Throwing a "Bopper" at a Dog?

Sounds like the same premise as the shake can tosses from someplace. Startle to redirect?
Best if your dog doesn't equate you with throwing things at them I'd think...make them shy away from anyone throwing a ball lol.

must agree with Gina here... I wouldn't make a regular practice of throwing stuff at my dog, or squirting them with water. Seems counterproductive. Why would my dog come every single time I call if I am sometimes known to squirt it with water or throw stuff at it?

IMO dog training flows from trust, paired with the dog knowing that I control all the resources and access to everything he desires. If my dog knows that the only way to get what he wants and needs is to do what I want, then I don't need to do anything like hit my dog with stuff.

That's sort of what I thought. I don't mind "boobie-trapping" things, like with Bitter Apple or whatever else, but yeah, I don't want Tojo to think of me as the one who throws stuff at him. I didn't ever throw a cushion until one day, Tojo brought my toothbrush out of the bathroom into the living room to chew on while I was breastfeeding. I didn't want him to get the impression that it was okay for him to sit in front of me chewing my toothbrush! At any rate, if at all possible, I catch him and redirect him physically.

The water bottle idea is no good either.  I've done that to Willow when I first got her and didn't know any better.  A friends trainer suggested to her that when her dog did something to spray it with water and she passed that on to me.  Me, thinking the trainer knew what she was doing started doing this to Willow.

It didn't stop the behavior at all.  It did make her leary of any type of spray bottle for almost a year plus after I stopped.  I had trouble keeping her from going into a panic if grooming spray or any spray medication needed to be used on her. 

Yeah... I don't think it's the end of the world to throw a cushion at a dog when you're completely tied up with something else--I have squirted a mouthful of water at my dog while in the shower to keep him from running off with the toilet paper.

But I don't use it as a training technique. IMO, that's the sign of a trainer who is not creative and/or patient enough.

I wouldn't throw a pillow at either of my huskies.  Lately they seem to enjoy the heck out of tearing them apart.  (stuffing everywhere)  And they look so pleased with themselves when you exclaim, "OMG"!!
 
I guess an angry tone , saying "NO" would be more effective in getting them to behave better....[8|]

ORIGINAL: rolenta

That's sort of what I thought. I don't mind "boobie-trapping" things, like with Bitter Apple or whatever else, but yeah, I don't want Tojo to think of me as the one who throws stuff at him. I didn't ever throw a cushion until one day, Tojo brought my toothbrush out of the bathroom into the living room to chew on while I was breastfeeding. I didn't want him to get the impression that it was okay for him to sit in front of me chewing my toothbrush! At any rate, if at all possible, I catch him and redirect him physically.

I agree.  However, you can certainly toss something occasionally from behind, so that the dog doesn't associate it with you. But, that is just to interrupt behavior that could cause injury to the dog, not for everyday situations that are best dealt with by teaching the dog what you *do* want him to do, and allowing naughty behaviors to just fade away when the dog doesn't get any acknowledgement for them.
I think perhaps Gary Wilkes is one clicker trainer who actually advocates the use of "harmless" aversives.  You will find, however, that Gary does not advocate the use of any punishment without a corresponding action from the trainer that teaches the dog what you do want the dog to do, and ends the session in a positive way.  So, punishment is not pointless, as so often happens when humans just punish without remembering to teach, then reward, as well.
Truthfully, I don't think you need this stuff with most pet dogs, and would refrain from doing anything but the "booby trap" techniques, which appear to come out of nowhere, and teach the dog that it's dangerous to sniff what's up on the kitchen counter, for example.

I too did the squirting thing with Giz before I knew any better. Eventuly she became imune to it and started snaping at the water, catching the water in her mouth like it was a game. I never threw anything at her to stop behavor but I know when i do toss something to her it's part of a game she likes to play so it would seem she would also see that as a game.

The can shaking thing did work to help her stop barking in the house. She would suddenly hear the sound and get distracted, then she got a treat. For me training Giz is more like making everything into a game, to get her mind to think in a positive way. If not then she will find a way to make it into a game I don't always like.

gee, my dogs think being sprayed with water or having pillows or towels thrown at them are fun rewards.
If you find yourself thinking you need to "discipline" your dog often, you might want to sit down and think long and hard about how to change the environment and your approach to the dog so your dog is more likely to be successful and get rewarded instead. Example if doggy is stealing toothbrush, maybe you need to keep it somewhere else for the time being while you teach the dog to "drop it".