On Or OFF Lead?

[kaiser]

i let kaiser off in my park as it's enclosed, i would never NEVER let him off lead when there is a road or anything near, keep doing what your doing

[Conni Nelson]

I would never "recommend" either option simply because every dog is different. You, as the husky owner, know your pup best, so do what is best for your pup. It is a process though. I've been taking mine to dog beach since she was about 8 months old (she's now 2-1/2 years) and she has grown to be great off lead there and at enclosed dog parks. But it was a process and something you have to work towards if you're going to let them off lead. I consider myself lucky in that she's focused on staying in the water and playing with the other dogs. But we also have good recall tricks in the event she has her momentary ADD and starts to venture off. Then again, I've met husky owners that refuse to let them off lead at the beach, but take them to enclosed parks to allow them the freedom to run free.

What I truly hate, is seeing any dog owner allowing their dog to run off leash on busy streets. I see that occasionally where I live and it scares the heck out of me! I don't care how well trained a dog is, there isn't any training that will break them from suddenly taking off after something and run right out in front of a moving car!

[Sarah]

on lead for my boys unless at an enclosed dog park

[Arthur]

My dogs of the lead,not always and everywhere but wherever possible.

http://youtu.be/fXlPGHVukTU

Edited May 7, 2012 by Arthur
link

[Removed #5]

I've told this story before and it will tell you what my answer is NOW! I had the exceptional Sibe, we live in the desert in southern Texas, I have no neighbors to speak of. I'd let Misty off lead to run and hunt ( I know she hunted because she's bring rabbits home! ) She'd come when I called, even if it took her several minutes to get home.

One day I was outside when she came out the side door, we played a bit while I was getting some stuff done and when I called her to come in she went around the trailer - and that was the last I saw of her.

For something like two years she was "the exception" - one day she wasn't - you take your choice, I did and it still hurts almost 6 months later.

Sasha, my present Sibe is not Misty by any stretch of the imagination, she's a good dog, fun and a great traveling companion - but she's not Misty!

[Chip]

Echoing the response but it can't be said enough, On lead unless in enclosed areas:up:

[Storm Angel n Auroras Mum]

I've told this story before and it will tell you what my answer is NOW! I had the exceptional Sibe, we live in the desert in southern Texas, I have no neighbors to speak of. I'd let Misty off lead to run and hunt ( I know she hunted because she's bring rabbits home! ) She'd come when I called, even if it took her several minutes to get home.

One day I was outside when she came out the side door, we played a bit while I was getting some stuff done and when I called her to come in she went around the trailer - and that was the last I saw of her.

For something like two years she was "the exception" - one day she wasn't - you take your choice, I did and it still hurts almost 6 months later.

Sasha, my present Sibe is not Misty by any stretch of the imagination, she's a good dog, fun and a great traveling companion - but she's not Misty!

oh Al it still breaks my heart to see you say this. I wish I had a magic wand. xx

[raindog]

I don't think there is actually much of a debate around this issue. Probably 99.9% of husky owners worldwide would agree that huskies should not go offlead unless in securely enclosed areas. Those who advocate offlead exercise are a tiny, tiny minority. Unfortunately, newcomers to the breed often give this minority more credibility than they deserve because their message is the one they want to hear, rather than the message given by experienced and realistic husky owners.

Mick

[Storm Angel n Auroras Mum]

I don't think there is actually much of a debate around this issue. Probably 99.9% of husky owners worldwide would agree that huskies should not go offlead unless in securely enclosed areas. Those who advocate offlead exercise are a tiny, tiny minority. Unfortunately, newcomers to the breed often give this minority more credibility than they deserve because their message is the one they want to hear, rather than the message given by experienced and realistic husky owners.

Mick

agree as always mick. too many people thinking they have the exception to the breed nowadays. I hope they do not have to suffer the consequences of their actions.

[Mollys_mum]

Well put, Mick. I haven't read more than a couple of posts because I know full well what folk will be writing.

It's just such a shame that every village, town, city etc doesn't have its own fully enclosed dog off-lead areas.

[kmorganp]

Before I brought Kyra home and I was reading all these books about Huskies I seen a story about a Trainer and her Husky who was an obedience champion that one day they were just taking a walk and it wasn't in s secure area and something caught the dogs eye and she darted after it and ran straight across a highway and the trainer was calling for her to come back but the dog wasn't listening to her. I think after reading that I will probably always have Kyra on a leash unless we are in a fenced area. It scares me to death what could happen to her off of her leash.

[Removed #2]

http://www.swsdogs.org/Articles/DiseaseCalledTrust/tabid/127/Default.aspx

[Storm Angel n Auroras Mum]

Before I brought Kyra home and I was reading all these books about Huskies I seen a story about a Trainer and her Husky who was an obedience champion that one day they were just taking a walk and it wasn't in s secure area and something caught the dogs eye and she darted after it and ran straight across a highway and the trainer was calling for her to come back but the dog wasn't listening to her. I think after reading that I will probably always have Kyra on a leash unless we are in a fenced area. It scares me to death what could happen to her off of her leash.

yup, Quilla I think it was. Mick Brent aka [MENTION=91]raindog[/MENTION] often quotes her story.

SHe was a dreamcatcher husky.

[mydiamond]

Before I know any better my dad tried to train Diamond to walk off-lead. Every night after our night walk he would make me open the front gate wide, and let Diamond off-leash from a huge distance away while shouting "go home". Did it work? Yes. Diamond ran into the opened gate three times in a row, without a fail. I was very happy and I thought this can be a routine, but it only takes ONE second to change it all. Fourth time my dad let Diamond off-lead he didn't come back home. He ran past me as quick as a bullet and off to the empty lot beside the house. This empty lot is near to a busy road and I was trembling in fear. I called, and called and called but I lost sight of him. It was night-time and I can't run a better search from faraway so I jumped to the knee-high weeds and explore the lot to search for him but he's nowhere to be found. My parents took out the car to look for him and while they're gone, I cried like a baby in the front gate I thought I killed him. Luckily 5-10 minutes later my parents are back with Diamond, it seems like he didn't go to the busy road at all thank goodness. That does it for me... NO MORE off-lead huskies!! Keep doing what you're doing no off-lead permissions unless you're in a very secure fenced area. Better safe than sorry trust me some people aren't as lucky as I am that night

[lurchybold]

Only off lead when there is no escape route, the long leads are great, however, lately Boone has been forgetting that the lead stops after 100ft, I'm suffering from whiplash constantly LOL

[raindog]

Yes she was a Dreamcatcher - from our very first litter. She was the most obedient dog (let alone husky) I have ever met until that one fatal occasion!

[Removed #5]

oh Al it still breaks my heart to see you say this. I wish I had a magic wand. xx

I do too! It hurts every time I write this, but if it makes one new owner stop and think about letting their dog off lead .....

[Storm Angel n Auroras Mum]

I do too! It hurts every time I write this, but if it makes one new owner stop and think about letting their dog off lead .....

then it will be worth it, I know I know.

[bellabear11]

Bella dose go off the leaf at least once a day. I know that this is rare. But bella as an individual dog can be fixed on chasing birds, rats, or anything that moves. And with one word from me she will return to my side as fast as she can. We know thw risks we take, however. It is done eiter early in the morning or later in the evening when there are fewer people. I also let her off on the beach mainly, however sometimes on the way to vale park. This is only through a small wooded area and onto a padestrian only pathway on the seafront. And even then when noone else is about. Or few people. I always carry her fave treats and she gets one everytime she comes back. On the few occasions she fails to vome strait away i took her straight home. End off freedom for the day. She got the message quickly

P.s. Dont tell bella her fave treats are really just her kibble xx

[Ravenwolf]

How old is Bella?

[bellabear11]

Nearly 7 months. I know this could all change by the timd she is 2.

[robke]

could and IMO will change a lot sooner...

[raindog]

Why Can’t Siberian Huskies Safely Go Off-Lead?

This is one of the constant questions raised about Siberian Huskies.

You would think it would be enough that:

[TABLE="width: 100%"]

[TD][/TD]

[TD]every responsible Siberian Husky owner will tell you that it is not safe to let a Siberian Husky off lead in an unenclosed area[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD]every ethical Siberian Husky Breeder will tell you that it is not safe to let a Siberian Husky off lead in an unenclosed area[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD]every single Siberian Husky rescue organisation IN THE WORLD will tell you that it is not safe to let a Siberian Husky off lead in an unenclosed area; and that[/TD]

[TD][/TD]

[TD]every single Siberian Husky Club IN THE WORLD will tell you exactly the same thing.[/TD]

[/TABLE]

Now these people and organisations don’t take this line for fun, or to "big up" the wild nature of their dogs, or to try to keep the breed exclusive. They take it because it accurately reflects the bitter experience of thousands of owners worldwide over a long period of time.

However, this obviously is not enough because there are still a steady stream of people who just don’t believe this unanimous and ubiquitous message. When you give examples of Siberians which have been killed, caused accidents or been shot by farmers for killing/savaging livestock, the doubters come back with, “But you could say the same about any breed!” – and to be honest, in many respects they would be right. Too many irresponsible owners of all kinds of dogs let their dog off lead with little thought for their dog’s safety, the safety of other animals, or the safety of the public. That is not for discussion here though. I want to explain why, in my opinion, it is never safe to let Siberian Huskies offlead in unenclosed areas.

So, Why is the off-lead thing such a big deal with huskies? What makes them different from other breeds?

There are two major factors, both embedded deep within the history of the breed. The dogs we now know as Siberian Huskies were originally developed by what are known as the “maritime” Chukchi people of North East Siberia who relied on dogs for transportation during the frozen winter. Other Chukchi groups relied on Reindeer for both food and winter transportation. The maritime Chukchi lived in fixed summer villages along the Bering Sea coast, but during the arctic/sub-arctic winter, became nomadic – following and hunting whatever game was available. The Chukchi would load their whole families on their sled and using teams of up to 20 dogs, would hunt all winter, sometimes covering 100 miles a day in their search for food. It was originally estimated that the Chukchi’s dogs had been in existence for some 3000 years, but recent archeological research has found the remains of sled-type dogs going back well over 10,000 years. Indeed, the Siberian Husky has been recognised as one of the oldest dog breeds known to mankind, so they have had a long time for their instincts and behavioural traits to become hard-wired into them.

The two major factors I mentioned above are:

1. An extremely strong Prey Drive ; and
   
2. A fiercely independent intelligence.
   

Prey Drive - The source of their prey drive is simple. During the summer, when they were not required as transportation, the Chukchi dogs ran free around the summer villages, rarely being fed by their owners, but existing (if not prospering) on what they could steal or catch. As winter came and food became scarce the dogs once more became sled dogs (of course not all the dogs returned - accidents and natural predators accounted for some, but at least there were no roads for them to be killed on). This pattern of behaviour was built up over a period of time which has been estimated as long as 10,000 years.

As a result of millennia of such behaviour, these dogs now have a fearsome prey drive and the hunting skills to match. It is very common to hear that someone’s huskies have killed cats, rabbits, squirrels, birds (ours have taken birds out of the sky as they fly over our garden at low level) and even sheep. It is rare that they regard even small dogs as “prey” as they seem to be able to recognise a fellow canine.

Independent Intelligence – You will occasionally hear dog trainers complain that huskies are not “trainable,” and you will consistently see them left out of lists of “The Ten Most Intelligent Dog Breeds” etc. The problem with such trainers and such lists is that they confuse obedience and “biddability” with intelligence, and, in reality they are not at all the same thing. Train a Border Collie to fetch a ball and it will tend to retrieve the ball time after time after time. Train a Siberian Husky to fetch a ball and it will do one of two things – either eat the ball, or bring it back once. The next time you throw it the sibe will look at you as if to say – “You threw it! YOU get it back! Do you think I’m that stupid?”

When you give a trained Border Collie a command, you usually get instant obedience. When you give a command to a Husky, the Husky actually thinks about it before deciding to comply or ignore the command. This may sound like bloody-mindedness, but it is in fact a deeply ingrained survival trait for arctic sled dogs. Think about it. You are the lead dog on a sled team pulling your Chukchi owner and his family across the frozen sea ice. Your owner shouts for you to turn right down a trail between a line of ice seracs as he knows this is the way to get to a safe camping area for the night. As lead dog, you can see that a right turn leads you to the edge of a deep crevasse and you refuse to make the turn. It is this intelligence and independence of thought which has been bred into Siberian Huskies over thousands of generations.

An example of this came from Leonhard Seppala’s famous lead dog (and hero of the 1925 Dipheria Run – Togo . One day, Seppala was running his team, led by Togo , over the sea ice of the notorious Norton Sound ,

“

Togo had been leading his sled across the sound during a northeastern gale on another occasion when, a few miles from shore, Seppala heard an ominous crack that let him know the sea ice was breaking up. Togo headed toward shore even before Seppala could give the command, but drew up short so fast he nearly flipped backwards. A yawning chasm of water had opened almost at Togo ’s feet, but the dog had reacted quickly enough to avert immediate disaster. Seppala looked around and realized with dismay that he and his team were trapped on an ice floe and headed out to sea.

They spent more than twelve hours on that raft of ice, waiting as it drifted in the icy waters. Finally it neared land, but ran up against another floe that was jammed against the ice still connected to shore. they stopped moving, but there was still a five foot gap of water that Seppala couldn’t hope to cross. He tied a lead onto Togo and heaved the dog across the water. Togo landed on the ice and sensing what Seppala intended, the dog began pulling with all his might, narrowing the gap between the two ice floes. Then the lead rope snapped. Seppala thought he was a dead man. Then Togo , showing himself to be possessed of more intelligence and resourcefulness than most men could expect from even their lead dogs, leaped into the water and grabbed the broken end of the lead rope in his jaws. He clambered back onto the ice and continued pulling until he had narrowed the gap enough for Seppala and the sled to cross safely.”

As it was with Seppala’s Siberian dogs, so it is today with our Siberian Huskies. No matter how well trained your Sibe is, there is always a part of his/her mind that, when he/she hears an instruction thinks, "Is it a good idea to follow that order?" and also, "What's in it for me?" - When you combine that independence of thought and keen intelligence with the high prey drive, you can see that obedience when offlead is a very dodgy prospect indeed.

Huskies don’t help themselves in this regard. It is often found that husky puppies will act in extremely obedient ways for the first few months of their lives. I have lost count of the number of owners who have told me their Sibe is the exception that proves the rule and is ultra-obedient. Upon further discussion, it almost always transpires that the dog is a puppy – 4 or 5 months old! Sibe puppies can lull you into a false sense of security - then puberty hits, they realise that they don’t need you, and all bets are off!!!

We have been interested in Siberians for 20 years and have owned them for 18. During that time we have personally come across at least one owner each year whose “highly trained” Sibe has "gone deaf" for the first and last time and ended up dead under a car, shot by a farmer for savaging livestock or having caused a major traffic accident. The common theme is that all these owners quite genuinely believed that they could train this trait out of their dogs; that their relationship with their dogs was so good that their dogs would always respond to the recall command; and that the recommendation of every husky related organisation IN THE WORLD was nonsense and that they and their dog were somehow special.

Unfortunately, these owners learned the hard way with tragic consequences for themselves and their dogs. The plaintive, “He/She’s always come back before” is a common refrain in these tragic cases.

This is exactly the naive "I know better than every Siberian Husky organisation in the world" attitude which unfortunately leads to the deaths of too many Siberians each year. My wife is an expert dog trainer. I have seen her achieve things with Sibes (and other dogs) that I would have thought pretty near impossible. All our adult dogs have excellent recall and obedience and are often a source of amazement to people who regard sibes as untrainable. Yet neither she nor I would ever let our dogs off lead in an unsafe/unenclosed area because we know that their recall can never be 100% and they are much too precious for us to risk.

Having said all that, we believe strongly that all Siberian Husky owners should train their dogs in recall. We always recommend that people train their Siberians to recall IN SAFE ENCLOSED AREAS to as high a level as possible. Even in the best regulated worlds accidents sometimes happen – dogs slip their collars, snap their leads, escape from cages etc etc – and if you have trained your dog to recall, at least you have a chance of getting it back. Such training cannot be guaranteed, but at least it’s a form of insurance.

Talking about insurance – a message to all those who, despite all the evidence and arguments, still insist on letting their dogs go offlead in unenclosed areas – get some public liability insurance. If your dog goes offlead and causes an accident or kills livestock – YOU are liable. On second thoughts, maybe it’s not worth it! In legal terms, it could be argued that by acting against universal informed advice and letting their dogs off lead anyway, they had been incredibly negligent in letting their dog off lead in an unenclosed area and that this obvious negligence would invalidate their insurance.

Just a thought

Mick

[robke]

Another good read Mick...

[Sarah]

Nearly 7 months. I know this could all change by the timd she is 2.

mine were just the same at that age - came back spot on all the time - until one day they ignored me and ended up on a main road I was very lucky