Common Training Questions

If you have a question that is not answered here, please

email enquiries@shcnsw.org.au and we'll add it to the page.

We also welcome suggestions, comments and contributions about the content on this page.  All enquiries should be directed to enquiries@shcnsw.org.au.

Click on a question below:

►  Does training work?

►  Why does SHCNSW offering training?

►  Why should I teach my dog tricks?

►  I don't have time to for training, training is a chore.

►  Training seems to take ages, is my dog a slow learner?

►  Is training expensive?

►  Which clubs offer training for huskies?

►  How do I find a trainer?

►  How far should I go with training?

►  Do I need a Vet, Trainer or Behaviourist?

Does training work?

Yes. The same dog-friendly training methods will work as effectively to train a Siberian Husky as they will with any other breed, large or small.  It's a myth that Siberian Huskies are "related to wolves".  They are a purebred dog breed that is no more closely related to wolves than Poodles or Chihuahuas.

Siberian Huskies are intelligent and physically very capable and often more in need of training than other breeds so that small problem behaviours don't grow into big ones.  Behaviours that can perhaps be tolerated in toy breeds often become completely unacceptable when done by a dog as large and active as a husky.

Most training groups and organisations that promote preferential use of reward-based training are suitable for Siberian Huskies.

Using punishment in training can cause a dog to show serious side effect behaviours, and even put the trainer in physical danger.  Methods such as leash 'pops', physical man-handling, standover tactics, threatening body language, yelling or using equipment like choke / pinch / prong / shock collars generally fall into the category of punishment.  The alternative to punishment and aversives is to use reward-based (dog-friendly) training methods, and seek the help of a trainer in your area.

A 2004 study by Katherine Houpt into various dog training methods showed:

"The study found that obedience was highest with reward-based training; the number of problematic behaviors was highest with punishment-based training; overexcitement was lowest with reward-based training; separation anxiety was highest in dogs trained using punishment or a combination of reward and punishment; eating non-foodstuffs was lowest in dogs trained using miscellaneous methods."

In short, dog-friendly methods work best.

Why is SHCNSW offering training?

The answer is that lack of training is often the reason behind why many dogs end up in pounds.  SHCNSW has an active breed rescue programme known as Husky Rescue whose goal is to help save and re-home dogs, and also to prevent rescue dogs in the first place.

A lack of training is not as simple as not knowing how to Sit or Stay, it can mean many things:

 

• A dog who is destructive	– may have just missed out on chew toy training or was never taught self-control, patience or appropriate outlets for the stress of boredom
• A dog who is noisy	– may not have learned trust in separation, or how to settle down and keep their enthusiasm in check
• A dog who is boisterous	– might be one who's too much hassle to have indoors or maybe can't be "trusted" around kids, in which case they're then isolated outdoors where their frustration makes things worse
• A dog who acts  unfriendly on leash	– may have accidentally been taught to be that way by the owner's stress, and needs to be shown a better way to behave
• A dog that suddenly  toilets indoors	– may be reacting to a change in situation, and needs to go back to toilet training
• A dog that escapes  all the time	– has learned how to do so, and the behaviour probably got started out of stress or boredom.  Preventing escapes, enriching the dog's environment and starting training is the key.

When situations change, families move, or behavioural problems suddenly start or escalate, the dog often gets cast aside because owners feel that the dog is no longer compatible with their situation.  Training can make a powerful difference to a dog's behaviour, so that they once again fit in with family life, regardless of what the circumstances are.

A dog that's been trained with dog-friendly methods does not have to be a perfect dog, but is still a dog who is more relaxed and confident, and shows far fewer problem behaviours than a dog that's never been trained.

The training information offered by Husky Rescue is the result of many hours of research and consultation to compile the most effective training methods for huskies, that also happen to be dog-friendly.  Through the Leash on Life course, Husky Rescue offers owners a direct insight into how training can be used to address a variety of problem behaviours, and a starting point in "How to Train".

Why should I teach my dog tricks?  He doesn’t need them.

A better word for training is shaping.   Among other things, training teaches patience, confidence, reliability, trust, happiness and self-control - which all ultimately shape a dog’s personality.

Training doesn’t create robots, it crates mature, intelligent dogs.  Deductive dogs, not reactive dogs.  A dog’s nature won’t change because of training, they will still be what they are best at being – dogs, and any concern that they will lose the natural behaviours we all love is unfounded.  Any behaviour that gets rewarded, will get stronger, and any behaviour that gets completely ignored or goes perfectly unrewarded, will get weaker.

Tricks are just the means by which we teach our dogs to do things.  "Sit" is useful in preventing dogs from jumping up on visitors.  "Leave It" teaches not only self control, but can be used in critical situations to tell a dog don't put that in your mouth!  "Settle" can change a dog's state of mind from all jazzed up, to cool, calm and collected.  "Touch" (also known as Targeting), can be used to get a dog on or off the couch as needed. And "Speak" or "Bark" can actually be the starting point in teaching a dog not to make noise.

Dogs love interacting with people because we are probably the most interesting thing they'll ever have in their lives.  An owner who doesn't realise their dog would love the chance to play games with humans and learn from them, stands a good chance of missing out on one of the best possible parts of having a companion animal - interacting with them.  Even working dogs are still companion animals and ideal candidates for training: just because we interact with them at work instead of play doesn’t mean they don’t need to learn new things from us.

I don’t have time for training, it’s too much of a chore.

The best training sessions are short - as short as 30 seconds in length.  You don't need to make hours of time for training, but you must use the right methods to get results.

If you want to see your dog's behaviour improve, or better yet - if you want your dog to amaze you with how intelligent and capable they really are, talk to a trainer about what kind of changes you can expect.  Go and meet a well-trained dog and ask yourself if you’d like the same.  Ask the trainer to show you one or two simple things to get you started; take these home and try them out, you’ll start to see results, and with the success will come the enthusiasm.

Don’t approach training as “10 minutes you have to find during your day”, use every interaction you have with your dog as a training session.  It will add up to 10 minutes or more over the course of the day.  Use your dog’s favourite toy as the lure to help teach them Sit.  Use the food in their dinner bowl as the “reward” when teaching Leave It.   Use the food scraps after cooking to teach Come when called, or On Your Mat, or Go Home, or anything.

A great way to train your dog without needing to set time aside for training is to start the NILIF program, based on the philosophy of "Nothing In Life is Free".  For more details email rescue@shcnsw.org.au but in brief, change the way you interact with your dog so that the good things they want in life no longer come for free, and instead show your dog they can earn them all from you.  It's not about denying your dog anything, it's about asking them to do something in return for the food, toys, love and attention you give them.

Training seems to take ages, is my dog a slow learner?

An untrained dog will initially take longer to "cotton on" to the idea of training - that you are asking them to do something, and they need to respond to earn a reward - but all dogs that are in good mental and physical shape are trainable.  Whilst some breeds, and indeed individual dogs are credited with higher intelligence than others, if a dog is not learning a new behaviour after two weeks of daily repetition, then it could be that the training methods themselves need a tune-up.

Some people report spending years trying to get their dog to come when called, and to them reliable recall seems impossible, but the lack results may have more to do with investing too little time in learning how to train, than investing too little time in the activity of training.

Owners are often amazed at how quickly their dog learns in the hands of an “expert”, and whilst top obedience trainers have obviously spent years refining their methods, this shows a dog's capacity to learn.  signing up for 6 or 8 lessons with a dog training club, to learn and practise the techniques of training, means you will achieve results far more quickly than you expected.  Training for a few minutes daily with the right methods – which also means the right timing and coordination – can give visible results in as little as one day, teach a new behaviour in 1 to 2 weeks, and build strong, reliable behaviours in 2-3 months.

Is training expensive?

No.  Most dog training clubs are not-for-profit and ask for between $30 and $150 for a training course that runs between 2 and 8 weeks in duration.  Some charge less and once you pay a $30 membership fee, ask for a gold coin donation to join a particular session.  Usually the financial contribution just goes towards running costs and equipment, and volunteers are not paid for their time.   Dog training clubs are the ideal way to learn how to train your dog, regardless of whether you want to solve a problem behaviour, or just have a fun and engaging experience with your dog.

Commercial dog training companies can be a little more expensive, but can also be a good solution for dogs with problem behaviours where owners need help at home, or where the trainer has considerable or specialist experience with a particular problem.  A qualified Delta behaviourist costs around $50 for the first consultation and $30 for each ongoing consultation.  In quite a number of cases one session is enough to give the dog and owner what’s needed to continue from there.  Be cautious in trusting the methods used by other trainers, question them on their relevant experience and make sure they use dog-friendly methods.  Read the APDT guide on selecting a trainer for tips.

Training does not require specialised equipment.  Your dog should have a properly-fitted flat buckle or snap collar (prong, pinch, shock and choke collars should not be used) and a leash.  You can start training in your own living room or back yard and the one essential piece of "equipment" you will need when starting out is food - or a particularly prized toy - to use as the reward.  For tips on what kinds of food to use, or how to make training effective, email rescue@shcnsw.org.au.

Which clubs offer training specifically for huskies?

All dog training clubs that use dog-friendly methods offer training courses for huskies, because it’s a myth that huskies need to be trained in some special way, and all dog-friendly training methods will be highly effective.  Whilst even we at SHCNSW affectionately think of huskies as being a breed apart, they are nonetheless purebred domesticated dogs, the same as the 160 or so other AKC registered breeds, and will benefit from exactly the same training methods as any other dog.

Some owners may shy away from taking their dog to class because they think their dog’s too out of control, and the disruption this causes is embarrassing.  No-one should ever feel embarrassed about their dog’s behaviour and should instead be applauded for taking the initiative to find out more about training.  If one particular club or trainer turns you away, find another.  All Siberian huskies are trainable, and there is a trainer for all huskies.

For information on specific problem behaviours you can also email rescue@shcnsw.org.au for information on the Leash on Life course, or for contact details of behaviourists you can call.

How do I find a trainer?

There is a lot of material on the Internet that looks reputable but owners are often left unsure about who to trust.  If owners look for trainers in their area, there is no clear way to decide who is "good" or who is "best".

Only ever consult a trainer who uses dog-friendly methods.  You should question the things your trainer tells you; ask them why they make the recommendations they do.  If they don’t have sensible answers, or if the answers point to the use of harsh methods, you can move on and find another trainer.  Ask around and find out who has a good reputation in your area, a good staring point is your vet or local council.  Try to talk to people who have used that trainer in the past to get their opinion.

You do not need to hand over your credit card number before you can receive help, and operators or Internet sites that require you to do so should be treated with at least some degree of suspicion.

Read the APDT guide on selecting a trainer for an excellent practical approach.

How far should I go with training?

That’s up to you, but an 8 week course is strongly recommended for owners and dogs that have never been to training before.  The course will normally cover the basics of training and result in a dog who has learned at least half a dozen new things - and is ready to learn several dozen more.

Every step you take in training will improve your dog’s behaviour and improve your relationship with them, but you may decide to address just one or two behaviours then say that’s enough, and there is nothing wrong with that.  Remember though your newly-trained dog still wants to be a bigger part of your life, and continuing training using dog-friendly methods is a great way to continue the bond, whilst being both entertaining and rewarding at the same time.

Training is also a great way to meet people and make friends, and a well-trained dog is both a showstopper and a conversation starter.

Do I need a Vet, a Trainer or a Behaviourist?

Unless your vet has special training in animal behaviour, their role is to make sure your dog is fit and healthy, and able to start a training course.  Listen to what they have to say about training though, as they will likely know the reputation of several trainers in the area.

A dog trainer is someone who can help show you the timing and coordination of training, and help you understand the principles of training. Some trainers have enough experience to show you techniques that help resolve problem behaviours, but trainers do not need formal qualifications to call themselves trainers, so remember that uniforms and name badges are not always an assurance of quality.  If you ever have concerns about the quality of help you're getting, don't be afraid to talk it over with your trainer, it may be a simple misunderstanding abotu the kind of information you're after.  If all else fails, consider finding another trainer who has a slightly different approach or who you find more compatible with your needs.

A behaviourist has undergone formal training in animal behaviour and passed certification exams such as Certificate IV as conducted by groups like Delta Society Australia.  They are specialists in the field of animal behaviour and the information and guidance they offer is usually very reliable.  Consulting a behaviourist does not have to cost a lot, and consultations can be $50 or less.  "Behaviourist" is a term that applies to the study of behavour in all animal species, not just dogs, so be sure to consult a behaviourist who specialises in dog behaviour when needed, such as those qualified by Delta Society.

A veterinary behaviourist is someone who has completed university-level education in the field of animal behavour and as such possesses a degree in the science of behaviourism, or a doctorate.  A PhD behaviourist is ideally qualified to describe the patterns of animal behaviour, and discuss the implications of training methods on animal behaviour.  Unless a PhD behaviourist also lists themselves as a dog trainer, they may not be the ideal person to show you how to train.

So whose help do you need with training?

The answer is almost always the same: a trainer for the most common training questions, and a behaviourist to help address problem behaviours.