Our Howling Adventures

The stereotype is that huskies are hard to train. They escape, they pull on the leash, they talk back—the list goes on and on. But, we disagree, huskies are not as difficult to train as many think.

Often, the real issue is that people are lazy and don’t want to commit to the necessary training. Maybe lazy is harsh, but we see countless posts in husky groups of owners with behavioral issues & when offered advise on training they get upset. Owners that haven’t done research on the breed expect the husky to just exist in their life without any formal training. However, with the right approach and consistency, huskies can become well-behaved and obedient companions and here’s why:

• Intelligent Learners: Huskies are highly intelligent dogs. They have a remarkable ability to learn complex commands quickly. This intelligence means they can grasp new concepts and tricks with relative ease, making training sessions productive and rewarding for both the dog and the owner.
• Strong Work Ethic: Bred as working dogs, huskies have a natural drive to complete tasks and follow instructions. Their background as sled dogs has instilled in them a strong sense of duty and perseverance, traits that are incredibly beneficial during training.
• Social Animals: Huskies are inherently social creatures. They thrive on interaction and are very responsive to positive reinforcement. This eagerness to please makes them more receptive to training. When training a husky, using treats, praise, and play as rewards can lead to quick and effective learning.
•  Adaptable and Resilient: One of the standout qualities of huskies is their adaptability. They can adjust to various training methods and environments, making them versatile learners. Whether you’re training in a park, at home, or in a more structured setting, a husky can adapt and perform well.
• Energetic and Engaged: Huskies have high energy levels, which can be an asset in training. Their enthusiasm means they are often eager and engaged during training sessions. This energy, when channeled correctly, can lead to very successful outcomes as they are willing to participate and learn actively.

Training a Husky

Kilo was our first dog (as adults) and our first husky. We aren’t saying his training was all rainbows and butterflies but, we had an expectation of the behaviors we desired from him so we did a lot of research and had help from two different trainers. Some things that worked for us that we would do again with another dogs are consistency, positive reinforcement, socialization, engagement, obedience, crate training, physical AND mental exercise, boundaries, routine and recall.

• Consistency, boundaries and routine: Huskies thrive on structure! They need boundaries and a routine to thrive. Boundaries might include, not being allowed on the couch or waiting at every threshold. We know that not everyday is the same, but creating as much routine as possible is key. For example, every time Kilo is in the car, he has to be in a down and cannot jump out of the car until released.
• Positive reinforcement and engagement: Using treats, praise and affection to reward good behavior also helps create engagement with your dog. Becoming the most important thing in your dogs life will help with additional training down the road because they trust you!
• Socialization: We don’t mean puppy play dates or letting your dog meet every dog in the neighborhood. What we mean is exposing your dog to different environments, people and other animals from a young age. To this day, we still take Kilo to the park and just sit on a bench to watch the people and animals.
• Physical and mental exercise: This is important for all dogs but huskies especially as high-energy dogs. On top of regular exercise and playtime, use interactive toys to exercise their brain.

While training a husky does require time and effort, it is far from an impossible task. Their intelligence, strong work ethic, sociable nature, adaptability, and high energy levels all contribute to their train-ability. By committing to a consistent and positive training regimen, husky owners can enjoy the rewards of a well-trained and happy dog. Remember, the key is dedication and consistency—qualities that, when matched with a husky’s natural abilities, can lead to exceptional results.

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A post shared by Rachel & Kilo the Husky (@ourhowlingadventures)