Training Information for Husky Puppies
According to the American Kennel Club, Siberian husky puppies grow to be medium-sized working dogs known for their intelligent, friendly and gentle personalities. However, puppies of this breed can be both overly playful and mischievous if not taught the rules of the house early. Training a Siberian husky puppy basic skills such as "Sit" and "Stay" can be easy if owners follow some simple rules.
-
Housetraining
-
Puppies need a regular schedule to establish healthy behavior, such as when to go potty and when to eat. When owners take puppies outside at least every two hours, especially when the dog is young, it helps establish a bond between human and dog and teaches the dog that he is supposed to eliminate outdoors, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Humane Society experts also advise taking puppies outside for a walk as soon as it wakes up, eats or drinks. Huskies, just like any dog breed, have instincts that tell it not to soil the areas in which it eats or sleeps, but without having immediate access to an outdoor potty, it will have no choice but to eliminate indoors. Puppy bladders are also small and need to be emptied much more frequently than an adult dog's bladder, which is why it's not advised to wait longer than two hours at a time to walk a puppy. Owners can usually predict when their dogs are ready to go potty because of signs that include circling, sniffing an area and whining.
Feeding routine
-
Owners can develop a regular feeding schedule with Siberian husky puppies to help establish the hierarchy in the home. Puppies need to be fed usually three or four times a day, and feeding a puppy his food at the same times each day will help his bladder and colon will develop a regular elimination schedule, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Feeding a puppy on a schedule also teach it who controls the food, and dogs are more likely to see that person as an Alpha or leader and obey their commands.
-
Praise
-
Perhaps the most important part of training a puppy to do anything is rewarding him when he actually does what he's asked. Praising a dog teaches him what is expected. If a person asks a puppy to "Sit," and the puppy sits, he should be rewarded with both a treat and plenty of petting. Similarly, if the puppy doesn't sit when asked, he should simply be ignored. Scolding a puppy runs the risk of making him nervous and timid around everyone, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Because Siberian huskies are intelligent dogs and not as stubborn as some breeds, these puppies usually respond quickly to positive reinforcement.
Socialization
-
It doesn't matter what type of dog breed a person owns, socialization is vital to his growth as a well-behaved dog, according to the Humane Society of the United States. A Siberian husky puppy should be exposed to other dogs and people as much as possible while it is still a puppy. This helps it learn proper dog behavior and teaches it not to be afraid, aggressive or anxious around other dogs and people.
Professional help
-
Owners hoping to train their puppies complex tricks, such as how to run an agility course on command, are often advised to consult with a certified dog trainer before training at home. Many pet stores, such as PetsMart and Petco, offer training classes. In addition, there are internationally-recognized organizations, such as the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, that can refer dog owners to experienced trainers. Any of these please can help owner train their Siberian husky puppy to do anything from basic skills to complex tricks.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Malamute Husky image by Martin Sproul from Fotolia.com