How to Train a Siberian Husky

1 Overview

The Chukchi, an indigenous tribe in northeast Siberia, used this wolf-like breed as primitive transport to pull sleds, and to hunt and herd reindeer, or breed them and trade out of the frozen land for survival.

A typical wolfish dog, the Husky’s temperament varies – some extremely timid, some extremely aggressive. Huskies entering the mainland and homes have lost wildness and are gentler, a globally popular pet.

Husky training:

From birth to 4 weeks: in the first 3 weeks the only important thing is the mother, who provides food, warmth, and safety. The pup still depends mainly on her, but siblings grow important.

Eyes open to see, ears to hear; curiosity sprouts and it explores. The mother begins teaching obedience; her instinctive training matters for future acceptance of obedience and training. The owner should start touching and petting the pup, distinguishing mother from human.

5 to 7 weeks: the pup changes, learns to recognize people and respond to certain sounds, plays longer with siblings, learning how to get along, how to play, when too rough, when to submit, what to take seriously.

The mother’s discipline lets the pup accept rules, correction, training, and preferences. The owner should supervise contact with others to prevent abuse. If taken from mother and siblings now, the pup may struggle with other dogs or training, even becoming extremely shy or aggressive from fear.

Week 8: a fear period – one of several in growth, the first. Though most owners bring the pup home now, staying with mother and siblings one more week greatly benefits it.

If brought home now, the car ride may scare it and cause lifelong car fear. Likewise, the new home’s unfamiliar sounds may scare it and affect it for life.

Weeks 9 to 12: bring the pup home now and it is ready for a permanent bond. The owner should spend time, encourage exploration, and start using its name in a high tone especially when it comes to you (never scold using its name!). Step back, pup forward, clap to encourage. Socialization matters – familiarize it with everything.

Encourage it to become a confident, social dog. The Husky’s pack sense develops; the owner sets its status. Daily, each family member flips the pup on its back and rubs the belly. At 11-12 weeks discipline matters more, but love and attention too – avoid bad behavior.

Weeks 16 to 26: another fear period like week 8. Many accepted things now scare it. When something scares it, the owner should approach and touch it, showing there is nothing to fear – help it know not to be afraid, not comfort in a praising tone.

Many young Huskies discover guarding instinct. If it shows guarding – low growl, bark, raised neck fur – lead it away or distract. If the owner encourages or over-corrects, it may continue; over-encouraging or over-correcting makes it over-protective or over-fearful as an adult. Just calmly stop it.

Notes:

You can tell a dog’s hunger from how it eats. Quick, big gulps mean fine appetite; leftovers mean overfed. If it licks an empty bowl or looks at you expectantly, it is still hungry. Do not overfeed pups – 70-80% full is best. Also, since the pup’s gut is still developing, keep things clean to avoid stomach trouble.