Will I be able to train our siberian husky not to run away?

[Blonde_Girl]

We got our 2 yr old husky a month ago. She doesn't listen to commands unless when seeing a treat. She also runaway when let off the leash and will not come when we call her. I hear that huskys can be untrainable. Will i be able to train her to listen and come when we call?

[Fuzzy Moo Moo]

Punish her when shes doesn't obey.
Reward when she obeys.
Simple.

[rhg84]

Originally Posted by Blonde_Girl

We got our 2 yr old husky a month ago. She doesn't listen to commands unless when seeing a treat. She also runaway when let off the leash and will not come when we call her. I hear that huskys can be untrainable. Will i be able to train her to listen and come when we call?

consistency is the goal but you will never get a husky to come 100% of the time. They are very independent and their first goal is not usually to please their master. So if there is something more interesting then you they wont listen to you. They love to run so if you ever let them off their leash they will run its as simple as that.

[skoolwiz89]

yeah you will never be able to train a husky to stay by you like a golden retriever or german shepherd will, without a leash on and be sure the husky won't take off. if you spent an extraordinary amount of time exercising and training the husky, then maybe. you would also have to have an abnormal husky.

as for her not obeying commands unless you have a treat, that is related to dominance. one of the best tricks to teaching a dog who is the alpha is to firmly force your dog onto its back and while it is on its back you need to stand over it and stare into its eyes. your demeanor plays a big part and it must be challenging. you have to challenge the dog to do something, you have to challenge your dog for the alpha spot. do not let your dog up from that position until it has become submissive, meaning it has relaxed its paws (which were previously kicking you) and most importantly it has bared its throat to you. this is one of the most submissive positions for a dog. by baring its neck completely it means that your dog is recognizing you as the alpha and as such you have the power to decide whether the dog lives or dies. the first time you try this trick it will likely take a while for the dog to give in, but do not stop untill it does. the more you repeat it the quicker it will take and the more the notion of you being above the dog is reinforced. you must remember that huskies are pack dogs and so they are constantly trying to test the order, see if they can move up. they do this by seeing what they can get away with. by constantly reinforcing the notion that you are above the dog in the order of the pack, the dog will start listening to you more. huskies will still have trouble with commands to come, but in this case you must work hard and be patient.

another trick you can do is get your dog to associate commands with other things. one thing you can do is to take your dog treats and put them in a plastic container with a screw on top. soon enough your husky will start to recognize the sound of the treats rattling in the container when it is moved. then whenever you let your dog out (into a fenced area) to pee or something, and you want her to come back in call her and shake the box of treats. then when she comes back in give her treat. soon she will start to associate coming back inside with treats. this will increase her willingness to come.