Your Siberian husky is intelligent, affectionate and very sociable. Bred for living in packs, huskies think nothing of jumping on each other to display excitement. This is cute when he’s a pup, but not so much when a 60-pound adult has you pinned -- lovingly -- to the wall.
Teach the Sit
Step 1
husky dog with multicolored eyes in the summer for image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.com
Put your dog in an area free from distractions, such as other people, toys and food.
Step 2
Conceal a food treat in your hand.
Step 3
Walk toward your dog slowly and show him the treat. Move the treat over his head, behind him. He’ll follow the treat with his nose.
Step 4
Portrait of a siberian husky dog image by rgbspace from Fotolia.com
Issue the “sit” command as he follows the treat. Eventually, he’ll sit down to enable himself to arch his head back. As soon as his bottom hits the deck, release the treat and say “good boy.” This teaches him that when he hears the “sit” command, if he performs the sitting action, there’s a positive outcome.
Step 5
Repeat the exercise every day until he sits on command. Continue practicing the command without the treat, using verbal praise as the reward.
Discourage Jumping
Step 1
Monitor your dog’s behavior to determine when he is most likely to jump. It is most likely to be when you get home or when he is excited about going for walkies. Huskies are instinctively excited about “working.” To them, working involves running and being with their pack.
Step 2
Create a scenario in which he is likely to jump, using what you learned through monitoring him. Hold a treat in your hand.
Step 3
Step to the side as he jumps, so he can’t put his paws on you for balance. Turn your back and make no further interaction with the dog until he refrains from jumping. Your husky’s strong pack instincts will cause him to find being ignored unpleasant. Huskies love interaction, so being ignored becomes an aversive stimulus.
Step 4
Lower the treat toward the floor and say “down.” As soon he follows the treat with his nose, release the treat and issue praise.
Step 5
Issue the "sit" command. Verbally reward him for sitting.
Step 6
Repeat the exercise, but this time have the treat ready for release. As soon as he jumps, step aside, lower the treat, say “down” and then issue it when he follows. This teaches him that by looking down, rather than jumping up, there is a positive outcome. Ignore him if he continues to jump.
Step 7
Issue the "sit" command to get his full attention and to regain full control of the situation.
Step 8
Repeat the exercise daily. Once he understands what you require of him, remove the treat from the process and rely on the down command. Use verbal praise to reinforce desirable behavior.
References
Writer Bio
Simon Foden has been a freelance writer and editor since 1999. He began his writing career after graduating with a Bachelors of Arts degree in music from Salford University. He has contributed to and written for various magazines including "K9 Magazine" and "Pet Friendly Magazine." He has also written for Dogmagazine.net.