walking

Question
i have a one yr old male husky (pure-bred). I was wondering if i could get some pointers on training him on a leash he likes to think im a sled or something cause im usually the one that gets walked. I have 3 toddlers and my husband is in the military so i don't have alot of time during the day to take him on walks. I usually have to wait till my husband gets home from work (he's not deployed) I was also wondering because i don't have alot of time during the day to really play with him if it would be a good idea to get him a playmate. There is another male husky in the neighborhood ive been tempted to intorduce them but im not sure if they would fight and i really dont need a lawsuit.but anyway will anytype breed do and should i get a male or female any pointers will be appreciated.  

Answer
I'll answer in reverse order here just because it's easier:

1) Siberian Huskies LOVE interaction from humans and canines alike.  If you can handle it, getting a second dog is a good idea.  In fact, handling two dogs can sometimes be easier than one as they can play and wear each other out.  (We have a fenced in backyard with two dogs for exactly that purpose).  On the flip side, you have more hair, more feeding, more cleaning, and more craziness as the dogs will begin to play in the house and partake in the "furniture olympics."  Nothing like using the couch as a springboard for the long jump, and the 15 meter coffee table hurdling event is a dangerous sprint.  :)

2)  If you get another dog, pick an opposite sex dog.  You have a male, get a female.  Obviously, make sure they are fixed, but males and females get along better than two males or two females.  Reason - pack order is seperated automatically by sex, so there's less struggle for position.

3) Playdates are good if the dogs get along, and be forewarned - Siberian Husky play is often very violent in appearance.  They play hard.  It sometimes takes a very careful eye (and ear) to tell the difference between play and fighting, but Siberians will often look like they are killing each other, but they are both having a great time.  Example:  Our two will be going crazy at each other, biting, snarling, grabbing legs, flipping each other over, pinning each other down by biting at the neck, etc.  Then, right in the middle, they will stop, drink from the same water bowl, and then continue to play.  Also, I can walk in the middle at any time, and they start licking me.  That's playtime :)

4) Walking advice.  Simple - get a prong collar and learn how to use it.  If you are concerned about if its humane, let me know and I'll explain it's entire use.  However, for Sibes, it's almost the best thing, and usually on males who are older and already have learned to pull, it's about the only option that works.  Here's how to use it:

The correction is most important - it's a quick "POP!" of the collar.  It should be a tug on the leash that's quick, short and then releases.  I like to think of it as you might of a nun using a ruler on a student's hand.  Quick "pop" just to get the student's attention.  (Raised Catholic here . . . )  In any case, when I say correct your dog, that's what you do.

Next - get a 6' lead.  Get rid of the "flexi-leads" or anything else.  6 foot - no more, no less.  You will now walk your dog only with this.  There's consistency in it that you need.

Now, go for a walk.  When the dog gets to the end of his lead, correct him.  With a 6 foot lead, once the dog gets to almost the end of the lead, "pop" him.  This will evoke some yips and protest - and it should.  But want you want to teach the dog is that he needs to pay attention to the human end of the leash, and there is a negative effect if he strays more than 6' from you.  Ignore the protests, the crying, the howling, etc . . . Sibes are notorious for complaining about this treatment.  However, Sibes are also extremely intelligent and they learn usually in about 4 or 5 minutes that there's a better way to go for walks now.  And don't be surprised if your dog stays right by your leg for a while.  Some dogs wll just stay as close to you as possible during these walks, and that's fine.  Eventually, the dog will meander out further and be more relaxed.

As for some feedback on the method.  I have now personally met four Siberian huskies who have either throat problems or voice problems because they have pulled so hard and so long on their collars that they've damaged themselves.  This could easily be rectified by following the above procedure.  With a properly fitting prong collar, the prongs serve only to correct the dog in a manner dogs understand, a little nip on the neck.  (The prongs are dull, don't move too far, and with all that fur, it's not much of a correction, but it's applied in the right place.)  A few good timed "pops" and the dog will stop pulling so hard; a few more and the dog realizes what it must do to avoid the correction.  Ultimately, you end up with maybe a couple dozen of these corrections, and then the dog can spend years walking free of the threat of causing serious injury to itself.

Hope that helps and feel free to write back if you have any questions.