Huskies are friendly and good-natured dogs known to be sled dogs that have lots of energy and stamina.
Because of their beauty and personality, people are usually attracted to buy or adopt them. But unaware of some of their particular traits, Huskies are often abandoned.
So, are Huskies good apartment dogs?
Due to their high energy and need for a lot of physical activity, Huskies are not usually the ideal dogs to live in an apartment. But if they are provided with enough exercise and are properly trained, Huskies can adapt very well to apartment life.
Living with a Husky in an apartment can be a real challenge and requires a lot of effort and dedication.
You have to know more about what it means to live with a Husky in an apartment to have a clearer idea of what it means.
Our guide will review the main questions you had in mind and will help you the pros and cons of having a Husky for your apartment!
Table of Contents
What You Should Know About Living with a Siberian Husky
Huskies are working dogs which implies that it is a breed that needs and enjoys having a lot of physical activity and a job to do.
They are intelligent dogs with a friendly and gentle personality. They make excellent companions as long as your needs are fully understood and can be fully covered.
Are Huskies Good Family Dogs?
Huskies are excellent family pets. They are very loving and affectionate dogs with a friendly and good-natured personality.
They are dogs that tend to get along with almost everyone. They are highly affectionate towards his family, including children.
Although they are usually somewhat independent, they are pack animals that love to be in the company of their people.
But Huskies are dogs that need a lot of time and attention. They are dogs that need to be trained well and need a lot of exercise to be a well behaved and obedient dog.
Huskies are better suited to active families who enjoy spending a lot of time having outdoor activities.
They also need a family that can spend time with him regularly and that doesn’t have to be left alone for long periods constantly.
Do Huskies Need a Lot of Exercise?
Huskies are extremely active high energy dogs that need a lot of exercise. It’s a dod that was bred to run long distances and to pull sleighs.
The amount of exercise a dog needs can vary greatly from dog to dog. There are Huskies that with one hour of exercise a day are more than satisfied.
But the most recommended for a Husky is to have at least two hours of exercise a day, although there may be dogs that need more.
Some of the signs that can tell you that a Husky needs more exercise are:
- If a Husky tries to escape, it may be a sign that he is not getting enough exercise and is looking for ways to get that extra energy out.
- Destructive behaviors like chewing or digging are common in Huskies who don’t have enough exercise.
- If a Husky is constantly demanding more attention, it may be a sign that he needs more exercise. When he follows you everywhere, he brings his toys to you, or he barks at you to demand that you do something with him, your dog needs more than attention.
They are dogs that love outdoor activities, which can seem counterintuitive when living in an apartment.
But in reality, having a large backyard does not ensure that a Husky has the physical activity he needs. His owner must make sure to provide it.
Do Huskies Need Grooming?
Huskies have a medium double coat which means they shed a lot. They tend to shed throughout the year and once or twice a year will shed their entire undercoat.
But despite this, Huskies are quite easy to groom compared to other double-coat dog breeds.
To keep shedding under control it’s necessary to brush him at least once a week. In hot seasons, when he will shed a lot more, it will be necessary to brush him daily.
It’s almost not necessary to bathe a Husky as they are very clean dogs with almost no odor. You only need to bathe them when they get dirty.
In addition to this, you only have to trim their nails every couple of weeks in case they don’t wear them naturally. You should also brush their teeth regularly to prevent mouth disease and bad breath.
Are Huskies Hard to Train?
Huskies are intelligent dogs but are known to be difficult to train. They are stubborn and independent dogs with a clear awareness of pack hierarchy. They will only listen to the pack leader.
To facilitate the training process it is important to start at an early age and to be consistent and patient.
It is important to prove to a Husky from the start that you are the leader of the pack. This helps prevent many behavioral problems and is essential for training a Husky.
To establish yourself as the leader it is necessary:
- You have to be consistent with the rules from the beginning. There can be no exceptions or they will be seen as a weakness.
- Don’t treat your Husky as an equal. You have to be the leader all the time and you establish the hierarchical relationship clearly.
- Show yourself confident and sure of yourself in front of your dog. If you are insecure, your Husky may perceive it as a weakness in leadership and take advantage of it
To train a Husky, it’s very effective and recommended to use the positive reinforcement training method. This consists of reinforcing only the desired behaviors with treats and praise and redirecting the bad behavior to a good one.
This training system is very effective with Huskies and prevents them from becoming fearful or aggressive.
A good way to start is by enrolling your dog in professional obedience classes.
This allows you and your dog to have solid foundations from the start. It also allows you to have the basic knowledge to continue the training on your own later.
Are Huskies Easy to Potty Train?
Although in general, they are difficult dogs to train, Huskies are very clean dogs which make apartment potty training relatively easy.
When living in an apartment it is necessary to teach your dog to go to the bathroom outside.
For this, the following steps must be followed:
- You have to define a potty area that is close to the apartment and preferably a grass surface.
- You have to take him to the regularly defined place for him to pee and poop. Puppies cannot hold their bladder for long. So at first, you have to take your dog out every hour, but as he grows up, gradually there will be fewer trips.
- Every time your dog successfully goes to the toilet in the desired place, praise him, and give him treats.
- If you find him at the moment doing the bathroom inside the apartment, immediately take him out to the chosen area so that he finishes doing it. Praise him and give him some treats when he’s done.
- If you find an accident inside the apartment, don’t punish it. Just clean the area well with an enzymatic cleaner so that no trace of odor remains.
To successfully housetrain a Husky, you have to be consistent and patient from the start.
In less time than you expect, your Husky will be asking you to go out to the bathroom.
Do Huskies Bark a Lot?
Huskies are dogs that don’t bark much. Barking is a common territorial behavior and Huskies are distinguished for being a non-territorial breed.
This is one of the reasons why they are not good guard dogs and why they are very unlikely to bark at strangers.
Some of the reasons why a Husky barks are:
- To communicate that they want to play, either to their owner or to another dog.
- To let you know they want something like going outside to the bathroom.
- To release his extra energy due to lack of exercise.
- As a result of the anxiety of being left alone for long periods.
- When they are afraid, barking is a way of trying to push away what they consider a threat.
But although they are generally quiet dogs and rarely bark, Huskies tend to howl quite a bit.
The main reasons why Huskies howl are:
- To communicate with other dogs. Generally in response to the howling of other dogs.
- As a result of boredom.
- In response to sounds that have a howling-like frequency such as sirens.
Can Huskies Be Left Alone?
Huskies should not be left alone for long periods or very often. They are pack animals that need interaction with other dogs and their people.
Huskies are more likely to develop separation anxiety than other dog breeds when left alone for too long.
This usually manifests as symptoms of distress when left alone such as destructive behavior, excessive barking, or attempts to escape.
When they are puppies it’s not advisable to leave them alone since they are hardly adapting to their new home.
You have to try to gradually teach them to be alone for longer periods, but always be aware of how your dog responds.
Generally, an adult Husky is not recommended to be left alone for more than six hours. Although this can vary greatly from one dog to another.
If you are considering having a dog and you are going to have to leave it alone at home frequently and for long periods. Huskies are not a good choice.
Is a Husky a Good Apartment Dog?
Although not the perfect apartment dog, a Husky can adapt very well to apartment life as long as he has enough exercise daily and is properly trained.
Some of the characteristics of Huskies that make them good apartment dogs are:
- Huskies are good nature dogs with a friendly and gentle personality.
- Huskies don’t need a lot of space to live.
- Huskies are dogs that rarely bark.
- Huskies are easy to potty train.
- Huskies are easy to groom.
- Huskies are excellent family dogs that get along with everyone, including children.
Tips for Raising a Husky in an Apartment
Check the Dog Breeds Restrictions of Your Apartment
Some apartment buildings have dog breed restrictions. This means that some dog breeds are prohibited as they are considered noisy, unmanageable, or dangerous.
There are also often restrictions on the size, weight, and age of dogs that are allowed in an apartment.
In some apartments they usually allow dogs, but they will require pet insurance to cover damage to the property.
Unfortunately, Huskies are one of the most common dog breeds banned from apartments.
Therefore, it is necessary to check with the landlord or the manager of the apartment building what are the rules and restrictions related to dogs.
Exercise Is a Must
Huskies are extremely active and high energy dogs. Exercise is very important for them to grow physically and mentally healthy.
Lack of sufficient exercise can lead to a Husky exhibiting destructive behavior and being prone to escape.
Being a dog breed bred for cold climates it is necessary to take precautions when exercising a Husky in hot climates.
It’s recommended that a Husky have a minimum of two hours of exercise daily and preferably high energy.
Some ways to provide a Husky with exercise are:
A Daily Walking Routine
Daily walks are essential for all dogs. Not only do they provide the physical activity necessary to release your high energy, but they also provide mental stimulation through the various smells, sights, and sounds of the environment.
A gentle walk around the neighborhood is not enough for a Husky
It is necessary to establish a daily walking schedule for a Husky. These can be a couple of walks of 45 to 60 minutes each, preferably one early in the morning and one in the afternoon when the weather is cooler.
To help your dog burn more energy, you can add more effort and resistance to the walk, you can use a dog backpack.
Take Him Out for a Run or a Bike Ride
Some Huskies never seem to get tired and enjoy high energy activities. They are dogs that have a lot of stamina and were bred to run long distances.
This makes Huskies excellent companions for running and bike rides. Also a Husky will be delighted to go on a hiking trip.
You just have to be careful not to over-exercise them in hot climates, and to gradually increase the distances and intensity of the activities to prevent them from getting hurt.
Take Him to the Dog Park Regularly
There is no better exercise than being able to run and play freely.
When you don’t have a backyard, dog parks are a great place where your dog can run around freely and play with other dogs.
You just have to verify that it is a safe dog park and where there are responsible dog owners who are aware of their dogs.
Provide Mental Stimulation
Huskies are very intelligent dogs, so mental stimulation is just as important as physical activity.
Some ways to provide your dog with mental stimulation are:
Let Your Dog Explore His Environment
Dogs discover and explore the world through smells, sights, and sounds.
Allowing your Husky to explore and discover her surroundings through her senses is a great way to stimulate his mind.
Daily walks are a great opportunity to allow your dog to explore the environment. On a walk, you have to balance physical activity with mental stimulation.
A dog that is given time to explore the environment in addition to physical exercise, will end up much more tired and calm than one that only has physical activity.
Puzzle Toys
Some interactive dog toys aim to challenge the minds of dogs through problem-solving games.
Interactive and puzzle toys are great for keeping a dog focused and engaged for a long time.
Provide Consistent and Regular Training
Obedience training is the best way to keep your Husky mentally stimulated. In addition to mental stimulation, training allows for a more obedient, well-behaved, and well-balanced dog.
From my experience, it is helpful to start by enrolling your dog in professional obedience classes as soon as possible.
The obedience classes allow you and your dog to start with solid foundations and gives you the tools so that you can continue training your dog on your own.
Seek Help If You Need to Leave Your Dog Home Alone
Huskies don’t handle being left home alone well.
There will always be times when you have to leave your Husky alone at home. In these cases, there are some things that you can do to help your dog to manage better the time he spends alone.
- Take your dog for a long walk just before leaving him alone and immediately after returning. A tired dog tends to be calmer, rest, and sleep during the time that he is away.
- Leave him some chewing and puzzle toys to keep him busy and to direct his attention instead of your furniture.
Whenever possible, it is also always good to seek some help for the welfare of your dog.
1. Doggie Daycare
If you are going to be away from home for a long period, Dog Daycares are a good alternative instead of leaving your dog alone at home.
Doggie Daycares allow your dog to spend the time playing with other dogs instead of being home alone.
This has the advantages that it keeps your dog active while giving him a space to socialize with other dogs and people.
2. Dog Walkers
There are professional services of dog walkers that can come to your apartment to take your dog for a walk in the middle of the day.
This reduces the time your dog is alone, in addition to providing more exercise for your Husky.
Final Thoughts
Huskies are amazing dogs with a great personality.
But it’s a breed that is not so easy to care for since living with them in an apartment has its challenges.
They need responsible owners, who know their Husky and their needs well and are fully committed to doing whatever it takes to provide a Husky a happy and healthy life.
