How to Care for a Husky - Exercising and Playing With Your Husky

1. Exercise with your Husky on a daily basis. Huskies are working dogs, with their origins in Siberia where they pulled heavy sleds over long distances.[25] Thus, it comes as no surprise that Huskies require daily, vigorous exercise (at least 30 to 60 minutes) to release pent-up energy.[26][27]
- Long walks are a great way to exercise your Husky.[28]
- To encourage your Husky’s "working dog" side (and if you are feeling adventurous), tie her leash to a bicycle or wheelbarrow and let her pull you.[29] Do not attempt this if she is not well trained.
- Playing fetch and going hiking with your Husky are other good ways to exercise her.[30][31]
- If you live by the water, you can take your Husky swimming.[32]
- Be mindful that Huskies are very energetic dogs, and are almost always ready to play and exercise.[33] Make sure you have the energy to keep up with her!

2. Secure your yard to prevent escape. Huskies are master escape artists.[34] If you let your Husky exercise in the backyard, prevent his escape by enclosing your yard with a six-foot fence.[35] This may not be enough, however — your Husky’s love of digging may lead him to try to dig his way out of your yard.[36]
- To prevent a ‘"digging" escape, have your fence sunk at least several inches into the ground.[37] You could even place concrete or strong mesh wiring at the base of the fence to prevent digging.[38]
- Contact a fencing company to reconfigure your fence such that your Husky cannot dig his way out.
- If your Husky has managed to dig some holes, you can fill them with cinder blocks to discourage further digging.[39]
- Always supervise your Husky when he is out in the yard. Although your Husky loves the outdoors, leaving him in the backyard unattended will probably make him feel lonely and bored, which could lead to destructive digging.[40]

3. Find a playmate for your Husky. Huskies are very social animals.[41] Your Husky would love to have another dog with whom she can play and exercise. An ideal playmate will be a dog that is about the same size as your Husky and can keep up with her.[42]
- Allow your Husky to meet other dogs so that she can choose a playmate.[43]

4. Do not exercise your Husky in hot weather. Huskies have a double coat, which makes them best suited for cold climates.[44] This does not necessarily mean that you should not own a Husky if you live in a warm climate — you will just need to use more caution when playing and exercising with him during the warmer months of the year.
- If you live in a warmer climate, exercise your Husky only in the early morning when it is not too hot outside.[45]
- Your Husky could overheat if he is outside for too long during the heat of the summer. Try to keep him inside during the hottest part of the day.

5. Entertain your Husky. Your Husky is very intelligent, and will need mental stimulation to keep her happily busy and entertained. Kong toys are especially good for Huskies: they are durable and mentally challenge your Husky to figure out how to get the food out.[46]
- Fill the Kong toy with your Husky's favorite treats.
- Be mindful that Huskies can be very destructive. Choose durable chew toys that will keep your Husky busy, but cannot be easily destroyed.
- Other than toys, teaching your Husky various tricks (e.g., playing dead, playing fetch) will provide her with plenty of mental stimulation.