"Outside" dog training literature

[Dukeoflawnchair]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some literature on "outside" dog training of the more stubborn and dominant working breeds such as Siberian Huskies...with interests in bear dog, hunting companion, pack carrying...in short, I'm looking at hundreds upon hundreds of hours of bush surveying work over the upcoming years, and would like to train up a partner in crime properly. Has anyone come across anything of the likes?

Many thanks,

[BlacktailStalker]

I cant think of any literature that pertains specifically to a companion dog for that field.
In general, huskys are a more stubborn breed :neutral:
The males I've known tend to wander and in most cases were dominant over their owner (it seemed)
Its all going to come down to thorough, strict obediance EARLY ON and the alpha male factor, which hopefully ends up being you.
You're not going to know the fight or flight reaction to a bear until an encounter happens, its not bred into them like hounds and even then every individual is different.

[Beverly]

Siberians and Malamutes live with you...not for you. It would be rare for them to be a good bush dog as they are nomads leaving you for anyone with a hot dog or truck ride...or a deer to chase, a stream to swim...lol....well anything more interesting. I've lived with between 5-10 of them at any given time for the past 10 years..... they suck off leash (even with advanced level obedience err...TWICE)

A karelian bear dog might be good tho!

[Kasomor]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some literature on "outside" dog training of the more stubborn and dominant working breeds such as Siberian Huskies...with interests in bear dog, hunting companion, pack carrying...in short, I'm looking at hundreds upon hundreds of hours of bush surveying work over the upcoming years, and would like to train up a partner in crime properly. Has anyone come across anything of the likes?

Many thanks,

A friend and I went dog sledding last winter at an outfitters in Bridge Lake. The kennel had 90+ huskys. All sled dogs and teamed up. It was way cool and we stayed for a couple of days

She said "You NEVER have a husky off leash." They don't stay with you nor do they come back.

Perhaps another breed???

Cheers,
Kasomor

[Everett]

Blue/Red heelers can't carry as much in saddlebags as a husky but will out live, out work and out fight almost any breed of dog I have run into.
My male Bushmill can easily carry about 20lb in his packs without problem wich is by my standards pretty good since he only ways 35lb. My female will almost do 20lb and she ways 40lb.
They also do alright duty as retreivers for upland birds I have discovered. They will not point though but will flush birds.
Bushmill has gone one on one with two black bears, a pack of coyotes and several large dogs including last year a at least 100lb rotty had that poor dog upside down by the throat and was trying to shake him when I intervened. He was pretty pissed at me though for taking his kill away. It is actualy funny now but sucked at the time. With the calgarian woman owner of the rotty sceaming at me to call off my dog it was a little annoyining since her dog was off leash and in my yard but I figured I had to be nice and waded into a dog fight.
They also fit onto planes and helicopters for remote bush work. In this pic they are headed in to hunt Caribou in a cesna 180
The big problem with heelers is they are realy smart and a little bit of an attitude males in paticular if you don't snip them can be handfull. Somtimes you have to smack them down and remind them who is the alpha.
http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/data/500/dogs_in_plane.JPG (http://www.huntingbc.ca/photos/showphoto.php?photo=12480)

[Barracuda]

Siberians and Malamutes live with you...not for you. It would be rare for them to be a good bush dog as they are nomads leaving you for anyone with a hot dog or truck ride...or a deer to chase, a stream to swim...lol....well anything more interesting. I've lived with between 5-10 of them at any given time for the past 10 years..... they suck off leash (even with advanced level obedience err...TWICE)

A karelian bear dog might be good tho!

not a good dog for his purpose either .

perhaps look at a working dog from close working stock such as a cattle dog (can be stubborn) or collie

[hannibal]

Try a mutt that is a mix of the bread qualities you want. I have two dogs (sisters) that are Lab/ husky/ Akita. i know a weird mix. My dogs live inside/ outside and get lots of love but also lots of discipline and I'm also the dominant dog in the pack. I use regular training on and off leash with some extra bird dog type training for the field. They are 50lbs each so they can carry their own food and water, etc, to train them for the pack I put the harness on when walking them and then work up to the pack and some weight. Do it even after a brake in pack use so the dog has a chance to become re-acclimatized to the load. I think the key is to know the dogs parents. The mother of my dogs is a great bush dog, but likes to wander when at home- same like mine, the father (Akita) is very protective at home and doesn't wander when walking. The mix worked out well for me and my dogs stay close- usually, and come when called- if not twice. They are dogs, they get distracted. Lots of training, stay dominant and try to find out disposition of the dogs parents. My 2 bits. I also use high-viz vests on my dogs when out and about- just in case.

[hannibal]

There are some books out there on "Hiking with dogs" I had a couple way back when, I think a online search would do you some extra good.

[ElkMasterC]

Mine is a Wolf malamute, and what others have said about dominance applies more so that in any other group of breeds, IMHO.

If you don't already have a snow dog, take others advice, and get a hound or a mutt.

He's a good boy, and handsome as hell, but it took more training and stress than the 80 Cairn terriers and 12 German Shepherds my Mom used to raise.
;-)

http://i275.photobucket.com/albums/jj313/Heliox18/scan0001.jpg

[BCLongshot]

I have 2 Samoyeds. Have had others.

Beverly knows her stuff.

Never listen 2 people who've never had northern dogs they're toyally different than other breeds.

They're gonna live with you "in the house" or you will pay !

They're not hunting dogs but excellent companions out in the bush and not loyal at all, lousy guard dogs.

Great breeds but you have to be totally into them and your friends won't understand why.

PM me if you have any questions.

[dutchie]

What about a Bernise Mountian Dog? that is a Major pack dog, and I am pretty sure that they are obediant. My cousin has one and he is a GREAT dog!

[Dukeoflawnchair]

Wow, I really appreciate the food for thought. I actually lived with two siberians this past summer who somehow managed to have a workable system with their owner when he was in the bush (we were living in Canfor company residence at the time). That being said, he was a sled dog guide for a decade and certainly had his share of experience.


I've definitely got some more research to have done, but I appreciate all of the tips and pointers in all directions!

[Sasquatch]

What about a Bernise Mountian Dog?

I really like the Burmese Mountain Dog also. The ones I have met had great temperaments.

They are on the large side though.