So, you were sitting on the couch and watching TV when, out of nowhere, your Husky sat on you.
Not surprising, though, because it’s not the first time it happened.
“Why do they do this?”
“Is there something wrong with them?”
Continue reading to discover:
- 5 surprising reasons why your Husky sits on you.
- Why you need to put a stop to this puzzling behavior.
- 5 simple ways to stop your Husky from sitting on you.
- The one mistake you made that let your Husky behave this way.
- And much much more…
Table of contents
Why does my Husky sit on me?
Your Husky sits on you to show affection, seek attention, provide comfort, or to get something from you. It can also be because they want to spread their scent on you so other dogs know you theirs or because you are in their spot and want you out of it. But it can also be due to separation anxiety.
5 reasons why your Husky sits on you
#1: Showing affection
Now, this is one reason for your Husky’s behavior that you will have no qualms over.
Who wouldn’t like a show of affection from their favorite dog? Just until you feel the strain from the weight of your big ol’ pooch, that is. Plus, having dog hair all over your clothes.
And when your Husky gets used to it and does it all the time, it can get really problematic.
However, dogs like the physical contact they get when they sit on you. This is especially true when you are out the whole day.
When you get home, sitting on top of you will give your yearning pooch a chance to spend time with you.
It’s an opportunity for them to get cuddles from you, too.
#2: Attention-seeking behavior
After going on a run around the block or a walk in the park with your Husky, you head home to rest. But then your pooch still seems restless and tries to sit on you.
Is your walk not enough? Do they still need to run outside?
One reason why your Husky sits on you is because they want to get your attention. They might be trying to tell you that they still have too much energy left and that they need to spend it outside.
But you have already spent an hour or so walking and running.
Unfortunately, an hour is not enough for your Husky.
Here’s why:
The Chukchi Eskimos bred the ancient Huskies as sled dogs. This dog breed has great endurance and is the only type that can alter their metabolism.
According to VCA Hospitals, in 1925, Huskies raced 340 miles in six days to deliver Diphtheria medicine to Nome in Alaska. This is when the famous Balto and his team gained their fame.
And if the Husky breed can run such long distances, the exercise you’re giving them is surely not enough.
Note: Plus, a male Husky can weigh an average of 40-60 pounds (around 18-27 kg). Imagine carrying this weight when your doggo tries to sit on you.
#3: Separation anxiety
Have you ever felt anxious when you get separated from a loved one?
Being away from your significant other or a close family member can be stressful.
But when this happens, you have your ways of coping with it. You can read books, take anti-anxiety medications, do yoga, and more to calm yourself.
Similarly, stress and anxiety also occur in dogs. And one reason why it happens is when they get separated from their owners.
One study identified 4 main forms of distress for dogs when separated from their owners.
These are:
- Boredom.
- Wanting to get to something outside.
- Reacting to external noises or events.
- Getting away from something in the house.
Without you around, your Husky can get stressed because of the above reasons. However, they can’t benefit from your coping techniques the way you do.
They have their own ways.
Try to observe when your Husky suddenly sits on you. It can be a sign of separation anxiety. It might be their way of telling you they don’t want you to leave.
The ASPCA lists the common symptoms of separation anxiety in dogs:
- Pacing.
- Escaping.
- Barking and Howling.
- Urinating and Defecating.
- Coprophagia or poop-eating.
- Chewing, Digging and Destruction.
#4: He wants something and you give it to him
If whining or barking does not get a reaction from you, your Husky will definitely get something when they sit on you.
With all of their weight on your body, you are bound to move, for sure. And this is their way of getting what they want.
Whether it’s food or a treat that they want, you would want to oblige quickly just to get them off you.
However, this is the one thing you are doing which is not recommended. Your dog might associate the act with rewards and will try to do it whenever they can.
#5: Scent-spreading
It is common for dogs to spread their scent on their territory. This is called marking and is their way of saying “this is mine!”.
They do it by leaving small amounts of urine in certain places.
Thankfully, it is uncommon for dogs to pee on their owners to mark them. Or else, you would be reeking of pungent dog urine all the time.
Instead of pissing on you, though, your Husky can spread his scent by sitting or laying down on top of you. Doing so will leave traces of a pheromone that can be found in his urine, poop, skin and fur.
Other dogs can pick up this scent and pheromone. And they will know you are off limits.
Note: If other dogs can smell your dog on you, your fur buddy will also know if you have been around other dogs. Not just that, he will know whether that dog is male or female and more specifics.
#6: You took over your Husky’s favorite spot
Sometimes, the reason for your Husky’s strange behavior is not that complicated.
In the case of sitting down on you, your doggo may be trying to push you away because you took over his favorite spot.
You may be slumped on the couch where your Husky likes to snuggle down. Or your feet may be on his usual place on the floor.
And so, in order to get you to move, your sneaky Husky will simply sit down on you.
#7: Providing comfort
It’s not just about how your dog feels.
It can also be about you.
As research revealed, dogs have shown empathy for humans. They are known to assess how humans feel.
And from the results of the study, dogs are more likely to come towards people who cry and focus on them.
This can be the reason why your Husky sits on you. They are trying to comfort or cheer you up when you feel down.
5 tips on how to stop your Husky from sitting on you
#1: Meet your Husky’s attention and exercise needs
Huskies are originally bred by Northeast Asia’s Chukchi Eskimos to pull sleds and run. Thus, they have a lot of energy and require more exercise.
The Kennel Club recommends giving your Husky more than 2 hours of exercise per day.
This amount of exercise makes them the perfect jogging partner, or even a workout buddy.
Here are some activities you can do that are fun for both you and your Husky:
- Hiking or camping.
- Walking or running.
- Teaching new tricks.
- Agility or obedience training.
- Pushing and pulling weights.
A Husky puppy, on the other hand, is a different case. It can be hard figuring out how much exercise your fur baby needs. Thus, you need to consult a veterinarian and develop your pupper’s exercise routine.
But these fun games can be enough to keep your little furball’s energy levels contained:
- Fetch.
- Digging.
- Tug of war.
- Chew toys.
- Hide and seek.
- Going on walks.
Note: Huskies love to dig. Make sure you provide a digging area in the backyard or they can destroy your garden in a few hours.
#2: Identify stress issues and help your Husky cope
You might have noticed that your Husky is destructive when you leave him alone at home. Or he may even try to escape.
This kind of behavior indicates that your dog needs to be house trained.
If not that, there may be deeper issues involved. One of these can be stress and anxiety.
Notice when you prepare to leave and your Husky sits on you. Be aware then that they might be suffering from separation anxiety, especially when you also note other signs like coprophagia.
This is triggered when you, their fur parent, leaves them alone.
And the best way to address this behavior is by identifying it promptly. Once identified, you need to develop techniques that will help your four-legged friend deal with the stressor.
Here is what ASPCA recommends when your pet has separation anxiety:
Counterconditioning
This refers to turning something negative into something pleasant or relaxed. For example, giving your Husky a treat or a toy before you leave.
Desensitization
This is the technique of gradually letting your dog feel more comfortable on being left alone.
Crate Training
Teaching your dog that the crate, or a room with a baby gate, is their safe place will make them feel more relaxed when left alone.
Mental and physical stimulation
Giving your dog lots of things to do and making them busy will tire them out before you leave. Thus, they won’t have to think of you leaving them.
However, these treatment options can be complex. You need to be very careful, especially if your Husky is suffering from severe separation anxiety.
In such cases, consulting a vet is the best thing to do.
Warning: Proper treatment of separation anxiety is crucial. If management is done properly, it can become the stressor and worsen your dog’s condition.
#3: Curb your Husky’s undesirable behavior through positive reinforcement
When your big boy tries to sit on you and wants to get a reaction or something else, don’t easily give in. Or else, he will associate the act with getting rewards.
What you can do, instead, is to correct the unwanted behavior by using positive reinforcement.
Why? Because reward-based training is the best according to researchers.
A study found out the following:
- Dogs trained using punishment are no more obedient than those trained by other means.
- The same dogs, who are punished, exhibited an increased number of potentially problematic behaviors.
- Reward-based methods are associated with a higher level of obedience and fewer problematic behaviors.
#4: Train your Husky to stop sitting on you
If you want your Husky to do their business outside, you need to train them how to do it.
This is the same when you want them to stop sitting on you.
Having your big baby’s weight all over you is tiring. And it can be troublesome in the long run.
This is why it needs to stop. And training your pooch early on is the perfect solution.
The AKC suggests teaching your puppy 5 basic commands as early as 8 weeks old.
These commands include teaching your dog to “come” when called, loose leash walking, “sit down”, “lay down”, and “stay.” When they know these instructions, it will be easy to keep them down when they try to sit on you.
Check this video out to know how to train your puppy the basic commands:
Note: Training needs to be based on positive reinforcement. When you use punishment, it causes dogs to become confused and unsure.
#5: Set boundaries and provide a different spot for your Husky
So, your Husky wants you out of their favorite spot on the couch. They sit on you to emphasize their intention.
Do you give in?
No. But you can ignore what your dog is doing.
Unfortunately, ignoring it won’t make the behavior go away.
So, instead of turning a blind eye on the behavior, be firm and set limits.
Say “no” when your furball tries to sit on you. You can leave the room every time they do it to show them that it is not okay.
Train them early on how to stay where you want them to stay and to get down when told.
You can also make a special spot for your best buddy complete with a comfy dog bed so they stay there. And give them a treat when they do.
Note: Your dog loves to position himself where you usually sit so they can get closer to your scent. Or they are seeking the warmth you left behind on the spot.