Dogs just like humans live by certain codes of social structure. We humans are trained as we grow up to respect our elders and obey the rules. Dogs have this same instinct built into them as well. Siberian huskies as well as other pack dogs need this structure the most. If you allow your husky to be the leader then you are setting yourself up for problems down the road. Huskies that don’t respect you will never listen to your commands and you won’t be able to train them. They will instead bite and nip at you, ignore you, and even jump all over you and could even bite you if you get too close to their food. Why? Because they are the leader and they make the rules. They eat first and play with the toys first and may guard the toys not allowing you to even touch them without growling or trying to bite you. This will become a very dysfunctional dog that nobody wants to be around. Not even other dogs which could lead to fighting and serious injuries.
The first thing you need to do in order to establish the role of pack leader is to control the food. Leaders in dog society eat first. They decide when the rest of the pack gets to eat or even if they get to eat. The easiest way to send this message to your husky is to get your food out and eat in front of the dog. Do not feed the dog before you have eaten. Make your dog sit patiently while you finish your food and then feed your dog. If you have a family then everyone should be done eating before the dog gets to eat.
You don’t have to teach your dog as he already knows that the pack leaders eats first. Once he eats his food you should take up any uneaten food. Don’t leave it laying around so he can eat on his terms. The pack leader not only eats first but also controls the food. By controlling when he eats you have sent a message to established yourself as the pack leader and your dog will completely understand this message. Be responsible and be the pack leader. This is just one step of many you need to take in order to raise a good dog.
