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hello over the past couple of years i have been fasinated about huskies. but now i am thinking of adopting 1 but before i do i have been reading up on them an looking at alot of advice but thers still 1 thing im not clear about, if i get a husky there is 3 people in my familly and sum days mibi 3 or 2 days a week  there is no 1 in the house for 5 hours as of work on school. is it a bad idea to adobt a husky? i thought about building a den in the garden for it wot do u think i wouldnyt want to get a huskey if this is goin to bad for the dog bein let alone for tht amount of time. i would really apreciate your help thanks hope to hear bak soon

Answer -
It's a good idea that you are doing research before looking into adopting a husky.  There are intelligent and very active animals that require a good deal of care and patience in dealing with.  If you are planning on adopting a puppy - 5 hours alone is too much.  A dog can typically hold its bladder for a few hours.  The equation that I was also told was number of months old + 1 hour.  Therefore, a three month old puppy should be able to hold it for about 4 hours.  Of course, that can be increased by ensuring that food and water are not given too close to leaving and encouraging elimination before leaving the dog alone for a few hours.  However, if you are talking about adopting an older dog, 6 months+, that 5 hour window should not be too problematic.  The den outside might be a good idea if: 1) The weather is pleasant enough for a dog bred to stand extreme cold weather (not heat)  I would think anything more than about 70F would start to be too warm unless adequate shade and water was provided.  2) It's secure enough to prevent the husky from digging under, climbing over, or breaking through to get out.  They are notorious escape artists, and are very ingenious.  If those conditions are met, you should have no problem with the outside den.  Another option is crate training inside.  Much more secure, although you still need to make sure you are home enough to let it out to eliminate.  So keep in mind the limits based on the age of the dog.

Hope that helps, and feel free to email back with additional questions or concerns.




thanks alot your advice has really helped me just 1 more question because i am hoping to adobt a puppy would the den still be a good idea or is it too young to be  kept in a outside den alone for 5 hours? hope to hear agin soon please thanks  

Answer
Depends on weather and security of the den.  If you live in a moderate climate that won't be warm at all for the dog (nor too cold as a puppy), the outside den shouldn't be a problem.  Provide shade, shelter (with a flat roof*), and fence the entire thing in.  It shouldn't be anything the dog can dig under, jump or climb over, or chew through (and they are creative chewers, so be careful).  Also, it shouldn't be overly large, just enough for the dog to have a little room in and to relax - the outside den should be a place to relax, sleep and enjoy the weather.  It shouldn't really be a play pen.

*The flat roof - huskies are notorious for sleeping and sitting ON dog houses rather than IN.  So, make sure the dog house has a flat roof to allow for that.  Of course, make sure that the dog getting up there doesn't create an "escape" hazard.