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Original poster

Husky difficulties

116 replies

Wellfuckmeinbothears · 21/10/2017 18:54

Hi all,

We have a 8 month old pure breed husky, he’s lovely and we love him but my god he is hard work. We walk him for an hour twice a day but he’s relentless! His pulling on the lead means I can no longer walk him as he pulls me over. He constantly whines and follows me from room to room. He’s mostly toilet trained but if he needs to go in between his walks he would rather go inside despite having free rein of a large garden. He’s also started snapping at us if we try to stop him from doing something (chewing cables, get off the bed etc) and we cannot leave him loose in the house, he has to be in the cage if we go out or he destroys the house. We are really, really trying with him. We’ve been to puppy classes etc and nothing’s helping. I’m in despair! He’s not been “done” yet so try’s to shag everything (kids included) and bites us when we stop him. Will getting him neutered help?

Any advice or just support would be so appreciated. I love my dog but he’s just so badly behaved.

OP posts:
TopBitchoftheWitches · 21/10/2017 20:25

I am in no way surprised at how much exercise he needs, where have I said that? We happily walk him 8 miles a day and would gladly walk him more once we address the pulling issues.

It’s a Husky !

Raindancer411 · 21/10/2017 20:31

I would defiantly get him booked in for neutering though. Did you look up the YouTube video of the husky I mentioned?

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 21/10/2017 20:32

Seriously : you need to listen to the people who are questioning your choice of breed. This may not be solveable. Your baby may be in danger in future.

JigglyTuff · 21/10/2017 20:34

With all due respect (ish - given you've got a dog from a dodgy breeder in an inappropriate home) - behavioural work takes a really long time. My dog exhibited minor behavioural issues and it's taken me nearly a year of complete focus and hours of work and time to turn that around. And he's still not there.

You don't have that luxury. In 7 months time, you'll be bringing a tiny newborn into your tiny flat with a dog who is massively unpredictable and aggressive. It's a recipe for absolute disaster.

You will not be able to keep up with a husky's need for exercise once the baby is here either, even if, by some utter miracle, you manage to turn the behaviour around.

Seriously, do you and your dog a massive favour and get him rehomed now.

furlinedsheepskinjacket · 21/10/2017 20:34

you have the wrong breed of dog

your dog is not happy

i think you should think about rehoming

Mulch · 21/10/2017 20:35

My collie loved a hollow bone filled then frozen with treats. Kept him entertained when we would go out. Also few good dog puzzles on amazon

Clicker training for lead pulling. When you walk them don't go far it's not the aim. Every time theres slack on a lead click treat. Repetition is your friend, persist it will work.

Pack animals, go through a door make them sit and stay. They move before you command door closes. Repeat until it's routine with all of you, your a pack he's at the bottom.

CornflakeHomunculus · 21/10/2017 20:35

Honestly, I would recommend doing a lot more research into the breed and really consider if you're going to be able to meet his needs as an adult, especially once you've got a new baby.

On lead walking, however much you're able to provide, is unlikely to be enough to satisfy a Sibe. They really need to be able to run on a regular basis which is why so many Sibe owners do canicross, scootering, bikejoring, etc.

They are a very, very specialist breed and unfortunately it's incredibly common for them to end up in rescue at around a year old when people who bought a cute little Sibe puppy from a dodgy breeder suddenly discover just how much work is involved in keeping them.

Although you love your dog I do think you should seriously consider whether you are a suitable match for each other.

Wolfiefan · 21/10/2017 20:37

I have a wolfhound and I wouldn't take on a husky! Certainly not in a flat.
Some thoughts though. Would a 2 point harness be better with the pulling? Not all dogs like the halti type. Practice in the garden for a couple of minutes. Treats at the ready. Reward for all close walking. Even for a second or two!
Getting dog off sofa etc. don't use force. Throw treats or toys?
Recall. Secure field is good. Treats or a toy to catch at the end.
8 months is too young for running. Are there any local groups who do activities suitable for the breed?
Training does tire the buggers out! Google brain games.
Hope you find a trainer who can help. This sounds really hard.

Mulch · 21/10/2017 20:38

Also a friend of mine has huskies, he straps them to his bike and cycles two hours a day, they live outside in a kennel have access to house but prefer their kennel, they just like to nip and say hello every now and then. pro grooming every mon and home made food. Small work in the evening which is more training focused rather than distance. Huskies aren't for the faint hearted. Maybe consider rehoming while their young and have a chance

BiteyShark · 21/10/2017 20:39

Another thing to consider if you can find the 'right place' or 'dog walker' is whether you could hire someone to run with him on one of those lead attachment things (although the ones I have seen advertised require the dog to be older than I think 1 yr old and have a vet certify that the dog is fit enough to run). Or maybe a professional day care center where they get lots of stimulation and exercise (mine goes to a dog walker but I have seen specialised centres that have different areas for different dogs etc). This might be an option to increase his exercise particularly as you are going to have your hands full with a baby and then you can concentrate on working on his behaviour with a specialist in your home.

Floralnomad · 21/10/2017 20:41

There is no disgrace in saying that your circumstances have changed , how on earth are you going to manage this dog when you are heavily pregnant or trying to walk him with a baby . Contact a specific breed rescue and for the sake of yourselves and him find him a more suitable home ( no babies) with experienced husky owners .

Therealslimshady1 · 21/10/2017 20:43

Are they suited to indoor (flat) life?

Can you get him neutered? The biting issue is very serious

Original poster
Wellfuckmeinbothears · 21/10/2017 20:55

Thank you for all the advice everyone has given. I’m sorry for being snipey, I’m nauseas and tired and just feeling a bit low.

We really love our dog, he is so loving and has a wonderful personality. We really want to help him and address the issues as a family.

OP posts:
ItsInTheDogsMouth · 21/10/2017 20:58

If you use a behaviourist make sure it is a good one. It is an unregulated industry and anyone can set themselves up as a 'behaviourist'. Join the fb group dog training advice and support for their recommendation. For lead walking use a double ended lead with a front clip harness, the best one i've found is the mekuti as it works to unbalance the dog if it pulls. Also do lots of brain training type games, so stuff kongs, teach tricks, hide treats, try scatter feeding in the garden.

ItsInTheDogsMouth · 21/10/2017 20:59

Oh, also, if you do find an enclosed field, use a long line attached to his harness so that you can catch him at then end of your time.

furlinedsheepskinjacket · 21/10/2017 21:01

you can tell from your posts you love him :) but..........sometimes that isn't enough

JigglyTuff · 21/10/2017 21:05

I don't doubt you love him but I doubt you have the right home for him. I'm also really worried about your baby

loobybear · 21/10/2017 21:09

Also, whilst you are looking into trainers I would suggest getting this book. It's great and basically breaks down what training you need to do with your dog before bringing a baby into the home (all positive and force free training methods). The author is a dog behaviourist who had dogs with behavioural issues and she breaks down what she did with them so they were ready for a baby, as well as preventative strategies to protect both your baby and dog. It helps you to understand your dog's behaviour as well, particularly around children. I think everyone who has dogs and is planning to have a baby should read this. We're not even TTC yet and I have been using it because at some point I hope to have children.

Husky difficulties
Hoppinggreen · 21/10/2017 21:10

Im not doubting your love for your dog or your motivation on coming on here asking for help but a Husky is not the dog for you ( and you aren't the owners for him) at this point
With a baby coming soon as well I think you really need to regime, he's young so if you work with a breed rescue he should find the right home
If you DO love your dog and want the best for him it's the right thing to do.
They are beautiful dogs but not really great domestic pets, especially with children and in a small flat. I have friends with Huskies and they need special owners

GinIsIn · 21/10/2017 21:14

Loving your dog is all well and good but you just aren't the right owners for a husky. You don't have the experience or the space and have a baby on the way. I'm really sorry but for the good of the dog and your baby, you should give him up asap so he has a chance of finding a suitable home whilst he's young. And I say this as someone who has a dog and a baby.

Original poster
Wellfuckmeinbothears · 21/10/2017 21:15

We’be just bought some kong training toys so will be starting those in my Dh’s next off shift (Monday).

I understand the worry for our baby, believe me we are too but that is why we are working so hard with our dog. The last resort is rehoming and it’s something we desperately do not want. He’s our baby but if the biting and aggression continues we know he will have to be rehomed. We are going to find a 1-1 husky specialist and work very hard with him.

OP posts:
GinIsIn · 21/10/2017 21:16

The thing is to you it's a last resort but the longer you wait, the worse you are making things.

Original poster
Wellfuckmeinbothears · 21/10/2017 21:17

I’m not sure that was very well put but what I’m trying to say is that if after working with a specialist it becomes clear that our husky will be better off with different owners than that is what we’ll do. We want what’s best for him.

OP posts:
Original poster
Wellfuckmeinbothears · 21/10/2017 21:19

Do other posters think the same? Are we making life harder for our boy? We just want him to be happy, if being rehomed is what he needs it’d break our hearts but we’d do it for him.

OP posts:
GinIsIn · 21/10/2017 21:21

I'm not trying to upset you, it's just the longer he's in a home that's clearly wrong for him, the longer those negative behaviours are getting ingrained. There isn't a behaviourist out there who can overcome the fact you are fundamentally incompatible with this breed.

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