Discipline aggressive 2 year old husky needs help ASAP

[Julie Furry]

Me and my husband recently adopted a 2 year old female husky from a shelter. We've had her about a month now and the past weekend some of her bad behaviour has gotten worse. It seems that everytime you yell at her ("No, Shelby!") when she is doing something wrong, and then start to go for her collar she will growl and try to attack your hand. She has done it twice to me just this weekend. We have never hit her, but everytime you raise your voice to her she will get like this. She was a stray and we assume she had been abused because if you go to pet her sometimes she will cower down. Since we have small children my husband wants her to go back to the shelter but they said she will just be euthanized. I can tell she could be SUCH a good dog with a little training. I have heard of NILIF but I don't understand exactly how to make it work. She doesn't know her name or any type of obediance. ANY help would be greatly appreciated. She's sitting here now with her head in my lap and I know she doesn't deserved to be euthanized, her old owners do for making her like this.

[heathea]

First read this and then start right away, right now.
http://www.doggiebagonline. com/articles/article.php?articlei d=15
will write more in a minute.
-Heather

[heathea]

With a dog that doesn't seem to be dealing well with punishment, you need to begin immediately with a positive reinforcement training method. This involves rewarding any and all of the good things your dog does. You need to establish yourself as a benevolent leader, you and your family are the source of all good things in your dogs life, including food, water, walking, etc.
As a husky, your dog needs lots of exercise. Do you take your dog for a walk daily? If not, start. It is good mental and physical exercise for your dog.

Your dog has learned that if she growls, you back off. This has re-inforced that behavior for her, it gets her what she wants. If your dog does something you don't like you have to completely ignore her, no petting, no treat, and turn your back to her. don't grab her collar or try to physically intimidate her, that won't accompolish what you are trying to do.

I am not an expert, although I am sure one will answer you soon, along with others. Please click on the articles section and read more than just the NILIF article I posted in the last post, read as many as you can. Also, please encourage your husband to read these as well, you are both going to have to work with your dog or it will not work.
Good luck, happy reading, and I hope all works out for you.
-Heather

[Renee]

Julie-

Please read this article about adopting shelter dogs, it was written by Renee Premaza. She is a dog trainer, certified behavior consultant and is an advisor here at doggiebag.

http://www.jerseydogtrainer .com/news_details.asp?nid =23

Quote:
"It seems that everytime you yell at her ("No, Shelby!") when she is doing something wrong, and then start to go for her collar she will growl and try to attack your hand."

What type of undesired behavior is she doing when this happens?

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hi Julie~

Thankyou for adopting!
It is sometimes hard for rescues to first adjust to their new homes. They have no idea who you are or where they are. They do not know the house rules or what is expected of them. Try to set your new dog up for success. Keep areas that you don’t want her in closed off. If she gets in the garbage put it out of her reach. Is she taking toys? Then do your best to keep them out of her reach. What does she do that makes you grab her collar? Is there a way to prevent her from doing it in the first place?

You can teach your dog sit or down then you can use NILIF. I think a clicker training class would be beneficial to you, your family & your new dog. If you need help finding a clicker trainer in your area, let us know. Make sure you interview any prospective trainers & let her know what issues you are having.
If you aren’t ready for classes yet here’s how to train sit or down:
Pick whether you want to teach sit or down- is there one that she does more of? Let’s say she lays down more than sit.
So let’s teach her to lay down on cue-
When you see her laying down go over to her tell her good! (Or make a clucking noise with your tongue) and give her a small yummy treat.
She’ll probably get up when you do this
Just wait for her to lie down again
When she does tell her good! (or cluck) & give small yummy treat.
Keep practicing this- she lays down, she gets a treat
Once you can tell she’s “getting it” You can add the cue.
(you’ll be able to tell she’s ‘getting it” when she lays down & looks at you like is this right? Do I get a treat?)
Tell her “down” in an audible happy tone
Wait patiently for her to down, it might take a little while for her to figure it out, be patient.
When she lays down tell her good! (or cluck) & give treat.


If you have any questions about any of these steps, please ask.




Me and my husband recently adopted a 2 year old female husky from a shelter. We've had her about a month now and the past weekend some of her bad behaviour has gotten worse. It seems that everytime you yell at her ("No, Shelby!") when she is doing something wrong, and then start to go for her collar she will growl and try to attack your hand. She has done it twice to me just this weekend. We have never hit her, but everytime you raise your voice to her she will get like this. She was a stray and we assume she had been abused because if you go to pet her sometimes she will cower down. Since we have small children my husband wants her to go back to the shelter but they said she will just be euthanized. I can tell she could be SUCH a good dog with a little training. I have heard of NILIF but I don't understand exactly how to make it work. She doesn't know her name or any type of obediance. ANY help would be greatly appreciated. She's sitting here now with her head in my lap and I know she doesn't deserved to be euthanized, her old owners do for making her like this.