Know how to deal with an aggressive husky
It is not common for Huskies to be aggressive. They are a fairly calm and affectionate breed and they aren’t known to display anger. However, some trauma could cause Huskies to become aggressive. This is usually a defense mechanism to eliminate their fear. Most aggressive Huskies are abused by previous owners or formerly unsocialized. If you have adopted a stray Husky, there’s a possibility that they were abandoned by their previous owner and even abused.
Such scenarios could result in Huskies becoming aggressive. To make such an animal feel comfortable, you ought to reassure them repeatedly that you love them and wouldn’t hurt them in any way. In any case, you must not react aggressively when your Husky displays such behavior. Your goal is to make them realize that you love them and they can trust you.
How To Deal With An Aggressive Husky- A Detailed Guide
There could be many reasons behind the aggressive nature and behavior of your Husky. You ought to take steps to mend such unacceptable behavior. Note that it isn’t wise to act aggressively towards an aggressive dog. You need to make them understand that you are not dangerous for them.
Never punish while teaching them
No dog should be abused while being trained. A sensitive and impressionable dog-like Husky requires a lot of time to be trained. Getting aggressive or resorting to punitive methods will never speed up the training but it might make the dog more defensive and afraid. In such a case, they would not accept training.
Never employ these aversive training techniques
Your goal is to form a balanced relationship with your dog. Physically punishing methods should never be employed for aggressive Huskies.
- Never use ear pinches or alpha rolls
- Never scare your Husky with a loud noise to train them
- Never scream or shout at your dog
- Never hurt your dog physically
- Never employ choke chains or shock collars
You ought to teach another way to your dog so that they can handle their stress better. This may be very difficult since it is already not easy to train a Husky. Training an aggressive Husky could be quite a challenge.
Make adequate changes in their environment
Your Huskies’ environment should be altered so that they encounter lesser chances of practicing their aggressive behavior. If there are no triggers, your dog will not have a reason to react the way they do. It would be best if you can reduce or eliminate the potential triggers in their environment so that they can handle their stress better.
Recognize all the triggers that make your Husky aggressive
It is very important to pay attention to the things that make your Husky aggressive. The identification of triggers is very important to consider a solution for this problem. Your Husky must portray particular body language and behavior around such triggers before they give in to their stress and become aggressive. Pay attention and eliminate such triggers once you spot them.
Use a muzzle when your Husky is around other people
While a muzzle is not a permanent solution to your Husky’s aggressive tendencies, it is a must to keep the people around them safe. You wouldn’t want your aggressive Husky to bite somebody.
Addressing their aggressive behavior would require some time, a muzzle is an appropriate instrument to ensure the safety of the people around them during this time.
Be consistent in training
It is possible to bring about a change in the aggressive demeanor of your Husky. However, change requires constant and unforgiving effort. Over a period, you’ll have to desensitize their environment and provide them adequate training with the utmost calm attitude. Your Husky needs to visualize you as their leader.
Only then will they respect you and follow your command. This needs time and practice. Note that an aggressive Husky could end up becoming the most obedient Husky when given suitable training. Dogs live in established social hierarchies. And when they don’t see anybody leading them, they tend to take the position themselves. Sometimes they become aggressive with this change.
You must be reliable, predictable, and stable enough for your Husky. Once they start respecting you as their leader, they’ll duly follow your commands.
Ensure that your Husky is getting adequate physical training
Huskies are superbly energetic and powerful. They require a lot of physical exercises every day to remain every day Otherwise, they often become bored and they sometimes resort to harmful behaviors. You could also solve the problem of aggression by increasing the physical activity of your Husky. Also, introduce activities that increase their mental stimulation.
When your Husky starts spending their splendid energy in exercise, they’ll not have enough remaining energy to show aggression. You can also introduce massage and acupuncture therapies into their regime for better release of stress.
Don’t be over-enthusiastic around your Husky
If your Husky has aggressive tendencies, it would be best if you don’t excite them frequently. You ought to step down your own excitable behavior so that your Husky isn’t as reactive as you. Dogs tend to follow the way we behave. Your Husky could confuse your excitement for aggression and act erratically.
Take help from a dog trainer
Managing an aggressive Husky on your own can be very difficult. It is suggested that you take help from a proper dog trainer. This would show you exactly what your dog needs. Your Husky will be calmed down, trained, and understood in a safe and reliable manner.
Consider the possible reasons for the aggression
By identifying the reason, you come closer to finding a solution.
Check whether your dog is in pain
At times, Huskies react aggressively because they are tolerating some physical pain that they cannot express otherwise. You could spot such a possibility by observing you’re Husky better. Note whether they limp while walking or show some other visible signs. It is recommended that you get your Husky assessed by a veterinarian to be sure.
Maybe your dog has a history of abuse
If you have recently adopted your Husky, it is possible that the previous owners were aggressive towards them. In such a situation, you would have to spend ample time adequately training the dog. Getting the help of a professional dog trainer is recommended.
Maybe you are aggressive towards your Husky
Maybe your Husky is aggressive towards you because you are aggressive towards them. Huskies are very impressionable and it is possible for them to behave just like you act around them. Make sure that your interactions with your Husky are calm.
It is also possible that you’ve been especially aggressive towards your Husky during the training period. In such a case, make sure that you are assertive but calm at the same time. Give your Husky loads of positive reinforcement and do not dwell on punishments no matter how hard they are to train.
See whether you are too emotional with them
Huskies learn to respond to your emotions. If you are very emotional around them, they’ll also tend to become the same. Assure that you maintain a calm demeanor around your Husky and provide them ample entertainment options.
Note whether they are getting sufficient physical exercise
Huskies are a highly energetic and powerful breed. They require about two hours of intense physical exercise on a daily basis. In the absence of adequate physical activity, they tend to become moody, irrational, erratic, bored, and sometimes aggressive.
You ought to provide adequate physical activity to your Husky to keep them happy and satisfied.
Maybe they haven’t been properly socialized
Improperly socialized puppies often grow into aggressive adults. If your puppy never developed feelings of trust and bonding with other dogs, they are bound to become aggressive towards them when they grow up.
It is possible that you have accidentally trained them to be aggressive
Maybe you have been conforming to your Husky’s aggressive behavior by giving them what they want when they behave like this. In your bid to protect yourself from their aggression, you might have been giving them toys and treats in an attempt to calm them down. An aggressive Husky could consider this as positive reinforcement.
Maybe your Husky has never received proper training
If you haven’t put much effort in properly training your Husky, it is only natural that they behave erratically. You need to properly train your Husky so they can mend their behavior. Make sure that no negative reinforcements are employed and no aversive methods are used in the training.
Conclusion
It’s entirely possible to train an aggressive Husky to do better. We recommend that you take the help of a proper trainer because training an aggressive Husky on your own could be a very difficult ordeal. Make sure that you don’t become aggressive towards your aggressive dog. Your goal is to make them realize that you love them.