I'm curious to get feedback on the different ways folks handle this scenario that I face sometimes.

Husky is running around off leash in back yard/dog park/wherever.
Husky picks up something nasty.
You tell husky to leave it. Twice.
Husky knows leave it.
Husky does not leave it.
You take a step towards husky.
Husky runs.

You always read "Dont call your dog over and then punish it" - which makes a lot of sense. This obviously becomes a challenge in situations where Huskies are Huskies and directly defy you, which we all know happens even with well trained ones.

Grab squeaky ball and squeak 3 times, grab treat, or obtain another desirable toy. As a last resort, grab flirt pole. If you are lucky, you will have a husky who fetches. This helped alot with two of my dogs who love fetch do good at bring it here, drop, leave it, and stay.

chase husky around yard/park till they eat what you were trying to stop them from eating and they then look for something new to eat while still keeping their distance from you chasing them, that's my life   

Chances are, even if you call him, he's not going to come, especially if what he's got is really good/interesting. Then you'll be more pissed and it will serve to reinforce him not coming. If he eventually comes, then you punish him, he'll be doubly reinforced not to come back and doubly reinforced not to leave it, and quite frankly, at that point he won't even remember the leave it command. You don't want to undermine recall while punishing for leave it.

My advice? Keep nasty stuff out of your yard. In the park, keep cheese in your pocket, call his name and run away. Most likely he will chase you. When he does take whatever is in his mouth, say leave it, and feed him cheese. Huskies don't listen 100% of the time. This is their nature whether you like it or not, and punishing in a situation like this will just reinforce his choice not to listen. What does HE get out of listening in a situation like this? Well, he doesn't get the nasty crap and gets no reward, so he may as well have a little fun.

If you want 100% compliance 100% of the time, you have the wrong breed. Btw, him running from you is a classic dog game. They run from and chase each other in play, especially when grabbing toys and whatnot.

techigirl78 wrote:

Grab squeaky ball and squeak 3 times, grab treat, or obtain another desirable toy.

Basically this. Distract and redirect their attention with something else they love/higher value.

jbealer wrote:

chase husky around yard/park till they eat what you were trying to stop them from eating and they then look for something new to eat while still keeping their distance from you chasing them, that's my life   

Yup. Yup. Know that game:roll: 

Just like kids, pick your battles. The phrase "turn a blind eye' comes to mind.

The other suggestions all are good - I try (but hey, I a old lady, sometimes scatterbrained...) to always have kibble in my pocket (I'm lucky, Ami thinks his kibble is the best thing going  

Sounds like your husky knows he can outrun you. I'd put his butt on a long training leash and reinforce reinforce reinforce that recall. a way to proof it in this scenarion would be to practice in your yard with the dog on leash and throw a toy or food on the ground. instruct dog to leave it and come, and reel his butt in and praise with something extra good like hotdog or cheese- practice makes perfect!