Dog Health Questions: I need some dog training advice?

I have a 5 month old Sibeiran Husky puppy. I exercise him a lot and give him lots of love, but I need to sharpen up his training. He already knows the basics, come, sit, lay down, he's starting to get stay. He also is really good outside and comes, unlike some huskies, who are known to be stubbon and free spirited.

I want to train him at home, rather than go to an obedience class. I don't live in town, and to drive all the way there for an expensive class, when I'm sure I can do it at home, doesn't seem worth it enough.

I need him to be more well mannered. I'd like to know how to get him to stay by my side, not to jump on people (he's getting better, but I have to ask him to get down). I just want him to be a little more polite. I know he's an abnoxious puppy, they all are, but I want to start re-enforcing good manners now while he's still young.

He also gets really excited and leaps in the air and pulls on the leash when he sees another dog. I take him to the Farmer's Market to socialize him, but he wants to go see everyone! Any advice how to keep him calm and stay by my side?

Also, any advice on how to stop pulling on the leash? He doesn't really do it, but my older Siberian Husky does and he's starting to follow her example and I want both of them to not pull. I don't agree with choke collars.

Any other training advice is welcome.

Thanks

BTW: I don't watch TV, so no dog training shows

Considering a Dog Training Career

Recommended Answer:
I think you may be expecting too much, too soon from your 5 month old pup. Everything you describe regarding behavior is fine for a pup that age. The sharpness comes from constant repetition, constant reward/praise for good behavior and your pup's impulse control getting better as he matures.
The one thing I could recommend is to go back to your basics and start to decrease the response time and increase the activity time. For instance, if you are working sit, begin to work on how quickly he can sit when you give the command. Reward only the instant sit. Then tell him wait or stay. Start out with a one minute wait, then increase it to 2, 3, 4 minutes and so on. Up the ante some more and start moving around, backing up, turning your back on him...body language designed to "suggest" he should come and follow, but he is not allowed without the specific verbal or hand signal.
His jumping is probably excitement due to a normal puppy difficulty in mastering impulse control, particularly when he is presented with a social setting where he really wants to interact. The best way to work on this is to socialize as much as possible. Allow no one to approach or make eye contact with him. Put him in a sit or down until he is calmer. Only allow interaction on your command. This can be difficult for any puppy, but with calm, consistent training, in time he will get it.
Don't necessarily put a time limit on things...he is still young. He will get it with consistent training. I have found that people, even strangers are always happy to help and will stand and chat with you and NOT interact with dog until you give the command.(I have been doing this with my dog for years so he could pass the therapy dog test...he must never approach anyone with excitement , and only approach on my command.And he is almost perfect..If I could only get him to do this with my one uncooperative neighbor who always carries biscuits for him, he would be 100 proof!!
If he is pulling on the leash to get to someone or something, there are several techniques to use.
One is the immediate turn the opposite way and keep walking ...the other is for you to anticipate his pulling by watching what is coming...and put him in a sit/watch me, keeping his attention while the object of his interest goes past. Both of these have worked for me...I have been doing this for 2-3 years with my 3 1/2 yr old pit mix...at this point I can heel him and have him do watch me as we pass anything of interest..but it has taken me a long time to get to this point. You just have to keep working it.
Good luck!

How to Find the Perfect Dog Training System

• You need to purchase a short leash with a choke collar. I suggest going to the library and renting a video on how to train a dog. buy a crate and train him to go to sleep there every night. After time you will be able to not crate him but you can also use the crate as a training tool.


• Pain isn't really a good training tool, but sometimes, with stubborn dogs it is the only way to get points accross. Try to teach him vocal commands. When he goes to jump on someone, use one sharp jerk on the leash, and say "no" firmly, but not meanly. You just need to get the tone right. Possibly even try with just the voice command first to see how he responds (the same can be done with the walking and pulling on the leash). Soon, all you will need is the "no". And don't use their name, just "no". If he does what you ask, give him 2 pets on the head, so he knows he did well, but don't overdo it with the attention just then. If he doesn't listen, don't continue to jerk on the leash, only one more jerk, but continue to use "no" in the correct, "firm" tone. Hope this helps.