Hi everyone. I have a quick question regarding my new 11 weeks old puppy. I have him since almost two weeks now and yesterday we've seen a trainer that mentioned she was expecting to see a stronger connection between me and Ghost (the puppy). The trainer is not really used to working with Huskies, but then again not many around here are.

She got this mainly from the fact that when we go outside, Ghost doesn't really look at me and doesn't come when I call him. Instead most of the stuff he does is sniff around everything.

The question would be.. is she right and I have to relax with the training and work more on the connection, or is it rather normal that huskies behave like this being a bit more independent than let's say German Shepperds?

The more experienced people on here will probably know a lot better so please feel free to correct me but honestly he just sounds like a husky puppy lol. They are very independent and stubborn. It also just sounds like a case of curious puppy. Exploring the world is a lot more interesting than obeying commands, lol!

When we first started working on watch me's loki would not do anymore than just a glance. His other tricks were spotty at best too lol. I remember once I asked loki to come and he just looked away and gave a really dramatic sigh. The trainer laughed and said "yep, he's a husky." I later took him to the vet and asked him to sit and he looked firmly at the wall and snorted. The vet shook his head and said, "well he's a husky." We are getting a little better at it everyday though I think.

All that just to say your puppy sounds very normal to me lol.

You infer a question comparing Husky's and German Shepherds so excuse me if I get a bit long winded.

There's a story about Seppala, I believe, where he was crossing a portion of the frozen sea. The lead dog kept veering away from the ice closer to the open water when he (the dog) realized that it was thinner, hence more apt to leave them all in the water, than Seppala thought it to be. A musher has to have an absolute trust that the lead dog (who is often quite a ways in front of the human) will have the intelligence to realize an unsafe situation. In essence the DOG has to make decisions that may conflict with what the human wants.

Shepherds (and other breeds of "security" dogs) are expected to act, almost without question, on the command of the human. That's not to even suggest that the security dogs aren't as intelligent as a Husky, it's just that their breeding and training is directed in a much more controlled -- er -- direction.

And I agree with "that's just a Husky puppy" .... don't, imho, relax your training, it's the training that will build the connection you're striving for.

Thank you both! Appreciate the thorough answers (including the short story, very nice) and will continue the training as until now. This is good reassurance!

When we first brought our pup home he wouldn't look at us at all, he actually seemed like he didn't like us lol but don't be discouraged, the bond will form it just takes time! Not coming when called definitely is typical husky behavior. They're very strong willed and won't bend over backwards for you for nothing, they need incentive. With consistent training Ghost will start to recognize good things come from you and you'll see the connection.

Thanks mssuchy. Working on it! I can see him following me around the house, but outside - I guess that will be much work. looking forward to it

Yeah Simon is a lot more attached to us now that he is almost two than he was as a puppy. I think huskies are normally late bloomers attachment wise. But it's nice because they tend to like everyone.

When we first got Ami (he was 1 yr old) I didn't think he was very attached to me at all. He was forever interested in all sorts of things. BUt hubby kept telling me as soon as my back was turned or I left the room or the yard...Ami's eyes would follow me, that he was forevr watching me.

I do believe these dogs attach extremely well - they just don't fawn all over us as some breeds do.

Puppies eyes are not fully developed until 8 weeks. And will continue to develop several weeks after. They are refining their coordination at 11 weeks and developing response to their surroundings (you). It can take up to 12 weeks for a puppy to begin to focus on people.

Train the heck out of that fur baby. Ghost is in a prime position to learn the ways of the husky. They actually get more exhausted from the mental stimulation of training sometimes than play. My little love bee would take huge naps after learning how to sit for treats. They need the mental stimulation of training or they will find other ways to ummm... eat everything you own.

Hi Albert. Red was pretty much the same as Ghost when we brought her home. She would follow us eveywhere in the house and often did better with the commands indoors rather than outdoors. As soon as I brought her outside, I could be crowing commands till the sun goes down and she still wouldn't listen. She would rather be romping, digging, sniffing around or chewing sticks. I agree with all others that this is pretty standard for husky pups and to stick with the consistent training. Good luck with eveything!

Just my 2 cents, since my girl is almost 3. With huskies it does take time for the bonding. Many do not form a strong bond with their human until they are about a year old. I also found with Miya, to always say her name prior to a command, such as Miya sit, that way she was focused on me and not thinking I was talking to the husky behind her, lol, or whatever she thought I was talking to. I found that I was less frustrated once I taught myself to use her name first then command. Good luck to you as well. The others gave some great insight.

Much appreciated advice, thanks everyone! Really really useful.

Things are already improving. Ghost has been going at the trainer for two days now 3-4 hours per day and he's copying the behavior of two very well trained German Shepperds. Seems to go pretty well. Today we were outside and he actually listened to "look at me" almost every time (when he wasn't nose in the grass busy ofc). Also seems to follow me a bit more and come when called a bit more than before. He's even been around cats and chicken for short introductions.

Training is continuing as before and will go on. Now the trainer is also in sync with me as she has spoken to her adviser, which is someone who has trained police and army dogs all his life, and now has retired to open a wolf park since a few years in order to study their behavior. We'll go see this guy next week too as he's interested in meeting Ghost (not many Huskies around here).

All in all, things look good and promising! Hope they continue like this.