Training Games to Mentally Tire out Your Husky
A physically and mentally satisfied Husky is a happy and well-balanced Husky!
Enter training games -- providing your Husky with a “cerebral workout” worth its weight in canine gold. Consider then, the six suggestions listed below.
1. Hide and seek: Have your dog “sit” and “stay” while you hide in an easy spot inside your home. Either call his name or use a pre-arranged “release” word to start the hunt. As the game gets more advanced, use more challenging hiding places and/or leave out some treats instead of you as his reward. Hide and seek requires your Husky to focus, to use his brain to figure out directions, and to control his impulse to rush forward blindly.
2. Interactive puzzle toys: Utilize your Husky’s problem-solving skills with puzzle feeders and treat-dispensing toys such as Kongs, snuffle mats, and treat balls. Begin simply, reward each of his successful retrievals and then increase their complexity, rotating the toys on a regular basis to keep the novelty alive. Not only will this sharpen his focus while he’s working for food, it will slow down any gulping habits he has when he eats, promoting better digestive health.
3. Scent recognition challenges: Choose a unique scent – from an essential oil like lavender or a tasty treat to a small piece of your clothing -- show it to your Husky and let him sniff it. Then hide it somewhere in the room and encourage him to “search” and “find it,” rewarding him generously with treats and praise whenever he does. Over time, vary the hiding places, add distractors or even use multiple scents.
4. Trick training and obedience refinement: Together, they engage multiple areas of your Husky’s brain. Rather than rote learning, add various new commands or “chain tricks” for added complexity. Patiently teach him such tricks as “spin,” “weave between legs” and “high-five.” Combine commands: “sit” then “paw” then “lie down” without breaks in between. Vary the locations of your sessions, thereby challenging him to focus even more intently.
5. The shell game: All you need are two plastic cups and you’re ready to sharpen your Husky’s problem-solving skills, such as memory, attention and patience. Place a treat under one cup and ensure that he’s watching closely. Shuffle the cups and encourage him to choose the correct one. Celebrate each success with a tasty reward and copious praise. Step up the game by adding a third cup to the mix or by hiding a treat under multiple cups.
6. Tug with command control: Use a sturdy tug toy and let the game begin! Periodically, instruct your Husky to “drop it” or “wait” before letting him grab the toy again. This exercise – mixing focus and fun, fun and focus -- challenges his impulse control and teaches him a valuable lesson in obedience, i.e., exhibiting calm behavior despite the excitement of the moment.
As with any training plan, consistency is key. If you provide your Husky with 10 to 15 minutes of focused mental exercises every day or at least several times a week, his brain will not only adapt better, he’ll crave these sessions. Pay attention to signs of boredom or confusion on his part, ensuring that he always feels challenged not defeated. Rotate his puzzle toys, try out new tricks and/or create fresh scent challenges to keep the experience stimulating and exciting.
Remember, though, training games that tire out your Husky mentally work best in concert with physical activity. Huskies typically need at least 1 to 2 hours of exercise daily -- running, hiking and/or structured playtime. For the best results, burn off his raw energy first, followed by a mentally challenging training game to calm and relax him.