Does your Husky throw a fit whenever it’s time to get inside?
Does he cry out a loud “NO” while shaking his head every time?
And you’ve pulled up every old trick you know. But nothing seems to work?
Well, stop pulling your hair out.
This article will help you understand them better. And find a solution that works best for your situation!
Have faith in your dog and read more to discover:
- How much exercise does a Husky need every day.
- How to know whether your dog has developed unwanted habits.
- Things or past situations that could result in their great fear of the indoors.
- 8 effective tips to make your Husky come inside.
- And a lot more…
Table of contents
Why won’t my Husky come inside?
Your Husky won’t come inside because of either spending too little or too much time outside the house, having an indoor environment that is uncomfortable and with little positive reinforcements, or due to genetics, poor training, a change in the environment, and sometimes health problems.
7 reasons why your Husky won’t come inside
#1: Your Husky wants to play more outside
You had a short walk with your dog. Then you’re already exhausted and called it quits for the day. You think that your buddy feels the same way too.
But he refuses to go inside. And seems to be full of energy even after that stroll.
Why is that so? It’s because that isn’t enough for these big energetic guys.
Huskies are very active and adventurous by nature. So they need lots of exercises to release all their energy. And when I said energy, I meant HEAPS of energy!
They are fast and could run for hours without getting tired!
Reading tip: Why do Huskies run away?
#2: Your Husky spent too much time outside
I know that I said your dog might need more playtime outside. But what if it’s the other way around?
Dogs form habits like us, humans. Your Husky might have spent most of their days in the yard. And that resulted in developing a routine. Like chasing livestock and cats, digging holes, and chewing things.
And it’s not easy to break a habit, but it doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
We’ll get to that topic later. So keep on reading!
#3: It’s not fun inside
“Let’s go somewhere else fun!”, your Husky says. While looking at the window, wanting to escape.
Huskies are very curious. Along with physical activities, they also need mental exercises. Which helps sharpen their minds.
Your dog might be thinking that it’s more fun out there. Because they get bored inside due to little mental stimulation.
One study points out that dogs in a rewarding environment are less likely to develop bad behaviors. It also improves their well-being.
#4: It’s hot and stressful inside
Oh, no. Your house might be too hot for them. Given that Huskies love the cold so much.
So don’t worry if they insist on staying outside and playing with the snow. You don’t want to cut out the fun, do you?
It can also be that your dog learned to associate getting inside with negative experiences. Such as taking baths or clipping of nails. Or it might have been the frequent scolding whenever they misbehave inside.
Also, there might be something else that stresses him out. They can be loud noises, children, or scents that dogs dislike.
#5: Selective hearing
“Hey, it’s in my genes!”, says your dog.
Huskies are clever, independent and stubborn by nature. And along with those qualities is a trait specific to their breed. And that is selective hearing.
It is the act of listening only to what you would like to hear. In their case, they only seem to listen if you’re talking about treats or doing fun things! And pretend they don’t hear anything if it’s something they dislike.
So definitely, getting inside is not on their list from the start. But it can be, once reinforced well.
Read also: 13 Reasons Why Your Husky Won’t Listen To You + 5 Tips
#6: Your dog has poor recall/training
Training breeds like them is not easy. As Huskies are independent in nature.
Your dog might have completely forgotten the cue for recall. Or the magic isn’t working with them anymore.
There can be a possible reason for this. They might remember getting punishment right after coming inside. Associating a bad experience with it. So now, they are either confused or scared whenever you are calling them.
#7: Your dog is adjusting to a new environment
It is only normal if you have adopted your dog from a shelter. Your dog is still adapting to its new surroundings. And needs to form a bond with you first.
He may have lived most of his life outdoors. And find it more comfortable to sleep outside. Instead of staying inside with you being still a stranger to him.
BONUS: Health reasons
Sometimes, a change in a dog’s behavior is a sign of a health problem.
Relax, I don’t want you to panic. Observe your Husky. Is he looking restless or being less energetic than usual?
If yes, have your dog checked by a veterinarian. They could tell you what the real problem is.
7 tips on how to get your Husky inside
#1: Get more physical
Huskies need more exercise than other dogs. Usually, they need at least 2 hours of exercise daily according to PDSA.
You should split it throughout the day. In that way, you do not overexert your dog and even yourself.
Getting your dog to exercise is beneficial to both of you. Why? It improves their health. And they get to release all their energy. Preventing them from misbehaving. That sounds like a great deal, right?
So, take them outside daily for long walks. Or you can also hire a dog walker if you’re not much of an active person.
Have you also considered running, hiking, and swimming? They are adventurous dogs so they would enjoy them very much.
Remember, a tired dog is a happy and contented one!
#2: Spend equal time indoors and outdoors
PetMD said it’s best for your dog to spend an equal amount of time indoors and outdoors.
Keeping your dog inside most of the time is not gonna work out as mentioned before. They love going on adventures, remember?
While doing the opposite is not good too. With regard to their safety and well-being.
Yes, a Husky can live outside. In fact, they can even endure harsh climates. But they are good escape artists that find ways to be free!
Also, did you know that they can’t last long without interacting with humans? They are sociable dogs. That’s why they are more likely to suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for days.
So, a perfect balance between the two is the best option to make your Husky happy.
#3: Provide a more fun and comfortable environment
Give your dog plenty of good reasons to stay inside. Make them feel safe and comfortable. By doing that, they wouldn’t think of getting outside every single minute.
There are many ways to solve this problem.
First, get their mind occupied from time to time. Teach them new tricks every month. Be consistent and do it on a regular basis. It will help their memory and retention.
Introduce interactive toys and fun games to them. It is ideal to play ones that could heighten their senses. There’s a thing called “nose game” in which your dog will guess where the treats are by sniffing.
Doing those things is like hitting two birds with a stone. You will have a healthy buddy and will develop a stronger bond with them too!
Second, make sure your house has the ideal room temperature for dogs – not more than 29.5°C (85°F).
Third, get rid of all the sounds or scents they hate if possible. There should also be a quiet place for him to retreat when needed.
#4: Recall the “recall”
Be mindful that every time your dog ignores the recall command, the more it loses its power.
You might have kept on saying it before, even if he is not coming to you. And that resulted in an irrelevant cue.
Here’s how to bring its magic back:
- While outside, stand a few steps from your dog.
- Show him some treats.
- Try to take a few steps back. Let him chase you a bit.
- Check your direction. Make sure that while you’re walking away from him, you’re walking towards the door.
- When he is still reluctant to come closer, say “come” with a higher tone (a lower one would not work – make it more exciting!)
- If it’s still not working, try getting a little bit closer to him.
- Then, if he comes closer, compliment him immediately by saying “good boy/girl!”
- If he finally gets to you, reward him. And say “come” once more.
Keep on doing this method and remember to use the recall command only when you’re sure he’ll come.
#5: Replace negative with positive
Replace all bad experiences with good ones. And your dog’s fear of coming inside would go away.
How? Do things they would not expect. Avoid doing the same actions you did before that may have caused this problem. Turn a usual boring activity into an exciting one.
For example, stop baiting your dog with treats then shutting the door right after they got in. Your dog will always be in panic every time you close a door or give him treats. And that’s not what you want – a dog that is always scared of you.
So keep the doors open while giving him treats. Sit next to him. Observe. Repeat until you see changes in his behavior. He would try to get closer inside. And you’re getting his trust back again. Reassure them that there’s nothing to fear.
#6: Be more patient
Training takes a lot of time and effort. And it’s even harder with Huskies.
They are stubborn by nature. Remember the previous tips and combine them with a great amount of patience.
Don’t ever try to put them back inside by chasing or grabbing their collar. It may be a quick solution at the time. But days will pass and your dog will hate it.
Things will only get harder and he will snap immediately right before you grab him.
#7: Make training fun!
Doing enjoyable activities is very important for Huskies as they are all about the F-U-N.
They seek adventure and would get bored pretty fast.
So first off, start asking yourself. Are you a worthy confident leader that could take on this big fluff ball? Why would they follow you if there’s a more fun option? – to run!
So, make him trust you first. Make your Husky feel safe. Make them realize that following you is the better option! How? Make training an exciting one.
Be more energetic than usual. Speak in a higher tone. Prepare more delicious treats. Keep up with your dog’s high energy and stamina. This would keep them motivated along the way.
Training should also be short to avoid them from zoning out.
It’s not gonna be easy. But it will all be worth it in the end.
BONUS: Seek an expert’s help
You should take your Husky to the veterinarian as soon as possible if they seem to be feeling under the weather. They might need immediate care.
If after that the behavioral problem still occurs, it’s best to ask for an expert’s help. A dog behaviorist will know better and assess the situation in no time.