For you that run with your huskies, how much did you start them with in the beginning? We have 2 huskies and one is 6 and he’s getting a little chunky and I wanted to start running him with me. In the past he was never very disciplined and running with him was a pain. Now we have a second husky who is almost 2 and while she keeps exercised decently in the yard, it’s apparently not enough. Also how did you handle hydration for the dog on your runs?
Start them out with some nice long walks, then add some running jaunts during your walk. Basically build your dogs up to running just like you would a new human type runner thingy. When it’s hot out i bring a water bottle just for the dogs. I actually hydrate my dogs before myself. go figure.
Have fun, exercise those dogs. A well exercised dog is usually a very good happy dog.
Start with low mileage; dogs are like people and need to adapt to running longer distances. I started running with my husky by taking her with me for my warm-up and then dropping her off back at the house. We still only do five miles max, so I don’t worry about hydration while we run. If we’re running somewhere that involves travel, I’ll bring some water and a collapsible bowl for her to drink before the car ride home.
I know this probably goes without saying, but make sure your pups aren’t running for long distances in warm temperatures. Once it hits 60, I only take my husky for short, slow runs.
Huskies are great dogs bred for working (running) - it is in thier nature to not be very loyal. This means - keep them on a leash - they won’t give a second thought about running off.
Do start off with walking to get them in shape - they will need time to build up the pads on thier paws, etc. etc. Do not get frustrated with ground sniffing and exploring the world around them.
What is great about Huskies is they get in the “Zone” - when they hit thier trot and get into the “zone” - they will not stop to sniff the ground, they will not stop to pee, basically they will not stop until they are about to collapse or you tell them to stop.
As for water - I carried a foldable bowl - would run to the park - give them water - then run home. If that option is not available for you - carry a water bottle. If I was running in the heat - I would always splash them at the park too.
Options for water and for getting them into shape – do a loop back to your house - if the dog is too tired - drop them off and finish your run. Over time they will be able to go further and further.
Right on with the “zone” - ours is not yet 2, and we started really running her about three months ago. When we first started, she didn’t ‘get’ it, but it wasn’t long. The only time she stops is about 20 minutes into it - to go #2. Then its game on. Won’t even really acknowledge other dogs…even on a trail run.
Run they will - into their own pain and beyond. Our first mistake was the first 60 minute run on a bike path. She kept running and never let on that anything was wrong. Got home to find her licking her paw pads. She ran many layers off the pads, but never let on. I assume its like callouses on our skin. 90 - 120 minutes don’t really bother her now (unless its rough blacktop).
For water, we taught her to drink from our water bottle - makes me carry gels versus sport drink, but in the long run (bad pun, sorry) its better training for me anyway given the only constant at differing races is water in the rest stops (energy drink is always different).
Enjoy the joy of seeing your Siberians totally stoked at seeing the harness! (we bought a skijoring harness and a bungee leash - best investments!)
Huskies…talk about a labor of love. I have been around Huskies my whole life…great dogs…if you wanna call them that. Pretty much the most stubborn creatures on earth. Incredible pets to grow with. By grow I mean they are not the “straight out of the box” type pet. I never have been able to run with them…other then running in a field. I second the notion about never letting them off the leash…unless you are in an open area or are well rested…they will run for days with blinders on. Be patient with them…they are worth it.
Wandering eyes and legs, yes, but loyal to beat all. Our’s is lying under our legs right now - one of her favorite places. Moves around the house with us. But would run after ANYTHING quick-moving - NEVER off the leash!
…that is funny that yours is laying under your feet. Most of ours have always kept their distance…they love you on their terms. They will snuggle for a bit and then get up to say…“I am too good for you and walk away.” …especially our girls.
Well, she’s an only girl, I’m alpha, and she does pretty much whatever I’ve taught her - though maybe takes a command repeat from time to time! She reacts totally different to my wife…who gets a little upset! When I’m gone, she’s out back on the deck (even sleeps there at below 0 - neighbors threatened to call the humane society until we showed them that she WANTED to lie out there in the snow! They still don’t really get it.). My last one - male - would always be about 20 feet away - not usually too much closer - sounds like yours! Love them.
Thanks for all the responses everyone.
"keep them on a leash - they won’t give a second thought about running off. "
So true with that breed. My brother has Siberians and before he put an electric dog fence around his property they would run off for two or three days if they got away. If he ever tried taking them running off a leash they’d be gone.
In contrast my retreivers always ran close to me when off the leash and always come when called.
You cant trust them for a minute. At our old house we had an electric fence and I swear my dog learned how to wear the battery down. They would last about a month. We would go outside and he would be sitting in the warning zone where it gives them a constant tone before they are shocked. As soon as he would hear us he’d backup. When he thought we were gone (usually we walked around to the side of the house) we would hear the warning tone again. We come back he backs up about 3 inches. About once a month the neighbor or the postman would bring him back and not to our surprise the collar was dead. During the east coast blackout was the worst. He knew what was up.
If you’re having trouble keeping your huskies running in a straight line or pulling too hard, you might want to try a gentle leader (http://www.premier.com/View.aspx?page=dogs/products/behavior/gentleleader/description). Instead of pulling on the neck like a regular collar, the gentle leader puts pressure on the dog’s nose, which gives you more control. It still lets them open their mouth all the way, so they can pant and drink water. My husky used to pull really hard on walks and runs, but this thing has been awesome.
So this is sort of a hijack, but I’ve loved Huskies and want to get one, but now reading the “difficulty” of the breed, I’m having second thoughts. I mean I liked the whole idea of having a working breed that I could run with, but…
If I’m really not up for a “challenging” breed, should I steer clear of Huskies? Will they test me constantly? Just looking for some advice from those with real life experience
Tnx!
Define “Challenging” ???
If you live in a apartment and like to watch TV all day - A husky would be a great challenge because the dog would go nuts!
If you want a dog that fetches and does obedience trials and does agility competitions - A husky would be a great challenge.
If you want a pet to dress up and act as an accessory (think Paris Hilton) - A husky would be a great challenge.
But for me - I love Huskies - They do not chew everything in sight when bored (note: all dogs chew as puppies - I am talking about an adult)
For me - being non-loyal is a benefit - I can go to on vacation and drop the dog off at my mother in laws or my sisters - and the dog acts like he lived there his whole life - i.e. he does not freak out if I am gone. He looks like a “wolf” - big and bad - so intruders stay away - but in reality - being non-loyal - he doesn’t care who comes and visits - this is good because I do not have to worry when friends come over and bring thier kids. He is great with kids basically because he doesn’t care who is invading his territory - he doesn’t have a territory.
Huskies are not big barkers. He is very laid back as long as he gets in his exersise. When he runs he gets in the zone and doesn’t stop to pee or chase rabbits or sniff the ground (My old dog (lab) would sometimes rip my arm out of socket by all of a sudden stopping to sniff something interesting or to take off after some animal.)
Many dog breeds need lots of attention – unfortunately, I work a lot - plus training - I do not have a lot of time to spend with my dog – many would say I should not own a dog at all – and with certain breeds I totally agree. But with a Husky - As long as we go for our runs and then he hangs out with me for a hour or two - he is happy. Funny thing is - If it is pouring rain on a saturday and I skip my bike - He will hang out with me for a few hours and then kinda go “Ok. I have had enough of you” and go off and do his own thing.
Hopefully you understand that different dog breeds have different personalities - basically: what is the dog bred to do. Always cracks me up when someone wants a “Snoopy dog” i.e. Beagal thinking it will be a great dog because it is small and they live in a townhouse. Beagal’s are hounds - they are bred to chase things down and bark and bark until the hunter can get there. They were bred to bark. Not exactly good if you live in a townhouse. Herding Dogs - sheep herders are great with kids because they will herd the kids. BUT cattle herding dogs - herd cattle by bitting the cattle – therefore they are very bad with kids.
Before getting a dog - do lots and lots of research and also research yourself and your lifestyle and how your dog will fit into your life.
Hope this helps
I do sprints with my greyhound. I can’t keep up.
That helps immensely! Especially the barking part. I do not want a barker or a yipper. Hubby and I travel a lot so that’s an interesting note about being able to leave without the dog freaking out.
anyway thanks for taking the time to reply!