Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm a first time husky owner and I think that might be the beginning of my troubles.. Goldens are easy compared to these guys.

My problem is a little complex, my husky is a relatively good dog and when we are around he never does anything wrong (except dribble but thats a health issue) We got him as a stray and first few weeks were fine but lately hes been leaving... presents.. when we leave him alone, I'm not sure if its because I'm home alot more now since school is done for abit and when I leave it makes him worry more. Or if hes begginning to try to annoy me for leaving him or what. I ALWAYS let him out before i leave and even if its just to the corner store for 5 minuts i know he can hold it!!!

I can gate him in a small area and he usually doesn't do his chores but hes pretty trapped and it's not very nice to a medium sized dog to be gated in a hallway with only about two crates worth of space.

I know the typical response here is the dog doesn't think i'm the alpha male, but he does i'm almost sure, He will heel, sit, and usually come when I tell him. *I beleive usually huskies won't heal especially if they don't think your alpha*. Hes a pretty big wousse and cries at even the thought of being left alone or falling off the bed *he lies upside with his head over the edge and falls asleep,,, falls off sometimes and cries for about 20 seconds, then goes and sleeps upside down head over the bed again...*
Sooo my dog knows he will get in trouble and he knows hes not suppose to, i'm sure he can hold it!!? I am running out of idea's and hes going to start causing property damage with the pee and poo any suggestions? can anyone help?

There's a few things going on here and all of them are related in a way. For one, he's got a known medical condition with his bladder, there's nothing saying that won't effect the "present' problem. So, I wou;dn't be 100% sure he can hold it like you are saying he can.

2) There's nothing wrong with crating/confining a large dog when you are away. It's the safest thing for them. Dogs sleep while we are away typically. I wouldn't do it for more than an 8 hour stretch at a time, but it's not inhumane nor mean to keep a dog safe and from destroying things.

3) How much mental and physical exercise does this dog get in a day? If it's anywhere less than an hour of hard work, it's not enough. An hour is a minimum requirement. They are quite happy with more. And not just a walk either- they need to use their musles and brain.

A bored, understimulated dog is going to develop behavior issues liek the one you are describing and will start to destroy things. You may also want to determin if this dog has seperation anxiety. That has a whole different level of training that needs to be done to help out in this situation.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

>>I'm a first time husky owner and I think that might be the beginning of my troubles.. Goldens are easy compared to these guys.
>>
>>My problem is a little complex, my husky is a relatively good dog and when we are around he never does anything wrong (except dribble but thats a health issue) We got him as a stray and first few weeks were fine but lately hes been leaving... presents.. when we leave him alone, I'm not sure if its because I'm home alot more now since school is done for abit and when I leave it makes him worry more. Or if hes begginning to try to annoy me for leaving him or what. I ALWAYS let him out before i leave and even if its just to the corner store for 5 minuts i know he can hold it!!!
>>
>>I can gate him in a small area and he usually doesn't do his chores but hes pretty trapped and it's not very nice to a medium sized dog to be gated in a hallway with only about two crates worth of space.
>>
>>I know the typical response here is the dog doesn't think i'm the alpha male, but he does i'm almost sure, He will heel, sit, and usually come when I tell him. *I beleive usually huskies won't heal especially if they don't think your alpha*. Hes a pretty big wousse and cries at even the thought of being left alone or falling off the bed *he lies upside with his head over the edge and falls asleep,,, falls off sometimes and cries for about 20 seconds, then goes and sleeps upside down head over the bed again...*
>>Sooo my dog knows he will get in trouble and he knows hes not suppose to, i'm sure he can hold it!!? I am running out of idea's and hes going to start causing property damage with the pee and poo any suggestions? can anyone help?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.

No, this has nothing to do with "Alpha," and submissive behavior is what you are seeing in the dog's body language, not "feeling guilty" or "he knows it's wrong." The more you scold, correct, punish or whatever you do to express to him that you are not pleased, the more anxious he gets and the less control he will have.

I have articles on Body Language, Housetraining, Separation Anxiety, Alpha, Dominance and Submission at the link below my signature that will explain. It's a free educational veterinary site where you do not have to register, and nothing is for sale.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Hey, I read the websites advice on seperation and figured out a few things i'm doing rong! I'll try to adjust and see if I can get some improvements from our little guy.
Hope this works =)
Thanks Scott

Thanks, i'll check out the site i'm beggining to think it's seperation anxiety he gets about 1-2 hours of exercise per day so I don't think it's that and we try to give him some roaming space in the house.

I'm guessing the anxiety gets worse now that i'm with him more it's worse when I leave maybe?

>>Thanks, i'll check out the site i'm beggining to think it's seperation anxiety he gets about 1-2 hours of exercise per day so I don't think it's that and we try to give him some roaming space in the house.
>>
>>I'm guessing the anxiety gets worse now that i'm with him more it's worse when I leave maybe?

>>>>>>>>

The antidote to separation anxiety is for the dog to be able to feel, from his daily schedule experiences and how you handle him consistently, that his needs will be met and that his home with you is secure. It takes time. You can't explain it to him, so you have to faithfully do it and let him see you are worthy of his trust.

Changes in schedule can throw a dog until the dog sees that things are still okay. Again, you have to be very faithful about meeting his needs, every single day. Eventually that leads to trust and relieves anxiety.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

It works with adult dogs fast, especially huskies they are very intelligent dogs.
Also look at what was mentioned about exercise, and huskies are not like other dogs. This is why you should research into a breed like this.
If your strict, consistant, and do not baby the dog you will see results in its behavior fast. Huskies do not want to be alone, punishment doesnt work either unless you catch them in the act.