’s tuckered out and ready for a nap, instead of me being tired and her still ready to run!
You are absolutely correct. I’ve had a number of huskies over the past 48 years. Never had one destroy my house because I learned how to be a husky parent. They are highly intelligent and have good manners. Most of my huskies won’t get on the bed even with coaxing, but they will argue about when it’s time for a walk.
Great article, first time Husky owner. I have had many other large powerful breeds. I still went into this prepared to make him tired. I was lucky to rescue a 1 year old, he seems to be an old soul. 3 days in; 2 hour walks at 4:30am and another 30-45 in the evening, he’s a sleepy, calm pup all day. I do plan on a flirt stick and moving his training to post-walk vs during. Thanks!
Matt- that’s great to hear! Let me know how your pup does after playing with the flirt pole for the first time!