House breaking, soft stools, and Leash training

Question
Hi there, I'm a first time Husky owner and this is also my first actual dog that I've owned on my own, so I don't really have a good idea for the APPROPRIATE training for him. He's like 5 months and I got him just the other day. He was originally an outside dog, but I don't have the yard to keep him outside, plus he's for my son. My son is still really young, so he can't go out and play with him, but I'm willing to be patient, I just need to know the appropriate way to train him. I heard about hitting the dog's nose or butt with a rolled up paper, rubbing his nose in it, and yelling at him, but I don't like being mean to him. So what would be the right way to housebreak him?

As far as the soft stool's he's had them since I brought him home. Before I got him he was eating a certain kind of Pedigree dog food, but I couldn't find it so I've been feeding him a different kind of Pedigree dog food, but his stools are still soft and kind of Mushy, almost like pudding. Is that normal or is there something that I could do to get his stools harder? I don't really give him treats or anything like that.

Oh and My puppy is a Husky that I named Demon, he's a pure bred, so I heard they were a little hard to train. And he also doesn't like to really walk with me when I try to take him some where, so if you have any tips for that area, that'd be great too

Answer
As far as what is appropriate it is different for each dog, just like each human learns differently. I always try positive reinforcement techniques first. I highly suggest you take him to puppy classes and at lease a basic obedience class. Their will be dog trainers their that will show you what will work and how to properly use the techniques because timing is everything.
 
 As far as yelling goes, I only use it when it is appropriate for that dog. I usually use it to startle them when they are being bad when they don't know I am there. But normally yelling and hitting a dog only teaches them to try and sneak around you, this a really bad in potty training you want them to come to you and tell you when they need out and you really want to adopt a, ignore the bad and award the good method.

 Here is an article on Positive reinforcement.
http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/dogs/tips/dog_training_positive_reinforceme...


 Siberians are not the hardest breed to train, In my experiences so far hard headed and not wanting to listen goes to the Pembroke welsh Corgi and other herding breeds that are meant to be totally dependent on their own decisions. Siberian's are bred to be Semi-independent of the owner, this is because on the run they have to make split decisions on their own if an obstacle comes into view on the path that the musher cannot see. How well a Siberian behaves depends on how much time you spend with them and how well you communicate with them on their level. Unfortunately with some it is like having a naughty 5 year old in the house at all times that has some sort of autism, and they are ADHD. Usually a great amount of exercise can take care of the ADHD an the combination of food and obedience exercises can also help them to learn to focus on you.
Here is what a proper Siberian Temperament should be like as taken from the Siberian Husky Club of America Home page.
"Temperament

The characteristic temperament of the Siberian Husky is friendly and gentle, but also alert and outgoing. He does not display the possessive qualities of the guard dog, nor is he overly suspicious of strangers or aggressive with other dogs. Some measure of reserve and dignity may be expected in the mature dog. His intelligence, tractability, and eager disposition make him an agreeable companion and willing worker. "

 Willing worker means that they WANT to please you, so using negative training techniques can in fact confuse them and promote bad behaviors just to get attention, even if it is negative on your part. Siberian live to be loved by their owner.
 Also a Siberian needs to be Kept on a LEASH at all times since you do not have a fenced in yard or contained some how. They are Bred to RUN and run the will. The leash may be the only thing that can save your dogs life one day.

Here is another Quote from the Siberian Husky Club of America.
" Of all the shortcomings to be found in Siberians, the most dangerous to the pet owner is their tremendous desire to RUN. But the very first dash that a puppy makes across the road could be his last run, anywhere. A Siberian, for his own protection, should be kept confined or under control at all times. If you are one of those people who think it is cruel to kennel a dog, or keep him confined in his own backyard . . . don't buy a Siberian.

We just happen to believe that any dog is better off in a proper kennel than running loose all over the countryside. Yes, a kennel dog is missing a lot in life: the chance to be hit by a car; the fun of being dirty, full of burrs, and loaded with worms; the opportunity of being attacked by other dogs; the joy of being sick on garbage infested with disease; the pleasure of being tormented by mean kids; the thrill of being shot in a farmyard; and finally the great comfort of never knowing where he belongs or how to behave. We don't want to see any Siberian become a TRAMP."

 Speaking form experience, this is true, I didn't quite understand what I was getting into when I bought my first Husky, She got hit by a car while I watched in horror not even 3 feet away from her, she dashed across the road to get a small animal I yelled at her and she got hit coming back to me. Don't let this happen to your boy, if I put her on a leash she would be alive today. Old and happy.

 Here is a link to the Siberian Husky Club of America.
http://www.shca.org/shcahp2a.htm

 As far as the Stool is concerned, I would look for a food without Wheat, soy or Corn/maze in it, these are hard for a Siberian to digest. I would also De worm him since worms can cause soft stool. He can also have soft stool because of stress, a change in environment can do this and it might take him a week or even a month to adjust.

 Here is a link on the many causes of soft stool. *I will also like to note that Science diet isn't a good food, I know it is promoted by vet clinics, but they get compensation for that, the ingredients are very low grade.*
http://www.vetinfo.com/ddiarrhea.html

If you have any further Questions please ask!
-Michelle B^^