How to Train a Husky to be Obedient
Jump to section
Introduction
Obedience training a Husky is one of the most difficult and important lessons you can teach him. This breed of dog is known to be independent and free-spirited, so without obedience training, your beautiful dog can turn into a willful and stubborn pup who is big enough to throw his weight around. Obedience training a Husky is the first thing you should do when you get your dog, and you should start as young as possible.
Obedience training your Husky will set the foundation for a strong relationship with your dog throughout his life and a much easier time when walking or taking your dog out in public when he's older. By teaching your dog to obey basic commands you will be establishing yourself as the pack leader and setting the tone for him to follow your direction for years down the road.
Top
Defining Tasks
Your Husky needs to know that you are the leader or he will take control, so it's important to show your leadership. This doesn't mean yelling at or harshly punishing your dog. It means showing you have a strong will and are more stubborn than your dog. Obedience training will help with that, but there are also rules you should follow even when not training. Don't step over your dog when he is in the way, make him move. Don't feed your dog before you and your family. Never let him have all the toys while playing and always make him come to you when he wants to play.
When you are training, you may have to be more patient than you anticipated. Never end a training session on a bad note or with him getting his way. Don't let training sessions last too long, and make sure you move slowly to set him up for success.
Top
Getting Started
Get started as soon as possible, before your dog can establish routines that might make training harder. Be sure to have these items on hand to get started.
- A sturdy leash and collar
- Delicious treats
- A quiet place to train
- Lots of patience
With time and consistency, you will successfully obedience train your Husky and establish a strong relationship that will serve you for the rest your friendship. Read the three obedience training ideas below for ideas of how to get started. You can begin with one or try all three. Soon your dog will see you as the leader and will be ready to work with you.
Top
The Start With 'Sit' Method
Effective
0 Votes
Effective
0 Votes
Find a spot
Choose a place to train that is quiet and has few distractions.
Get his attention
Take your treat between your thumb and forefinger and hold it to your dog's nose to get his attention.
Move the treat back
Move the treat behind his head slowly so he follows it with his nose.
Reward the 'sit'
As soon as his rear hits the floor and he's sitting, give him a treat and tell him "yes!"
Practice makes perfect
Keep practicing until he begins to anticipate the reward and sits as soon as he sees the treat coming.
Introduce the command
Now, after he is sitting but before you give him the treat, say "sit" so he learns the command.
Test it
Test his understanding of the training by saying "sit" and watch to see if he sits. When he does, get excited and give him a few treats. Keep practicing.
The Lie Down Method
Effective
0 Votes
Effective
0 Votes
Start in 'sit'
Ask your dog to sit, but don't give him a treat.
Use a lure
Take a tasty treat between your fingers and get his attention.
Treat to the ground
Slowly draw the treat down to the ground so he follows it with his nose.
Reward a 'down'
As soon as his belly touches the ground and he's lying down, give him a treat and tell him "yes!"
Keep working
Practice this for a while until he's lying on the ground as soon as you start to lure him with the treat.
Teach him 'lie down'
Introduce the name of the command by saying "lie down" right before you treat him.
Take away the treats
You can be sure he understands the command when you ask him to "lie down" and he obliges without a treat.
The Come When Called Method
Effective
0 Votes
Effective
0 Votes
Kneel down
When you are playing with your dog, kneel down so you are close to the ground.
Make some noise
Make a high pitched or exciting noise to get your dog's attention. You can start scratching the ground to get his attention. Don't call his name.
Praise him
When your Husky comes over to investigate, give him a high-value treat and lots of praise.
Keep working on it
Practice this a lot. Each time your dog comes when you whistle or make a noise, give him the treat.
Say "come"
When he's willingly coming to you when you whistle or make noise, start to say "come" as he's coming toward you. When he gets to you say "good come!" and give him the treat. Practice this for a while.
Test his recall
When he's pretty good at coming to you, start to say "come" to initiate the command. Keep giving him treats when he comes to see you for several more sessions.
By Katie Smith
Published: 03/29/2018, edited: 01/08/2021
Training Questions and Answers
Murphy
Lab husky
4 Months
Question
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
Murphy is a great pup! However, he bites and barks more than most puppies. His impulse control has been really difficult to get under control.
July 10, 2020
Murphy's Owner