Huskies and S-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g

There are paw-lenty of reasons behind a Husky’s penchant for s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g. For owners of this energetic and active breed, some or all of them will seem ever so familiar.

If your Husky stretches and yawns when he wakes up in the morning, it’s because stretching feels so, so good and he’s preparing for a happily full day ahead. If he’s also moving around, it’s because he wants to regain his mobility after having been asleep.

If your Husky is on a fixed walking schedule and he sees you with his harness and leash, he will instinctively stretch to get his blood flowing, to warm up his muscles and relax his body to make his upcoming physical activity as effortless as possible.

If your Husky isn’t getting enough of the exercise he needs and craves (as working dogs, they delight in walking, running and playing every day), he will become sore and stretch as a way of releasing his muscle pain. If he isn’t engaged in any physical activity – be it daily walks, jogging or playing fetch in the yard – his muscles, joints and ligaments won’t be strong and he risks losing essential muscle mass.

If your Husky is tired and content after a full day of physical activities, he will yawn and stretch his body to relax and prepare himself for a sweet, satisfying and well-deserved sleep.

If your Husky stretches, uses the “downward dog” pose and wags his tail, this is his way of inviting you to play with him. (He will use this same pose to invite other dogs to play with him as well). If he “play bows” in front of you with a happy expression as a show of appreciation and you praise his behavior by rewarding it with pets, treats and/or playtime, he’ll quickly learn that you understand and fully “endorse” this behavior. From then on, you’ll both, literally and figuratively, be speaking the same language!

If your Husky stretches and lies down flat on either the ground or the floor with both legs behind his body and presses his belly against its surface – this is known as “splooting” – he’s not only enjoying it, he may also be attempting to get cool. He might even dig a hole in the ground to find a cool place where he can stretch and nap during the summer (this is a primal instinct) even if your home is air conditioned and he can simply stay inside.

In summation, encourage your Husky to stretch and flex his spine when he wakes up as part of his morning ritual, and praise him when he does. Stretching before a long walk, brisk run or invigorating hike helps him to extend his range. Stretching is also a form of communication since dogs, being social creatures, enjoy engaging with other dogs, and body signals are both instinctive and essential.