We got our husky in August. He is about a year and a half old. We love him but he has been showing some behaviors that are starting to concern us a little bit. With my wife he gets aggressive. He bites and nips at her when she tries to pet him or grab him by the collar at times. He doesn't do this with me anymore but did a little when we first got him. He also doesn't listen to her at all. I know he isn't seeing her as a leader but her and I pretty much use the same training techniques. Any ideas why he is doing this with her and not me?

Sounds like he has identified you as the Alpha and is trying to assert his place as the next in line of succession. I noticed that Zhukov did this in regards to our other dog, Colby, who was with us first. He would nip Colby, push him out of the way at the water bowl, and force him to enter the house after him. It was all about dominance and establishing his place in the packs pecking order. It wasn't an issue with my wife, because she let him bully her, even though I told her not to let this happen. (not trying to sound sexist or anything here. I am sure your wife is trying, however...) You need to have your wife assert herself around Jake. She may have to be more assertive/strict with Jake than you are. Just my two cents.

Great thanks. She pretty much uses the same techniques as I do so I wonder if we just need to have some patience. I just don't want it to get worse and the issue never going away. She is getting frustrated, understandably. Thanks!

Welcome to the forum Brian and Sara! It seems to be an issue with us women, we just happen to have a more nurturing attitude, and I think it comes thru more in our tone of voice. I have a soft voice, and it is really hard to convey seriousness at times. Have your wife speak in a serious, firm tone of voice, and hand feed. Hand feeding may appear to be used a lot in behavioral issues, however, I personally believe trust is paramount in obedience. Building a separate bond between her and Jake is important, and imho hand feeding brings it to a one on one. Jake needs to understand that you both are the rule makers and that you both give good things and discipline. Have Sara do it all with Jake for now, whether it be feeding, training, or playing. The nipping to me actually sounds like he is asking her to play the way he likes to play, and since he is a husky I presume in a rough manor. A great way that I found to communicate with my girl was a rough housing tugs game that also involved command training. Have Sara be prepared to get down and dirty and play like a dog, yep, bruises happen, play tugs, when Jake drops tugs Sara will say eheh Jake sit, when he does the reward is continued tugs, in the middle of play Jake drop it, he drops the tugs game resumes, and so on and so forth. The things I have mentioned helped me and Miya have an understanding, the demon puppy from hell turned into a well mannered adult who will listen to me probably better than my husband.

OOOPs, and with the hand feeding, have her sit on the floor with Jake, his bowl in her hand, and have her be the mom at that time, talk gently and use positive commands, Jake be gentle take, have the kibble in hand if he acts crazy after the kibble hand closes over kibble and a eh eh Jake be gentle, when he takes it gently be positive good boy.

Thanks!