This is quite a thread! I don't think I've ever seen things get so heated. Being the proud, loving, concerned owner of three beautiful Siberians (IMO one of the most wonderful breeds on this planet) all I can say is: MUSH ON!
You truly cannot make one of these dogs do anything they don't want to because they choose whether or not to listen to you (famous husky selective hearing). You can actually see them thinking it over! And they're truly happiest when they're on the move.
As many have pointed out, there are far more dogs that suffer cruelty at the hands of their "owners" right in their own backyards.
(just had to add my 2 cents in)