Tips to improve recall of an unruly Husky?! Help!

[MurphysMinder]

Fingers crossed for the job and final x rays. Tell him you need the job to pay his bill.

 

[NinjaPony]

I have to say I am very concerned about the rising number of huskies being registered in the UK. These dogs are NOT for the average pet owner, they do NOT make good "family pets" for your average dog owner, they need competent handling by people who understand that this breed is not like a Labrador..... My friend works in a shelter and the number of huskies coming in is rapidly rising. Such a shame. I think some people like the look of them (they are gorgeous) and don't research the breed properly.
I hope you manage to sort out the recall issue, tbh better on a lead and safe than dead under the wheels of a car, or injuring someones beloved pet.
Could you walk her on a lunge line, so she has room to "roam" but under control?

 

[Cahill]

on page 1 you say " we just let our dogs roam about for most of the day and they're locked away at night." and also state that you dog has only " been off the yard 3 times "

so glad that I have put time and effort into my dog.
goodness knows what he would have been like if left to his own devices like yours.

 

[{97702}]

I wish I could 'like' so many of the posts on this thread - Cahill, NinjaPony, j*a, blackcob, EMS, misterjay.....

 

[gunnergundog]

RCP......not only can/do freedom fences fail, dogs with sufficiently high prey drive can learn to go through the pain of running through it. Rarely though do they choose to run through the pain to return into their allegedly securely fenced territory.

A friend of a friend had a pet bred Viz that learned the above technique; ended up on the railway line.

Please just accept the dog you have; it is 12 months old....it is an adolescent and it is to be expected that its behaviour will change.

 

[Alec Swan]

........ These dogs are NOT for the average pet owner, they do NOT make good "family pets" for your average dog owner, they need competent handling by people who understand that this breed is not like a Labrador.....

.......

What a pleasant surprise to read such sense. There are several breeds of dog which have been bred in such a way that there has either been no need for an in-hand relationship, or such a relationship would be counterproductive.

Some of these breeds, have been bred since their inception, to be pack reliant; Hounds for instance and probably Sled Dogs too. Who in their right minds wants a Foxhound as a pet?

Then on the other hand we have English Pointers and the English and Irish Setters, who's main use and purpose has been to range open moorland, sometimes at a distance of half a mile, or more, and it's unusual to find one that does "Heel work", that being an undesirable trait.

The experienced dog trainer steers clear of most of the difficult breeds, because the amount of effort put in to get them to the stage of being compliant and worthwhile companions, simply isn't worth such effort. Then all so often, those with limited knowledge seem to know more than the person who wants nothing to do with their chosen breed.

There have been suggestions that such recalcitrant (and yes, that is the right word!) dogs should be kept on a lunge line when they're outside the confines of what's effectively a cage. Where is the pleasure in keeping such a dog? How can keeping such an animal be justified, and how do those who know-best live with the daily battle, some committed and so for the life of the dog? I wonder how many, when they have such an animal pass on, breath a silent sigh of relief, and move on to a more tractable breed.

Such as it is, my experience extends through gundogs, protection and tracker dogs, coursing dogs and sheepdogs. All my dogs, and there have been many, have first and for-most, been companions. They've been, and still are, with me every day, enjoying their roles as not only dogs doing a job of work, but my work companions. When I lived alone, there were many days when the only people I spoke to, were my dogs!

This is rather wandering away from the question of the suitability of certain breeds as pets. Breed types do change, of course, they evolve. In the early 70s Rotts started to appear, and many (most?) of the early ones were specialist dogs. Many were downright dangerous, and so many were ignorant creatures which were bought and kept by those who previously paraded down the street with a Doberman. Rotts are now becoming a breed which whilst evolving have become far more of a family pet, far more amenable, and far less of a liability. I know of some very nice Rotts, and Dobes, too.

I suppose that the Sled Dog breeds could be bred to fill a role as a family pet, as have Rotts and Dobermans, but will it honestly be worth the effort?

As a disclaimer, there will be those I'm sure, who have dalmatians, beagles and huskies which win obedience tests and are the very apple of their owners eye, but they will be in a minority I'd have thought.

Alec.

 

[Spudlet]

I think the answer to why people would keep them and what would make them a pleasure to have must at least partly come down to having them do the job they were bred to do - which is to run in harness. I cannot think why anyone would get such a dog without having this in mind (well I can - because they look just like the wolfy dogs in Game of Thrones, right? Which is why they then get kicked out as soon as they turn into teenage huskies and stop being cute wolfy pups).

You could say the same about many working breeds - if they don't get an outlet for the traits that we have bred into them for years, they can be a nightmare. The beagle that vanishes for hours at a time. The collie that obsessively chases cars. The manic spaniel that never sits still. You can't just decide one day that these dogs must suddenly adapt to a life of one walk in the park a day. We (humans) have altered these dogs right down to the way in which their brains develop and we need to be respectful of that.

Personally I think watching a dog do what it was bred to do is a joyful sight (well, unless you are the burglar watching a GSD follow its instincts all over you) and although I wouldn't have a sled dog breed, I can understand those that have them to run them. Watching the little one at training run is an education, she covers the ground like nothing else and I really hope I'll get to see her in harness one day, when she's old enough.

 

[misterjinglejay]

I have to say I am very concerned about the rising number of huskies being registered in the UK. These dogs are NOT for the average pet owner, they do NOT make good "family pets" for your average dog owner, they need competent handling by people who understand that this breed is not like a Labrador..... My friend works in a shelter and the number of huskies coming in is rapidly rising. Such a shame. I think some people like the look of them (they are gorgeous) and don't research the breed properly.
I hope you manage to sort out the recall issue, tbh better on a lead and safe than dead under the wheels of a car, or injuring someones beloved pet.
Could you walk her on a lunge line, so she has room to "roam" but under control?

Too many good posts to quote, but the above is unfortunately very true

I have always wanted working sleddogs, waited, researched, talked to owners/breeders etc, and finally have some. To see them doing what they were bred to (okay, not quite the same as trundling across Alaska for months on end) is amazing, and it nearly always bring tears to my eyes.

The walking side of owning them is fine (although hard work). Mine are on a lunge line/walking belt, and can roam about, sniff and pick up the latest doggy gossip as much as they like, but are under control. Their main exercise is in harness, but we walk ours for a good couple of hours a day, and then they run off what's left, in my enclosed garden. I, personally, don't see anything wrong with that.

 

[Cyrus]

My girl after a 2 hour on lead walk, please do tell me she leads an unhappy life not being allowed to wander a farm with escapable fencing

 

[Booboos]

Two Huskies got loose near us when we lived in Yorkshire. Apparently they both jumped the front garden fence and took off, something they had never done before. They were loose for 3 days. At one point they came onto our land but we couldn't get anywhere near them to catch them. One was eventually shot by a farmer, the other was caught by its owner. Very sad...

 

[suzysparkle]

Well I think it's time for some pictures of what huskies do best, just to illustrate things. They don't need to be off the lead to enjoy life to the full!

The black and white boy in lead we imported from Alaska a few years ago. He is now 10. Note also you can just see one of our Collie's in right wheel (at the back), he likes to run in harness as well!!


Pretty girls, all related, and all from Alaskan imports.


Pulling approx 235kg (heavy passenger cart with 2 people)

 

[eatmyshorts]

Cool pics. I'd go a step further & say it's not just what they do best, but what they should be doing!

 

[blackcob]

Can't post pics as my laptop has died and I've been mobile only all week but as above, I defy anyone to say that my dogs suffer for being on a lead. They have more exercise than any pet dog I know (and some working ones!) and their fair share of free running but in a fenced and supervised environment only.

Still haven't heard MM, he called in sick! Still did x-rays but no results/discussion until he's back tomorrow.

 

[Alec Swan]

blackcob,

I don't think that anyone is criticising those who keep sled dogs, and use the dog, for its intended and bred-for purpose. The parallel could be those City living horses who never have their freedom, but they are out daily and serving a purpose.

The questions arise where we have those who keep certain breeds of dog, deny them the right to exercise their bodies and/or their brains, and then bleat about the fact that they can't do anything with the bloody thing, because it's showing all the signs of a dog which is living a frustrated and contained life, when it's breed history and genetics would have it otherwise.

I've only ever had dogs which are of use to me. I understand and accept that there are those who keep dogs, for other purposes, but if I could have one wish, it would be that those who select dogs bred for a purpose, think carefully, very carefully, about their choices. Most antisocial behaviour from dogs which have been bred to fulfil a role, is because of the poor creatures frustration.

suzysparkle, excellent pics! Whether you compete with your dogs, or simply enjoy the ride, is academic. The fact is that your dogs are being allowed to express themselves, as have countless generations before them.

Alec.

 

[blackcob]

For once, Alec, we couldn't be more in agreement.

 

[MurphysMinder]

Yep, totally agree with Alec too. A friend has recently spent some time in lapland and went on several husky safaris. She said the dogs excitement when they saw their harnesses was incredible. These dogs lived outside with minimal shelters and were the picture of health, she even has pictures of a couple that have dog themselves into snow holes and are curled up fast asleep ,snug and warm. Of all the breeds I think huskies really have stayed as nature intended them to be, which is why people who try to keep them as pets have problems.
I've met blackcobs two, and know how much work she puts in to keep them happy balanced dogs. I also still remember how D managed within about half an hour, to escape from my field which has kept generations of GSDs contained for over 20 years.

Ets. I've got cramp from keeping the fingers crossed bc.

 

[blackcob]

There will forever be a Dax-arse-shaped hole to remember her by.

 

[misterjinglejay]

SS love the pictures of your dogs - fantastic.
And Cyrus - as usual, your girl is lovely (but does she have to be so big - I'm scrolling everywhere).

Just uploaded a vid onto FB of our guys in harness (although not a picturesque as SS's), and if I could work out how to post here, I would

 

[misterjinglejay]

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[Nikki J]

blackcob,

I don't think that anyone is criticising those who keep sled dogs, and use the dog, for its intended and bred-for purpose. The parallel could be those City living horses who never have their freedom, but they are out daily and serving a purpose.

The questions arise where we have those who keep certain breeds of dog, deny them the right to exercise their bodies and/or their brains, and then bleat about the fact that they can't do anything with the bloody thing, because it's showing all the signs of a dog which is living a frustrated and contained life, when it's breed history and genetics would have it otherwise.

I've only ever had dogs which are of use to me. I understand and accept that there are those who keep dogs, for other purposes, but if I could have one wish, it would be that those who select dogs bred for a purpose, think carefully, very carefully, about their choices. Most antisocial behaviour from dogs which have been bred to fulfil a role, is because of the poor creatures frustration.

suzysparkle, excellent pics! Whether you compete with your dogs, or simply enjoy the ride, is academic. The fact is that your dogs are being allowed to express themselves, as have countless generations before them.

Alec.

Another excellent post - totally agree

 

[Red30563]

Wow, great pictures, SS. The wonderful, energetic, happy expressions on your dogs faces in the first pic says more than words ever can about why these dogs should be doing this!

 

[Cyrus]

MJ apologies lol posted it on phone and that made it small eep
You can tell they are loonies normal malamutes ain't that fast ;-)