There is little doubt about the Husky being one of the most popular breeds of dog around. They are beautiful dogs, harkening back to their natural ancestors, the wolf. But they have a few behavioral issues that make them a little difficult to deal with.

Knowing how to discipline a Husky is going to become imperative. It also helps to know how their natural personalities make them so difficult to train. Consider this the guide to your Husky and how to best handle them.

Why are Huskies Difficult to Train?

Huskies are known for their big personalities. Simply owning a husky means that you will need to learn how to discipline a Husky. But why are they so tough to train compared to some of the other breeds out there?

It has to do with the fact that they are both quite intelligent as well as very independent. Because of these traits, they can come across as being quite stubborn. Even still, they are still quite trainable as a breed even with myths suggesting the contrary.

The key is adjusting your training method to match the independence that your husky shows. If you are rigid in your training methods, there is a good chance that your husky will push back because it is in their natural behavior.

They are intelligent dogs, which means that they pick up on things quickly. It makes them capable of being effective learners so long as they actually pay attention to you. Given their independence, they might just choose to pretend you aren’t there.

Having patience is a must with huskies. When you can master your patience, you will have the most important tool that you need to train them effectively.

How Can I Fix My Husky’s Behavior?

Now we come to how to discipline a husky. The discipline is important because it can help to set the boundaries needed to make them better learners. Discipline is a natural part of the training process so long as it is handled the right way.

It is also important to note that punishment, though it sounds bad, is necessary. It is just a matter of implementing the right form of discipline. There is a right way to punish them and a wrong way, which is acceptable for neither you nor the dog.

It also helps to consider that your husky is a work in progress that never ends. You need to continuously implement training in order to keep them from getting off track. Remember that their personalities are huge, and they tend to come to the surface more often than not.

To Catch or to Not Catch

There are two instances in which you can punish them for their bad behavior: when you catch them in the act and when you don’t. Sometimes things happen where you can’t exactly catch them in the act of doing something wrong.

Knowing how to handle each situation is important because doing it wrong can simply confuse your husky. Let’s first take a look at how to handle them if you don’t catch them in the act.

Didn’t See It

If you don’t catch them while they are in the middle of committing a bad act of behavior, then it takes a little different style in order to effectively discipline them. Let’s say that you come home, and your garbage can is ripped apart with trash all over the floor.

You don’t know that they did it, but you have a pretty good idea that they did. But how do you deal with your Husky in the moment? It all comes down to your tone of voice. Don’t yell at them because it will simply startle them rather than instruct them.

In your serious, deepest voice, call their name. Issue a “no” or “bad boy,” pointing at the scene of the crime. You should be able to see that he knows he has done something wrong. That is all that you can do in the moment.

It teaches them that you are mad, but they won’t really know what they did because the act has already happened. You can’t directly show them what they have done, which would normally allow them to make that association.

Caught Red Handed

Then again, there are going to be times where you catch them red-pawed, as it were. Whether it be the trash, chewing on your favorite shoes, or something else entirely, there is a specific way in which to handle this problem.

Make sure that you use a serious, strong, deep voice to call them by their name. Point to the issue, taking them away at the same time, and repeating “bad” or “no” a few times. Give it a few seconds so that you can properly set the stage for your pup.

Give them a toy instead of the item they are damaging. When they start to chew on the toy, give them praise in a happier tone. The goal isn’t to “punish” them for being destructive, it is to show them what they should be chewing on instead.

Before long, they will understand that they are not meant to be chewing on your shoes or the trash, but their own toys. It can take some time and a lot of persistence before you start to see regular results.

Conclusion

It can be easy to look past some of the behavioral issues that your husky displays because they are such a beautiful breed. The good news is that, with a little training and discipline, you can get them to become the listeners that you desire.

Before long, you can have the kind of loyal companion that you have been looking for. Your husky is capable of becoming an effective, obedient listener. It just takes the right training to get there first.