None of us want to, but there comes the point where we have to leave our Huskies home alone. Whether it’s popping to get milk or an unexpected call to the office, our dog is facing the prospect of an empty house.
But can we leave Huskies alone? We have all heard the horror stories of destroyed couches, ripped-up rugs, and slippers torn to shreds, and wonder, would my dog do that? We begin to panic, worried that leaving our dog alone will harm it, leaving our Huskies a shaking, nervous mess.
Well, we are here to put those worries to bed! We will find out whether Huskies can stay home alone and how you can train your Husky to be left alone. Just keep reading to find out more.
Can Huskies stay home alone?
Typically, Huskies are social dogs and do not enjoy being left home alone. They can quickly feel lonely and anxious, leaving them stressed, which causes them to act out and potentially hurt themselves. If you leave your Husky home alone for extended periods, they can develop separation anxiety, which often causes destructive behavior that no one wants to come home to!
Huskies are social dogs, born and bred for packs. Although they are not often used as working dogs, they still form close and deep attachments with their family, making it difficult for them to be left alone for any periods, let alone extended periods. Generally speaking, it’s best to avoid leaving your Husky alone for too long to prevent any anxiety or destructive behavior.
That being said, there are times when your Husky will need to be home alone. How long it takes will depend on you and your Husky. Each dog is different and will respond differently to being left alone for the first time. While we generally say that Huskies don’t enjoy staying home alone, they can be left alone if needed.
You can train your Husky to stay home alone (more on this later), which many owners do. You can’t always take your dog to the shops or work, and in these cases, some basic training goes a long way to ensuring your Husky will be okay at home.
But as we said earlier, each dog is different, and some Huskies cannot be left alone. In these cases, it can be worth seeking the help of a behavioral therapist who can devise a training plan tailored to your dog. Take it step-by-step, and remember to assess your dog’s individual needs before leaving them home alone.
You can perform a simple test to see if your Husky can be left home alone. Leave your Husky home alone for one hour and when you return, assess the situation. If your home has been trashed, or your neighbors mention lots of howling and barking, then an hour was too long! You can adjust the time until you find the window of alone time that best suits your husky.
How do you train a Husky to stay home alone?
There are a few ways you can train your Husky to stay home alone. You can begin with the method we mentioned earlier, starting with small increments of time where your Husky is home alone. Start with five minutes, walk to the bottom of your street and then return. It’s important to remind your dog that you will return and greet them lovingly when you come back.
Treats are another excellent way to train your dog to stay home alone. Kongs or other toys stuffed with treats are an excellent distraction providing they don’t present a choking hazard. You can also hide treats in your Huskys crate or bed for them to find. These distractions will keep your Husky busy while you slip out the door and keep them occupied.
Crate training is an excellent way to ensure that your Husky is comfortable being left home alone. The crate acts as a safe space for your Husky to be in while alone and minimizes the chance of any damage to your furniture.
Start crate training while you are at home and gradually increase the time before leaving home to see how your dog copes. Remember to take it slow with crate training and not rush your Husky; these things take time! It’s best to start crate training as soon as possible, so your dog is used to it.
Leaving the radio or TV on can also help when training your husky to stay alone. The sound of conversations or music will allow the Husky to feel like they are not home alone and relax quickly.
Do Huskies have anxiety?
Like humans and other animals, Huskies are also prone to anxiety. In particular, Huskies can suffer from separation anxiety when they are away from their owner for too long. As we touched on earlier, there are ways to train your Husky to help with this, but many owners find that their Husky suffers from anxiety.
Typically, Huskies are pack dogs and are used to being with others, whether it is other dogs or their owners/family. Away from these for too long can induce separation anxiety. When your Husky is feeling anxious, you might return home to find your house is a mess. They might have chewed the corner of a sofa, attacked a pillow or left you a little surprise somewhere in the house.
You can also look for the common signs of anxiety in all dogs, not just Huskies. It’s worth noting that anxiety can present itself differently in every dog. If you are concerned, you should speak to your vet or a behavioral therapist for more tailored advice.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common symptoms of anxiety!
- Barking or howling when alone
- Panting and pacing (even when it’s not hot)
- Shivering
- Digging
- Destroying furniture
- Escaping the garden
- Running away
- Cowering in corners of rooms
- Excessively licking or chewing themselves
If your Husky is doing any of the above (or a combination), they are likely to have anxiety. These are just the most common symptoms, but if you notice your Husky acting odd or different to normal just before you leave or once you return, they could be suffering from separation anxiety. You must address your dog’s anxiety and develop strategies that will allow your Husky to cope.
Leaving your Husky to suffer from anxiety for too long is not only deeply distressing for the dog, but they could injure themselves; as a result, leaving them in pain and you with an expensive vet bill. If your Husky is displaying any signs of anxiety, we recommend getting some strategies in place quickly.
