Pets

Are huskies among the most difficult dogs to train?

Huskies: Unconventional Training Methods for Challenging Breeds

Huskies are definitely not the easiest breed when it comes to training because they have never been selected specifically for cooperation with humans. If for example, you take a border collie or a labrador, who is eager to work with, you husky might be more the type who wants to do it alone on his own and who does not like a lot of repetitions in training, but there are ways to train a husky and for doing that, you have to know what your dog and Enjoys, what they are originally made for and then you have to use this as a reinforcer. So instead of just handing over a treat you can think about things in the environment that your dog wants to have that they want to have access to if the Husky wants to go for a swim. You can ask for a recall and then release them to the water or if the Husky wants to sniff a stone or a Lamppost you ask for something. And then you ask for a little trick and then you release them to the Lamppost or to the stone to have a sniff there. You can also think about what the dog was originally made for bread for by us humans and what is feeling good for them in a self-reinforcing way. And for Huskies, definitely they like to chase and they like to pull things so you can also use those things as a reinforcer. So instead of just handing Being a boring cable. You can toss the cable across the floor, so that your dog can go run after it and Chase it and grab it and eat it up.

Huskies can be difficult to train because they don't enjoy repetition like other breeds, but training can be successful if you know what your dog enjoys and use that as a reinforcer. You can also incorporate things like chasing and pulling into the training to make it more enjoyable for the husky.

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Huskies are not the easiest breed to train because they have not been specifically bred for cooperation with humans. Unlike breeds like border collies or labradors that are eager to work with humans, huskies tend to be more independent and may not enjoy repetitive training.

However, there are effective ways to train a husky. It's important to understand what your dog enjoys and what they were originally bred for. You can use these preferences as reinforcers during training. Instead of simply giving treats, consider using environmental rewards that your husky desires. For example, if your husky wants to go for a swim, you can ask for a recall and then release them to the water. If they want to sniff a stone or a lamppost, ask for a little trick before allowing them to explore.

Additionally, consider what activities are self-reinforcing for huskies based on their original purpose. Huskies enjoy chasing and pulling, so you can use these behaviors as reinforcers. Instead of handing them a boring cable, toss it across the floor for them to chase, grab, and play with.

By understanding your husky's preferences and using them as positive reinforcements, you can train them effectively despite their independent nature.

Do you believe there is a place for prong collars and e-collars in normal or severe dog behavioural issues?

German dog trainer: No prong or shock collars allowed in my training

I'm a dog trainer in, dog. Behavioral consultant from Germany. And in Germany, prom colors, and shock collars have been banned for years. This is not an option for me and my clients in my training. So you have to come up with other ideas and once you cannot just stop your dog with a quick fix, which is an e-collar, you have to show if you are really capable of training, dogs with positive reinforcement, and without intimidation or fear. So the answer is no in my In there are no aversive tools such as e-collars prom colors slip leads or anything that causes pain or uncomfort for the dog.

In dog training, I do not use aversive tools such as e-collars, slip leads or anything that causes pain or discomfort for the dog. Instead, I focus on positive reinforcement and do not use intimidation or fear.

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As a dog trainer and behavioral consultant from Germany, I adhere to the ban on prong collars and shock collars that has been in place for years. In my training, these tools are not an option for me or my clients. Instead, I focus on finding alternative approaches that do not involve aversive tools or causing pain or discomfort to the dog.

I firmly believe in training dogs using positive reinforcement methods, without resorting to intimidation or fear. It requires dedication and skill to effectively train dogs without relying on quick fixes like e-collars. Therefore, I do not believe there is a place for prong collars, e-collars, slip leads, or any other tools that cause harm or discomfort to the dog in my training approach.

How does playing games with a dog mimic predatory behaviour?

Games with dogs mimic predatory behavior, providing fulfillment and happiness.

The predatory motor pattern consists of orientation in the environment, for example, sniffing the ground or listening for sounds or having the nose up in the air for are scenting. And then when the dog realizes, oh, there is something to hunt, they go into a stalk into a nice stock, they creep forward to get closer to the prey animal. Then they chased, and they grab bite. They shake, they kill and they tear apart, and eat the prey. And There are games that mimic each of those steps on the predatory motor pattern and that give dogs and outlet for what they want to perform, because they don't know it's not appropriate to rip apart another living being. So we give them substitution games that mimic those experiences and the dog feels happy. They feel fulfilled afterwards. I'm sure the dog knows that this is not the real stuff, but they were bred to work together with us. This makes them so Happy and finally we are the ones that gain our dogs hunting success because we give them access to those games. We play those games together with them. We mimic the predatory motor pattern and this makes it worthwhile for the dog to perform.

The predatory motor pattern is a sequence of behaviors which dogs use to hunt prey. Games can be used to give them an outlet for this behavior, allowing us to have fun and bond with our dogs while also giving them an opportunity to satisfy their natural instincts.

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Playing games with a dog can mimic predatory behavior by replicating the different steps of the predatory motor pattern. This pattern includes orientation in the environment, stalking, chasing, grabbing, shaking, killing, and tearing apart prey. By engaging in games that simulate these steps, dogs are provided with an outlet for their natural instincts. They feel fulfilled and happy after participating in these games, even though they understand that it is not real prey. Dogs have been bred to work alongside humans, and playing these games together allows them to experience a sense of hunting success. It benefits both the dog and the owner by satisfying the dog's innate needs and strengthening the bond between them.

How did you come to develop your predatory substitution training methods?

Revolutionary Predatory Substitution Training Unveiled - Not My Genius, But a Clever Solution!

I wish I was such a genius to have come up with predation substitute training and the methods but I'm afraid, I'm not predation. Substitute training has been developed in Germany for over 20 years by various dog trainers and it's something that I have already come across during my dog trainer education in Germany. We live in a country that has the biggest Wildlife density in Europe and shock collars e colors, and brown colors have been banned for a couple of years now. So do Doctrine has had to come up with a more clever idea to stop the dog from hunting, and this is how the method was developed.

Substitute training has been developed in Germany to stop dogs from hunting and it has been around for over 20 years. It is a method that uses positive reinforcement to train dogs in the desired behavior instead of using shock collars or other physical punishments.

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I did not personally develop the predatory substitution training methods. These methods have been developed by various dog trainers in Germany over the past 20 years. During my dog trainer education in Germany, I was introduced to these methods. In Germany, where I live, there is a high density of wildlife, and shock collars and prong collars have been banned for several years. As a result, trainers had to come up with alternative approaches to prevent dogs from hunting, leading to the development of the predatory substitution training method.

Why do you believe your methods are effective in stopping a dog's predatory behaviour?

Effective Methods: Transforming Dog Predatory Behavior with Four Components

Predation substitute training is very effective and it can be done with any dog, regardless of their breed of their age and of the history. It is something that you have to practice regularly on your walk and that you have to scaffold and build thoroughly. So it's not a magic pill that you can just feed your dog. And then your dog will stop hunting straight away. It's something that you have to constantly work on, but the method is really effective. It is effective because it works in a holistic sense. It's not just one thing that you do with your dog, but it consists of four different components that all merge into each other, like a puzzle. And if you leave out one of these components, the whole program will not work anymore. So the first component is management and prevention that you teach your dog, basically, to stay in contact with you all the time on your walk, the second component is Predation substitute tools that you use in the situation when you come across Wildlife with your dog. The third component is games that gives you dog in outlet for their predatory energy and the last component is teaching a super solid recall as an interrupter. When predation happens

Predation substitute training is a holistic approach that consists of four different components: management, prevention, predation substitute tools and games, and teaching a super solid recall. It is effective in teaching your dog not to hunt Wildlife and it should be done regularly on your walk.

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Predation substitute training is highly effective in addressing a dog's predatory behavior, regardless of their breed, age, or history. It is not a quick fix, but rather a method that requires consistent practice and thorough implementation during walks. The effectiveness of this method lies in its holistic approach, which consists of four interconnected components.

The first component is management and prevention, where you teach your dog to stay in constant contact with you during walks. This helps to maintain control and prevent potential predatory situations. 

The second component involves using predation substitute tools when encountering wildlife with your dog. These tools redirect their focus and provide alternative outlets for their predatory instincts.

The third component incorporates games that allow your dog to release their predatory energy in a controlled and appropriate manner.

Lastly, teaching a super solid recall serves as an interrupter when predatory behavior arises, providing a reliable means of redirecting their attention.

By combining these four components, the predation substitute training method creates a comprehensive approach to address and modify a dog's predatory behavior effectively.

Is using a ‘bolting rabbit’ a good idea to train steadiness and mimic REAL prey so your dog can learn not to chase?

Train steadiness with a bolting rabbit: mimic real prey, curb chasing instincts!

Recalling, your dog, from a boating rabbit or a flood policy? Great way to mimic your dogs. Recalled. From moving Wildlife, you can use this flood Pole or this folding rabbit in two different ways. The first way is to train your dogs steadiness, which means you ask them for a sit or lie down and then you move the flood pole in front of your dog's eyes and they are to remain. Put, please don't forget to scaffold this. Carefully. So you start with a very low intensity. You only make a few very slow moves in front of your dog's eyes and then you immediately release them or you feed them a treat. The other way to use this is to interrupt the mid Chase, which means your dog is already chasing the flood pole of chasing the bolting rabbit and then you recall them from mid Chase. And here again it's important to scaffold this carefully from the start so that you start with a very Slow movement with a very low intensity. And then when the you are dog is successful here, you can always increase criteria.

You can use a flood pole or folding rabbit to train your dog's steadiness by asking them for a sit or lie down and then moving the item in front of their eyes. You can also use it to interrupt the mid chase by recalling your dog from chasing the item. Make sure to scaffold this carefully, starting with low intensity and slow movements.

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Using a bolting rabbit or a flood pole can be a useful tool for training your dog's steadiness and teaching them not to chase real prey. There are two ways to utilize this tool effectively.

Firstly, you can train your dog's steadiness by asking them to sit or lie down while you move the flood pole in front of their eyes. It's important to start with low intensity and slow movements, gradually increasing the difficulty. Reward your dog immediately after each successful session.

Secondly, you can use the bolting rabbit or flood pole to interrupt your dog's mid-chase. When your dog is already in pursuit, recall them from the chase. Again, start with slow movements and low intensity, gradually increasing the criteria as your dog becomes more successful.

Remember to scaffold these training exercises carefully, starting with easier tasks and gradually progressing to more challenging ones. By using the bolting rabbit or flood pole in these ways, you can help your dog learn not to chase and improve their steadiness.

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Simone Mueller is a qualified dog trainer, dog behaviorist (ATN.AG), and author of "Hunting Together!" - a motivation-based training program to harness predatory chasing in family dogs. Simone works as a volunteer in wolf monitoring for a large German nature conservation organization and has worked with wolves in captivity. She is proud to be an Associate Trainer at the Scotland-based Lothlorien Dog Training Club (AT-LDTC) and a member of both the Pet Professional Guild (PPG) and the Pet Dog Trainers of Europe (PDTE).

Neither AnyQuestion nor its Experts provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment or otherwise provide professional healthcare services.

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