Build the dog a secure kennel. No reason to massacre the local wildlife if you don't have to.

 

I agree. huskies can jump and climb. Have at least 6 foot fencing. You can do a coyote roll bar on top. Check fenceline daily for any signs of digging under. Or get an actual dog kennel/run that is placed on concrete with a top.

A racoon can kill a small/med sized dog. usually they won't mess with an adult large dog, but if your dog decided to try to mess with one, they can do some serious damage.

I'm not sure why you want a dog, given your past history of untrained/destructive, dog and people aggressive dogs. Usually that is a result of bored/underexercised/undertrained dogs. Also, lack of funds would worry me, if you don't have access to 150.00 to remove the racoons, what are your plans for vet bills? I'm not trying to be mean, but have you really thought this through about what is best for the dog? Have you considered volunteering at a shelter/rescue to get your "dog Fix", or offering dog walking services to neighbors? Might satisfy your need for dog interaction without the stress of owning an outside onlydog, that is a high energy breed that quickly becomes bored.

 

Well, we were considering putting a kennel door on the house or enclosing in the porch so that we could keep him safer and enclosed at night until he's bigger anyhow, so I'm thinking I may just do that.

@Spotted Nikes - I was actually volunteer coordinator at my local shelter and had been there for three years, often training trouble dogs so they could be better adopted. I would often work on leash training, proper etiquette, and teach them basic commands while they were there. My mother and I used to foster and adopt out dogs out of our home and have re-homed and rehabilitated a many of well behaved dogs. The only reason I used the other two as examples and gave their flaws was because those flaws were the reasons they were kept in outdoor kennels. Those two were still walked regularly and regularly socialized (they both got free run of the fence when the rottie was inside). Little Bit (the chow) my mother had since he was born and he was raised perfectly fine, he was just naturally dominant and continually picked fights with the male rottie or showed aggression to strangers who entered our house. Despite her best efforts she couldn't correct the behaviour and instead of taking him to a shelter to be euthanized or jump house to house, she built a kennel and kept him outside away from the other male. As for the shepherd, my dad had gotten her at three years old from a local shelter, she was a purebred that someone had gotten, chained up and left outside. When we brought her home, she had severe anxiety issues. She was extremely destructive and refused to be housebroken, and so she got run of the fence and was completely content. I'm no newb to caring for a dog, and after two years since my last elderly best friend had to be put down, I know I'm finally ready for one again.

 

Glad to hear of your experience, and that you didn't take offence at my suggestions.
Definitely try to keep your dog contained away from the racoons. Racoons can really do damage to a dog.

 

Getting a Siberian is a terrible idea for you.
1. He will be on a tieout. This is a recipe for disaster. If a Siberian wants something badly enough he WILL get it. Tieout be damned basically. He will chew it to free himself or just pull until it snaps somewhere. Not only that - what about the risk of him hanging himself or getting tied up and suffocating? What about the digging? A dog left outside WILL dig. Not a question of if it will, but when.

2. Siberians while independent are very much pack animals and need the interactions and need to be around their people. Not having that can very well be detrimental to a Siberian. Ive seen first hand what happens to Siberians who are outdoor only an the owner had the best intentions with him.

3. Weather. A puppy absolutely cannot be outside 24/7. They have a harder time controlling their core temperature than an adult dog. I you want an outside dog get an older dog that can already be put outside. What about in the summer? Siberians have double coats and absolutely do not do well in warm weather. They need air conditioning during the summer and constant access to cold, fresh water. They're a cold weather breed.

4. Raccoons are the least of your worries. A do left outside by itself will fixate on things because you (general) cannot reqlistically devote the time needed to be with that dog. A dog when by itself in only dog home is left outside its entire life is a very bored dog. You can say "I'll be out here wih it" "I'll be training and socializing it extensively" bit the reality is that dog has NOTHING to do when you aren't out there wih it. Siberians are moderate to high prey driven dogs which means any small animal they will chase and kill if they can get it (most likely) anything that happens to run by them.

Last part was unnecessary since you had already responded as I was typing. Apologies it's hard to post from my phone.

 

I know that many here disagree with me, but I would never get a dog if I knew I wouldn't be able to let him live inside with the family. You say he's a family member, but I'm guessing he's the only family member who is forced to stay tied up outside all day and night. I know you don't want to hear it, but I guess that's the danger of a public forum. I still feel bad for the dog.

 

^^^ I agree.

Why not have the husband live outside ? I mean, he's family too... right?

 

I don't want to hear anything about how I'm a bad person for wanting to keep my dog outside.

When you post on a public Internet forum, people will respond with all sorts of opinions. You don't have to agree with them, but you don't get to pre-screen them, either.

Raccoons are everywhere. If you got rid of them, you'll just open the territory to another bunch. They are probably the most adaptable mammal anywhere.

I had a 115-pound lab - a big, strong dog in his prime - who killed an adult raccoon. It was touch-and-go. My current dog was bred to hunt big game, but I'd rather she never encounter a raccoon. Better to keep the dog away from them.

 

It was a more a hopeful, "let's not focus on this part, my mind is made up and you won't be swaying my opinion" statement than a command. I didn't expect people to listen, but I had hoped that they'd see it was a pointless endeavor. Haha.

This is true. It still concerns me, though. Which is why I think I'll be making sure he's kept somewhere secure at night so that they can't get to one another.

 

Have you considered the barking factor when a dog is penned up outside and can see raccoons taunting him just outside the fence? Also opossums and other wildlife.

And sorry, but like the others I think that outside dogs very rarely work. While I can understand why someone would need to keep a rescue with severe issues outside, if you are starting from a puppy then it should never have the chance to develop those kinds of problems. If there are allergies, the choices really are: no dog, allergy medications (which do work for many but not all people) or a less allergenic dog (which again, works for some and not others). Relegating a member of your family to be outside all the time isn't really a great choice.

That said, if you are bound and determined, you need a concrete floor, woven wire fencing and a roof. Make it as large as you can afford. You can lay rubber stall mats on the concrete floor for comfort; they are easy to hose off and easier on the dog's joints and skin. Do not leave the dog tied, even to a harness. While that reduces the risk of strangling, the tied dog can break a leg or tear a muscle/tendon if he tangles himself.
Since you don't have the $150 for a raccoon, I can't see how you'd have the money for a vet bill like that (although, I also cannot see how you have the "finances to pay for boarding" if $150 is rough).

 

Since you don't have the $150 for a raccoon, I can't see how you'd have the money for a vet bill like that (although, I also cannot see how you have the "finances to pay for boarding" if $150 is rough).

I mainly wanted to touch on this. In an emergency situation, yes, I could delve into the savings to take care of him. As far as boarding, I would know in advance and would be able to budget accordingly. What I don't have is a random $150 for someone to come out and ATTEMPT to trap two wild animals when I could do it myself for free.

Yes I've considered the bark factor. They're a vocal breed to begin with, so yes, I expect barking. Barking (when there is no noise ordinance in my city), however, is better than him being attacked.

 

It's fine until a neighbor gets tired of the barking and decides to do something about it, anyway. Poisoned meat over the fence is not unheard of. Just recently I saw a sibe on Facebook who'd had acid thrown at his face while he was in his kennel outside (this link should work for people who have a FB).

I had an outdoor dog (malamute/collie) in the city, and even though he was very quiet and not a big digger, I wouldn't do it again. I know a lot more about dogs now than I did back then, and while his life was fine (he got a walk or two every day, at the very least), I don't think he was as happy and fulfilled as he could have been. He was also pretty territorial of his yard and he killed several skunks who wandered in there. He never took on a raccoon, luckily.

 

It's fine until a neighbor gets tired of the barking and decides to do something about it, anyway. Poisoned meat over the fence is not unheard of.

Small story.
As child, I had a golden who was impregnated by the land lord's free-roaming dog. By the time I got to them, it was too late.
We ended up rehoming her along with one of her puppies (this man's child absolutely adored her, and she him. she was spayed after that and does have a very good home still) and kept her son, as I had grown desperately attached to him. Of course, a 4 month old puppy who is now without his family is going to cry. I went as far as sleeping in the dog house with him because I was not allowed to bring him in. I had to spend a night away from him ONE TIME. I came back the next day and he was deathly ill, no vet clinic was open. He passed the next morning.
There was anti-freeze in his water. I know exactly who did it, but can't prove it. But no amount of revenge would've ever brought my puppy back.

So, I'm not trying to judge here. I can't say I've never had dogs outside, but outside is dangerous. Very dangerous.
Sibes are easily recognizable, and they're beautiful dogs, and that can put them in easy danger of being stolen.
You may want to take as many steps as possible to keep your dog safe.

 

Frankly I would not worry about raccoons.... They might sneak around and try to get the dogs food. But on open ground they are not going to stand up to a Husky sized dog..... This comes from 30 years or so of trapping and hunting raccoons.

The caveat is if a raccoon can get a dog in the water it will drown the dog....

But on open dry land too much risk for the raccoon. He is not too proud to runn up a tree.

 

All I have to add is please please PLEASE do not ever have the dog on a tieout long enough to reach the fence. Sibes are very prey driven, and a cat/mouse/squirrel/whatever running up and over the fence will quickly (and permanantly..) undo all that training you did for him to stay away from the fence.

 

I think till your pup gets full-sized keeping him on the porch at night is a good idea. Relocating an animal can be expensive and I can see your point on the expense. Usually there is not just one and since you saw two more could be on the way. It could start sounding like a cash register after awhile paying this trapper to haul them all away. Try to discourage them from nightly visits by keeping up the garbage and any dog food.

I can not give you crap about having an outside dog. I have two. Their choice and not mine. One is an Anatolian Shepherd and the other is a husky, shep and mal cross. They love to be outside. They will come in during hot weather. The air conditioning and getting away from the flies is the only reason why.

When you get your pup posts pics please.