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A prong collar can be carefully used on a nervous dog. You must be careful that the correction is predictable to the dog.

However, I don't believe it to be appropriate for use on such a young puppy (I'm sure others will disagree.)

Heh, you're being too friendly about this ;-)...let me try this a different way...does anyone feel that, based on the situation described here, that a prong collar would be appropriate? I have never seen any mention of prongs being appropriate for new owners with nervy, eight-week old pups. This seems like it would have the absolute opposite of the bonding exercises which should be happening right now.

Woody, Point Taken. I will save the collar for when she is older or return it. I just thought I saw it mentioned in the cat dog segment. Thank you for your concern. The last thing I want to do is to make her stressed or confused. She really is blossoming like a flower. It's wonderful to see her confidence grow in new situations. She is already a completely different dog in just a few days.

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Woody, Point Taken. I will save the collar for when she is older or return it. I just thought I saw it mentioned in the cat dog segment. Thank you for your concern. The last thing I want to do is to make her stressed or confused. She really is blossoming like a flower. It's wonderful to see her confidence grow in new situations. She is already a completely different dog in just a few days.

I guess just give it some time, research the content of the site here, and get the dog evaluated by someone who is highly recommended by people other than him/herself and his/her clients. Take over the leadership stuff from your kid right now, and give the dog a chance to mature in a loving, disciplined environment. If that is your goal there's time and money you have to invest in making it work and it's not something your family can do alone.

IMHO, this is definitely a case of "the wrong puppy in the wrong home" -- and it's nothing against Michelle as a person, but she's in WAY over her head with that entire situation, so far as I can tell...

Of course you can NOT make an 8 week old high-drive sharp/shy cat "stalking" Siberian behave like a mature low-drive soft/solid cat "loving" Golden by jerking the baby pup around on a prong (!!!) This whole business is way too much crazy work for me & is well beyond the capabilities of people who don't know what they're doing yet <:-(

Candi, This is a quote by Mr. Frawley from the link YOU sent me. "If I have a puppy with a lot prey drive I will get a puppy prong collar and let him drag the line in the house." The only reason I considered it is because Mr. Frawley suggested it.

whoa you guys! - don't be throwin' Michelles pup out with the bathwater yet! I had cats and huskies for years and if you start with a young puppy, it usually works out just fine. They are always really, really fascinated with cats when they first see one - what pup isn't? They are all going to try and have a go at the fascinating fuzzy creature that moves so interesting like! This is a under 20 lb husky pup and most cats can hold there own against a pup - however, it is time to start with the "manners" training and this starts with the cat. Pupper has to learn that it is your cat and they are not allowed to touch it, stalk it, chase it, mouth it etc. Put pupper on a wide flat collar(not that half inch wide crap they sell in pet stores for pups) and a drag leash and surpervise her closely in the house. Don't let her stalk the cat, etc. Also the cat should have a room or area that is off-limits to the dog and if you let the cat on the furniture- disallow the dog - the cat has to have a little rank and priviledge. When I had the house huskies that had been raised with cats I never had a dog ever attempt to get on a couch or chair and the dogs were very submissive to the cat - who had furniture priviledges. Also be aware that while your husky might be fine with your cat, he will not give a dispensation to all cats and might also treat your cat differently when it is outdoors(like all bets are off and he's gonna chase it). Michelle is doing right by buying the educational stuff and starting the obedience and manners now and asking questions on this site - lets give her some contructive ideas and help first. Michelle a good thing for you to do would be to find someone to mentor you in the husky ownership - someone who has northern breed knowledge and experience. SHCA is a good place to start and depending on what part of the country you are in there may be regional breed clubs, etc. I am happy to hear you are fencing your yard - just make sure you "husky-proof" it, too <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> I will at this time also suggest getting a good secure outdoor kennel for times you can't supervise in the house or yard and don't want the dog in a crate. Also, these dogs need a good outlet for their energy and some vigorous activity on a daily basis from a young age - a short toddle around the neighbourhood at human pace sometimes isn't enough for a lot of huskies. Get a good breed book and do some research on the breed - they can be very challenging in some aspects, but have alot of good points, too. I'll search up some good links for you and send them your way.

Works for me! Thanks for the comments and the advice you're offering.

That's the other part of this I don't have good experience with...my cat is 22 pounds, declawed, and does not put up with a lot...while my 10mo GSD will kick into prey around her sometimes, she remembers those early lessons when the cat was much bigger than her.

We're doing a little down-stay practice as we speak. Cat realizes this and is taunting my poor dog accordingly.

It never really ends, Michelle. ;-)

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Don't let her stalk the cat, etc. Also the cat should have a room or area that is off-limits to the dog and if you let the cat on the furniture- disallow the dog - the cat has to have a little rank and priviledge.

This worked for me, by the way. The cat took over a downstairs crib we'd set up in an unused room. Having the safety of the bars around her, etc. did wonders for her peace of mind. And I feed her first and groom her in front of my GSD...which the GSD does not appreciate at all! ;-)

Thank you guys for all the helpful advice. I did get in touch with a local siberian husky rescue and the guy had some good advice and experience in this situation.

Great, good luck!

Edited to say my cat's got claws, not that it has been declawed. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />