By: Emily Davidson
German Shepherds are famous for being one of the easiest dog breeds to train. They’re intelligent, eager to please, and have a strong work drive that practically no other breed can match.
Huskies, however, are renowned for… Well, the complete opposite. They’re independent, stubborn, and have a mischievous streak that makes them prone to doing everything apart from what you want them to do.
Mix them both together? Their trainability can be a total mystery. However, plenty of training techniques remain effective, regardless of whether you end up with a stubborn pup or a keen listener. Today, we’ll explore some of these techniques and what to avoid while training a puppy. For even more tips on caring for a German Shepherd Husky mix, check out this full breed guide.
Use Positive Reinforcement Measures
Training with rewards (aka positive reinforcement) is one of the recommended ways to get your pup to listen to you consistently — even those stubborn pooches. Most dogs are highly motivated by rewards, especially food rewards (go figure). Positive reinforcement measures are also effective because they build trust and strengthen the shared bond between you both.
Implementing positive reinforcement is a simple process. Whenever you’re trying to teach your German Shepherd Husky mix a new trick, give them something they see as valuable the moment they perform the desired behavior. This could be a chicken-flavored treat, their favorite toy, or a good scratch behind their ears.
Over time, your dog will associate the desired behavior with the reward and perform it more consistently and reliably (in the hope of obtaining more treats).
Invest in a Clicker Device
A clicker is a small, mechanical noise-maker that makes an audible click when pressed. For particularly stubborn pups, a clicker can become the right tool at your disposal.
When used correctly alongside positive reinforcement methods, it makes it clear to your dog exactly which behaviors are being rewarded, giving them the chance of performing them accurately. A clicker also works to keep your pup’s attention over lengthy periods.
A clicker device is a nifty tool, but it can take some time to get accustomed to. You can learn more about using a clicker device properly in this in-depth guide from the American Kennel Club (AKC).
Keep Training Sessions Short and Snappy
Many dogs struggle to maintain focus for long periods, and that’s especially the case for puppies. They aren’t fully developed and don’t have the attention span of an adult dog just yet. Most puppies can typically only focus for up to 10 minutes at a time before they get distracted.
Due to this, your German Shepherd Husky mix puppy will likely have more success in training if you break it down into short, 5 to 10-minute sessions throughout the day. As your pup grows older and becomes more accustomed to training, you can gradually increase this period to 15 minutes.
However, always go at your pup’s pace; German Shepherd Husky mixes more akin to their Husky parent may only be able to manage 10 minutes at a time, even into adulthood.
What to Avoid When Training a German Shepherd Husky Mix
Unfortunately, there are plenty of misinformed individuals out there who, despite all the science that suggests otherwise, argue that the way to train a dog is to show it who’s “boss” through harsh corrections and other punishment-based measures.
This alpha dog theory has long been debunked, and studies have consistently shown that dogs respond well to positive reinforcement, not punishments. When you punish a dog, you are telling them that you can’t be trusted and it isn’t safe for them to act on their true wants or display their natural behaviors.
In other words, punishment measures rely on fear to control your dog and are rarely ever effective in the long term. In many cases, they can also exacerbate aggressive behaviors.
You should always avoid using punishment-based methods when training a German Shepherd Husky mix. If you ever reach a plateau with your training, remember that you can always seek help from reputable, accredited dog trainers and behaviorists.
Training a German Shepherd Husky Mix Puppy: Key Takeaway
German Shepherd Husky mix puppies can be unpredictable in temperament, but our training tips above will help even if they are stubborn like their Husky parents.
Remember to be patient, consistent, and firm during training, and use reward-based strategies. This will set your pup up for success and allow them to thrive.
Published by: Khy Talara
