How to Train a Husky Dog

Gaining Control

• Step 1:
  Get control over your dog, first. This doesn't mean to treat him unkindly, it only means to make sure that he knows you are in charge. You should take your dog on a lead and make sure that he knows to follow. Also, be sure that you feed your dog - and that you can take his food away while he is eating. Be sure to return his food and praise him if he doesn't growl at you. Spend some time playing together and building a relationship before you start training him, because he'll be more able to learn if he has a good relationship with you.
• Step 2:
  Take your dog on a lead and teach her the basics of walking on a leash. You want to keep her beside you, and not allow her to get in front of you. Keep your hand holding the leash down at your side, and use your other hand to hold the lead near her face. Lead her along beside you, and keep her at a good pace. As she learns to stay beside you, increase the length of the leash until it is a normal length. If she gets head of you, simply stop and redirect her gently. As she is doing the right thing, give her small treats or use the clicker to let her know you approve.
• Step 3:
  Begin to work on the "Sit" and "Stay" commands. These are very easy commands for dogs to get, and especially important for your Husky because he'll end up being a big dog. As you start to train him, you can offer him a treat above his head. His natural instinct will be to sit down to get the treat. As he does, you can say "Sit" and praise him, either giving him the treat or using the clicker to let him know you are happy with him. After he has mastered sitting down, move on to stay. Have him sit, give him a treat, and then give the "stay" command" Use your finger to indicate that he should stay, and walk away. If he stays, praise him and give him a treat. If not, start again. Begin with small distances and work your way up to larger ones.
• Step 4:
  Teach him the Recall command. The recall is the final step in general Husky training. Get him to sit and stay in one place, and then drop the leash and back away. Keep reminding him to stay, and praise him for doing so. Then, in a very excited voice, give him a recall command. He will be glad to come to you, and you can use the leash to gently tug him in your direction if you need to. Praises, treats, or clicks should follow good behavior.
• Step 5:
  Stop him from jumping on you. If your Husky has a tendency to jump up on you, this is a behavior that you should train her out of. It is hard to do because you will have to do it when the behavior happens. When she jumps on you, say "No", forcefully, or say "Down" use your knee or your leg to gently make sure that she does get down, and then praise her. Remember not to kick her or be forceful enough to hurt her - just enough to get her off of you.