How to Train a Husky off Leash

Hello, I would still start off-leash training with the puppy with one-on-one practice and not the distraction of the additional dog, so pup learns to listen to you and can obey around distractions, including the distraction of the other dog. Once pup can obey off-leash with just you, then add in the second dog who is already trained. Having the second dog already trained will make that transition to two dogs off leash much easier actually if the second dog is reliable at coming and listening off-leash. You just want to ensure the puppy also becomes trained and you don't end up with a puppy who only listens because they are following the adult dog and then won't listen if the adult dog isn't around. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

March 14, 2023

Hello Molly, Check out the article I have linked below and the section on using a long training leash and the Premack principle. I recommend practicing both of those methods. Once pup has the general concept of the premack principle, right away with the long leash, I would specifically practice around other dogs. With a long leash, a treat and praise can be the reward. With a dog whose recall is already good, I would use a long training leash that's pretty light weight so pup doesn't notice it as much, clipped to a padded back clip harness. Start by only giving pup about 20 feet of line, and make sure you keep it reeled in to where pup can't bolt, get pretty far, then hit the end of the line, jerking you and pup. I wear thick gloves at first for this just in case. Once pup is more aware not to bolt off, I would start giving more of the line, until you are practicing with 40-50 foot of training leash so pup really feels off leash, but when pup tries to ignore your recall, you can reel pup in to enforce it, teaching that the recall isn't optional, even around dogs. For the Premack principle, because the reward is pup getting to where they want (in this case greeting another dog), you will need to recruit a friend with a dog pup gets along well with, to practice around. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-to-come-when-called/ To help pup stick a bit closer, you have a couple options. I would start by practicing following using the long training leash, to simply build pup's desire to stay closer. You practice this by walking around places like your yard or a field with pup on the long training leash and changing directions frequently without saying anything. Whenever he takes notice (at first because the leash finally tugs, but later just because you moved), then toss a treat at him for looking your way or coming over to you - without calling him; this encourages him to choose to pay attention to where you are and associate your presence with good things on his own, so he will want to be with you. When he has the hang of this in a less exciting environment, then find open spaces where there are distractions, like dogs, around to practice also. Finally, some dogs who are very driven to roam, need a high level recall and aren't getting there with current methods, or who are very easily distracted do benefit from "working level" remote collar training. This is different than the old fashion high level shock, requires really learning what you are doing to ensure the training is effective, fair, and pup is still enthusiastic about working with you. It's best done with a good foundation of obedience first, using a long training leash and rewards, then the collar simply becomes a way to interrupt pup and remind pup that they have to respond to you even when far away, to give that added level of consistency to your training to gain full reliability around distractions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtJxSXu4rfs&t=620s Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

March 4, 2022