Hi everyone,

I don't know if anyone remembers me posting a few questions about my new pup, out of my girl. All the other pups are home now and so I am beginning to train little Houdini. He is obviously a male and is 13 weeks old this coming Friday. Now, my problem is this: When I come home from school or anywhere else, both silently watch me walk to the back door from where they stay in the front yard. As soon as they hear the back door shut, off they go. They scream and scream, sounding as if they are being abused. They are both on chains. They cry until I come out to let them inside. I hate it. The mother has actually taught Houdini to cry like this as she has cried and screamed like this all her life. I never knew how to really teach her not to. And when I go out to unhook their leashes and walk them to the door, the mother, Kieron, waits quietly, but dances around, making it difficult to actually unslap the leash. Houdini on the other hand, literally starts to choke himself because he is trying to get to me. He pulls and pulls even when I am inches away from him. And as I try to unsnap his leash, he pulls even more, all the time gagging. I don't know how to stop him! The two do not settle down until they are inside chewing on rawhide bones.

How can I teach these two to stop being such babies about coming inside? Can they not wait nicely for me to at least put my things down before fetching them? Kieron, the mother, I can handle as she has somewhat learned the word "Hush!". But Houdini? He is worse that she. Please help me out! How can I help these two out and teach them to be nice and quiet. They know I will always let them in, I don't know what the rush is for.

-Tara

Can I just ask why they are on chains ???

how many hours a day are they chained up for?

They are on chains because we have no fencing. Don't worry, they have plenty of room. The chains are 20 ft. long and are attached to swivel stakes. Don't worry, its not a bad thing. Where I live, I have no other choice. They are chained up from about noon to 3:30 pm. Not really a long time, at least I didn't think...

Where do you live Sibe lover ? Are you in the US ??
I supose they are just very excited when you come home...

I imagine they are just frustrated at not being able to reach you. Could you not teach the sit/stay command so you have time to set your bags down and then come and get them?

I don't think that is long at all as long as you have adecuate shelter and water :)  Maybe try unchaining your boy first that may help....Tell him to sit and only when he is sitting and quite unchain and treat him for the good behaviour. Do the same with his mom...Maybe they will get the idea after having it done repeatedly over time...Remember don't yell at them it just causes them to be more noisier because they think you are joining in :D

Good luck :)

Thanks everyone! Yes, I do live in the US. I almost wish I lived in the UK where all the nice dog people and nice dog supplies are... And yes, they both have their own dog houses and plenty of water. I will try to teach them to sit before I unhook them. The only problem is they just won't quiet down enough even if I am face to face with them. They just keep yapping until they are off the leash and on the porch. But as before, I will try and hope that it works. Thanks again!

couldn't you come in the front way where the dogs are? they know the routine when you go the back way, you open the door they scream and you let them in :) they obviously love you a lot and are very pleased to see you, good luck and i hope you get it sorted...sorry i haven't been much help but not sure what else to suggest :)

If your dogs are chained and you are not there and there isnt a fence how do you stop other dogs geting to them or some one stealing them and what do you do when you have a female in season, sorry just would like to know??

They've learnt that yapping makes you come........  If they start yapping, stop walking and ignore them (don't even look at them) until they are quiet - immedatly they are quiet start walking towards them again, but be prepared to stop the minute they start yapping again...

Before this goes too off subject :rolleyes: It is quite normal to chain sibes/sleddogs in America :-)

Sarah - Just out of interest is that breed specific to sibes and sled dogs? Why is that?
Sorry just curious, not arguing!

Because they are terrible escape artists and would need very secure fencing to keep them in.  In a lot of places in the states they aren't allowed to have fences between properties, or only low ones for privacy, nothing that a self respecting husky wouldn't escape out of.

I'm completely with Brainless on this one :-) 

Plus they are quite accepting of this lifestyle.  Often they live in very big dog yards due to being part of sleddog kennels.  Each has it's own house and a post and chain which swivels allowing it to circle plus get in or on (a sibe fav) it's dog house :D

To answer those questions above, with no fencing and only chains, I do not worry too much about people stealing them. I know it happens and it is possible for my very dogs to be stolen, but I just put my trust in fate to protect them. I believe that they are safe. Other dogs, well, no other dogs come around here. I have two other male mix breed dogs, but one of them has gotten in a wrestling match with the female Sibe and she won big time. She has already shown them who is dominant. Plus, she is chained up so she has her own territory and they have everything else so they have no desire to go near her. In fact, when they wrested a bit, she was a pup and he was an adult. The two males never go near her and her pup. And finally, a female in season? No worries. I spayed my girl just two weeks ago. The pup is a male and will be neutered.

Thanks to those who have given me more advice.

Brainless is exactly right. Siberians are horrible escape artists. In fact, my pup is named Houdini just because he is an escape artist. At only 5-6 weeks old, he was climbing up a wooden pen about waist high and getting out. (Very, very dangerous, I know, we made the pen higher and chained him so he couldn't get out anymore) Also, he was tied up with a regular leash just the other day when I was out in the yard and he chewed right through it and surprised me by greeting me with a lick in the face.