How do you punish your dog?

• 05-14-2008 3:02 PM

  CoCo Chanel Joined on 11-04-2006 South Jersey Posts 403 Points 85

  How do you punish your dog? Reply Contact It gets so frusturating sometimes when I tell CoCo to do something, and I can just tell that in her head, she's giving me the doggy version of the finger and ignoring me. ie. Today after our walk, I decided to take her into the fenced in field behind my house, and took off her leash.  Then on the way home, (It's literally right behind my house, so we just had to walk down the sidewalk and into my house.) she decided to take off and run across the street.  No biggie since that side is a dead end....but she KNOWS she's not supposed to go into the streets off leash.  I believe she did it to piss me off, cause she did it, and when I yelled at her, she ran right back home...and as soon as I got back to the front door where she was, she had already assumed "the position." Meaning, she had laid down on her back, with all paws up in the air.  That's why I believe she KNOWS what she does is wrong, but does it anyways.  And no, she doesnt do it simply cause I'm mad....actually I'm on so much anti depressants and xannax... I cant really be mad... lol.  So I know that's not it. But I want to "punish" her somehow...to let her know I'm not pleased.....how do you go about doing this?

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• 05-14-2008 3:09 PM

  In reply to CoCo Chanel

  rwbeagles Joined on 09-10-2007 DFW, TX Posts 14,588 Points 2,025

  Re: How do you punish your dog? Reply Contact I will try to be gentle lol. She should not be off the lead EVER until she has a rock solid recall. That means you can call her anytime anywhere and she will return to you immediately. Until this happens...work on your training with a long line, but understand she is a TERRIER and stubborness and independence run in her blood. HARD WORK numbering years may be necessary before her recall is rock solid. You must also accept that it may NEVER be rock solid and be willing to keep her safe by keeping her on lead...even if it is a long lead. That is YOUR reponsibility. Punishment? Why? she is already afraid of you when you shout...so afraid you cease to become safe to run to...and instead she seeks safety at home. She offers you submission not because she knows ANYTHING about why you are angry...only that you are angry and it's directed at herself. Please do not set her up like this...it is unfair. Keep her on lead...work on your recall...and work on keeping your cool. There is at times I believe a need for correction...but this isn't it. She needs to be reassured that your anger will not result in her being hurt...which she does not right now, know...judging from her extreme submission posturing. Gina H. dog.community Moderator "But my dreams...they aren't as empty, as my conscience seems to be."-The Who

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• 05-14-2008 3:16 PM

  In reply to rwbeagles

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts 6,785 Points 850

  Re: How do you punish your dog? Reply Contact I don't punish, just verbally correct ("uh oh!" or "eh eh"), withhold the treat (if applicable), and redirect the dog to something else.  I always want training to end positively, so if Kenya is not catching on, I switch to something easier and finish with that.  I try not to allow situations where the dog could do something that would require punishment (ie, no running off leash unless it's in OUR yard or a fenced field, no leaving food/treats out all the time where the dogs could take them on the white carpet and make a mess...).  My Blog - http://24ft.dutchbingo.net My Site - http://liesrosema.com

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• 05-14-2008 3:45 PM

  In reply to rwbeagles

  CoCo Chanel Joined on 11-04-2006 South Jersey Posts 403 Points 85

  Re: How do you punish your dog? Reply Contact that's the thing....she's NEVER been hit or hurt before in her entire life!  it comes to the point that sometimes when she gets under foot and someone accidently steps on her paws or trips on her, instead of yelping, she actually goes and WAGS her tail and jumps on that person because that person is apologetic and will give her extra loving and she expects it! she doesnt have a 100% recall at all obviously....but she knows the command GO HOME down pack and will go home.  (That's what I used today when she ran across the street.) It just seems that everytime she disobeys a command, she does this "posture" and the person who she disobeyed will just laugh and rub her belly... Is there a way to "punish" a dog for being bad?  Or is this just wishful thinking?

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• 05-14-2008 4:03 PM

  In reply to CoCo Chanel

  glenmar Joined on 09-10-2007 Northwestern Michigan Posts 11,402 Points 405

  Re: How do you punish your dog? Reply Contact I personally don't think that dogs are "bad", simply untrained.  Clearly she does NOT have go home down pat or she wouldn't have run across the street. I don't believe I've ever punished a dog, so not sure what you are wanting to do.  Maybe withhold the laugh and belly rub?  The "position" clearly has worked very well for her in the past so she's going to keep using it so long as it works. But, yeah, the terrier in her is going to make some of her training a bit more difficult and I absolutely wouldn't let her off leash outside of a fence until you are absolutely positive that she's going to do what she's asked to do. A house without fur is not a home. Glenda

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• 05-14-2008 4:06 PM

  In reply to CoCo Chanel

  erica1989 Joined on 02-21-2007 Clearwater, Florida Posts 2,518 Points 215

  Re: How do you punish your dog? Reply Contact Don't allow her to do 'bad' things. Keep her on a leash. It's not her fault that you gave her the freedom to run around, why should she be punished? For example - I used to let Casey run from the car to the house without a leash after a car ride. One time, he ran to the neighbors house, instead of ours. No biggy, really - but from that point on, he's never off leash in the front yard. I trust him to come back, but I don't want to risk it. I would rather have him leashed to ME, than able to run free. Use a longer leash if you want her to have 'freedom'.

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• 05-14-2008 4:09 PM

  In reply to CoCo Chanel

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts 6,785 Points 850

  Re: How do you punish your dog? Reply Contact CoCo Chanel: Is there a way to "punish" a dog for being bad?  Or is this just wishful thinking?    Wishful thinking.  Rewards or corrections need to be given two seconds MAX after the behavior occurs (which is why so many people advocate clickers, b/c you can click within a second even if you're too far away to physically give the dog a treat or pet it for praise within 2 seconds...but that's another topic).  I don't think punishment works for any species unless there was some sort of intent.  If I intentionally sabotage someone's work, I'm going to get reprimanded and I'll probably not do it again, but that punishment is effective b/c I *knew* what I was doing was wrong and I understood what I should have done in the first place.  Dogs don't understand what is "right" or "wrong" according to a human, they only know that there is what they would do, or something else that they can do instead that maybe gets them more treats and praise.  So instead of punishing her for what is "wrong", you want to train and reward the behavior that is "right" and make that the better option for her to choose. My Blog - http://24ft.dutchbingo.net My Site - http://liesrosema.com

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• 05-14-2008 4:11 PM

  In reply to glenmar

  Jewlieee Joined on 03-23-2007 MI Posts 5,557 Points 4,170

  Re: How do you punish your dog? Reply Contact I think punishment means different things to different people. For Dakota, I raise/deepen my voice and give her a good hard stare, using my body language to show her that I'm not happy with her actions. If she keeps it up, she'll get separated from the "family" (me, other dogs, etc). All Lily and Neiko need for "punishment" is body language be it me ignoring them or a stare. For corrections, they get an "uh uh!".

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• 05-14-2008 4:47 PM

  In reply to CoCo Chanel

  FourIsCompany Joined on 07-30-2007 Posts 4,735 Points 1,135

  Re: How do you punish your dog? Reply Contact CoCo Chanel: But I want to "punish" her somehow...to let her know I'm not pleased.....how do you go about doing this?    You lost the opportunity to give an effective punishment when you let her run loose. To punish a dog effectively, you have to be in contact with them (or have a shock collar or something). And when she's out running around, she's getting reward, reward, reward! LOL There's nothing to do after the fact. The best you can do is ignore her posturing. It is doubtful that she'll connect that to her little expedition, though.   What you need to do is what the others have said. Don't let her off leash unless you are 100% sure she'll come when called. My dogs are NEVER off leash outside fences. Never. And they have pretty darn good recall.   LSTM (Laughing Silently to Myself) Click Daily to Give Free Food and Care to Animals: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

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• 05-14-2008 5:08 PM

  In reply to rwbeagles

  corgipower Joined on 09-10-2007 new jersey Posts 780 Points 0

  Re: How do you punish your dog? Reply Contact rwbeagles: I will try to be gentle lol. She should not be off the lead EVER until she has a rock solid recall. That means you can call her anytime anywhere and she will return to you immediately. Until this happens...work on your training with a long line, but understand she is a TERRIER and stubborness and independence run in her blood. HARD WORK numbering years may be necessary before her recall is rock solid. You must also accept that it may NEVER be rock solid and be willing to keep her safe by keeping her on lead...even if it is a long lead. That is YOUR reponsibility. Punishment? Why? she is already afraid of you when you shout...so afraid you cease to become safe to run to...and instead she seeks safety at home. She offers you submission not because she knows ANYTHING about why you are angry...only that you are angry and it's directed at herself. Please do not set her up like this...it is unfair. Keep her on lead...work on your recall...and work on keeping your cool. There is at times I believe a need for correction...but this isn't it. She needs to be reassured that your anger will not result in her being hurt...which she does not right now, know...judging from her extreme submission posturing. Agreed!! that's the thing....she's NEVER been hit or hurt before in her entire life! it comes to the point that sometimes when she gets under foot and someone accidently steps on her paws or trips on her, instead of yelping, she actually goes and WAGS her tail and jumps on that person because that person is apologetic and will give her extra loving and she expects it! She doesn't have to have been hit in order to be afraid of you. Body language, tone of voice play a big role in that. Jumping up with a tail wag can also be a submissive gesture. This isn't a dog that needs punishment. She should always be on a leash and you need to use positive motivation to give her a reason to want to come to you. Proud member of the tenth place CISRA 2008 team!! tweleve.org corgipower.com My Dog Votes!

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• 05-14-2008 5:18 PM

  In reply to CoCo Chanel

  corgipower Joined on 09-10-2007 new jersey Posts 780 Points 0

  Re: How do you punish your dog? Reply Contact CoCo Chanel: But I want to "punish" her somehow...to let her know I'm not pleased..... See...that line really scares me. I always aim to not have to use punishment with my dogs. I am willing to use punishment if necessary, but I never want to. I want to not have to use punishment, and for that, I need to set the dog up to be successful and I need to reward him when he is correct. I need to assess his abilities and his understanding and help him where he needs it. Proud member of the tenth place CISRA 2008 team!! tweleve.org corgipower.com My Dog Votes!

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• 05-14-2008 5:23 PM

  In reply to corgipower

  FourIsCompany Joined on 07-30-2007 Posts 4,735 Points 1,135

  Re: How do you punish your dog? Reply Contact corgipower: See...that line really scares me.   I doubt you need to be scared. I'm fairly sure CoCo Chanel doesn't WANT to punish her dog. She wants to let the dog know that the behavior is not acceptable.    LSTM (Laughing Silently to Myself) Click Daily to Give Free Food and Care to Animals: http://www.theanimalrescuesite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=3

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• 05-14-2008 5:42 PM

  In reply to FourIsCompany

  Chuffy Joined on 12-17-2006 UK Posts 5,208 Points 10

  Re: How do you punish your dog? Reply Contact FourIsCompany: corgipower: See...that line really scares me.   I doubt you need to be scared. I'm fairly sure CoCo Chanel doesn't WANT to punish her dog. She wants to let the dog know that the behavior is not acceptable.       ...and is being advised that it is a better course of action by far to engineer the situation so that she doesn't have to let the dog know anything of the sort.  A dog behaving like a dog is hardly unacceptable.  Now, a human not having a lead on a dog when the dog is not yet trustworthy.... another kettle of kippers entirely.  To the OP - if it's punishment you want, use a rolled up newspaper.  Bash yourself on the head with it and resolve to contain her better in future while working hard on that recall... "Give a man a fire and he's warm for a day, but set fire to him and he's warm for the rest of his life." (Pratchett, Jingo) "I used to look at [my dog] Smokey and think, 'If you were a little smarter you could tell me what you were thinking,' and he'd look at me like he was saying, 'If you were a little smarter, I wouldn't have to.'" - Fred Jungclaus

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• 05-14-2008 6:00 PM

  In reply to Chuffy

  sl2crmeg Joined on 10-08-2006 New Smyrna Beach, FL Posts 2,393 Points 245

  Re: How do you punish your dog? Reply Contact Chuffy: To the OP - if it's punishment you want, use a rolled up newspaper.  Bash yourself on the head with it and resolve to contain her better in future while working hard on that recall... Eeeeeexactly. My dog is NEVER OFF A LEAD ever - why? Because he's a terrier. They're 'independent thinkers' ;) Honestly, she sounds like a pretty 'soft' dog and I think punishing her would just make things worse. One Thanksgiving a guest left my front door open and sneakypants wandered off to the neighbors to check out their festivities. As soon as I heard him barking his fool head off at a dog inside of a fence I ran out with a piece of turkey skin and called him as loud as I could. He came straight back and thoroughly enjoyed his snack. Was I mad as HECK?! Yes! Why didn't I make sure my guests closed the door?! I was SO PLEASED with Pirate tho because he came straight back to me. In a nutshell, what I'm saying is that I try not to make it NECESSARY to use punishment.

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• 05-14-2008 6:13 PM

  In reply to sl2crmeg

  CoCo Chanel Joined on 11-04-2006 South Jersey Posts 403 Points 85

  Re: How do you punish your dog? Reply Contact lol Thanks guys for the tips and advice. I'm just laughing about the "punishment" part; fouriscompany is right!  I didnt mean "physical" punishment.  I would never hit anything, let alone my fur baby!  It is my fault I let her off leash; she is usually always on leash, but I figured we were walking not even 100ft back home from the fenced in field that she would be "trustworthy" enough to just walk straight home....but no.. and you were right.. her 'reward' was to run run run when she had the chance before I told her to "GO HOME." I guess it's just frusturating because you're right, she's not "human" to be really "punished" like a human would... I mean.. I guess  I'm still left blank as to how to "punish" a dog?  What are you supposed to do?  Withhold treats?  (Not possible...she barely eats as is.)  Withhold affection?  (again, not possible because she's a ham, and there's so many people in my house and she's treated like a part of the family... so she's always getting loved on.)  I mean... it's not as though she's a human child in which I can sit her down and have the "talk" with her... I have much to learn.

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