I need help! just adopted a 7yr old husky who isnt trained at all!!!

[marjy]

Just a week ago I adopted a 7 year old female husky...She is very sweet, not aggressive at all, but she had been kept outside and isn't adjusting to being inside. She is peeing and pooping all over the place no matter how often we take her outside, she's eating everything in sight, including a bottle of advil! luckily she is ok but it was pretty scary for a while. I don't know what to do, she doesn't seem to know her name, what no means..anything! any one have any suggestions on training older dogs??

[Julia423]

First, congratulations! It is a wonderful thing that you are doing in giving this dog a home (what is her name?). It is extremely hard at first when you have a dog who has been kept outside, it is going to take a ton of love and patience on your part.

Please keep checking the post because we have several trainers who are members here including some who have huskies.

I don't have training experience (well, with people, not dogs ;) ) but I wanted you to know that you are not alone. Lots of us have been through similar experiences.

[ReesAkita]

First I would suggest getting her to the vet to make sure her accidents in the house aren't anything medical and second I would suggest obedience training..Dogs are never to old to learn...She may also have some anxiety about being in a new home..Dogs don't know the rules of our house..It's up to us to teach then and obedience training will help you with that.

[mynameislola]

Train your new dog the same way you a puppy. Keep the dog leashed to you at all times while inside or keep it crated. Make sure the dog is getting enough exercise and mental stimulation so it isn't eating the house out of boredom.

[Sarah1427]

Hi!
I got Jake over a month ago and when I got him, he was an outdoor dog. He was hardly ever indoors.. and i live in an apartment. I took him to the vet before i even took him home. As soon as he got to my apartment he went right to my bedroom and used the bathroom..and lets just say it wasnt pretty and he did this about three times. I crate trained him which I recommend, he was potty trained verrry quickly and this was the first time I have ever potty trained a dog.
With the name, Just every chance you get call her by her name, except when its about something bad. Dont assosiate her name with anything bad.
It does take a while. Sometimes im not sure if Jake really knows his name or just comes to me when I talk..:rolleyes:
Just keep working with her. And although i havent taken Jake to obidence classes I want to and I would suggest that as some of the other members said.
Good Luck and keep us updated.

[Macawpower58]

Lola is correct in her advice.

You need to start from scratch. Also, no scolding, you need to win the trust of your new girl, and everything is new and strange to her, she is not being bad if she has an accident, she is just not understanding. Leave a pile where you want her to go outside, this way she has the smell to help her return to it.

With an older dog, the training may be slower than a puppy, be patient and understanding. Prevention is better than cleaning.......:p

Cross your fingers that she's a quick learner, but don't count on it.

Get a crate for sleeping, and times when you can't watch her. Make the crate a good place, feed in it, toys, treats, etc....

As Lola said, I'd also have her tethered (this will also help form a bond between you) to you when loose in the house. Create a word for whenever she pottys where you want. She'll learn the action belongs to the word. Tell her good 'potty' when she goes outside. Take her out often, tell her 'to potty', if she does, give high, excited praise.

Also have her on a schedule for eating, no fee feeding.

Congrats on your girl.......good luck.

[Angelfire]

When we inherited our husky he was 4 yrs old and was not leashed trained and I swear he could not hold it for more then 2 hours and then he would do his business downstairs. You can train her as we had too with ours and though he was never as smart as our rottn's at least he would listen (most times :D). Don't give up as they are such a beautiful, lovable and loyal breed.