You and your Siberian Husky are best buds. He jumps at the door when you come home, and in return, you scratch his belly in that favorite spot of his. You’re two peas in a pod, but, what can you do about his bad behavior? Huskies can be extremely stubborn dogs, and many owners will experience at least one behavioral issue at some point during their dog’s lifetime. Here are three common behavioral problems Siberian Huskies display, and what you can to do to fix them.

Howling

Husky howling is a trait that can often drive owners crazy. The main reason Huskies howl is out of sheer boredom, but can also be caused by nearby fire truck or police sirens, as well as the presence of other dogs in the neighborhood. If no sirens or dogs are near, assess whether your Husky is receiving enough physical and mental stimulation each day. Try incorporating 15 – 20 minute obedience sessions daily, or adding an extra mile of running or walking to the daily exercise regimen. If unable to exercise your Husky as frequently as necessary, consider training your dog to run on a treadmill, or hire a dog walker.

Escape

Siberian Huskies try to escape their yards by or houses for a number of reasons, but unfortunately, this trait appears to be inherent. The original Siberian Huskies of the Chukchis were allowed to roam free during the summer in search of food, and then return in the winter to work for their sustenance. The best way to discourage a Husky from seeking out his next great adventure is to tire him out with exercise so that he is too pooped to want to wander. While this behavior may not be able to be trained away, installing escape-proof fencing can help mitigate the situation.

Digging

The first step towards discouraging your Husky not to dig is to never leave him or her unattended in the yard. Bear in mind that your pup may be digging a hole in which to lounge, in order to decrease his body temperature. Instead, provide a kiddie pool filled with cool water for your dog to lie in. If you can rule out warm weather, the best solution to inappropriate digging is to provide an area of the yard, such as a sandbox, where your dog can fulfill his innate desire to dig. Every time your dog digs in an inappropriate area, redirect him to the sandbox and praise him for appropriate digging in this area. If digging is absolutely not an option anywhere in your yard, use a loud noise, such as two pots clanging together, every time he begins to dig. He will associate this unpleasant sound with digging and eventually drop the habit.