Yukon:
Training An Amazing Timberwolf / Husky Mix
By Jon Wedemeyer
December 4, 2015
CASE STUDY
NORTH FLORIDA
K9 BEHAVIOR CENTER
BEHAVIOR BLUEPRINT
DATE: 10/26/16
DOG'S INFORMATION:
Name of the dog(s): YUKON
NO. OF VISITS TO DATE: 2
Yukon is a 6 m/o M, I, Timberwolf/Husky wolf-dog, who presented with a few mildly problematic issues including; jumping, selective recall, selective compliance and a lack of any real training. He is not aggressive at all, but caretaker is concerned that he will inadvertently injure small children that often come to visit. He feels he needs to gain a relationship of leadership with the dog before it gets any older, as it will be a large dog.
Yukon is a happy, very well cared-for, very sweet dog who wants to please and lives in an amazing outdoor environment. Because of his breed mix, he is very energetic, and although his behaviors are annoying and problematic, they are in no way extreme or abnormal for a dog of his mix and age, nor indicative of any other underlying behavioral issues.
Yukon is a very normal, happy, 6 m/o puppy who wants to play and is only in need of some basic training.
TREATMENT PLAN/RECOMMENDATIONS:
– Get Yukon neutered as soon as possible
– Work on strenuous training and play sessions with basic commands at least once in AM and once in PM, preferably 3-4 X a day, for 10-15 mins. each session
– Work on any type of hard play sessions where he can run himself out, heat permitting
– Remember to always praise Yukon the second he begins to perform any behavior you are asking him to. This tells him that it is what you wanted him to do. Smile wide and clap hands, give him “Good Boy”, “Good Job” and pat him on shoulders and chest. This all builds his confidence and his bond with you
– Always watch your tone of voice and never sound angry – you can sound disappointed and surprised, but never angry, that weakens your bond and his confidence
– Turn your back to keep him from jumping. Use “OFF” command, the traffic-cop hand signal and a firm “eh-eh!” when he begins to jump up
– Lay a concrete slab and build some sort of shelter on it for both dogs.
Jon Wedemeyer – Is the founder of, and has operated North Florida K9 Behavior Center in Gainesville, Fl., since 2015. Between his practice and his shelter work has worked over 2,000 canine behavior cases. He received his Diploma in Canine Psychology and Behavior from The International School for Canine Psychology and Behavior ISCP and recently completed a Master Class in Canine Aggression and a Certification Class in Canine Separation Anxiety.
