rickidins Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 Hi everyone. A quick hello to all. I'm looking to make new friends on here and hopefully meet up with others at husky events. I've had my gorgeous, mischievous pup for 4 weeks now. She's 13 weeks old settling in nicely. We had our first puppy class this evening and she is definitely very boisterous and eager to play with other dogs. Already having learnt basic commands my main focus at the moment is socialisation, stopping her mouthing and biting to instigate play and off lead work and recall. Somewhat confused with a lot of conflicting training advice and perhaps non husky generalisations, so any advice would be greatly appreciated. Any owners in the North West, especially Manchester area, I'm very keen to connect with. Hopefully chat and meet with many of you soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormy Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 Welcome to the forum Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted June 19, 2013 Report Share Posted June 19, 2013 Welcome and what a beautiful pup!! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarahjng Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Welcome to you and your pretty pup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Never meet a pianist before Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Helloooooo We're in the NW........Rochdale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterchillz Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Hello and welcome to Husky Owners! Luna is a such a beautiful name and I think it fits her perfectly Can't tell if you'd have the same "problem", but Ares is 5 months old and he's still biting ... gotta hate teething Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mazz Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Welcome. What a cute pic. Mouthing can be a problem. Huskies, as you may know, are very intelligent. However, they are also very independent, and it's almost as if they think about what is in it for them. So you have to be consistent with training. Might as well warn you now. In a few months, your pup will enter the equivalent of human teenage years. They really press the envelope, so you need to be prepared. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BingBlaze n Skyla Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Welcome to the pack . What do u mean exactly by off lead? As it's not really advisable to have a husky off leash , training a recall is a really good idea however as most huskies are known to be escape artists Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky-gunner Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Welcome to the best forum in the world cute puppy we are in nw too ..... Rochdale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydiamond Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Hi welcome to the forum Luna's lovely! Btw I don't want to sound judgmental on your very first post in H-O, but must admit I'm a bit concerned upon hearing about the "off-lead work"... This breed is not good off-lead. Trying to call them back is harder than teaching me how to cook! Some would come back when called as a puppy but once they grew older instinct would kick in and they'd take off considering the amount of vehicles and terrible drivers roaming the streets everywhere in the world, I don't think them taking off is a good news. In fact, it could cost them their life sorry if I offended you in any way, didn't mean to judge you or anything was just trying to pass a crucial information that every husky owner should know Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickidins Posted June 20, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Thanks for all your comments so far and warm welcomes. Let me try to answer your queries. Firstly, I spent about 18 months researching the breed and meeting several breeders before making the decision to own a husky. Please feel free to make all comments you like as I am somehwat confused about what is the right way or the wrong way, as so many people have their own opinions and so many are conflicting. I've spoken with vets, trainers, breeders, owners and get contradicting opinions from many...let me try to clarify.... When I say off lead, my initial thought was, since researching the breed, this will NEVER happen. Nearly everyone I speak with say that the prey drive is too high and why take the risk of having your dog run infront of a car...which I agree! Over the last week, I've discussed this with 2 trainers, and both seem to think that as she is still young, and her desire to follow me is still quite high, I should be trying to do as much work with her on and off lead as I can. So, what I have done since then is limited, but I've taken her to an enclosed area (tennis court) and worked off lead, with surprising ease. Also, as part of her puppy training class, doing small recall to which she has responded perfectly and come straight to me. I know through my own experience with her in my garden and out on walks on the streets near where I live, I wouldn't trust her on the road. If a leaf blows past us too quick she's on the hunt. But I think if possible I should pursue safe work off lead, if possible? What do you all think? I met a trainer who had about 10 dogs with her all off lead, we were in a massive park and she said I should let her off lead and let her play. I said no, and kept her on lead, worrying she might run off...and out the front gate to a busy main rain (approx 400 yards away). She said it wouldn't happen as she'd want to play with the other dogs, which she did ON lead...but I too was worried about her running off! So at least want to get a good recall in place first. Wasn't sure about your comment Mazz about her 'teenage years'... at only 5/6 months my understanding is she's still just a pup... but and more like adolescent from around 2yrs of age, when they can be a real handful, trying to assert greater dominance. But what did you mean by be prepared? How do I prepare? I can tell you she's more than happy to be confident, mischievous and biosterous already, at only 13 weeks! So I doubt that will change...although hopefully she will listen a bit more reliably to me as we continue training and bonding. And Dunc, thanks for noting I was a pianist. Intrigued how you found that out, perhaps googling my name? Am I famous already hahaha? Not likely, but yes I work as a professional pianist and piano tutor, which means I'm working from home mostly and Luna is with me almost all of the time, so I'm able to really work alot with her on training. Sorry if this is long winded, or perhaps not the right place to reply...on other topics...I'm sure Sarah you can help point this out to me! Very keen to simply learn from the wisdom of people who actually own huskies, not trainers and owners that say something, that I think, from all my research, is probably unwise or not quite right for a breed such as ours. If there is a training forum, I'll give it a look and post something in there too as lots of questions already Thanks everyone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BingBlaze n Skyla Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Huskies usually hit their teenage stage around 7 - 12 months , whilst her desire to follow you now is high once her prey drive kicks in (my girls prey drive was sky high at 14weeks) you probably won't matter to her much , I deffo agree that it's a good thing to practice recall tho n it's good u have somewhere fully enclosed and safe for her but anywhere open isn't advised . I use 100ft leads on mine so they have the 'freedom' but are still safe I can practice recall that way too :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mydiamond Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Thanks for all your comments so far and warm welcomes. Let me try to answer your queries. Firstly, I spent about 18 months researching the breed and meeting several breeders before making the decision to own a husky. Please feel free to make all comments you like as I am somehwat confused about what is the right way or the wrong way, as so many people have their own opinions and so many are conflicting. I've spoken with vets, trainers, breeders, owners and get contradicting opinions from many...let me try to clarify.... When I say off lead, my initial thought was, since researching the breed, this will NEVER happen. Nearly everyone I speak with say that the prey drive is too high and why take the risk of having your dog run infront of a car...which I agree! Over the last week, I've discussed this with 2 trainers, and both seem to think that as she is still young, and her desire to follow me is still quite high, I should be trying to do as much work with her on and off lead as I can. So, what I have done since then is limited, but I've taken her to an enclosed area (tennis court) and worked off lead, with surprising ease. Also, as part of her puppy training class, doing small recall to which she has responded perfectly and come straight to me. I know through my own experience with her in my garden and out on walks on the streets near where I live, I wouldn't trust her on the road. If a leaf blows past us too quick she's on the hunt. But I think if possible I should pursue safe work off lead, if possible? What do you all think? I met a trainer who had about 10 dogs with her all off lead, we were in a massive park and she said I should let her off lead and let her play. I said no, and kept her on lead, worrying she might run off...and out the front gate to a busy main rain (approx 400 yards away). She said it wouldn't happen as she'd want to play with the other dogs, which she did ON lead...but I too was worried about her running off! So at least want to get a good recall in place first. Wasn't sure about your comment Mazz about her 'teenage years'... at only 5/6 months my understanding is she's still just a pup... but and more like adolescent from around 2yrs of age, when they can be a real handful, trying to assert greater dominance. But what did you mean by be prepared? How do I prepare? I can tell you she's more than happy to be confident, mischievous and biosterous already, at only 13 weeks! So I doubt that will change...although hopefully she will listen a bit more reliably to me as we continue training and bonding. And Dunc, thanks for noting I was a pianist. Intrigued how you found that out, perhaps googling my name? Am I famous already hahaha? Not likely, but yes I work as a professional pianist and piano tutor, which means I'm working from home mostly and Luna is with me almost all of the time, so I'm able to really work alot with her on training. Sorry if this is long winded, or perhaps not the right place to reply...on other topics...I'm sure Sarah you can help point this out to me! Very keen to simply learn from the wisdom of people who actually own huskies, not trainers and owners that say something, that I think, from all my research, is probably unwise or not quite right for a breed such as ours. If there is a training forum, I'll give it a look and post something in there too as lots of questions already Thanks everyone Firstly, thumbs up for doing such a detailed, long research not many people do that these days so I'm happy to see people like you Secondly, I know that comment is pointed to Mazz, but I'd also like to define "prepared" and the teenage stage. Just so that you can have multiple opinions instead of just one... So teenage stage starts as early as 6-7 months old. This is when dogs turn stubborn and test their limits. And, at the same time, test your patience too! :wacko: 2 years is actually full-grown IMO because usually they stop growing at that age. I think what Mazz meant by "be prepared" is just get ready for all kinds of pranks Luna could pull destroyed yard, uprooted plants, chewed up furniture, wrecked shoes... the list goes on and on. It'd feel like all the training she had just flew out the window and you gotta start from scratch. Definitely not fun, but always remember: a tired husky is a good husky. No matter how old, as long as you give Luna sufficient exercise she'd be more interested in sleeping than re-decorating your garden Lastly, about the off-lead work. I do think it's important to teach recall early. I can also understand where your trainer is coming from when she asks you to let Luna off-lead in the park to play with the other dogs, but I also think that that should be it. Actually walking her off-lead is like a dangerous gamble IMO and although it's nice to hear she comes back when called right now, as she grows older recall training should only be done in a securely fenced area. I just don't think walking her off-lead is worth the risk but keep going with the recall training! That'll save you from the heart attack if she escapes one day good luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarah Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 I think a good off lead reacall is something you should always have although i never hope you have to use it I did a lot of training with Kimba and Kaiser as pups and their recall was perfect - one day something more appealing than me shouting them grabbed their attention and they ran from the field to a main road - luckily a man walking border collie distracted them and managed to grab them for me - I cried all the way home For me - personally, i still train them, but will never put them or myself through the risk again, it's really not worth it - enclosed courts yeah great - open field -nope Dog trainers in my personal opinion think ANY dog can be trained - i don't buy it and even if they proved to me my boys could be trained, i still wouldn't trust it lol Huskies as you know are like no other breed at all - they're special for a reason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Welcome to the VERY best Husky forum on this PLANET. Also you are superbly situated as Manchester at the moment seems to be The Husky capital of our Planet. You've made a good start. Stay with us and we can enjoy your journey both good and bad through being owned by a husky. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuskyGuerl Posted June 20, 2013 Report Share Posted June 20, 2013 Welcome! And pretty girl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dunc Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 And Dunc, thanks for noting I was a pianist. Intrigued how you found that out, perhaps googling my name? Am I famous already hahaha? Not likely, but yes I work as a professional pianist and piano tutor, which means I'm working from home mostly and Luna is with me almost all of the time, so I'm able to really work alot with her on training. I do it with everyone that joins yours was easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leyka&Diva Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 hi and welcome xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueWolf Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stranger Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 hey ho. welcome I think you'll fit in nicely here K&P were great until about 9 months old, then recall went out the window....although they are reasonably good most the time while out and about, its when they want to get to something that they just don't listen anymore Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmaj87 Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 welcome from emma and luna x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Devildust76 Posted June 21, 2013 Report Share Posted June 21, 2013 Luna is gorgeous We are in the NW too (Wigan) There are often meets and get-togethers just look in the UK Meets section. Look forward to seeing more pics of her as she grows up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickidins Posted June 23, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 Ok great. I'll make sure to check the meets pages to try and organise something as I'm really keen to meet with other sibe owners and to get her socialising with other sibes too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchie Posted June 23, 2013 Report Share Posted June 23, 2013 Welcome to the forum! Luna is gorgeous Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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