Husky runs off

[TERRY VALENTINE]

I know, big news flash here...but this is actually only a recent problem.   We adopted a husky/malamute mix a year and a half ago (Sebastian, if you recall a post or two from back then), and in anticipation of escapes we had him microchipped, tagged his harness AND ordered a GPS tracker.  (We don't have a fenced in yard and don't want one, as our house is in the woods, 1800' from the road.)  However with daily walks and after being able explore the local landscape he became content simply hanging out in the driveway, within sight of the house.  After working through a few solutions for separation anxiety we realized that we could even leave him loose outside for a few hours while we went to church or ran errands, and he would be waiting on the patio for us when we returned.  In the winter he's even enjoyed staying outside all night in the cold.

Fast forward to about a month ago and he suddenly had a new playmate, a 5 month-old Aussie mix (whom I discuss in another post) who fills his need for doggie interaction and has helped with the separation anxiety.  Running away has not been a concern with her so we started letting both of them out to play together and generally hang out.  However a couple of weeks ago he discovered that now that he had a partner in crime, running off was fun once again.  We stopped letting them out loose together but now that he has the bug he's left the property alone almost every time we've let him outside.  Our walking schedule has been disrupted as I've been sick and was unable to take him (or even play with him) for several days, and as my husband doesn't have the time and Sebastian whines and practically climbs the walls we give in, let him out and wait for a text or call from one of the neighbors.  (I taught him early on to get out of the road when a car is approaching, and he does this now as a habit.)  After a few trips out to get him we started hiring dog walkers to help keep him exercised until I can take over again; but it seems the idea was solidified by then.  I'm starting to take them out again but even this morning after nearly an hour's walk (although I turned around to return home before he was ready) I let both of them loose in the driveway as per usual, but rather than go down to the creek for a drink and continue to the house he went into the woods and disappeared for several hours until I got a call once again.  

I'd like to think that he'll lose interest once we're back on our regular morning walks, but I believe this began before I got sick so I'm wondering if his days of being able to hang out loose in the driveway are at an end.  Is there a way for this not to be a self-rewarding behavior?  I actually wonder if he enjoys going to someone's house and waiting for one of us to give him a ride home in the car.  We've never managed to teach him recall so maybe it's time to revisit that, but I'm not sure this would entirely solve the issue.  I'd like to find other ways to engage his mind but he's not interested in games, just walks and more walks, and his motivation to learn new training even for food is limited.

[Adrienne Farricelli]

Your home sounds like an amazing place! And you really need to pat yourself on the back for being able to have Sebastian all this time stick nearby, even when you were heading outside! That's truly remarkable considering a Husky's reputation for escaping.

It seems like now you’ve got a classic case of canine wanderlust, fueled by the newfound companionship and a maybe a hint of cabin fever. It sure would be interesting knowing where he's going, to make him suddenly so drawn to wandering. Does your GPS tracker have an app that allows you to see his location in real time? I wonder if there is some neighbor who may be feeding him or giving him attention. But there are so many other things that may be rewarding such as chasing wildlife or just mere sniffing. 

Revisiting the recall may be helpful, but if he's left outside unattended, it will still be irresistible to escape, it's like Disney World to them out there and just plain walking/running is so reinforcing for this breed. 

This is a really tough situation, and we really want to keep the dog safe. You also don't want your Aussie mix to learn a bad habit and then you're stuck with two dogs leaving the home. 

When walking it may help to invest in a long line so as to allow Sebastian some freedom while maintaining control during walks. This can give him the sensation of exploring without the risk of him bolting. When taking him outside to potty, it may also help to hook him up to a trolley runner under your direct supervision so that he can still move around, explore and play. Building him a very large and secure kennel for when you must leave the home can help prevent him from being cooped up inside the house all day.  

More mental stimulation, nose work games, and training can also help to some extent and so can establishing a routine he looks forward to, but I doubt this may satiate his need for exploring if he's left outside to his own devices unattended and free. 

[TERRY VALENTINE]

I did use a 30' training lead for several months, for the very reasons you state, in addition to practicing recall (although the effectiveness of this is limited as he knows when he has no choice but to come to me and when he's loose); and then I made the mistake of tethering him outside with it, and the puppy chewed it in two.  (We tied the halves together but he snapped it outright taking off at a run out the door.)  I do plan to replace it but deciding whether to get the same thing (1/2" cotton leash) or something more durable, what material etc. has been the issue.

Anyway, I do think boredom has been part of the problem, as 99% of our walks are one of two routes:  a) to the mailbox and turn right, or b) to the mailbox and turn left.  We do walk in town on occasion where there are sidewalks and lots more doggie smells to check out, but there is no "dog park" or even a designated walking trail in our county.  We'd prefer not to build an outdoor kennel for the same reason we didn't fence in the property, although the separation anxiety would also be an issue if he had company.  I may try tethering him again as this seems the best compromise, if we can find a line AND harness that wouldn't break.      

[TERRY VALENTINE]

His tracker doesn't always show that he's left the property, as cell coverage is limited in our area.  He has shown up in the same places several times, either for the people or the dogs living there.   He was visiting the same house for a while, although one of the people there told me that he would show up and then act like he didn't want to be there.  Maybe he was waiting for me to come and pick him up so he could go for a car ride (which he loves) - ?   Recently he (and his sister) went very far, and I think he got tired of wandering and "checked in" at a house so that someone could call me and they could get a ride home.   Fortunately people recognize that he's friendly and are understanding, but we do technically have leash laws (although a lot of people still let their dogs roam).