I just read an article about disciplining a dog if it does something wrong. The article never said anything about training the dog first; it immediately went to punishment for unwanted behavior.
It is true that a dog will occasionally overstep its boundaries. I guess all thinking individuals, no matter the species will if given the opportunity or right circumstances. I have done some things I would just as soon not talk about. It comes with the ability to think and make judgment calls.
Consequences are the result of decision making and if you have shown your dog the action you want taken for a specific activity and he is aware of that action, then you are within the bounds of propriety to discipline. However, the discipline needs to happen as the transgression is occurring, not after the fact.
Punishing your dog for a puddle of urine or a pile of poo on the floor will mean very little if the puddle or deposit happened earlier. The dog must be disciplined during the act in order for it to have meaning; the same with a chewed clothing or furniture.
A puppy has peak times when a potty break is called for: immediately after waking, as soon as a meal is eaten, after intense activity and after chewing. You need to be aware of these times and make sure the puppy can eliminate where you want it to. Not only that, small bladders and sphincters don't yet have the needed control. A good rule of thumb is one hour for every month of a pup's life.
When the puppy had eliminated where and when you want and, hopefully, you are consistent in your place and time, then praise is called for. Find a word that has meaning to you-more so you will remember it than the pup-and tell the puppy, for instance, "Good potty!" when it eliminates. Your goal is to associate 'potty' with eliminating and the best way to do this is to be with the pup and praising as it voids.
If your dog is inclined to chew, then give it something appropriate to gnaw on. If you leave a young untrained dog where it can get to shoes or furniture then the likelihood that a favorite pair of slippers or a corner of the couch or table will have tooth marks is imminent. Confine your untrained dog to an area that is clear of cherished belonging and give it something it can chew on.
Another unwanted behavior is digging. Some breeds are burrowers and have an inherent need to dig. Others can be taught to stop making like a gopher by putting fine wire in a hole or putting old stool in the excavation. Make sure your dog isn't trying to get cool by digging into the earth. Provide some shelter if the weather is less than ideal and your dog is confined to the yard.
If you have a dog who displays unwanted behavior, look at the action and think about why it is doing what it is doing. There is usually a reason for all actions. Is your dog bored? Cutting teeth? Left alone too long or too often? Given enough exercise or a 'job?' Perhaps he needs veterinary attention.
If you were your dog, would you be happy in your dog's circumstances?
It is true that a dog will occasionally overstep its boundaries. I guess all thinking individuals, no matter the species will if given the opportunity or right circumstances. I have done some things I would just as soon not talk about. It comes with the ability to think and make judgment calls.
Consequences are the result of decision making and if you have shown your dog the action you want taken for a specific activity and he is aware of that action, then you are within the bounds of propriety to discipline. However, the discipline needs to happen as the transgression is occurring, not after the fact.
Punishing your dog for a puddle of urine or a pile of poo on the floor will mean very little if the puddle or deposit happened earlier. The dog must be disciplined during the act in order for it to have meaning; the same with a chewed clothing or furniture.
A puppy has peak times when a potty break is called for: immediately after waking, as soon as a meal is eaten, after intense activity and after chewing. You need to be aware of these times and make sure the puppy can eliminate where you want it to. Not only that, small bladders and sphincters don't yet have the needed control. A good rule of thumb is one hour for every month of a pup's life.
When the puppy had eliminated where and when you want and, hopefully, you are consistent in your place and time, then praise is called for. Find a word that has meaning to you-more so you will remember it than the pup-and tell the puppy, for instance, "Good potty!" when it eliminates. Your goal is to associate 'potty' with eliminating and the best way to do this is to be with the pup and praising as it voids.
If your dog is inclined to chew, then give it something appropriate to gnaw on. If you leave a young untrained dog where it can get to shoes or furniture then the likelihood that a favorite pair of slippers or a corner of the couch or table will have tooth marks is imminent. Confine your untrained dog to an area that is clear of cherished belonging and give it something it can chew on.
Another unwanted behavior is digging. Some breeds are burrowers and have an inherent need to dig. Others can be taught to stop making like a gopher by putting fine wire in a hole or putting old stool in the excavation. Make sure your dog isn't trying to get cool by digging into the earth. Provide some shelter if the weather is less than ideal and your dog is confined to the yard.
If you have a dog who displays unwanted behavior, look at the action and think about why it is doing what it is doing. There is usually a reason for all actions. Is your dog bored? Cutting teeth? Left alone too long or too often? Given enough exercise or a 'job?' Perhaps he needs veterinary attention.
If you were your dog, would you be happy in your dog's circumstances?
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