Nancy's Dog - A New Relationship!

And finally...........

Kaela will need to be conditioned to having a Pack Leader as this philosophy - Cesar's Way, is probably a new way of living for her , training a dog in obedience is very different, and her energy on a walk tells me she has probably not been too well socialized within the contexts you meet on your walks. So the more you practice these walks with her the way I have described the more she will move-on acting the way you want her to, and the old behaviour gradually becomes extinct. That is why you need to correct her behaviour when she begins to show the first signs of acting-out, then redirect how you want her to behave - if not then she cannot understand that what she is doing is unacceptable or what she needs to do instead - be very clear and keep it simple.

With structure - rules, boundaries and limits this will lead to a balanced life together. It takes time, patience and consistency to convince a dog you are in charge as their Pack Leader, with a 4 yr old rescue many old behaviours may need to be counter-conditioned ("re-learned") to your rules -this is discipline and dogs love to live within such a structure that is nature's way. Remember too that dogs live in the now she will have moved-on to her life with you now, but will still need to learn your rules etc. Any excited energy she displays is not a natural state for a dog, so they always prefer to return to balance with our help and calm assertive energy.

Also, Husky type dogs need plenty of exercise - this is a strong working breed - they can go for hours of walking/running work! Adding a back-pack and mental challenges during the walk such as changing direction or indeed teaching them to pull something via a harness can help to release energy from this breed mix. It maybe that you need to release some of her pent-up energy before going for the migration walk e.g. running her/treadmill/retrieve games etc They can also be very vocal so you are lucky there!

So the philosophy for you I suggest is "Cesar's Way" (have you read the book?) and for Kaela his formula to rehab her behaviour on a walk and accept you as her Pack Leader is "Exercise and discipline before affection".

Remember you are doing great in the home - harness that energy you use inside and take it with you outside on the walk - be confident, firm yet kind, walk tall keeping your eye level above that of your dog and remain calm - no tension on that leash, relaxed smile (but not over happy as a dog can read this as a human signal to get excited) and breathe steady it works!