A certain part of are house is where we keep all the cat food and litter box. My 15 week old puppy thinks its ok to eat cat food and i think i caught digging or doing something in the litter box ew. We have tried putting some stuff down to make like a wall but he jumps right over it. problem is we have a cat that has a bad leg so a baby gate is out and putting the cat food up high is also a no. Any suggestions?

Son had a similar problem - pup snacking in the litter box. Got a pet gate that had a lower door for kitty cat.

Similar to this but he got it off the shelf at walmart and 1/2 the cost. Only question is your 15 week old pup cat sized or bigger (so he can't fit in the cat opening.)

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/carlson-design-studio-pet-gate/1041791530?mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_baby_&adpos=1o1&creative=39230265949&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=Cj0KEQjwt7KiBRD9lOePpe_BhrgBEiQAHaS_17A7dE_fPdXWYe9V-7kvxo-BQt0MKamrJtglJaD-nocaAock8P8HAQ

He's bigger then the cats but if he wanted he could get threw it

You can teach boundaries without actual barriers.  It is quite a bit of commitment and repetition, but it can be done.  

You (and anyone in your house--always, no exceptions.  Super important to all be on the same page here) have to direct all your energy and your motions towards the boundary that separates the area at all times.  A fantastic way to artificially set this up and get it in your dog's head that this space is off limits is this:

-sit in the boundary of the space, on the floor, have treats but try to conceal them as best you can, and leave enough space for your dog to be able to get by you and into the off limit space.

-every time your dog makes an effort to enter the space, physically block him with your hand in the chest.  Block, don't hit or push or strike of grab.  Just block.  

-use whatever verbal noise you use to indicate No or Stop:  Ahh, Ack, Off, No, whatever.  Use this in conjunction with your block.  

-keep repeating this whenever an effort is made to cross into the space.

-anytime your dog makes eye contact with you, praise and pet and communicate that the focus should be on you, not the space.  try to persuade your dog to forget about the space and focus on you.

-anytime your dog sits or lays down and looks at you, praise and then give a treat. Ideally, a very high value treat that isn't normal such as cheese or sandwich meat or whatever, just make sure it denotes a special reward, not your ordinary training or walking treats.  

-at this point, once the focus is on you, if your dog even looks into the off space use your verbal correction and get the focus back on you, then reward

-if you keep repeating this daily, or even several times a day, you can get this message across that this space if off limits.  

I have done this successfully in the apartment we raised Link in with a bedroom and in our current house with another bedroom.  It is also a great way to teach your dog to be comfortable and hang out in a crate by playing the same boundary game with a crate door open, dog in crate, and you sitting just outside the gate.  

In addition to teaching Off limits to this space, it is a great bonding game that teaches your dog to focus on you in situations where focus and discipline are required, building the foundation of a trust/respect relationship with your dog.  

Give it a try and see how it goes.

Good luck.

he knows he's not supposed to be back there. like as soon as he hears you get up he scarfs what ever little food down and runs. sometimes when i catch him rounding the corner ill call his name he turns back around and walks past the hallway.

Well whether or not he knows he isn't supposed to back there is debatable.

What he knows is that when you come in his cat food gets taken away. He knows You = no cat food.


What he needs to know is that the boundary itself is to be respected at all times. He'll never respect the boundary if you don't teach him to AND he has free roam of the whole house at all times.

In other words, he neither respects the boundary of the space nor you. There is a negative association with you and his cat food, that's it.

he does that with any one in the house. he'll sit there and contemplate if he wants to go back there or not. its like he's all ways looking for food.

Well, there is free food on the floor that he likes to eat at all times and he hasn't been taught not to go eat it.

Can you blame him? What is your plan to correct this?

Huskies are stubborn and will try to get away with whatever they can, especially your 15 wk old puppy. I agree with Jeff's method of creating a boundaries without having a physical one. I raise my voice and use the command "OUT" whenever my pup, Brick, steps into a room he's not supposed to and basically walk towards him until he completely backs out of the room. Then I praise him. Yes, it takes a lot of work and you HAVE to be consistent. Don't allow anyone in your household let him in that room.

Here's a video of him staying out of my room (notice how he's still being stubborn and keeping his paws in... but I usually let that slide )
https://www.dropbox.com/s/y1l1mbr5sj7amnc/TRIM_20141018_091934.mp4?dl=0