What are you views on off lead huskies? How much freedom do you give to your Husky or huskies? xx I believe in letting my two have as much freedom as possible within reason ofcourse xx

I don't let my huskies off leash EVER. It's not worth the risk for me as they both have fairly high prey drives.

In general, huskies are not off leash dogs. They will run, explore and investigate everything. With their stamina and because of their independence (not feeling the need to be at his human's side all the time), they will more often run so far that they won't know where they are anymore, don't have the energy to make it home, or get hit by a car, etc.

That's not to say that I haven't been tempted. I let Koda off leash once and only once. He just took off into the woods, not listening to my calls for anything. He finally (about 3-5 mins later that felt like an eternity) came sauntering back and I dive-tackled him to the ground. Not worth the anxiety or the panic in my mind.

Hailey is another story. She happens to have EXTREMELY good recall for a husky. She's also an escape artist and manages to unclip herself from her lead. Both times she has gotten off leash in the yard, she dove right into the pond. However, the moment I came outside and called her back she came RIGHT back to me. That doesn't mean that I let her off leash though, and we intend to get a new lead with a better clip.

I've heard many stories about how "my husky's different" or "I've trained mine real well" but I've also heard those people tell me their sob story about their off leash husky getting hit by a car or tangling themselves up in a barbed wire fence going after a dear. For example, in my old town, Koda had a "twin" named Sasha who was "an off-leash husky." We were walking Koda one day and Sasha was out with her owners. The moment she saw Koda, she bolted into the middle of the main street to run and greet him. Nearly got hit by three cars and her owners almost died trying to get her back. Sasha has extremely good recall and almost never has a leash on. Worth it? Not in my opinion.

Shuras got off the lead a few times in our cul - de - sak and has mostly come apart from the one time i tackled her. We are in an enclosed area, the other day and yesterday we hooked her up to our lab and let her walk about both times she stayed by my side unless i said otherwise. We wont be doing it oftern just every now and then. when its quite. xx

It has taken me years to get to the point that I can hike with my dogs off lead. That's only in the mountains. Around town or around the house the Husky is always on leash. The Malamutes are real mellow, so they get to hang out in the front yard or go sans leash in the field near us. I can see it in Ridik's eyes, I can NEVER trust him.

Shurabunax wrote:

Shuras got off the lead a few times in our cul - de - sak and has mostly come apart from the one time i tackled her. We are in an enclosed area, the other day and yesterday we hooked her up to our lab and let her walk about both times she stayed by my side unless i said otherwise. We wont be doing it oftern just every now and then. when its quite. xx

She's a year old right? You haven't hit her rebellious stage yet. She's just entering her teenage years. As puppies, most dogs are good off leash as they are too timid to leave their owner's side. It's not a guarantee, but I would bet money that in the next year, you'll notice a change in her. She'll push your limits, see what she can get away with, and start exploring more on her own without you.

About 6 months to two years is when most people surrender their huskies. There's a reason they're the most commonly surrendered dog in the US. I'm not saying this to scare you, because I can tell you already love her and will do right by her no matter what. I just think it's VERY important not to let your dog lure you into a false sense of security. If you think dogs aren't that smart, huskies are All it takes is that one time, and I think other members would back me up on that. Huskies are quite good at making you feel confident enough to give in to them... then when you do, 90% of the time you wish you hadn't.

For the record too... I've had off leash dogs before. Certain breeds are made for it. Huskies just aren't one of them IMO.

Judging by the fact that you had to think about it enough to start a thread regarding huskies being off leash I know that deep down inside you think it's a bad idea too. You don't see these threads on Border Collie forums or other dog forums because it is well known that huskies can't be trusted of leash.

You even admitted it yourself when you said that you "won't be doing it often, just every now and then". If you truly thought it was safe than why wouldn't you do it all the time? You're taking a cautious approach because you know that the dog can't be trusted. You've answered your own question.

I gess in away i have i just wanted to get other peoples opions. xx she is doing well but i dont trust her enough to do all the time as you said. xx

Yeah. If you don't trust her enough to do it all the time than you shouldn't trust her to do it at all. It just takes one instance where she sees something out of the corner of her eye and runs away, next thing you know you're getting a call from some stranger that your dog got hit on the road. If you wanted an off lead dog you picked the wrong breed.

its why i put her with lola as she is great i dont always want her off its just at the front when we have bbqs and stuff xx

Nope, won't do it. No way.....

they are leashed AT ALL TIMES except the one time Jack let him self out the front door that i did not close all the way! he came back after a few calls thank god! sierra was still in the living room chewing on a bone. I do not trust them at all.