How to Train a Husky to Not Run Away

Hello Vicki, Each dog is a bit different as far as toy and treat preferences. Almost all of my clients like freeze dried liver as a treat, plus its healthier and gentle on most stomachs, so I like that. Real plain boiled chicken is another favorite of many. Even though your yard is very large, often dogs need engagement in order to entertain themselves and not feel bored. I would try things like hiking and walking with pup with pup wearing a pack to wear him out (start with the pack empty and slowly add weight as pup gains muscle and endurance). Teaching pup to pull something, and enjoying pup pulling you around. Again start with less weight and work up to more. Games that encourage pup's prey drive, like a flirt pole, scenting games, or things involving movement - you will have to experiment with what excites pup for this). Easy puzzle toys and things like kong wobbles might also get pup more interested in his dinner kibble. It seems counter-intuitive but some dogs are actually more interested in food when they have to work for it, as long as you don't make it too hard. Training practice in general, where pup is learning something new or increasing skill with current commands also tends to wear a lot of dogs out too. If you can combine physical and mental exercise together, something like training during a hike, this tends to wear most dogs out. Sometimes when you only provide physical exercise, more excitable dogs will gear up during the highly exciting exercise, without the focusing aspect of training to make them have to concentrate, and they will seem more excited instead of less after something like a run! Getting a dog thinking during work tends to lead to a calm dog after instead. Think about Husky's running, pulling a sled, but having to coordinate with each other, take directions from the sled driver, pull something behind them, and adjust to obstacles on the trail continuously - that's a lot of physical, mental, and social work! It's more than just running free. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Megan, First, is he neutered? If not, and if you don't plan to breed, I recommend getting him neutered. The desire to roam is very strong in a unneutered male and will make keeping pup close to home much harder without him neutered. Is pup escaping out of a fenced yard primarily? If so, you can bury an invisible/underground/electric fence two feet inside your fence perimeter and have pup wear the corresponding collar. The invisible fence should help deter pup from even approaching gates and the fence line to attempt a dig, climb or squeeze through for when you are not there. For times when you are there, you can work pup up to off-leash obedience. First, start working on a reliable Come. Check out the Reel In method from the article linked below. Reel In method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall More Come - pay attention to the PreMack Principle and long leash training sections especially once pup has learned what Come initially means. These need to be practiced around all types of distractions like dogs and kids at the park to ensure pup is reliable before attempting true off leash. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-to-come-when-called/ Another activity you can practice is walking around places like your yard or a field with pup on the long training leash and changing directions frequently without saying anything. Whenever he takes notice (at first because the leash finally tugs, but later just because you moved), then toss a treat at him for looking your way or coming over to you - without calling him; this encourages him to choose to pay attention to where you are and associate your presence with good things on his own, so he will want to be with you. If you want to go further with the training, check out James Penrith from taketheleaddogtraining on youtube. He works a lot with off-leash training and problem behaviors like chasing. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Kristen, Since this behavior is only happening when you are not watching pup, you will want a solution that doesn't require you to be there for it to be enforced. If pup is digging out but not climbing the fence, you can bury chicken wire deep enough pup can't dig out, all around the perimeter of your fence, then fill the dirt back in over it. You can also install an electric fence (like the invisible fence kind that you bury underground) 2 feet inside the perimeter of your physical fence and have pup wear the corresponding collar, so pup is corrected every time they approach your fence perimeter. If pup is also climbing or escaping in ways other than digging at times, I recommend this route instead. I would teach pup the Out command and practice rewarding pup for staying away from the fence while they wear the electric fence collar for a few days, so pup understands that approaching the fence gets a correction, and not approaching gets pup a reward so the training is more clear and fair to pup then just learning through occasional corrections due to the fence. The invisible fence should only be used in combination with the current fence you have though, not in place of. An invisible fence by itself is not a good option for dogs who tend to wander, but used in combination with a physical fence it can help deter dogs from approaching the physical boundary in the first place to attempt an escape. If pup spayed? Are they in heat? If pup is not spayed and may be in heat now or soon, I would crate pup inside until after their heat cycle is over. There can be a strong urge to wander while in heat, and your fence will probably not keep male dogs from finding a way in from the outside if she is left in the fence. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Diana, Since this behavior is only happening when you are not watching pup, you will want a solution that doesn't require you to be there for it to be enforced. You can bury chicken wire deep enough pup can't dig out, all around the perimeter of your fence, then fill the dirt back in over it. You can also install an electric fence (line the invisible fence kind that you bury underground) 2 feet inside the perimeter of your chain link fence and have pup wear the corresponding collar, so pup is corrected every time they approach your fence. I would teach pup the Out command and practice rewarding pup for staying away from the fence while they wear the electric fence collar for a few days, so pup understands that approaching the fence gets a correction, and not approaching gets pup a reward so the training is more clear and fair to pup then just learning through occasional corrections due to the fence. The invisible fence should only be used in combination with the current fence you have though, not in place of. An invisible fence by itself is not a good option for dogs who tend to wander, but used in combination with a physical fence it can help deter dogs from approaching the physical boundary in the first place to attempt an escape. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Maha, Check out the articles linked below for teaching come. At this age it's normal for puppies to run away to greet others due to the excitement of the outside world. Puppies have to learn through a lot of practice to come and stay when called. That practice has to happen on a long leash, so you can enforce pup calmly having to come even when they are distracted, and practice a lot around various types of distractions until pup can consistently come. Reel In method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-whippet-to-recall More Come: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-to-come-when-called/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden