Dog Health Questions: Had bad experience with maltese a long time ago. Are Siberian huskys hard to train? What dog should I get?

Well, a few years ago I sadly had a unintelligent maltese, and I was renting so I couldn't keep him. I spent most of my days trying to potty train that adorable maltese, from when I bought it as a puppy until it was about 2 and a half years old, but my roommate got so angry that I had to sell him. I took him to dog training lessons, and he had a severe problem, and as much as I tried to help that sweetie, I couldn't so I gave him to a rescue where they tried to help him. I didn't mind having to clean up, but I don't want to do it again... you know? So I feel ready to get a dog again, and I want a dog that is easy to train. I've done my research and Siberian Huskys, as cute as they are, are supposed to be harder to train, and I don't want messes all over all of the time. I would take out my doggie every hour, and even bought a crate that was his size so he couldn't go potty in it, but he still did, some how. I feel so bad for such a sweet dog though :(. So the question is: is it true that Siberian huskys are hard to train? Has anyone have had good/bad experiences in potty training with them? Also, I'm thinking of that or a german shepherd, or a great dane. My friend has both, and they are great dogs. German shepherds are highly intelligent, but what would you reccomend? I devote myself faithfully and will to my future pet. I excersise daily and jog for a long time, and I could easily do this with my dog. I have had experience with dogs too. My friend is a vet, and has been one for quite a while. Thanks for your true opinion friends!

Dog Training Methods - Different Ways to Teach Your Pet Dogs Some Useful Skills

Recommended Answer:
I'd recommend starting with an older dog that's already trained. Check out pet finder, the local shelter, or some breed rescues. Also, if you go to a breed rescue, they can help you with the breed itself.

Another idea would be to foster for a breed rescue, basically as a trial run to see if Huskies are the dog for you. If you foster and you don't think they're right for you - at least you've learned and you don't have to give up the dog! Hope I've helped.

And I agree with all of the above. Also, huskies (for the most part) can't be let off leash or else you'll never see 'em again.

Dog Training How Tos - Laying a Solid Foundation

• Cute is not a reason to select a breed.
  
  Siberians, Great Danes and German Shepherds are not recommended for first time owners. Intelligence does not equal trainability. These dogs can often be challenging, especially to an inexperienced owner and I am not referring just to housebreaking.


• I think before you start asking for people's person preferences, you set yourself straight with what exactly you'd like in a dig. Going from maltese to husky is a great change. I suggest you take a few of these little quizzes, and do a little research on some of the dogs suggested for you:
  http://www.selectsmart.com/DOG/
  http://www.iams.com/iams/breed-informati…
  http://www.eukanuba.com/EukGlobal/GLOBAL…
  
  In most cases, Siberian huskies and Great danes both are stubborn, and need an experienced owner. I would say the same wbout German Shepherds, as while not necessarily as stubborn, they need a dominant owner that knows what they are doing. You should look for a breed good for beginners, not something that looks cute!


• Get a Parson Jack Russell Terrier.
  They are as smart as a whip, train well, will love you forever and aren't afraid of ANYTHING, big or small.
  
  Great characters!


• Siberian Huskies are not the easiest dog to train. They require tons of exercise and can scale 6' fences with ease. They also can not be trusted off leash.
  
  German Shepherds are smart and because of their intelligence need some one who knows what they are doing.
  
  Why not go to a shelter and get a senior dog that is most likely already housebroken? The average lifespan of a dog is around 15 years, so you would have plenty of time with them.


• husky's are very smart dogs but need alot of time devoted to them, if you are living in a unit??? i wouldnt suggest getting one unless your gonna b home all day because they will become very destrucive, theyre not easy to teach because they are so independant but are very smart but stubborn dogs.
  
  they are very lovable and love you back but need the space and freedom so your house doesnt become a big chew toy.


• If you couldn't educate and raise well a Maltese, the last dog that you could own is a Siberian Husky. They are stubborn, dominant, independent, hard-to-train, headstrong, with a high-prey drive and, did I mencion, NOT for novice owners? Do you realize that half of the dogs in our shelters are Huskies whose owners bought because they were "cute" and then couldn't raise them well? They ended up calling them un-inteligent. Do a little research please.
  
  And oh, PS. GSD?! Are you freakin' kidding me?


• Who should not own Siberian Huskies, people who...
  
  ...don't have fenced yards or some nearby fenced place for them to run off leash. They are escape artists and most cannot be trusted off leash!
  
  ...don't like to walk or exercise, but would also like to keep their house in one piece! A bored husky is a destructive husky! A tired husky is a good husky!
  
  ...can't stand getting dog hair on thier clothes, funiture, carpets, counters, beds, food, etc...and don't like to vacuum. Sibes shed regularly, and twice a year they literally "blow" their entire undercoat out, we are talking bushels or fur here!
  
  ...like to keep their lawns perfect. Sibes like to dig, mine digs for and frequently kills mice and moles in the yard. The lawn looks a bit like a minefield.
  
  ...have small animals, ie cats. Huskies have very high prey drives and although some can be trained out of it if they are raised with animals as puppies, many can not and will chase and kill small animals!
  
  ...don't have a lot of free time to spend with a dog. Some dogs do fine on their own for many hours a day. Most huskies do not. They have a high instance of separation anxiety and often howl, or whine when left alone (not great for the neighbors).
  
  ...are looking for a protective or "watch" dog. They love everyone and since most don't bark much they make lousy alert dogs. They are NOT protective dogs by nature.
  
  ...don't have the time or knowledge to train a "stubborn" animal. In reality they are just very independant and intelligent, but it can seem like stubbornness when you tell them to "come" and they look at you and then walk the other way.
  
  And the most important group of people who should not own a Siberian Husky...those who have not done ALL of the research to find out exactly what the dog will need and if it will be compatible with their lifestyle before getting one!!!! Huskies have a high rate of surrender for some or all of the reasons I mentioned above. My girl was pretty damaged from living in a cage 24/7 when we got her, it took us 6 months to get her to start trusting people, esp men again. No matter what breed you are interested in you MUST read, read, read, and ask questions of current owners, breeders, or trainers that might be able to help steer you towards or away from a certain breed!!
  
  Thanks for being responsible pet owners!


• There are great dog stories and disaster dog stories. Believe it or not, you can choose your path. It does not have to be good or bad by accident.
  
  I highly recommend selecting a guide that will help you make this choice based on just about everything in your life that would affect you and your dog. These guides are really amazing!
  
  Check them out here, and give them a chance. You can be on your way to the right kind of dog.
  
  http://www.rightdog.ebookstogether.com/


• I would not recommend a Siberian Husky for you. The easiest to train and house break would be a Golden retriever, Labrador retriever or even a Collie. These are al great dogs and personally I love the Collies because I grew up with them. My mom used to breed them. They are a great dog very obedient and extremely easy to train. They come is rough coats (like Lassie) or in Smooth coats ( if you do not like the longer hair) Good luck in Finding your Perfect dog.