Hi,

I'm new to this board, obviously. Just wanted to introduce myself. My name is Jennifer, and I am the proud owner of a 12 week old gray & white husky (Nakota), as well as a 3 year old gray cat (Rory). I found this board a few weeks ago and I absolutely love it. I have been reading all the articles and posts and I have to say that all the methods Ed uses really seem to work so far. Nakota is crate trained and she's really doing good on the house training. She will go into the Kitchen (where the back door is) every time she needs to go out. Although if I don't get to her EXACTLY in time she will go back into the dining room and do her business (I know....MY fault, seems like she always has to go out when I've stripped for the shower!) As far as I can tell she has a pretty darn good temperment. I'm not sure I really know how to tell though, so any advice would be appreciated. She's okay with the sound of banging pots she loves to play and BITE, she does very well with the word NO, (although my delivery of the word could use some work, sometimes I feel like I'm shouting or sounding mad, I always show her I'm not mad when she stops the behavior) and I haven't seen any behavioral problems really, besides the normal puppy behavior that will just take time. For instance, she (and my cat too) loves to grab a roll of toilet paper and go at it. (My fault...) and lately she's been grabbing on to peoples pant and ripping holes. She has a very strong prey drive and food drive, she is already learning "sit". In fact, when I break out the hot dogs she immediately sits down. We're working on come, she pretty much comes anytime SHE wants too. I'm not sure what method or level of correction to give her at this age when she doesn't come. I have been just grabbing her by the collar or scruff and just dragging her back to where I told her to come to.

One other problem I have with her is she won't "down". I've got the puppy video and have tried the method Ed teaches for "down" but no matter what I do unless I physically force her down she won't lie down. She sits and I put the food down and she just bends over...smart ass...lol. Oh, also my cat has a problem with the pup. When I brought Nakota home at 9 weeks she was already bigger than Rory and Rory is understandably nervous around the excitable nippy, mouthy puppy. So anytime Nakota gets near her for any reason, Rory will swat her in the face. I don't believe her claws are out because I've gotten my hand in the way of her swatting and she doesn't scratch me, and as of yet I see no scratches on Nakota. My question is, I know Nakota trusts me to protect her, should I be protecting her from the cat, or should I just let them work it out? In a week or two I have a feeling I won't be worried about my poor helpless puppy being hurt by the big bad kitty, but until then? I don't want either of them to hurt each other or to lose respect for me for not handling it right...

So, anyway, hi to everyone, and if anyone has some advice I'd appreciate any given.

Thanks
-Jennifer

(pictures will be posted when can get some <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

HI! IM a nubbie too. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

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I've got the puppy video and have tried the method Ed teaches for "down" but no matter what I do unless I physically force her down she won't lie down.

He makes that look easy dont he. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

As far as letting the cat and your pup work things out between the two of them. Just be super carefull of the cats claws, I would hate to hear about eye damage to the 12 week old.

Good luck.
David.

Don't use corrections for the recall (come) If you are teaching sit, then down move the food down, then out a little. And yes husky's tend to be little smarty pants.

Jeff,

As far as what I remember Ed's Puppy video saying, the recall is the ONLY thing I should be using a correction for...how else will she learn to come to me when I call?

Oh good Lord. I have not seen the video and will have to agree to disagree on this one. I have never used a correction for the recall. Since you have the video, I would follow those instructions. Stick with the plan. Ed, please help out here.

I agree with Jeff, if you use a correction the dog will get the idea that it will get a correction for coming to you. I usually try to be as patient as possible, work with a 30' line and praise and love on my boy as soon as he complies.
Terry

Treat them like they are animals
Train them like they are animals
Love them like they are people ............... Louis Grant

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I agree with Jeff, if you use a correction the dog will get the idea that it will get a correction for coming to you. I usually try to be as patient as possible, work with a 30' line and praise and love on my boy as soon as he complies. Terry

And here's one thread to start with.......there are MANY under the "search" function.
http://www.leerburg.com/ubbthreads/showf...rue#Post4142498

The video does state that the only correction, at the point you are at sould be when the dog does not come to you. It also states to use a lot of prays when the dog comes to you and to "back away" as the dog comes to you, it will be natural for the dog to do this.

It talks about this from 40-45 minutes into the video while Ed is at the university with his pup Nick.

David.

This post might be better titled "Recall Problems", maybe. But here's a link to an article by Ed Frawley. http://www.leerburg.com/qarecall.htm

The Q and A at that page address every possible recall issue I can think of.

Thanks for all of your advice. I did state earlier that the "correction" I did use for her not coming was just a tug at the collar or scruff until she came. I certainly don't cause her any pain or discomfort. She usually comes pretty well, but if anyone else knows about huskies, they can be stubborn. This is actually my first dog since I was a kid, a Husky probably wasn't the greatest dog to start out with, but I love her and am willing to do the work to get her properly trained.

By the way, does anyone else here have huskies? Everything I read about them say they are hard to train and stubborn and don't do well in obedience. Yet, Ed claims training is non specific. Are all these Husky sites ran by people who just don't train well? Can Huskies be as well disciplined as any other dog (i.e. GSD or say, Lab)? My pup is so smart, I hate to think that no matter what she'll always be a wild animal like some of these sites suggest...