Exercise

A busy and active Siberian is a happy and healthy Siberian.

Siberians are active, athletic dogs who need a lot of exercise. They are a working breed and happiest when they have a function to perform. Regular exercise is important both physically and mentally, and doing activities together strengthens the bond between dog and owner. Siberians were bred to run and will do so at every opportunity; it is vital to keep the dog on a leash, in harness, or in a fenced yard at all times. There are several activities that can be enjoyed by dog and owners—rally, agility, and obedience are a few. This breed is also very adaptable, and for those who live in a more urban setting, daily walks or doggie play groups can provide great exercise. These high energy dogs need a lot of exercise. Healthy huskies need the equivalent of three to five miles of exercise four days a week.

Summer activities

Temperatures above 65ºF (18ºC) are bordering on too hot to exercise. If there is a breeze, low humidity, or your dog can easily cool off in water, you may be able to exercise at these temperatures.

On hot summer days keep exercise to a minimum or only exercise before the sun comes up and heats up the day.

Consider altering outdoor exercise with indoor exercise in an air-conditioned building.

Keep in mind that racing sled dogs do not work very hard unless the temperature is below 20ºF (-6ºC).

Keep warm weather exercise sessions less than 3 miles (4.8 km) long (less than 5K).

WINTER ACTIVITIES

Unlike summer exercises, Siberian huskies thrive on cold weather!

Tips on Exercising your Husky

Build up the amount of exercise you give your dog slowly!

Your husky may have the energy to run all out the first day, but it doesn't have the conditioning. When biking, go slow enough that your husky can run at an easy pace.

Most dogs start out much too fast and need to be managed until they settle into a comfortable pace. It's easy to out run a husky on a bike, which puts your husky at risk for overheating, becoming overwhelmed because the pace is too fast, and fearing the exercise.

Watch closely for signs of overheating

Siberian huskies have multiple coats of fur, and were bred for working in the snow. Keep this in mind when you take them out on a warm day. These include: excessive panting, excessive salivation, bright red tongue and gums (or pale gums), thick saliva, weakness, collapse, and vomiting, which is sometimes bloody. You never want to get your dog to this point, as heat illness (stroke, overheating) can cause serious consequences to your husky.

Give your husky plenty of cool water to drink. Some dogs enjoy ice as well.

There are ways to prevent heatstroke starting with using common sense. If you are uncomfortable in hot weather your husky, with its thick fur coat, is probably much more uncomfortable to the dog, than you.

If you exercise your husky using a head halter, make sure your husky can open its mouth wide enough to pant normally. The mouth is the only pathway for reducing body heat.

The larger the dog, the harder it is to stay cool. Dogs stay cool through panting. Larger dogs have more body heat to get rid of, so it takes time for them to cool. If you have a large husky – 60+ pounds(27kg+) – take extra precautions in the heat.