Husky, Malamute & Sled Dog
Safety Around the Home

Below are a few simple tips and ideas suggested by ourselves and other husky and sled dog owners to make life at home with your dog sled dog simpler and safer. Whether you own a Siberian husky, Alaskan malamute or other breed of sled dog, you will have to take extra care that your home is safe and secure. These dogs are all very clever, and learn quickly. The life with a husky or sled dog will certainly keep you on your toes!

Pet Gates

Pet Gates are a really useful way to keep your dogs from entering parts of your house that you want to keep them out of without having to keep doors shut all the time. We have pet gates across the bottom of our stairs and across the doorway to our kitchen. Husky-owning friends of ours have a pet gate across the doorway to their kid's 'playroom'. This gives the kids have a room where their toys can be left out but are still safe from the dogs.

Pet gates are definitely worth the investment - for us they keep feeding times a lot calmer than they might otherwise be. They allow our dogs to watch me prepare food from outside the kitchen, rather than getting under my feet. I can still watch the dogs while I am in the kitchen, as I don't need to shut the door to keep them out of the room. Try the Savic Dog Barrier Door Pet Gate or this Extra Tall Pressure Gate which stands taller than most other pet gates at 106cm.

Please do be aware that some huskies and sled dogs can, and will, jump over pet gates. While pet gates are useful, don't rely on them to keep your dogs secure when you are elsewhere.

Vacuum Cleaners for Husky and Sled Dog Owners

Having consulted with other husky and sled dog owners on the matter, the Dyson DC04 or DC07 seem to be the preferred choice for reliability, longevity and ability to pick up husky and sled dog hair. Dyson generally have good deals on servicing and replacement parts.
The Dyson DC14 Animal and the Dyson DC27 Animal also get very good reviews from husky and sled dog owners. Both of these are part of the Dyson Animal Range, specifically designed for pet owners. The Animal range includes the Dyson DC31 Animal Handheld Vacuum which we have found to be invaluable for cleaning our car and van when our dogs have been in them.

'Vacuum fresheners' such as Glade Drop-in Vac are a good thing to use if you're bothered by the 'doggy' smell that vacuuming seems to stir up.

For Older Huskies and Sled Dogs

There are a few simple modifications you can make to your home to make like a lot easier and more comfortable for older dogs.

If your dogs are allowed on the sofa, you can make or buy a simple wooden step to make it easier for them to climb up.

A ramp to help them your dog to climb up any back or front-door steps is also a good idea. We used a bit of board with rubber grip-mat glued on to stop the dogs - and us - slipping when it's wet outside.

Rubber-backed carpet mats are useful for houses with dogs in. You can pick them up for a reasonable price, and they're good to have leading into the house from the back door. They not only remove most of the dirt from the dog's feet before they get to other parts of the house, but also help prevent dogs from slipping around on kitchen tiles.

House Plants and Dog Safety

Many house plants are toxic and potentially harmful to dogs. As a dog owner, you should check reference books or the internet to make sure any plants within your dog's reach are non-toxic.

The website Dogs In The Garden has a list of toxic and non-toxic houseplants, as well as lots of other useful information on dog safety in the home and garden.

Better still - make sure that all of your house plants are up high and out of reach of your husky. Remember to watch out for fallen leaves, flowers, and berries on that your husky may pick up.

Deterring your Dog from Chewing

While chewing on appropriate toys and treats is a healthy, positive activity for all dogs, there are some things that we don't want them to chew on. This may be because we care about and value the object in question, or, more pressingly, because the object may pose a danger to the dog's health and wellbeing. There are some household objects that are chewed more frequently than others, usually because of our own carelessness.

TV remotes and mobile phones are often left lying out on coffee tables or sofas within reach of dogs. Shoes are often kicked off at the door and also left lying around. These objects are commonly chewed by dogs, who may not only destroy them, but are vulnerable to harm from chemicals in batteries, and small, sharp pieces which they may swallow.

The main thing we must do is to remember to keep these things out of the reach of our dogs. We must also offer our dogs something that they can chew on, such as a Kong or Nylabone dog toy. Durable toys like these are great for determined chewers like huskies and sled dogs.

If your dog is still chewing on things it shouldn't, then you can use products such as Bitter Apple Spray to discourage them. This is a liquid that you spray on objects that you don't want your dog to chew. It has a particularly bitter taste and should put them off doing so. Remember - if they are chewing something that they shouldn't it's probably a sign that they are either teething if they are a puppy, or a bit bored! Either way, you should give them something else to chew on to keep them happy.

Pet Insurance

As most dog owners are aware, pet insurance can make all the difference if your dog falls ill or is injured. Some pet insurance policies also cover damage caused by your dog to your home or property. This is particularly relevant for dog owners who live in rented accommodation, particularly owners of dogs whihch can be destructive. There are many options available, with a wide range of policies offering different levels of cover at various costs. Petpals Direct is a specialist insurance company for pet owners. Among their range of policies, the Tenant Care package is specifically aimed at pet owners living in rented accommodation, and includes cover for damage to property as well as vet fees and third party liability. Petpals offer 1 month free insurance if you sign up online. Find more details here on their website.

Further Information on Dog Safety at Home

If you have children in your household - or indeed, are expecting a child - we would recommend that you read the book Safe and Sound with Child and Dog by Dagmar Cutka. This book gives lots of useful advice to parents on how to ensure that your children and dogs develop happy, safe relationships.