Husky Will Not Come Inside? 10 Things You Should Try

Huskies are much like an oxymoron; gentle and stern, active and stubborn, resilient, and sensitive.

Given the mixture of personalities and since they are pack dogs, huskies aren’t easy to train. Sometimes they are just so stubborn that you might feel they aren’t your cup of tea. But once you are able to, then, what more can you ask for- a fluffy, gorgeous, majestic dog at your command.

Husky Will Not Come Inside 

One fine sunny day, your Husky suddenly refuses to come inside the house, confusing you as ever about his change in behavior.

Many factors can be responsible for such behavior. It can be either an internal or an external problem, or maybe your dog is just in love with nature. 

Possible Reason Why your Husky Will Not Come Inside

Your dog is not feeling well

As mentioned, a sudden change in your dog’s behavior can also mean that he might be sick. Try to observe your pet in the yard. If his behavior is sluggish, then calling your vet or taking him to see a vet is something you should probably do.

Your dog didn’t get enough time to play outside

For you, running around the yard with all your might for about 30-40 minutes can be tiring. And you will feel like you have shed a lot of sweats and weights but not for your dog.

Given that they are an energetic and playful breed, it is only natural that what might seem enough for us humans isn’t enough for them.  

Always make sure your dog gets enough exercise outside, or else he might just throw tantrums and refuses to get inside.  

In addition to outdoor exercise, it is a good idea to try and reinforce positive experiences inside the house. It includes keeping them busy mentally via games and toys, teaching commands, etc. 

It would help if you let them understand that indoors are as much fun as outdoors.

Environment Change

Sometimes a change in the environment inside the house can be a cause for your dog refusing to get inside the house.

Changes can be, you painted the whole house inside and out. You have cleaned the entire house, and it doesn’t smell really pleasant, at least to them. Whether it’s the decors or the smell, there might be something that’s giving your dog anxiety or stress every time he enters the house.

Nature Born

Husky is one of the independent breeds. They were bred as a “working dog.” They were made to pull the sled out into the wilds. 

So it is natural your dog is hardwired to be an outdoor guy rather than inside. 

Habits

Dogs easily learn the routine we set for them. They quickly pick up habits. If they spend most of the time outside, they’ll probably be accustomed to staying outside rather than inside. They will find no reason to be inside the house.

In fact, they become so comfortable that they have their own comfy spot to rest, have a stranger cat as a best friend. 

Fun Outdoor

Huskies are known as “escapist,” meaning running around, jumping the fence, digging up things are just hardwired into them. They tend to chase after tiny creatures or even leave floating into the air.

Such adventures cannot be achieved inside the house with sofas, tables around. If they start running with the same spirit inside the house, behold the tragedy that follows after the fun. 

Poor Teaching

If your dog isn’t properly trained, it will likely be able to follow your command. They will be confused about the call that you shout upon them. Training your dog is of utmost importance if you want a disciplined dog.

Adjusting to the New Environment

Recently adopted dogs from shelters often refuse to get inside the house. This is because they are probably in the phase of adjusting to the new environment. Give it some time, and eventually, with your care and love, he will be your darling.

Ten Things you Should Try if your Dog will not Come Inside

Here are some tips you would want to try if your dog doesn’t at all get inside the house.

• Exercise your dog, walk him, and provide lots of mental stimulation. Walking your dog is a better exercise and substituting it with yard play is not very helpful.

Walking your dog helps to be more disciplined as you will take charge of him during the whole process of walking. In fact, walking is a healthy way to ensure his needs are met. 

• Don’t entice your dog with treats, and then shut the door behind him. He will be startled and will think the reward is a trap for him. Your Husky will probably refuse to obey coming in to get the treat, or he will run away right after taking the treat from you.

In any case, you will be stuck with a dog that only is after the treat or a dog that senses fear. So, be cautious and patient about the treating technique.

Stay calm, wait for the dog to come inside properly. Let him savor the treat. Sit next to him and pat him. Then slowly proceed to make him comfy inside so that he will not run back out again and carefully shut the door behind him.

• A dog learns through associations and remembers chains of events. Don’t pull your dog’s collar every time after being called at the door. They will remember that you are going to drag him inside whenever he sees you standing at the door and calls him.

Instead, what you can do as a loving pet parent, gently take your dog’s leash. Take him around for a brief walk and slowly lead him inside. In this way, he will be happier, and you will be too.

• Making your home comfortable and suitable for the dog’s welfare. If there are things that make your dog startle, panic, better keep them in check.

Nonetheless, if there are kids around the house, make sure you provide a quiet place for your pet to retreat and rest. Keep the house’s temperature moderate. Provide toys, keep him preoccupied in games and make a habit of feeding him only indoors.

• Never shut your dog out if they misbehave inside the house. Many pet parents make the mistake of sending their dogs outside as a form of punishment. Give him time to adjust through gentle guidance. Who doesn’t learn if you are taught gracefully, Right!
• Don’t keep on calling your dog if he doesn’t come inside the house. Keep the call limited to the door only. If you keep calling him from every room of the house, he will not really think the door is the only option to enter the house.

Instead, try to grab his attention by doing things as going straight to the kitchen after he ignores you. Take out a piece of cheese or a treat and keeps it in his bowl. Show him a flirt pole, toys, and lures him in, and let him chase inside.

Keep on entertaining him so that he won’t want to run back as soon as he is inside the house.

• Take advantage of the water. If it’s a hot day, let your dog out to play for some time. He’ll soon feel hot, and then let him follow you inside and reward him with a nice bowl of cold water.

Also, let him enjoy some ice cubes straight from the refrigerator. When it’s cold, let him out for few minutes. Then, invite him to cuddle next to the fireplace to enjoy the warmth with an extra warm piece of treat.

Let the indoors be more rewarding than outside.

• Don’t chase after your dog. Grab them by their collar and drag them inside. It may be the fastest way but not the most convenient method for bringing your dog in.

Instead, walk around with him a little, praise him and slowly let him follow you inside off course with a treat in your hand as a catalyst.

• Don’t let your dog spend much time near the windows. They tend to get distracted by the movements happening outside and want to go out and nag you to let them out.

To avoid this, you can keep your dog in the middle room, and keep them busy with toys and keep them engaged mentally.

• Make it a habit to spend time with your dog outside. Don’t let them off alone. Stay with him outside, lay down on a couch with him next to you, or maybe play with him.

You can even busk in the sun and then command him to follow you inside the house. Use a happy, enthusiastic tone with praises for obeying your command. Pour down a fair amount of treats on the floor or into his bowl as you close the door.