I need help with my dog

I’ve had her for about a year and a half now. She’s a husky Rottweiler mix. I love her a lot but her behavior is a problem. I’ve tried reading dog books and watching Cesar Milan, but she just seems so much wilder than any of the dogs I’ve seen him handle and I’ve tried some of the things he’s talked about and they don’t seem to be working.

Her most persistent problem is not listening. I know huskies are known for escaping and running away, but even when I manage to catch up, she won’t stop when I call and most of the time she actually runs away faster. I end up having to follow her until I can corner her and grab her collar, but even then sometimes she dodges me and starts running again.
I give her a walk almost every day and some days I even give her two, or just go for one 5 mile walk. But it doesn’t seem to touch her energy at all.

I would really like some advice on how to get her to listen to and respect me. She’s not a traditional dog. I’ve tried forcing her to sit until she calms down and I’ve tried calling her in a calm but firm voice when she’s starting to run off, but neither do anything. Once I get up she just starts pulling on the leash again and once I call her name she just tries to get away faster before I can catch her.

Her intelligence is scary. I’ve gotten a gps tracker to track her escapes and just tonight as I was looking for her, I thought I saw something moving each time I moved closer on someones porch, and stopping each time I stopped, mimicking my movements. I didn’t think at all that it could be her so I shrug it off as my eyes playing tricks on me or a little kid messing with me. Turns out it was her because I followed the gps right up to the porch and she jumped up and ran into their backyard with “Catch Me If You Can” gleefulness.

My mom and dad tell me I’m too soft on her, which I agree. I’m not afraid of punishing her, but I’m not into the harsh alpha dog type training either, and I only smack or hold her down when she’s bitten me (which isn’t very often, and only happens when she’s guarding a bone or hiding under something cause she knows she’s done something bad) or is getting too dominating of another dog. She’s very stubborn and independent. She loves to cuddle at night sleeping, but during day time she likes to do stuff in the yard on her own and only comes inside to see me if I call her or if she sees I’m grabbing the leash.

She seems to love me, but it’s like she doesn’t respect me. Almost like she thinks I’m dumb, which I’ve read is common in extremely intelligent breeds like huskies and malamutes. I just want to know what I should do and how I can make her obey and actually want to obey.

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Comments ( 49 )
  • RoseIsabella

    It is possible that she may be too much for you to handle especially if you aren't good at establishing yourself as the pack leader.

    If I were you I would follow Charli's advice and seek help from a professional dog trainer. I also think it couldn't hurt for you to consult your veterinarian as well. Whatever you do DO NOT TEASE YOUR DOG! If you want your dog to respect you, you need to earn her trust, and although it may seem like fun to you in the moment teasing her is a good way to show her that you are unreliable, and she cannot trust you.

    Also a Husky hybrid is certainly a handful, and even more so if it's half husky and half of a large intelligent working dog sort of breed. I once had a dog that was half husky and half rough collie, he was quite large, powerful and refused to obey anyone other than me. Having him was a borderline liability, because I was a college student at the time, and it was imperative that he be able to respond to commands from my parents when I was gone. Eventually, I rehomed him with some nuns who lived in a convent out in the country and were looking for another watch dog.

    If you should end up deciding to rehome your dog, and choose to get another canine companion please be sure to find a dog that is more of a soft temperament sort of dog breed that is eager to please. The fact that you are having problems with your dog defending her food and biting you is not good.

    Read as much as you can on huskies, Rottweilers and canine behavior in general!

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    • nikkiclaire

      It is imperative that if a dog defends food, their master take it from them. If not the dog won' t respect you. You always have to be in control of the food.

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      • RoseIsabella

        I guess I've been lucky, because I've never had an issue with any of my dogs doing that in my life.

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        • nikkiclaire

          Most dogs will try it once as a puppy. You had probably established your dominance before they even tried 😊

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          • RoseIsabella

            Grrr...
            😋🐶

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    • TerriAngel

      Rehomed???!
      Hope somebody rehomes you.
      pets are family.
      If you arent ready for a lifetime commitment.
      Dont get a pet.
      They wouldnt rehome you.

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    • Thank you! I have a malamute too and I’ve succeeded in training her. I like the challenging dogs, it’s just that this one is the most challenging I’ve ever had. Her previous owners didn’t train her or socialize her at all so she didn’t even know basic manners. I don’t plan on rehoming her as I love her too much and I don’t trust other people with her, due to the view many people have that pets who don’t act a certain way can just be thrown away.

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      • RoseIsabella

        How old was she when you got her?

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        • 1 year

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          • Shackleford96

            Vital piece of information you left out there...

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            • RoseIsabella

              Yes, I would like to know.

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          • RoseIsabella

            Yeah, that is a pretty long time, and at a critical stage of development. Neglect can cause a lot psychological problems.

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            • Yeah, I figured. She was never abused to my knowledge, but they definitely neglected her physical and mental needs. The couple worked full time and left her in her kennel most of the day. The few times they did let her in the yard she jumped the fence. She’s a somewhat nervous dog and jumps sometimes when I try to pet her. I usually have talk to her to let her know I’m going to touch her before I actually touch her. Grabbing her by her collar and pulling her to fast can also scare her and I got bit before when I didn’t know this.

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  • charli.m

    Get advice from a trainer. Get trained yourself. Go ahead and tell them about how you tease the dog for funsies. See how that goes down.

    Every post you make shows how far over your head you are. If you're not willing to get professional help, rehome the poor dog. You should have researched the breeds more thoroughly before getting her. They are not for beginners who don't understand the basics of dog behaviour or training.

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    • I don’t tease my dog. Wrestling and teasing are not the same thing.
      And I have “researched” the breeds. I’ve owned them many times before. She’s the hardest one I’ve ever owned.
      Rehoming is not an option as I said above. No one would tolerate her, due to the complete lack of training by her previous parents.

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      • charli.m

        You hold her mouth shut til she gets angry. Your words, not mine.

        You've done all this research, yet you haven't used it remotely effectively. Find someone who actually knows what they're doing. You are clearly way over your head but you refuse to listen. It is unfair to the dog.

        My current dog was difficult. So we went to three different training schools until we got it solved. Without hitting, shocking or choking her.

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        • Yeah, “angry”. As in growling playfully before jumping around excitedly and running laps around the yard when I let her go.
          And I have never choked her, and shocks or spanks have only occurred in response to extremely bad behavior like biting. You sure like to fight don’t you?

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          • charli.m

            For those who can't fight for themselves? I do. You saying that's a bad thing? Really?

            Good one.

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  • DoctorPunk

    Your breed is not for beginners, and requires advanced dog handling skills. Next time get a golden retriever.

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  • (s)aint

    First of all, half of this breed was made to pull sleighs and the other one is a stubborn intelligent mofo. Going for a five mile walk isn´t really making her WORK, she also needs to activate her brain.

    You need to be the packleader and you need to make sure your dog is tired when you come home. REALLY TIRED, I´ve got a cavalier king Charles spaniel (Really easy dog) and she needs like 30 minutes to pant and then fall asleep.

    If you do your job well enough you DO NOT NEED SHOCK COLLARS, fucking shit are those even legal? Don´t get those, give your dog what she needs.

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    • nikkiclaire

      A shock collar used correctly will be used once or twice and that's it. Educate yourself. This dog is actively running away and will more than likely be killed.

      Don't tell people not to do something that may save their dogs life unless you know what you are talking about.

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      • (s)aint

        Shock collars are ILLEGAL in my country because normal educated people label them as ABUSE.

        A properly activated and watched dog will NOT run away.

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        • nikkiclaire

          What country? We may not be talking about the same thing. They are perfectly legal here in the U.S and there is an entire industry around them.

          They are a small part of training and aren't an ends in and of themselves. That is why I shared all the other info.

          THIS particular dog IS running away and will eventually be killed, impounded or bite someone and get euthanized. So I ask you how is it abuse to properly train it.

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          • charli.m

            Just because it is legal in the US, doesn't make it right.

            You claim to be so amazing with dogs, yet you advocate something cruel. What a surprise.

            "This particular dog" is indeed in danger because its owner is inept. It should be rehomed to someone who knows how to handle dogs, isn't actively trying to fuck it up by teasing it (conveniently not mentioned in this post...). It should not be punished for its owners failures.

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            • nikkiclaire

              I'm not familiar with the OP.

              I have put those collars on myself. They are not cruel in any way. Cruel is allowing it to get run over.

              Rehoming a dog is all well and good but it will eventually need to be trained.

              It's my business to train dogs. Professionals use all options available and common sense.

              Idiots jump to conclusions when they don't know what they are talking about.

              I suggest you throw one on your neck and try it out before you continue speaking out of your ass.

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  • Start with a choker collar or harness. On walks make sure you control the dog and it stays close to your side (within 2 feet of you). Dogs need repetitive enforcement, so have small treats and reward good behavior as it occurs, not 20 minutes later. Keep the dog in the house unless it is under your direct control. When you can, take it to a dog park where the extra energy can be burned off. Also consider walking it while you ride a bike - any 4 legged mammal can travel much further and usually faster than a human- the bike will help equalize that.

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    • Thanks. I’ll have to try that. She’s very speractic when she runs so I’d probably have to practice a lot first before we could actually do it out on the street.

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      • My neighbor has a big dog and does it. The dog actually tows him. Huskys and Rots where made to tow and drag, that should tire her out. Use a harness then, not a choker.

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  • TerriAngel

    If you didn't get the message yet.
    Go to a class.
    You have a smart dog.
    YOU have to be trained in how to control it.

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  • Trisha-Gaurav

    The way this is asked is not appropriate for this site but, yes, I believe so.

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  • lordofopinions

    Can you say professional dog trainer?

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  • nikkiclaire

    I agree to get a trainer. It will be well worth it because we have experience with all kinds of temperaments.

    There a quite a few things you can do in the mean time to establish dominance.

    1. Never chase your dog, it becomes a game to them as you probably know. If your dog runs away you can either walk in the opposite direction (without looking back) or sit down. This will cause your dog to recognize your action and respond.

    2. Never allow your dog to enter a room before you. If it does again exit the room in the opposite direction until it follows.

    3. Always feed you dog at the same time every day. Make it wait until after you have eaten a meal.

    The trick is to train your dog to respond to you. Like it or not YOU are the alpha dog, providing food, safety and shelter.

    To get your dog to listen look into using click commands amd teach it the word listen. Huskies are very good at click techniques.

    Most of all, never hit your dog. To punish a dog the worst you can do is tell the naughty and ignore them for a few minutes. They hate being ignored. After this give them love and praise.

    Finally there are products on the market such as invisible fences and shock collars. Please look into these for your pets safety. With the collars you need to get a professional trainer to teach you both how to use it.

    Best of luck.

    Forgot to add. Be predicatable in behavior and routine. Dogs are creatures of habit. Make sure your dog always knows how you'll react to something. A confused dog is excitable and dangerous.

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    • Thank you. I’ve been a lot of this. For some reason it’s just not fazing her. One walks she’s always the last one to leave and enter, at dinner she’s the last to get food, and I don’t run after her anymore I just walking follow until I can find a place to corner her. She’s gotten a lot better than she was when we first got her, but she’s still very stubborn and will still completely ignore me when she gets loose. She’s a husky so I’m really not expecting too much, but I would like it if she would at least come back when I call her. My malamute is very stubborn and independent too, but she’ll come back when I call her.

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      • nikkiclaire

        One exercise to do in a safe place is to tell your dog to come and then you sit down and pat the ground. Don't yell it, just talk in a normal tone. If it doesn't come wait a minute then get up and walk away. Don't continue to call it.

        Repeat this process in about 10 minute training sessions each day.

        Whenever it comes reward it with love, not food.

        You also need to teach it the break command at the same time. Break is free play. After it comes give rewards and the break command and run and play with it. Break becomes the dogs free play time and its reward for obeying.

        Also always start the command with the dogs name. As in "Fox, come."

        It will figure it out. 😊

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        • Thank you! I’ll try that.

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          • nikkiclaire

            How is your puppy doing?

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            • Good

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  • cipro

    I keep strays as pets and they run away as fast as they can when the main door is open. We have to go catch them when this happens.

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  • I clicked on this post hoping that it is about having sex with the dog. Disappointed.

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