Kingdom of Pets

Posted by Missy
Jul 1, 2008

Hi,

Missy is a three month old Lab/Husky mix. I have had her for 2 weeks. Everything seemed to be going fine with potty training. She goes to the door and looks at it meaning that she has to go. For those two weeks, we trained her to go to the same spot in the backyard. It consists of dirt with pebbles encircling the area. Up to the last weekend, she would go there and do her stuff. But now, she goes everywhere. Sometimes, she doesn't even wait until she is there. We tried to coax her into the spot, but she pulls on her leash and won't do anything. Should we force her to go where we want her to go or should we just let her decide?

Also, we can't go for walks with her because she pulls backward on her leash. She won't move. It is a battle. I read your book but nothing seems to work.

Although, the training started great with her, now it is a battle everyday. I am really frustrated. Sometimes, I feel like giving her to somebody else. She is really disobedient.

The only thing that she does right is waiting for us to tell her to come in or to go out. But for how long?

I hope you understand what I am trying to explain (English is not my maternal tongue). Can you help me?

Posted by Annie
Jul 2, 2008

:eek:Hi,
I also have a Husky mix, and as a baby she was a real handful. You need to be commited to working with her a lot the next many months. You need to be really interested.....try new things. Have you owned a dog before?
I´m sure someone will give you more specific advice, but all I can say is that after a frustrating year that I saw no improvement...then , when she was about 1 year old...all the training started to come together and now we have a most beautiful member of our family. She could remember trainings, she started sleeping more...less baby energy, and we wouldn´t dream of getting rid of her. It is hard work that feels like going backwards, but you are now in an elite `gang` of dog owners! You are working towards the next 10 years of happiness with your new friend....although I totally understand at the moment it seems really too much.
keep going
Annie

Posted by Annie
Jul 2, 2008

...one more thing...you said she is good at coming in and going out.? You should be proud of this and not worrying when this will end.....as for toileting, a baby is always trying to push the borders and find out what works, I´m sure if you keep going then this will start to pay off. You also said it´s been only a couple of weeks together? Your dog is probably still a bit nervous in the new house with new rules....
I found when my dog pulled on the line ( backwards) she was telling me that to walk with me was not so much fun and she wanted to do her own thing. As your dog is such a young thing, you could try a little bit of line work with treats, but other walks is on a nice long line that the two of you just sniff around and have a look at everything. Don´t try to train the whole time! It´s the same with my 2 year old baby. Some walks are to the shops holding hands marching along, and other walks are just wandering around looking at flowers.

Don´t play any rough games or biting games...and try to join a puppy group where you can chat to other owners and hear that you all have similar problems...and also very important for the puppy that he gets to play with other dogs.
I´m not sure what country you come from, but I live in Germany and the people here would NEVER complain about anything...so I felt very alone with my problems. I originally come from Australia and we generally `complain`about lots of things so it was easier to find out other peoples puppy problems and what to do.
Please write more problems...and I´ll try to think of some tipps
Annie

Posted by stephanie-Craddock
Jul 3, 2008

hi Missy,
I had a husky cross who sadly died in MarchHowever huskys can be quite stubborn. As with Annie, my husky did not really start to listen until he was 1ish, follow the Alpha techniques with her, this I found with a husky cross was very important, then try to make things interesting for her, as Annie suggested. Remember as she gets older she will require alot of exercise (I hope you like walking) And socialization I agree with Annie that this is very important, make sure she gets to meet lots of puppies, and new situations,
Good luck, and have fun

Posted by Missy
Jul 3, 2008

Hi,

I knew that having a Husky heritage would probably show but I was hoping that the Lab side would take over because they say that Labs are intelligent dogs. I thought that she would take to training very rapidly. I can see that it is not the case. I guess that I will have to arm myself with patience. Another thing that happened yesterday is that she will look at the door to go outside while we are eating. It seems to be a way for her to get attention. I don't want her to do that. So I thought that I would put her in her crate while we ate. Do you think it is a good idea? I also have conflicting responses to giving treats to her when she does something good. Some say to do it. Others say that it is better not to. What do you think? As for meeting other dogs, there are a couple of them in the area (I live in the country), but they are not puppies and most of the time it is not practical to meet with them. For Stephany, I am sorry to hear about your loss. I loss a Cocker Spaniel a couple of years ago. Missy

Posted by Annie
Jul 4, 2008

Hi,
You say your dog is quite young? Up to about 5-6months a puppy is understood by most other dogs. it is very rare for another older dog to be cruel. They may discipline your dog, but that is a bit of the idea. Don´t be too nervous, but ask the other owner first. But puppy with puppy is also crucial for learning to ajust leadership and play.
I think if your dog looks to the door and you think she is trying to get attention...then ignore it! There are worse things she could be doing. It is best that she can be incouraged to find a place while you eat and sleep a bit...
Don´t worry about the Husky side. They are also smart and very keen to learn and I personally think that the Labrador is a bit too friendly and willing ( possibly not so smart?) and the Husky is cooler and more wary. For me, it is great to have a dog that doesn´t want to sweet-talk every new person like a best friend, is smart enough to learn everything i have the time for and sensitive enough to pick up energy and feelings in the room. my Husky mix is beautifully aware of my childrens crys being from stress or pain, or normal play.
Annie

Posted by Annie
Jul 4, 2008

about treats...I threw treats like crazy at my dog. We had super stuff for training sessions, dry treats for normal things round the house...I kept `jackpots`in the pram ( tiny portion cat foods) for when she was learning recall and got it( not often at the begining )
I know some people don´t like this, but after a while I could forget treats sometimes and it made no difference....then they went altogether and she´s even better....now we just have a treat chew when she is alone for a long time as she can be a bit nervous. I used to keep all this stuff in a kids plastic lunch bows ( tiny ones for in town) and always had a few stashes around the back door, in the car etcetc.
Annie

Posted by jessechp
Jul 5, 2008

Hi,

I do not own a Husky but I would like to share with you that I do came accross puppy with stubborn behaviour. I own a Golden Retriever. People claimed that Golden Retrievers are tame and friendly dog. But I doubt when I first own it (I own him when he was 6 weeks old). When Billy 1st came to our house, he was very naughty. He would not listen to anything. He would just ignore us calling at him. So, I thought well he is still new to his name so he might not know that we are calling him. But after 1 month, he still behave the same. I tried to give him treats, pat him and touch him while calling his name. But, he just ignore the next time you call his name.

He was very stubborn. He would not sit still. He loves to bite our hands, legs and anything that he could reach. When we carry him, he would just not be still and keep biting. My hands are full off his teeth marks. He hates going to the vet. He would not let the vet to touch him for long. He would even try to bite the vet when the vet gave him vaccin. We taught him to wee outside the house but he would just not listen to our command. We tried to take him out of the house every hour but he would just wander around. We kept telling him to wee but he just ignore. When he step into the house, he starts his business. I have been cleaning his wee and shit for at least 3 months. He was really naughty that I actually intended to give up on him and send him to other people.

I love him so much, so I told myself that Billy is just like any other Golden Retriever and not a defect. He only started to learn his 1st training after 3 months which is toilet training. Then followed by sit, fetch and down. He is 9 months old now but he is still not capable in stay training. He is such a lovely dog. He does not bite and can sit still now but he still hates to go to the vet. He hates injections

So, don't worry too much about your pup. She will soon be a lovely dog which you can't leave without her.

Posted by stephanie-Craddock
Jul 5, 2008

Hi there,
How is it going? Both Monti (who died) and my present dog Max do not respond to food treats, with Max for his training, I rely on his favourite toy, a ball, he only gets the ball thrown when he follows my commands, and of course fuss, when he behaves well.Is there a special toy that motivates Missy?

have fun

Training problems in general