If you’ve ever lived with a Siberian Husky, you’ve probably already asked the question: how did you get out again? Known for their stunning looks and infamous independence, huskies aren’t just beautiful, they’re also brilliant, resourceful, and built to run. Combine that with a low boredom threshold and a long genetic history of traversing icy terrain, and you’ve got yourself a canine Houdini.
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Content:
- Do Huskies Like to Escape
- Why Do Huskies Like to Escape
- How to Prevent Huskies From Escaping
- Conclusion
Do Huskies Like to Escape
Not exactly. Huskies don’t break out because they dislike you or your backyard. The truth is that they escape because they’re wired for it.
Originally bred as sled dogs in Arctic regions, huskies were selected for their endurance, pack cooperation, and ability to travel vast distances efficiently. The term husky itself comes from “esky,” a slang word for Eskimo, referring to the indigenous peoples who first developed sled dog teams.
These dogs (along with other breeds like Alaskan Malamutes and Samoyeds) were designed to cover miles daily in harsh, unforgiving conditions. So, running is what they were born to do.
That sled dog brain doesn’t switch off just because your backyard has a fence. Huskies have low obedience intelligence (they don’t always follow commands), but they’re off-the-charts in instinctive intelligence (what they’re genetically programmed to do) and adaptive intelligence (how they learn and problem-solve from experience).
In other words: they don’t care what you say, but they do know how to outsmart you and they have a strong instinct to do what they were originally bred to do, which is run for miles.
If you’re currently dealing with one of these polar-bred masterminds, a GPS tracker like Petcube’s GPS Tracker might just save your sanity if they do escape. The geo-fencing feature makes sure you can get alert if they do escape and track their whereabout before they get lost.
Why Do Huskies Like to Escape
There are several reasons that Huskies like to escape. None of them are bad. It’s just got to do with their genetics.
Instinct
Huskies were bred to roam in packs, so they’re hardwired to travel, often far and fast. If they’re stuck in a small area, their instinct to travel kicks in and they look for ways to satisfy this need.
Problem Solving
Dr. Stanley Coren, canine psychologist and author of The Intelligence of Dogs, writes that:
“Working dogs who are good problem solvers include the malamutes, Siberian huskies, and Samoyeds.”
This falls under their high adaptive intelligence and it means your latch, your gate, your 6ft fence is just a challenge or problem for them to solve, not a barrier.
Boredom
Huskies are high-energy, mentally engaged dogs. Without enough stimulation, they’ll find something to do and that something usually involves disappearing.
Social Drive
Huskies are also pack animals with a very strong social drive. If they’re left alone too long, they’ll try to find company, human or otherwise.
Don’t believe it? Here's one husky owner’s take from Reddit:
“Ellie has tunneled under the chain link on one side to play with the neighbor dog.
I’ve seen her climb up the Crepe Myrtle tree to spy on the neighbors behind us.
She does the KILROY WAS HERE thing on the wooden fence to keep track of those neighbors.
She also took herself on an extended walk in the pouring rain once. And once crossed 7 lanes of traffic to go see Jesus across the street at the Catholic Church.”
How to Prevent Huskies From Escaping
The best way to stop a Siberian Husky from escaping by managing their environment and meeting their needs.
1. Give Them a Job
Huskies need long-distance, purpose-driven activity. Daily walks won’t cut it. Think:
- Cani-cross
- Bikejoring
- Hiking
- Running
- Backpacking with weight
If you don’t satisfy that instinct to move, they’ll make their own plans.
2. Build Fort Knox
Standard fencing is a polite suggestion to a husky.
- Think about height. 8 feet isn’t excessive for some Huskies who can cheerfully clean
- Bury the fencing at least a foot underground to prevent tunneling underneath the fence.
- Consider concrete footers or chicken wire buried along the perimeter.
- Latches should be husky-proofed. Many learn how to open basic locks.
One redditor shared:
“Mine jumped a 6.5 then dug under the other gate. Had to put a 8ft fence piece behind the 6.5 to trap her if she did it again. And she did.”
3. Use a GPS Tracker
If you own a husky and don’t have a GPS tracker, it’s a matter of when, not if, you’ll need one. The Petcube Tracker offers live tracking, escape alerts, and health insights because knowing where your dog is could save their life.
4. Crate Smartly
While not a long-term fix, crate training can help when you need a secure option during travel or downtime. Just be sure the crate is escape-proof and your husky isn’t being left to stew in frustration.
Conclusion
Huskies aren’t trying to escape you. They’re trying to answer a biological call that was bred into their bones over generations of Arctic survival. But if you understand that Huskies have an inherent instinct to run along with a massive advantage when it comes to getting around problems (like your fence), then you can make sure they stay safe and get plenty of time to socialize and run off energy.