How to establish yourself as alpha to a male husky puppy?

Question

I have narrowed my search to a few puppies (all huskies, just looking for the one that best fits). I have done tons of reading and have a good idea of the training involved. The one thing i havent really found is information on how to establish myself as the head. I know about walking through doors before my puppy, eating before him, crate training, basic commands and even info on how to train for backpacking.

I am just wondering if there is anything in particular that will make this training easier, or what i should do a far as showing my puppy the reasons for doing what i tell him to do( i know huskies question these things)

This is going to be my first husky and i want things to go well.

Answer 1

Nothing In Life Is Free

http://k9deb.com/nilif.htm

Answer 2

There are a few real keys to dog training, whether you are trying to train your dog to come when called, sit, stop barking or any other behavior. Understanding their importance is critical to achieving rapid results that are long lasting and help develop the bond between you and your dog. Read more here https://biturl.im/aUSez



The first is simple; you must win your dogs mind. If you don't achieve this first then you will be struggling the all the way. When I talk about winning your dogs mind what I really mean is that your dog looks to you for all the decisions. Before you do anything else watch one of the amazing video sites that show you the 5 Golden rules to establishing yourself as the pack leader. If you aren't putting these in place then you are setting yourself up to fail. Just at the crucial point where you really want your dog to listen they will go and do their own thing. For sure your dog may play ball occasionally or even most of the time, you may even have a dog that is obedient 99% of the time, however if you want a dog who always listens to you and does as you ask then you need to win your dogs mind.



The second key to success is to motivate your dog. It is really important that you discover what it is that your dog enjoys both in terms of exercise and play but also in terms of a reward. If you can make the experience enjoyable then you will both achieve more and look forward to training.



Some dogs love to fetch, others love agility, and other dogs simply love obedience training, or swimming out into water and retrieve. At least to start with find out what your dogs love is and help them develop this, what I am saying is work with your dog. The other point to recognize is to make training enjoyable reward your dog.

Answer 3

Congratulations Ray. Huskies are awesome. I have a Siberian female and she just loves being with people and being the center of attention. Here are some things that worked for me:

1. Hand-feed him

Try and teach him some bite inhibition. Hand-feed him some kibble one by one. If he bites too hard while trying to get at her food, yelp in a high pitch, and ignore him for a few seconds. Then start feeding him again. This way he learns that biting hard can hurt humans and when he does that, the food and attention stops. Hand-feeding is also good for bonding and establishing your leadership.



2. Time-out. If your dog continues with really bad behaviors (biting, humping, leash biting) after you have told him to stop, then say "time-out" and remove him to a time-out area (a safe but boring room, e.g. laundry room). Leave him in there for a couple of minutes and let him out. If he starts up again, non-mark him (No), and say time-out and put him back in time-out. This time lengthen the duration to about 10-15 minutes. Note that if your dog stops the bad behavior, make sure to praise him a lot and give him good treats. Keep this up and your dog will learn that certain behaviors get him rewards while others get him into a boring room with nothing to do.



3. NILIF (Nothing in Life is Free) program. A great way to establish yourself as leader is through the control of resources. Don't give anything to your dog (including pets and affection) unless he does something for you first. For example ask him for a "sit" before you give him food, toys, or freedom.



4. Obedience training. Try and do some obedience training sessions everyday. Enroll in a class or get a good obedience book, and practice with him for short sessions (10-15 minutes) every day. This will help establish you as a leader, improve your bond with your dog, exercise your dog's mind, and give you good tools that you can use to help control him in the house.



Also huskies can be difficult to potty train. Just be patient and consistent with it, treat him for going outside, and he will learn.

Answer 4

Make sure to use a reputable breeder that will give you lifelong support with your pup, that is very important. It is not just the early stages when the puppy grow up, but when your pup (male or female) hits the "Kevin stage". Take it to training classes right from the word go. Always train with positive reinforcement, never smack you dog. The Northern Breeds to not take kindly to smacking and you will loose your dogs trust by smacking it.



There is no one thing you can do to establish yourself as alpha, it is done through day to day living together.

Answer 5

I don't know the answer, but I congradulate you for researching it before you actually get the dog! I have a 4 yr. old husky, that was a rescue dog that we have had for about 7 months now. Because he was never properly trained, he definately thinks he is the alpha! He used to climb into my bed next to my husband, and when I would try to climb in bed, Shadow would growl at me. He's gotten better, but we still have a long ways to go. Good luck!

Answer 6

Training isnt easy anyone that tells you it is is wrong, I have a malamute and its taken tear shouting and pure hell to get to where we are. I wouldnt do it again but shes worth it. What I would say is that you have to stay strong at all times and be dominant over them. Also you need lots of time for walking and training. Be prepared for people to stop visiting your home as they can scare the strongest of friends. Dont have any furniture you value or worth anything around as in the begining its likely to get eaten. They are highly intelligent and well worth the work.

Good luck

Answer 7

Some things you could do to get your Siberian Husky to see you as the Alpha.

1. Go through doors and passage ways before your dog.

Rite of passage is important to dogs, and the alpha has the right first.



2. Eat first--then feed your dog.



3. If your dog is blocking your path, make him move out of your way--do not go around or step over him. Sub-ordinate animals move for the alpha.



4. Call your dog to you for petting and attention. Don't go to him. Use Call Name only when good. When bad just say" Bad Dog Bad Puppy" And reward him. Motivation and Reward.We all need a good reason to do things well. Praise Praise and LOVE



5. When coming home,if your dog does not come to greet you, ignore him. If you go running to your dog then,

you are treating him as the ALPHA.



6.When you play with your dog, be sure that you end up with possession of the toy, and then put it up.



7. Don't allow your dog to sleep on the bed with you. At best you are making him equal with you. (Of course, we all let up on this one after our alphaness is firmly established.)



8. Practice trust/dominance exercises. Gently put your dog down on his side or back and touch his ears, paws, etc. and give him a massage to make it all pleasant for him. Offer treats if he doesn't want his paws touched while you are touching his paws. (This helps later when you have to trim the toe nails.)



9. Be your dogs leader. Prove to him that he can trust you in all situations, and that you will provide for his every need. Be consistent in enforcing all rules of the house. Establish regular routines that he can depend on.



10. Practice "doggy" discipline, that is when your dog engages in undesirable behavior, discipline him in a way that he understands. Give him a scruff shake and a grunt or growl. You must catch him in the act for discipline to be effective, however, or he won't understand for what he is being corrected. With huskies it is best to make direct EYE contact. Huskies like wolves talk with their eyes And Talk to your Husky.



11. Practice taking objects from him, toys, food, etc. Start by trading the object for a yummy treat. Then give back the object back to him. Get him used to your hands around his food bowl. Start by adding yummy treats while he is eating. Work up to removing his food bowl while eating to add the treats, then replacing the bowl for him to resume eating. You can eventually work up to actually slipping your hand in to remove food while he is eating.



12. Chewing - Puppies cannot help chewing, they teeth just like all babies. This can be most annoying and become a habit that is hard to break. When puppy is small and starts to nip and bit ( take his open mouth and hold it gently shut with your hand , like an alligator mouth, and say NO in a firm regular voice. Every time puppy does this. Then from the beginning puppy will know, OPEN MOUTH BITING AND CHEWING IS NO. It also helps to get baby teething rings and old socks etc, put them in the freezer, when frozen give them to puppy to chew to sooth the gums.



13.It helps to keep huskies on a Harness plus collar for Tags and identification. Animals attack at the throat and jugular vein. So to tug or try to train a husky by yanking on his neck,sends an ALARM signal of DANGER to him. Thus he balks. By keeping a standard harness from pet shop, it hooks to his back and feels comfortable

and he is much easier to control and teach. But Try leash training first.



14: Most important when beginning training. Teach the puppy his NAME: use the CALL name FIRST. Example

Sunny : Come! -Sunny: Sit! =treat Never use the command first and the call name after the command. Eg: Come here Sunny. -Sit Sunny. We all pay attention when we hear our name called but not necessarily when people are just talking. So put emphases the puppy name you have chosen. Now you have the beginning foundation for your training

and the walls that will hold your training together.





15: Do not expect too much from your puppy.Remember we all learn at our own pace and in a step by step lesson.

Just like teaching your child or a friend. Slow and patience.





There are many more things that you can do, but these are good starting points for becoming your dog's friend. Remember that security and trust are important to a dog, and a good training provides security and can always be trusted.



Remember another point The Key to success is love and commitment.



http://www.husky-petlove.com/

Check out this site it is very very helpful and informational!!

Answer 8

I think the easiest way is to eat before them. Make sure they see you eating 1st other wise it doesn't work. In the wild the alpha always eats 1st. And if you feed him/her at the table he may think you share dominance

Answer 9

This site has some great answers and info:

siberiansrescue.com

Answer 10

http://www.flyingdogpress.com/sayhi.html



Read this, it will definitely help you understand dog behavior.