[nofaultofmine]

So I have a husky x lab, who is about 2 1/2 years old. I took him in 4 months ago, he had a single owner before then. He is a beautiful dog, so well behaved at home but not great on lead.... He was only walked once a week and I am walking him twice a day.... he initially pulled like crazy on the walk and still kind of does... but I could handle this if he didn't cry. At the top of his lungs. He's not fearful, he's excited to go and to walk and he only does it when we go a familiar direction.

My main issue is I walk him at 6am... not a time when I want a loud dog.... I'm trying to stop walking and make him sit before continuing, but.... when he knows I want him to sit that's when he cries the loudest, then sometimes as he is sitting for additional time before he's quiet. I don't think he's getting it and I need help cause I can't walk him later and I'm worried I'm waking all my neighbours!!

 

[AthenaLove]

Carry treat pouch on walks, engage and reward the good behavior

If asking your new dog to sit on a walk makes him whine or get more frustrated, maybe do something else to re-focus him back to you. In other words, try to teach him replacement behaviors.

I suggest wearing a treat pouch on your walks with him. Load the pouch with with different yummy treats that he likes. I always have a ziploc of high value (chicken, meat, hot dog, cheese bites, etc) and another baggie of lower value (kibble, dog beef jerky, store bought dry treats)

Frequently on your walks, stop and ask him to do something that you know he can do EASILY! Like "touch" (he puts his nose to your hand,etc) or sit or lay down or shake for example. When he complies, reward him with your yummy treats. "Focus!" is really good, where you ask him to look at you. Or a really quick "wait please" and then reward. I frequently have my Puma pup carry an object or beloved toy on our walks which makes her focus. Your dog may like this, too. If he is carrying a toy is in his mouth, he probably cannot bark, right?

Basically I am suggesting you engage with him on your walks. Engaging and frequently rewarding his good behavior will really help you guys. The more you can get his attention with fun tricks, yummy treats, and high praise the more he will probably stop his whining/crying.

Sounds to me like it is excitement/frustration--- kinda like a toddler who is in a store saying, come on mom, let's go, let's go!!!

I find that rewarding all good behavior seems to naturally extinguish a lot of negative or undesirable behaviors as your dog learns what you really would like him to do.