Huskys Off The Lead

[Andy]

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:

• every responsible Siberian Husky owner will tell you that it is not safe to let a Siberian Husky off lead in an unenclosed area
• every ethical Siberian Husky Breeder will tell you that it is not safe to let a Siberian Husky off lead in an unenclosed area
• 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
• every single Siberian Husky Club IN THE WORLD will tell you exactly the same thing.

 

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?â€

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.â€

 

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  17+. 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! The fact that every single Siberian Husky organisation in the world advises against letting them off lead, the owner whose dog caused the crash or killed the livestock could be liable for huge damages, as in legal terms, it could be argued that by acting against such universal informed advice, 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 Brent

Dreamcatcher Siberian Huskies

The Siberian Husky Welfare Association (UK)

Thanks Mick that is Excellent.

[HuskyMom09]

I'm not sure why this topic keeps coming up over and over again.  If it were a stronger instinct in a Siberian to have perfect recall like so many companion dogs there wouldn't be as much warning from the breed experts about never letting your guard down.  It makes me cringe to see a loose Nordic breed.  Only in our secure yard do mine enjoy 'freedom' within limits-

 

There is a deadly disease stalking your dog, a hideous, stealthy thing just waiting its chance to steal your beloved friend. It is not a new disease, or one for which there are inoculations. The disease is called trust.

You knew before you ever took your puppy home that it could not be trusted. The breeder, who provided you with this precious animal warned you, drummed it into your head. Puppies steal off counters, destroy anything expensive, chase cats, take forever to house train, and must never be allowed off lead!

When the big day finally arrived, heeding the sage advice of the breeder you escorted your puppy to his new home, properly collared and tagged, the lead held tightly in your hand.

At home the house was "puppy-proofed". Everything of value was stored in the spare bedroom, garbage stowed on top of the refrigerator, cats separated, and a gate placed across the door to the living room to keep at least part of the house puddle free. All windows and doors had been properly secured, and signs placed in all strategic points reminding all to "CLOSE THE DOOR!"

Soon it becomes second nature to make sure the door closes .9 of a second after it was opened and that it really latched. "DON'T LET THE DOG OUT" is your second most verbalized expression. (The first is "NO!") You worry and fuss constantly, terrified that your darling will get out and a disaster will surely follow. Your fiends comment about whom you love most, your family or the dog. You know that to relax your vigil for a moment might lose him to you forever.

And so the weeks and months pass, with your puppy becoming more civilized every day, and the seeds of trust are planted. It seems that each new day brings less destruction, less breakage. Almost before you know it your gangly, slurpy puppy has turned into an elegant, dignified friend.

Now that he is a more reliable, sedate companion, you take him more places. No longer does he chew the steering wheel when left in the car. And darned if that cake wasn't still on the counter this morning. And, oh yes, wasn't that the cat he was sleeping with so cozily on your pillow last night?

At this point you are beginning to become infected, the disease is spreading its roots deep into your mind.

And then one of your friends suggests obedience. You shake your head and remind her that your dog might run away if allowed off lead, but you are reassured when she promises the events are held in a fenced area. And, wonder of wonders, he did not run away, but come every time you called him!

All winter long you go to weekly obedience classes. And, after a time you even let him run loose from the car to the house when you get home. Why not, he always runs straight to the door, dancing a frenzy of joy and waits to be let in. And remember he comes every time he is called. You know he is the exception that proves the rule. (And sometimes late at night, you even let him slip out the front door' to go potty and then right back in.)

At this point the disease has taken hold, waiting only for the right time and place to rear its ugly head.

Years pass - it is hard to remember why you ever worried so much when he was a puppy. He would never think of running out the door left open while you bring in the packages from the car. It would be beneath his dignity to jump out the window of the car while you run into the convenience store. And when you take him for those wonderful long walks at dawn, it only takes one whistle to send him racing back to you in a burst of speed when the walk comes too close to the highway. (He still gets into the garbage, but nobody is perfect!)

This is the time the disease has waited for so patiently. Sometimes it only has to wait a year or two, but often it takes much longer.

He spies the neighbor dog across the street, and suddenly forgets everything he ever knew about not slipping outdoors, jumping out windows or coming when called due to traffic. Perhaps it was only a paper fluttering in the breeze, or even just the sheer joy of running.

Stopped in an instant. Stilled forever - Your heart is as broken as his still beautiful body.

The disease is trust. The final outcome; hit by a car.

Every morning my dog Shah bounced around off lead exploring. Every morning for seven years he came back when he was called. He was perfectly obedient, perfectly trustworthy. He died fourteen hours after being hit by a car. Please do not risk your friend and heart. Save the trust for things that do not matter.

© 1988 By Sharon Mathers
Courtesy of Canine Concepts and
Community Animal Control Magazine

[Andy]

I'm not sure why this topic keeps coming up over and over again.  If it were a stronger instinct in a Siberian to have perfect recall like so many companion dogs there wouldn't be as much warning from the breed experts about never letting your guard down.  It makes me cringe to see a loose Nordic breed.  Only in our secure yard do mine enjoy 'freedom' within limits-

 

There is a deadly disease stalking your dog, a hideous, stealthy thing just waiting its chance to steal your beloved friend. It is not a new disease, or one for which there are inoculations. The disease is called trust.

You knew before you ever took your puppy home that it could not be trusted. The breeder, who provided you with this precious animal warned you, drummed it into your head. Puppies steal off counters, destroy anything expensive, chase cats, take forever to house train, and must never be allowed off lead!

When the big day finally arrived, heeding the sage advice of the breeder you escorted your puppy to his new home, properly collared and tagged, the lead held tightly in your hand.

At home the house was "puppy-proofed". Everything of value was stored in the spare bedroom, garbage stowed on top of the refrigerator, cats separated, and a gate placed across the door to the living room to keep at least part of the house puddle free. All windows and doors had been properly secured, and signs placed in all strategic points reminding all to "CLOSE THE DOOR!"

Soon it becomes second nature to make sure the door closes .9 of a second after it was opened and that it really latched. "DON'T LET THE DOG OUT" is your second most verbalized expression. (The first is "NO!") You worry and fuss constantly, terrified that your darling will get out and a disaster will surely follow. Your fiends comment about whom you love most, your family or the dog. You know that to relax your vigil for a moment might lose him to you forever.

And so the weeks and months pass, with your puppy becoming more civilized every day, and the seeds of trust are planted. It seems that each new day brings less destruction, less breakage. Almost before you know it your gangly, slurpy puppy has turned into an elegant, dignified friend.

Now that he is a more reliable, sedate companion, you take him more places. No longer does he chew the steering wheel when left in the car. And darned if that cake wasn't still on the counter this morning. And, oh yes, wasn't that the cat he was sleeping with so cozily on your pillow last night?

At this point you are beginning to become infected, the disease is spreading its roots deep into your mind.

And then one of your friends suggests obedience. You shake your head and remind her that your dog might run away if allowed off lead, but you are reassured when she promises the events are held in a fenced area. And, wonder of wonders, he did not run away, but come every time you called him!

All winter long you go to weekly obedience classes. And, after a time you even let him run loose from the car to the house when you get home. Why not, he always runs straight to the door, dancing a frenzy of joy and waits to be let in. And remember he comes every time he is called. You know he is the exception that proves the rule. (And sometimes late at night, you even let him slip out the front door' to go potty and then right back in.)

At this point the disease has taken hold, waiting only for the right time and place to rear its ugly head.

Years pass - it is hard to remember why you ever worried so much when he was a puppy. He would never think of running out the door left open while you bring in the packages from the car. It would be beneath his dignity to jump out the window of the car while you run into the convenience store. And when you take him for those wonderful long walks at dawn, it only takes one whistle to send him racing back to you in a burst of speed when the walk comes too close to the highway. (He still gets into the garbage, but nobody is perfect!)

This is the time the disease has waited for so patiently. Sometimes it only has to wait a year or two, but often it takes much longer.

He spies the neighbor dog across the street, and suddenly forgets everything he ever knew about not slipping outdoors, jumping out windows or coming when called due to traffic. Perhaps it was only a paper fluttering in the breeze, or even just the sheer joy of running.

Stopped in an instant. Stilled forever - Your heart is as broken as his still beautiful body.

The disease is trust. The final outcome; hit by a car.

Every morning my dog Shah bounced around off lead exploring. Every morning for seven years he came back when he was called. He was perfectly obedient, perfectly trustworthy. He died fourteen hours after being hit by a car. Please do not risk your friend and heart. Save the trust for things that do not matter.

© 1988 By Sharon Mathers

Courtesy of Canine Concepts and

Community Animal Control Magazine

Thanks Lani, Also excellent.

[Bec]

I don't think any dog is born with a perfect recall. I see dogs every week of many different breeds that have no recall, because the owners don't know how to train it. Many of them are breeds like GSDs etc. Not having a reliable recall is one of the most common problems owners have with their dogs. Whether you want to train it or would prefer to have your dog on leash is up to you, but every dog - yes EVERY dog - can be trained to have a reliable recall. How we train it etc depends on the dog and not all dogs can be trained to recall purely motivationaly but ALL dogs can be trained.

[Andy]

I don't think any dog is born with a perfect recall. I see dogs every week of many different breeds that have no recall, because the owners don't know how to train it. Many of them are breeds like GSDs etc. Not having a reliable recall is one of the most common problems owners have with their dogs. Whether you want to train it or would prefer to have your dog on leash is up to you, but every dog - yes EVERY dog - can be trained to have a reliable recall. How we train it etc depends on the dog and not all dogs can be trained to recall purely motivationaly but ALL dogs can be trained.

I agree that all dogs can be trained.

However not all dogs even once trained can be 100% trusted.

My GSD I can trust.

My Husky with exactly the same training I cannot.

and I will NOT put my husky at risk to try to prove a point or to score a number on a training reliability chart.

[Bec]

I agree that all dogs can be trained.

However not all dogs even once trained can be 100% trusted.

My GSD I can trust.

My Husky with exactly the same training I cannot.

and I will NOT put my husky at risk to try to prove a point or to score a number on a training reliability chart.

If I didn't trust my dogs to recall I would never let them off leash either, regardless of their breed. But to me trust isn't about the breed of dog I have it's about the quality of their training. That's a point where many husky owners will disagree with but we have trained 100s if not 1000s of dogs to recall reliably so I'm coming at it from a different perspective.

[HuskyMom09]

If I didn't trust my dogs to recall I would never let them off leash either, regardless of their breed. But to me trust isn't about the breed of dog I have it's about the quality of their training. That's a point where many husky owners will disagree with but we have trained 100s if not 1000s of dogs to recall reliably so I'm coming at it from a different perspective.

 

You can't train instinct and breeding out of a dog-  The dog that was the unfortunate inspiration for "Trust- A Deadly Disease" was  perfectly trained, and had wonderful recall, even had multiple Obedience Titles, one of the top Obedience dogs in his day....only to find out that instinct does trump it all.  Be it another dog, a squirrel, or even a random rustling leaf, failure to recognize the risks is asking for heartache. 

[Bec]

You can't train instinct and breeding out of a dog- The dog that was the unfortunate inspiration for "Trust- A Deadly Disease" was perfectly trained, and had wonderful recall, even had multiple Obedience Titles, one of the top Obedience dogs in his day....only to find out that instinct does trump it all. Be it another dog, a squirrel, or even a random rustling leaf, failure to recognize the risks is asking for heartache.

I train competition obedience too and training a reliable recall is different to training the recall as an obedience exercise.

You can't train instinct out of a dog, you can use their instinct to strengthen your training. I have a working line Belgian Malinois and I guarantee you that it would be rare to find a dog with anywhere near her amount of prey drive. She recalls off live prey because we train our dogs in drive and use their enormous prey drive to our advantage. If you tried to train against her instinct she would be out of control. There is a reason why dogs with high prey drive are highly desirable for top competitors and services like the police and military.

[jmscott]

I don't know that i would say Malinois are comparable to spitz breeds. Even with the prey drive.

[Bec]

I don't know that i would say Malinois are comparable to spitz breeds. Even with the prey drive.

Not comparing, but giving an example of how instinct can be used in training. My Sibe is prey driven (he would kill small animals if given the chance) but his amount of prey drive isn't at all comparable to my Mal. Her prey drive is higher than her food and pack drive (she isn't actually very pack driven). You can't train instinct out of a dog but you can use it to your advantage.

[Storm Angel n Auroras Mum]

Slapping a e collar on a dog isn't how you use an e collar OR train a recall. You teach the dog to respond to the cue of the stim. You still have to proof the recall and know how to use the collar. I guarantee you once the recall is trained and proofed you'd never know the dog was trained with it. The end result is you get a reliable recall and fast. I'm not sure how you consider it not training a recall? How many dogs have you trained to recall reliably?

why is it bec you only seem to comment on offlead subjects?

I havent trained reliable recall because i have huskies!!! Stubborn ones at that! So i take precautions to ensure noone is ever lost or escaped. Storm is a cross and wont recall on a long lead. And you know what? I wont be made to feel an inadequate husky owner because my dogs dont recall.

[Storm Angel n Auroras Mum]

I am sick to death of this subject popping up every month or so.

[Dave]

I don't let Kodi off as he's an idiot... also one out and about I seem to have lost my voice lol

 

I appreciate that this subject pops up a lot but please remember new members won't know that and they are just here for advice and opinions

 

In my opinion a Husky should not be let off the lead

[Bec]

why is it bec you only seem to comment on offlead subjects?

I havent trained reliable recall because i have huskies!!! Stubborn ones at that! So i take precautions to ensure noone is ever lost or escaped. Storm is a cross and wont recall on a long lead. And you know what? I wont be made to feel an inadequate husky owner because my dogs dont recall.

I comment on many different threads. It is entirely your choice how to manage your dogs, I only replied to your post to answer the question you posed about e collars which was extremely judgmental. you posted to put down the owners who said they trained reliable recalls with e collars, something you haven't achieved with your dogs, so why judge those who have? Commenting to say you don't want to let your dogs off leash or train a reliable recall is fine, but posting just to put down those who have achieved a reliable recall is completely unnecessary IMO.

[Bec]

I am sick to death of this subject popping up every month or so.

Then why get involved if it irritates you so much?

[raindog]

Then why get involved if it irritates you so much?

 

Because explaining to new owners about the impossibility of 100% reliable recall in northern breeds may just save a dog's life!

Most of my sibes have a very good recall - we train them all from baby puppies - but I would still never let them offlead in an unenclosed area because I will not put them (or motorists, or animals they might regard as prey) at risk.

[Bec]

Because explaining to new owners about the impossibility of 100% reliable recall in northern breeds may just save a dog's life!

Most of my sibes have a very good recall - we train them all from baby puppies - but I would still never let them offlead in an unenclosed area because I will not put them (or motorists, or animals they might regard as prey) at risk.

And that's fair enough, as I said it is a personal choice when or if and where you let your dogs off leash.

[Keeonah]

 I have just sat here writing out reasons and then deleting them again and re writing the post and yet again deleting, to try to explain the facts of not letting your husky off the lead. I have now decided not to bother. In my opinion there are those that will accept help and listen and there are those that "know better" and won't. Unfortunately for those that won't listen there is only one loser. The Husky that has been allowed off the lead.

 

Gary.

[Mia-Blue]

I have just sat here writing out reasons and then deleting them again and re writing the post and yet again deleting, to try to explain the facts of not letting your husky off the lead. I have now decided not to bother. In my opinion there those that will accept help and listen and there are those that "know better" and won't. Unfortunately for those that won't listen there is only one loser. The Husky that has been allowed off the lead.

Gary.

Spot on

[Povodny]

I don't understand why people have said they're tired or irritated at this subject returning time and again. Surely we're all aware that there are new members every day. Which in turn means the same questions will be asked over and over and over. As long as there are new members/ husky owners the same questions will arise. If a new member asks a perfectly reasonable question and is greeted by an irritated answer they are unlikely to return and ask more questions.

Perhaps its best as has been suggested. If the subject is frustrating or irritating, don't become involved

[basketcase687]

I don't understand why people have said they're tired or irritated at this subject returning time and again. Surely we're all aware that there are new members every day. Which in turn means the same questions will be asked over and over and over. As long as there are new members/ husky owners the same questions will arise. If a new member asks a perfectly reasonable question and is greeted by an irritated answer they are unlikely to return and ask more questions.

Perhaps its best as has been suggested. If the subject is frustrating or irritating, don't become involved

Completely agree with you Nicola

As a forum we should always give advice on whatever subject that arises.

That way the individual or new member can act upon it in the best way they think appropriate,having been given that information.

All opinions should be respected and valued,and the same must be said for each and every member too.

Karen

[Chula]

I hope those of you who let your dogs off lead are respectful both of the law and of people around you. I cannot stand to see people with their dogs off lead in areas where it very clearly states dogs MUST be on lead at all times. Your dog may be an exception, but you are not. Your dog having reliable recall doesn't give you the right to disregard the rules or other people's feelings of safety.

[basketcase687]

I hope those of you who let your dogs off lead are respectful both of the law and of people around you. I cannot stand to see people with their dogs off lead in areas where it very clearly states dogs MUST be on lead at all times. Your dog may be an exception, but you are not. Your dog having reliable recall doesn't give you the right to disregard the rules or other people's feelings of safety.

Absolutely agree

In our case where we take our dogs there are no rules to keep them on leads

That's why we take them there!!!

[Miahowlingprincess]

hmm i let mia off in the playing fields near me she has allways come back but it does worry me a lil cos i can see the debate in her .i would love it if she could run around with other dogs an play.i hope ican keep this up but not sure , i have seen the occasional husky off lead and hope mia will be the same ,im thinkin maby obediance classes but could be embarresin wen she runs a mock an causes the other dogs to missbehave lol plus i think she will howl the place down gona be a tricky one i think

[Marc]

Hi guys. There has been both offlead and ecollars mentioned in this topic. We all know that these topics tend to go down like a ton of lead, so please ensure replies are civil. If you cannot be then please do not reply.

 

I will confess to not having read all the way through this as of yet, however one thing I will bring up that is correct is what Nicola already said above. These topics do get brought up over and over again. If you think they are annoying to some of you, thing how us staff find it who have to keep our eye on them. However there are new members constantly.

 

Although the general concensus is that a husky should not be let offlead unless in a secure environment it is important for new members to see these conversations, see the dissagreements, see people who have had problems and who have not. This way they can form their own opinion of what they do with their own. We are not and never will be a site where people should be do "YOU DO XYZ WITH YOUR DOG". Its a place where people can chat between themselves and share each others experiences. This way everyone learns. 

 

Personally? Im dead against letting any dog offlead unless its in a secure area, let alone huskies. People have dogs that they know can be a problem, maybe they are in process of training them, new rehomes etc. They may be agressive. They can be on a lead as much as they like and if they get another dog running up to them which is not on a lead it could cause serious harm to both of them, and that is the fault of the person with the offlead dog regardless of whether the one onlead is the aggressor.