Our siberian huskey, Phoenix , seems so difficult to train, any tips?

Question

Phoenix is SOOO full of energy. He is about 6 months old. We were aware that he would be a high maintance, playful pet. But we just cant seem to get him to pay attention or settle down long enough to learn anything...he just wants to GO, GO, GO......He will run through our flower garden and grab a flower in his mouth on the way through it, to the other side of the yard and knock over the bird bath, than jump on me spilling my coffee down my shirt...LOL...this is just an example. Its not like he never gets attention. We have a huge fenced in back yard and the kids and I are always back there playing with him.

Phoenix also, for some reason, will potty where ever he happens to be standing...on the concrete under the basketball hoop, in front of his kennel, right in front of the garage door, WHERE EVER...

We get frusturated with him but also laugh because he is so adorible...maybe thats our first mistake. LOL

Answer 1

You have a discipline problem.

This breed requires someone who *knows* how to be the Alpha. They will push buttons and take what they can grab, and they are always testing you to see what they can get away with. If he knows he can act like a twit as a young dog and you'll just laugh and let it slide, he will walk all over you for the rest of his life.

You need to get this dog into obedience training. I say this as someone who has owned, bred, and rescued this breed for 20 years. I get rescue dogs at 12-18 months from people who thought their "antics" were cute as puppies, but realized soon enough that they couldn't deal with the dog as an adult.

Siberians need exercise and training. Exercise as in long walks, not as in standing in the backyard and watching him do laps around you. Frankly, the best exercise for a Siberian (outside of running in harness) is another dog to play with.

As for the pottying, if he thinks it's his yard, he can pretty much go wherever he wants. :) If you want to teach him to use one area, you're going to have to take a step backward and enforce that rule as if he were a baby puppy. Take him to that spot and make sure he goes there, then praise him when he does.

Good luck, and please consider an obedience class or trainer to help you get him under control.

Answer 2

Siberian huskies can be very stubborn dogs to train. The trick is to be consistent in what you are trying to teach him. Use the same commands, and don't reward him until you get the behavior you're looking for. Be firm with him, but don't get aggressive. This will just provoke him even more, and may lead to some agressive behavior from him.
Huskies are also very high energy, so it can be hard to get him to settle down long enough to teach him anything. The big backyard is awesome for him, since they are bred to run, and run he will. The constant running and jumping is natural behavior for the bred. Try catching him at a down moment to do some basics.
Be patient with him, stay consistent, and I would also look into some basic dog training classes. Sometimes it just helps to get some tips from the experts. :) It will also help socialize him, and get him used to other dogs and people. Don't worry if he goes crazy in the first class, and doesn't listen; it happens to everyone, and that's what the trainer is there for, to try and modify that behavior.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Oh dear - all you questioners out there who are considering or recommending Huskies take note. This is what me and other answerers are talking about with this breed. They are the energizer bunnies of the dog world. Keep in mind that they were bred to go HUNDREDS of miles in a week. And though the breed isnt used as much in its pure form as a racing dog, (the ALASKAN husky - an amalgam of various breeds is the racing dog of choice)it still has HIGH activity needs. He needs ROAD WORK to tire him out some. Just running around the yard with the kids wont do it I'm afraid. Of course there are always exceptions to this breed rule, they are somewhat hard to train, being singleminded they tend to focus on what THEY want to do. Usually this means running somewhere - FAST. He needs more structure than you seem to be giving him and at this point you need some professional help to teach him and more importantly YOU and your family the correct thing. Do NOT even think about dumping this dog into a "better" home. YOU made this problem and all that would only put the problem on someone else. He'd probably not do any better a new home and would probably wind up in the pound. You must stop laughing at his antics, he's older now and it isnt so cute anymore is it?
All it'll take is for him to really destroy something or really hurt someone in the house by accident and you'll be looking to get rid of him. That's how people like me who rescue wind up with most of our re-homes.
So time to get moving and get a pro dog trainer, dont just hire the first one you see, if possible go to a dog park and talk to other Husky owner and get some feedback. There's bound to be someone there that can recommend a trainer that can handle Huskies. Meanwhile, get out your leash and put a proper collar on the dog and start REGULAR (this means everyday) training sessions. You must be patient, you havent taught this dog any manners and its going to take time to get him to associate his home with rules. There are many good books with different disciplines in the books store.
I prefer the Monks of New Skete for difficult to train dogs.
Good Luck!

Answer 4

There is no substitute in dog training for hard work and repetition over and over again. I have 2 dogs with advanced obedience titles and still when company comes over they try to jump on them.

As to the pottying problem -- find one spot -- make it very special to him, i.e. don't mow the grass there, and always take him there. Repeat the words "go potty" do it on a leash at first until he always goes potty after he had done it awhile he will go there.

If you're playing with him play gently and have a structured game such as frisbee or ball. If he gets out of control gently tell him "wrong" and take the game away u ntil he settles down. I would take him to obedience classes -- or buy a good book, there's no substitute.

Answer 5

Siberian Huskies are a notoriously difficult breed to train. They are bred to pull sleds and run, run, run. Although technically for sled pulling they do have to listen and respond to directional commands, their main focus in life is running and not obedience. Although with patience and persistence you can certainly teach him all the basics, don't ever expect him to win an obedience championship!

Out of all the breeds of dog, I can't think of a single one who needs more exercise than a Huskie. Running around the backyard is NOT enough. They need to run -- beside a bike, pulling a rig or scooter, jogging with someone, etc. You want to go easy because he is still growing but as an adult dog he will need a good 2 hours of running EVERY day and that is not just in your backyard. Part of the package with this breed I am afraid. They may be lovely to look at but they are also one of the most demanding breeds of dog physically.

Good luck.

Answer 6

Huskies are very smart and you really should get a professional trainer. Though he is young now, so don't expect much for at least another 6 months. You have to yell at him when he goes where he is not supposed to. Keep him on leash in the yard while you are out there, and get him in the habit of only going on the grass, or wherever you want him to. tell him no if he does it wrong. You need to be patient and consistent to get results.

Answer 7

Check his food. I needs a high quality food so he doesn't have excess sugars that add to his hyperactivity. Also, he needs to run for at least an hour every day to burn off the energy. High energy dogs take a lot of commitment. Try reading "The Dog Who Loved Too Much" by Dr. Nicholas Dodman for other tips.

Answer 8

I would definitely take him to obedience classes so you can get some help from a professional. Also it will be something fun that your kids can do with you.

Answer 9

be dominant, but not agressive.
Simple.