Alaskan Husky Training And Dog Mushing For Everyone

Alaskan Husky Training by sprint musher Lynn Orbison

Dog mushers call it alaskan husky training when they hook up a dog team and take them out on a run. But the truth is they are really doing two different things. They are conditioning their dogs, and they are training their dogs. Understanding the difference and the combination is key to success with your Alaskan Husky and training.

The thing about huskies is that they learn faster when they are moving. So,the easiest way to train them is by conditioning them at the same time. The negative side to this is that if you don't reinforce positive behavior as you condition your dog, you will get a super-strong, fit animal that now has endless endurance to mess up!

Sled dogs have evolved to have a lot of drive. The best search and rescue dogs, obedience dogs, and agility dogs also have a lot of drive. The drive is what we humans use to help us modify their behavior to perform the tasks we desire.

Dog mushers desire forward motion with some directional control. It is not very complicated, and it is different from search and rescue, obedience, and agility in a variety of ways.

Alaskan husky training and dog mushing is perhaps closest to sheep herding in it's training challenges. We are using the dog's natural instincts and teaching them to respond while moving.

I think dog mushing is easier because we keep the dogs on a line! But it is also more complicated because we often have several dogs on that same line together.

Training alaskan huskies tomush is more like being a soccer or a football coach. There is a team involved, and the coach doesn't actually play, but guides from the sidelines. This is the part I love best! Watching the dogs work together, teach each other, support or correct each other.

Timing is critical in this situation, and your ability to read between the ears

If you only have one husky, your job is that much harder. You will have to be a bigger part of the alaskan husky training team and your ability to keep up with your dog mentally and physically will be your challenge.

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