Being left alone is something no dog wants to experience, and they will most likely let their owners know about it. Just like any other dog, Huskies may whine, bark excessively, and even damage furniture when left alone.
In this article, we will discuss the answer to the question “Do Huskies have separation anxiety?” and provide some tips to help minimize this problem.
Do Huskies have separation anxiety?
Most dogs suffer from separation anxiety when left alone or when going through even the slightest change in their daily routine. Huskies are no exception to this.
Generally, Huskies are friendly and outgoing dogs who naturally gravitate towards other dogs and humans. While at times they might be too aggressive towards smaller breeds, they would still prefer to spend time with other dogs than by themselves.
When left alone, they can leave quite a mess in their wake. From plants to furniture to literally anything that can be picked up – name it, and there’s a chance that a Husky will want to chew it.
If this scenario sounds familiar, you may be dealing with a Husky who has separation anxiety.
Signs that your Huskies have separation anxiety
Separation Anxiety is a term used to refer to actions exhibited by dogs who, when left alone, show maladaptive behaviors like the ones listed below.
As a pet parent, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with these behaviors and body language. Knowing them will help you understand your Husky better and learn what triggers their separation anxiety. It will also help you determine the best ways to reduce it.
Some of the common symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs include:
- Pacing, whining, or following their owners around the house when they notice that you’re preparing to leave
- Excessive barking or howling
- Refusal to eat or drink
- Panting or drooling excessively
- Accidents from an otherwise well-trained Husky
- Destructive behavior such as chewing, biting, clawing, and digging anywhere in the house
- In extreme cases, Huskies may attempt to escape from the house by breaking through windows or chewing through doors. Damaged doors and windows are not rare either when you’ve got a particularly anxious Husky
Seeing just one or two of these symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean your Husky has separation anxiety. For instance, poor or inadequate training can be the cause for some of these symptoms. A puppy that has not been properly potty trained may have some bathroom accidents in his first few months. Also, there are plenty of reasons for a dog’s refusal to eat, some of which should be checked out by a veterinarian.
However, if many of these signs are exhibited by your Husky on a regular basis, particularly whenever they’re left alone, they might be suffering from separation anxiety.
6 ways to minimize separation anxiety in Huskies
1. Change your pre-leaving habits
Your pre-leaving habits say everything your Husky needs to know before you leave. You may not notice it, but there are things that you do before leaving that your dog definitely sees. These actions alert them that you’re about to go, building up their anxiety in the process.
For instance, habits such as grabbing keys off a key hook, taking your hat from the stand, slipping into your sandals, and even saying, “See you later, baby!” are signs that your dog is about to spend the next few hours by themself. Again, this makes them become anxious to the point that they may even try to stop you from leaving completely.
Try to switch up your habits every now and then to throw your Husky off. Also, train them to stop getting so worried by leaving and going back after a few minutes. This lets them know that you’re still going to return. You can start by minute, then five, then 10, and so on.
2. Stay calm when leaving and arriving
Huskies are very good at sensing what you’re feeling. If you’re always stressed and in a hurry before you leave your house, your dog will pick it up and feel stressed and rushed themself. This can worsen their separation anxiety.
When arriving, a calm acknowledgment should also be enough. Acting too excited when you get home will make your dog look forward to it too much, which can also make their anxiety worse.
3. Provide a comfortable spot
Huskies consider tight, enclosed spaces as a form of comfort and safety. You should provide them a comfortable spot where they can freely go whenever they need some alone time. It could be as simple as an open cage or enclosure that they can enter and exit anytime. Make the space feel homier by putting their favorite toys and blankets inside.
4. Encourage sensory familiarity
It’s common for Huskies to feel unsafe without their furparent-slash-pack-leader around. Avoid making them lonely by giving them an item with your scent, like a worn t-shirt or a used pillowcase.
5. Make a dog pen outside
You may want to distract your Husky using their outside environment. This is an effective way to keep them from becoming anxious when you leave. If you have a big enough yard, you can make a dog pen outside where they can run and play while you’re not around.
6. Exercise your dog before leaving
Tired dogs are less likely to panic and become anxious in your absence. If you know you’re about to leave, provide an hour’s worth of exercise for your Husky to tire him out. Make sure to allow him to settle down for at least 20 minutes before actually leaving.
Helping your Huskies with separation anxiety
Huskies can have separation anxiety, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be avoided or minimized.
In this article, we learned that:
- Huskies get separation anxiety
- Some signs of separation anxiety include excessive barking, refusal to eat and drink, and destructive behaviors
- You can try changing your pre-leaving habits, exercising your dog, and other tips to reduce separation anxiety in Huskies
Did you like this article? Make sure to check out our other articles at Husky Habits!