I have an (estimated) 8 month old Husky that I rescued from the Humane Society. I am having the hardest time housebreaking her. I can't understand why. We go on several long walks a day, and yet it seems she waits until we get home to use the bathroom. Sometimes she will wait and go in the yard, but usually she goes in the house. I cannot force her to potty when we are on our walks. I have her on a very routine schedule as far as going out, eating, and walking, yet she continues to defy me. Any suggestions?
By Christina P
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I had the same problem with a young doxie I just got. The vet suggested I keep him on a leash in the house. I got a 6 foot leash and put it on a leg of my coffee table which is heavy. This has worked amazingly well. I let him out with the other dogs frequently. I am retired and home all the time, so it is not hard for me. Sometimes I crate him.
This is a random thought, but was she maybe living in a kennel her whole life? It may be that she just doesn't "know" how to go on the grass. Dogs can be funny about surfaces.
My family used to raise huskies, and they can be hard-headed this way. You will have to be specific and firm, but gentle in letting her know what you expect. You can try crating, as they usually do not go where they sleep - unless raised in a kennel or puppy mill- and then let her out and tell her -for instance- peepee potty- etc... when she does, repeat what a good girl she is. My Poms know when I tell them peepee potty exactly what I mean, and poopoo Potty too. Seems silly but they do associate the words with the actions.
I always have a potty party. It may sound silly but it does work.
Find a treat that is so special to your dog that it would move Heaven and Earth to get it. Some of my dogs liked Hot Dogs and others really liked cheese.
Anyway, when you take your dog outside to do her business once she does, you reward her and just get as super happy as you can get before the men in the white suits come for you.
I also always tell my dogs to "Go Potty" when training them and when they get older they realize "Go Potty" means just that.
I'm working with a Husky / Wolf mix now and Huskies in general are very stubborn and thick headed. Even at dog shows, you just never know if the dog is actually going to listen or be side tracked by a bird or squirrel.
I didn't know much about the breed except watching handlers work their dogs in assorted Obedience Classes. Apparently if the dog doesn't respect you, it's not going to listen to you. It's almost like the breed tests the owners to see if they're good enough to be their owners.
Don't give up, some dogs take longer than others but eventually they figure it out. The dog might of been left alone for hours and in it's mind it believes it should go in the house.
The happier the Potty Party the faster she'll learn. What ever treat you use can only be used for the potty training, it has to really stick out.
I clap and am just the happiest person you've ever seen when I have my "Potty Parties".
My son brought home a 10 week old female husky almost 8 years ago. We trained her with bacon treats she was wild about. She also loves bread and knows the sounds of the plastic wrap and will about tear the door down if she's outside and hears the bread bag. It is so funny! We always used the same word-potty- every time we took her out.
She soon learned that potty meant to go outside and "go potty". She also knows "outside" means the same. She has learned many words over the years and is the sweetest and most gentle of dogs. She has never messed in the house and it seems no matter how long we leave her for; she always waits to go outside. I always tell him that she's the best $50.00 he will ever spend in his life. It just takes time to train and all animals are different.
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