Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

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RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

This is our newest family member Sarge he loves to chew and he does nip a lot hes almost completely housebroken an accident here and there but he does know that outside is the place to go. Training him to let us know by going towards the door would be helpful, but he has the same whine for any thing he wants. Any suggestions?

Post by hotfitter62

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

Hi we are new to german shepherd/husky mixed dogs and we are getting one on sunday and just cant wait but what are the best foods and treats to feed, train, and keep these type of dogs fit and healthy. as a vet said ceaser dog food has a high salt content and not much meat, and someone else said iams is the best, and another said to feed them chicken and gravy, and peanut butter and fruit as a treat, we are hearing so many different things about so many different foods and don't know whats best, please could someone give us there advice as we only want the best for our new baby girl.

Post by wooly

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

Hi Alexis, I actually don't have any feedback for training your German Shepard but I just have one question. I recently surrendered my dog Smokie to the AZ humane center and he looks exactly as your dog in the picture. Did you happen to adopt him from the humane society several months back?

Post by sjoiner

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

I just rescued a GS and its 2 years old and the ears are half way up.. I think they are going to stay like that. t2doof AT yahoo.com

Post By Andrew M. (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

We posted a picture of Astara on 12-22-08, concerning her ears. She is 18 weeks now, and just an amazing dog. We have had only one accident in the house the 22nd. Astara's coat is changing now, her face is lighter, and her body coat is beginning to look more Shepard.

A quick note about the chewing. We use congs, an old rubber shoe that has our sent on it, and socks that we have tied into nots, (also have our sent on them) and an old rope toy. Because Shepards and Huskies are working dogs, their mind needs to be occupied as much as possible. A large cong that has been frozen, (stufed with kibbel and penut butter) will keep her entertained for about half an hour.

I would do this to keep her occupied when we would leave. It reduces stress for her, and develops a routine. To stop her from chewing every thing else, she simply responded to verbal commands, but with other dogs I have sprinkeled Cayenne pepper on things that were being chewed, and the chewing stopped.

Something I do while training Astara, is use uncommon words as commands. for example, when I wont her to get in the car, I will tell her load. The idea is that if she ever strayed, and someone wanted to steal the dog, she wouldn't understand the command, there for not get in the car. Also, every thing she gets, food, toy, going out side, she has to work for. Something quick, like sit, shack. It just adds personality.

Post By Adon & Teresa B. (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

Hi! I am also a new owner of a little puppy and I just found out it was a shepherd mixed with husky!! I was browsing here to find tips on how to train her. She has been in the house for only a day so I have to be VERY patient, but she already seems to understand that she has to do her business outside and not inside. I will be checking out the website for more tips on how to help train and If anyone has any advice I will sure take it :) Pictures to come... thanks :)

Post By Anne (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

Here are some pictures of Crash my GSD Husky mix the one with his ears down are at 3 months old, he is now two weeks older and they have just gone up.

Post By Carrie (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

My shepherd/husky mix will not stay or lay down for me but will lay down for others. He is not catching on to house training very well at all. He does pick up on my body language very well. He is 18 weeks old. He chews up every thing when I'm not home but doesn't touch a thing when I'm around. How do I get him to stop chewing things up and to listen to me?

Post By Sam (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

This is my German Shepard Husky mix, Baby. She is six weeks old and I have only had her for about a week. She is so playful and loving. She loves to cuddle and play and loves the kids. I have had Huskys in the past and they were good dogs. Already Baby is learning a routine and is catching on to things very quickly. We are working on house training, and she is starting to catch on. She wakes me up at night to go outside! I just love her, and can't wait to see how she is when she gets older!

Post By Brianne (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

My shepherd husky mix was 11 weeks on Friday. If you send me your email I will send you some pics of him. He is just gorgeous. His ears have been trying to go up for about a week now and today one has made it. It is standing on it's own.

Post By jacqueline (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

Astara is 9 weeks old, we got her at 5 week. at 6 weeks she was house trained and following basic commands. Her ears began to stand at week seven. She is a very smart and energetic, also she is beginning her instinctive herding skills. Believe it or not the dog whisperer ideas work well with her behavior.

Post By Adon & Teresa B. (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

This is my Husky/German Shepherd mix. He looks much different than yours color wise, but he has the same ears. People actually think he's part lab b/c of his ears and it's quite annoying. lol...He is tan, with white husky face marks, the curled tail of a husky (when he's excited) but it lays down like a Shepherd when he's calm, and the black saddle on his back like a GSD.

I thought they would stick up too since both breeds have that feature. But he puts them half way up when he is on alert but they lay back (not in a mean way) when he is sleeping or calm. Oh and my dog is 3 and they haven't stood up yet. Your pup will probably get pretty big too. Mine is a little bigger than most husky/shepherd but yours will come close. My boy Sage is 90lbs. and is as tall as me when he stands up on his back legs. Apparently, according to his previous owner they did when he was a puppy but then one day they didn't anymore. Who knows?

As for the training I agree with the person who mentioned Ceasar Milan. You body language says more than any words will ever mean to a dog. Words don't make you a pack leader...your body language and the confidence you have makes you a pack leader. My dog doesn't dare to disobey me because I make it clear that I am in control (without force of course).

When you are using treats to get what you want you need one in each hand. One to help direct them for what you want them to do (but never give them that one) and one in your other hand behind your back to give them when they do the trick.

I would also recommend using a clicker. Once they do the trick you use the clicker and immediately hand them the treat. Eventually he should do it without treats. Don't give up, he's still young. :) Good luck!

Post By Alexis (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

I have a question. I'm really wanting to get a dog but my mom is allergic to a lot of things, unfortunately dogs happen to be one of these things. Are German shepherd/husky mix dogs really allergenic? Do they shed a lot and do you think that it will get along well with my cat?

Post By laura (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

I have a 4 and a half month old German shepherd husky mix. and he still wont stay ( I guess cause hes a momma's boy (: ) and wont lay down. I don't think they understand a lot at firs,. but his ears were lop-sided. One of them started coming up from the back and the other one came up from the top, but they will eventually come all the way up. They look weird at first but after maybe not even a month they'll be up, and when mine is tired or knows he's in trouble they're down. it's cute. Good luck with your baby. They're wonderful dogs!

Post By shawnna (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

I have a female huskie/shepherd with her ears half up as well. You are NOT alone. Personaly I kinda like it and in my case it fits her personality very well. She is very hyper and LOVES to take long hikes with the family. She was an addition to our first Male dog who is a Beagle. They get along great and have turned out to be the best pets we could have asked for.

Post By Aimee from CT (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

Our Husky/Sheperd, Gimli came to us when he was four months old. He is my best buddy now/my heart. He has one ear that stands up and the other one flops down. Sometimes when for no particular reason both ears stand up but that is a rare occurance. When he wants something (which is most of the time - petting or food) both ears lie against his head in the most endearing of ways. At seven years of age Gimli is overweight, probably weighing in at 100 lbs or slightly over. I am only giving him one cup of dog food a day and when I eat he gets much smaller pieces of my food then he use to and only weight reduced treats. My sister told me today if his weight doesn't go down he could have a heart attack. That scares the daylights out of me as I love him past believing. Beth

Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

I have a 13 1/2 year-old shepherd/husky and although I can't find the pics right now. When she was a pup it was so cute because one of her ears would stand up and one would fold over. However when she got to be about 7 months both ears went up. I love these dogs. Just got a 6 week shep/husky last week. Her name is Morgan. 13 1/2 year old is Jordan.

Post By Rick (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

We have a German shepherd, husky, lab, wolf mix. Koda is 1 year and 6 months old. We got him when he was 1 year and 2 one-half months old. Koda means friend in the Dakota and Sioux language. Which we thought it was appropriate for him, because he's so friendly with mostly everyone. He doesn't like people that drink or do drugs. He barks and growls at them, especially when they go past our apt., to the last 3 apts. where they do this. He also lets me know when someone else is at the door, by barking until I say its okay, it's just the neighbours, or sh, when I need to put his leash on him, when I answer the door. After I open the door, and I tell him, it's a friend, then he lets them in, other wise he won't let them in the door.

About ears being up or down, as you can see with our pup, his are always down. But we love him regardless. He has beautiful gorgeous coloring too. We have so many people say they want this pup, but we said no. We are going to keep him. He is very intelligent too.

For most things he is very easy to train, for others it takes a little more time for him to learn the rules, but he's getting there.

Post By Shaynee (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

This is my Shepherd/Siberian Husky mix, Keela. I just got her two days ago and she is learning extremely fast already. Her ears were already up when I got her, she's clearly got some Husky accents to her look but enough Shepherd in her as well. The vendor said she was 2 1/2 months but I would say she has to be about 3 months. She's having a little difficulty with commands but it's only been a couple days so I would say we are making excellent progress already.

Post By Holler (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

This is our German Sheppard/Husky/ black lab mix. He's 10 weeks old. He has really floppy ears but we love them and think they are sooo cute! We kind of hope they don't go up, I don't think they will though, I think it's the lab in him. We have already trained him to "lay down," we did it by taking a treat, letting him smell it, then covering it with your hand and putting it in between his front paws and saying "down." If he tries to scoot back to get at it, keep moving it back to stay in between his paws, and don't uncover it until he has laid down. It only took a day! I have also heard really good things about the Dog Whisperer that other people have posted about. Good luck, and don't stress about the ears, floppy ears are cute! :)

Post By kris101 (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

This is our 9 week old husky/shepherd mix. Her ears only stand up when she's laying down, but we hope that they'll end up being straight when she's older.

Post By becky (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

My pup is 4 and a half months old. I was told she was husky and doberman mix but clearly their is some shepherd in her. She has a curved tail and when we first got her had a floppy ear. Now their pretty much both straight and huge, bat like. lol. That's shepherd right? She lives for treats and at times gets to excited about them and can't focus on the exercise. I take a lot of breaks so she doesn't get stressed out. She also like to nip. All the time! Hard to cuddle with her when all she wants to do is eat your face! lol

Post By amanda (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

Here is my Baby German shepherd/husky- Coco. She is 5-6 wks old! Completely adorable and already learning very quickly!

Post By veronika (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

I love all these dogs, very cute pics :)

Post by schubunny

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

I just adopted a Husky/German Shepherd puppy. She is 7 weeks old and full of energy, but that works perfectly with the other dog in our household. So far she seems very head-strong, so I may be checking back for training tips.

Post By salba (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

I have a husky/shepherd on the mothers side) and a black lab (on the fathers) mix. She is 4 1/2 months old and her ears stand up at the base. Sometimes one will stand up for a minute, but then flop over. Does anyone think her ears will stand up?

Post By jamie (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

I have a shep/husky mix about a year old.

Post By Allie (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

Here is our new Shepherd/Husky Mix
He's 8 weeks old, and resembles a shepherd a great deal...
His ears are long and straight, and he was born this way.
We start puppy and obedience training next week.
So far, he is doing well with being house broken.
I've only owned Purebreds in the past, and I just fell in love with him. His name is Trooper.

Post by Trooper415

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

I've got an 8 month old mix just like your's but she's has more German in her. She has a short coat and looks more like a wolf or German than husky so she's more of a hybrid than anything. She is a very loving dog but she chews a lot and it's getting worst. Not much on a guard dog or any thing like that, but great with kids and people. She's a coward really. She's one of those 1oo lbs lap dog really. They don't listen very well only when they want too, Let me know how yours is.

Post By Elizabeth Fletcher jmyflet AT comcast.net (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

I have a shepherd/husky mix also and her ears are already up and shes about 3 to 4 months old her ears hung down for the longest time until about a couple weeks ago they started to rise and one stands up while the other is still a little bent over at the top but it takes time it also depends on how much of each breed is in them if she is only shepherd and husky mix they will most in likely rise all the way up because i also have a full blooded shepherd and his ears are all the way up so they should rise up pretty soon.

Post By TINY (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

Hi! Wow, your pup is gorgeous! Well, I'll tell you something that is totally, 100% effective.
If you go to www.cesarmillaninc.com or watch the Dog Whisperer, and apply his techniques with him it will be the best thing you ever did! It takes a lot of work [still working on it everyday w.my dog!] but it's so worth it. Try it once or twice, it makes SUCH a difference.

Post By Elizabeth (Guest Post)

RE: Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

Tell him to sit, repeat the command "stay" many times. Put a treat about 6 meters in front of your dog, and say "stay". If he tries to get it, be prepared to pull him back, work best on leash. If he goes to get the treat, YANK back the leash and put him into a sitting position and keep doing this until he stays. As you say the "GO GET IT" command, give him a push towards the treat, THIS SHOULD WORK

Post By LD (Guest Post)

RE: Ears Standing Up and Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mi

I have a husky/lab mix at 5 months old and his ears still don't stand up. Any input send to debrawhite69 AT hotmail.com

Post By debbie white (Guest Post)

RE: Ears Standing Up and Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mi

My German shepherd / husky is 9 weeks old but his ears still so floppy. Look at this picture. Does anyone have nay idea if his ears would stand up one day?

Post By abbie (Guest Post)

RE: Ears Standing Up and Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mi

My 14 week old German shepherd/husky has had her ears up since the day I got her when she was 8 weeks old :) I think your dog's will probably both go up soon too!

Post By brittany (Guest Post)

RE: Ears Standing Up and Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

I have a German Sheperd-Husky mix that looked just like your pup about 1.5 months ago. Her ears are now almost standing up all the way now-she is growing fast!

Post By Enter your name. (Guest Post)

RE: Ears Standing Up and Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mi

Hey, my puppy is a husky/ger shepard mix and his ears aren't up fully either but from all the advice I've read it's all the same rub the ears and give your puppy time because most of the time they are a couple of months before they rise on their own. So I'm waiting patiently and if they don't rise maybe it wasn't meant for them to. Hope that also helps!

Post By y_alfred (Guest Post)

RE: Ears Standing Up and Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

Hi I think my pup is a shep/husky as well. The picture was taken when he was 8 weeks old. He is now 11 weeks and both his ears are fully up. They look to big for his head so I think they are more shepherd ears.

Post By R Hamilton (Guest Post)

RE: Ears Standing Up and Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

If you will feed him cottage cheese every day, it will help strengthen the cartiledge in his ears and they will one day stand straight up.
We have a female shepard with papers and we were afraid hers would never stand up. Someone gave up the tip and it worked beautifully.

Post by bwonna

RE: Ears Standing Up and Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

He's so cute I wouldn't care if his ears stood up or remained floppy!

Post by Lynn

RE: Ears Standing Up and Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

I had a german shepard that had a "gouch" ear (folded down upper part). -Lazy Ear
You need to rub the mussel at the base of the ear several time a day ( every time he comes near).
It took several months, but his ears did stand up correctly in the end.

Post by tejas

RE: Ears Standing Up and Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

It took a long time for out Shepard's ears to stand up. For awhile she had one up and one down. It seems to me she was at least 8 months old before they stood up. We just had the one Shepard pup, so I am not an expert.

Post by louel53

RE: Ears Standing Up and Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

I think your dog got the Shepherd "floppy ears "gene! They look just like those of a Chow-Shepherd we had for many years. We now have a Husky-Shepherd mix whose ears stand up, but her body and tail look more like a Shepherds. Just love him like he is 'cause its's hard to change genetics.

Post by NancyP

RE: Ears Standing Up and Training a German Shepherd/Husky Mix

I highly recommend that you look into Cesear Millan, the Dog Whisperer. I am not a dog person, but if I ever had one I would follow his advice to a tee, he seems to get even the worst of dogs to do as they are to do. Main idea, is that YOU are the pack leader.

http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/

As for the ears, I think they stand up as they get older. I know that some breeds are taped up to get that straight look (dobermans) which I think is cruel, if God wanted them to stand up, they would!

Hope that helps!

Post by michawnpita

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