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i just got a new dog and would like to know if beating when it does something bad is the only effective way to train it? |
NIKOLE
122 posts |
hi, ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! Never hit your dogs unless you want them to fear you. I have a dog who was beat by her previous owner. For over a year after we got her if anyone yelled, even if it wasn’t directed at her, she would drop to the ground trembling. She would even sometimes pee she got so scared. We have owned her for 3 years now and never lain a hand on her, but she is still frightened when someone yells at her. Scold your dog and make a show of being disappointed with him/her. Dogs are as smart as 5 year old children, you wouldn’t beat a 5 year old kid for making a mistake, so don’t beat your dog. “reward your dog for getting it right rather than punishing him for getting it wrong” |
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I train on a combination of praise and compulsion. Compulsion is never hit, but make do. I.e. If I ask dog to sit, I ask once, then make the 2nd time. Never emotive. Factual. And LOTS OF PRAISE when doing the right thing. Even if they are just lying on their bed happy – you’re paying them attention when they are doing good NOT just bad!! Now just the tone of voice in ‘Good Dog’ stops my two in their tracks most of the time now. It is like a warning – you’re OK at the moment, but if you deviate……… |
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Why don’t you focus on teaching your dog to do what you’d like him to do via training rather than focus on what he’s doing that you don’t like. Why wait for the bad when you can teach the good stuff? You are correct. If you beat your dog he will will associate you beating him with pain and fear. That won’t necessarily stop him from doing things you don’t like, but it will affect your relationship. HItting and yelling at a dog is not training, it is abuse. Dogs are not people they have different ideas about what is acceptable. Your dog is not trying to annoy you, he is just doing what a dog does. If you’d like him to do something else please teach him what is “right” in your eyes. Why not teach him to ring a bell on the floor when he wants to let you know he’d like to go out? An old fashioned school bell will do the trick. Or there is this product: To learn more about life and communication from a dog’s point of view I’d suggest reading this book: http://www.jamesandkenneth.com/store/show/BK501 It will help you to be less frustrated with your dog and teach you how to better communicate your wishes. Best of luck! |
hadsit
1 post |
PLEASE refrain from “beating” the dog! If you have a chance to check out the book The Dog Whisperer, there are some wonderful suggestions on how to reward the dog for good behavior and for catching him “in the act” of behaving well. One of my personal favorites is to keep a few treats literally on-hand. If your dog sits down just because, immediately give him a treat just for doing it. Another is to hide a treat in your hand while you’re taking the dog for a walk – then when he walks beside you (rather than pulling on his leash), he gets to smell the treat and you can give it to him – this encourages him to keep checking in with you… |
cowgirlchick78
72 posts |
Please do not hit or beat your dog…. that is abuse. You should go directly to a training facility. If you do not want to train properly, please return the dog or find him a new home with a person who understands the how and why of training. Listen to Mrs. Dunbar on this…. please. You will see how easy it is to divert unwanted behavior into a wanted behavior. If you do not have the patience, you shouldn’t own a dog or any other animal. You think you are disappointed in your dog? I think your dog is disappointed in you. |
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Of course it is NOT okay. Get some help with a good positive trainer and educate yourself about dogs and how they learn. |
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cowgirlchick78
72 posts |
Perhaps I was a little harsh. After all, you did come to the forum. But again, I am disappointed in anyone using the verb beating a dog – is it okay? Perhaps by you asking, you probably don’t think it is the right thing to do. The website Mrs. Dunbar suggests to you is very enlightening and you will learn a lot. I do not know if this is your first dog or not. But certainly you do not want to hit or worse, beat your dog. That will only show your dog that you are not trustworthy and will also stir up further behavior problems because of it. You want a relationship with your dog built on trust. If you are acting out of anger, your dog sees you as an unpredictable human and will become confused and then more unwanted behaviors will surface, including aggression. Dogs do not generalize like we humans. So, my guess is, with his scratching on the door, must have gotten him what he wanted in the past, and so this worked for him and he continues to do it. He doesn’t know that you don’t like it or it may cost you money to fix it. So, change his behavior. The bell idea can work… but you have to show him what to do. You can also get creative with this training exercise. Keep your dog on a regular potty and outside playtime. Make him wait at the door so he doesn’t unexpectedly run out – and he should wait for your “okay” command to do so. This includes waiting for you to first cross the threshold… you do not want him to run you over or anyone else, especially small children and the elderly because they could be hurt. Take a class and let the instructors know that you need help in how to train in a positive way. Do you like your dog? Are you always yelling at him? This only makes him nervous in your presence and confused on your intentions… especially if you have hurt him in the past. Start over fresh. Be positive. You can use treats to reinforce the wanted behaviors BEFORE he exhibits the unwanted behavior. He is getting a treat for doing the WANTED behavior, not for stopping the scratching on the door. If you see that he is going to scratch, call his name for his attention, and say “sit”, or “wait”, or something else you WANT him to do and when he does it only then he gets the treat/reward. Also, your tone of voice is very important. When he does something right act like it is the best thing he has every done… play it up. So, you need to know your dog. If you see him by the door, and you already know he wants to scratch because this has worked for him before, be ready and divert his attention and kindly, but firmly, ask him to sit. If he needs guidance, help him out… you gotta be fair. When he does so, reward him with lots of praise and a good tasty treat…. Not just his regular old kibble either. You want to build a relationship with your dog built on trust. Just because you start out with food rewards… they are just a reinforcer… you do not need to use treats forever. You may only need them as reinforcement and refreshers. By providing trust, you have a dog that can be trusted. Peace |
nefisher
1 post |
I don’t think you should have a dog. |
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cowgirlchick78
72 posts |
Dear Emoks, Would you let us know if you have received alternatives now to beating your dog on this site? I think the advice given here informs you plenty on your way of behaving towards your dog. I hope you haven’t damaged your dog’s psyche too much, in that he may never trust you or anyone again. If that is the case, you may need to find a trainer with expertise in this area, and you will have to fess up on what you did or maybe you may have to give him up. Again, kindness goes a long way. Be sure your dog is exercised according to his breed, size, etc. Dogs are social creatures and need companionship. Just don’t let him out to play on his own. Play WITH him. This time together also shows him how to play nice and be a good dog. He also needs companionship indoors as well. Play with him indoors too, not like throwing toys so something gets broken or someone gets hurt, just some light interaction. Have him enjoy the company of others in your home and take him to parks on walks to meet other people so he knows how to behave around other humans of all sizes, shapes, and ages, and other dogs and animals too. A dog training class is a great way to start and you may even find a few friends for yourself there as well. If your dog is exercised both in mind, body, and spirit, he will be a very pleasant pooch to be around and will most happily be contented to lie at your feet, be quiet, and enjoy your presence… and maybe, no more scratching at the door. P.S. You never did tell us why you think he was scratching at the door… to go out for potty or wanting to play, or what. Hope we helped you out. I hate to lecture you on this, but this really bothers me. Talk to your local animal shelter or vet and find out who does dog training in your area and sign up for a class!! |
pcarpenter
62 posts |
DON’T BEAT THE DOG!!!!! I think everyone is agreed on that. The dog has no idea why you’re hitting him. At best, he’ll think you’re a nut case and learn nothing in the process. At worst, well, he’ll end like the dog in Nikole’s post – scared of everybody and everything whether it involves the dog or not. Either way, he’s not likely to put you on a pedestal in the relationship. Give the dog alternatives. Teach the dog to sit at the door and bark if he wants to go out. Or ring a bell. Or whatever alternative works for you. If he’s scratching as an attention getting device, give him just the opposite…no attention at all. No hitting. No yelling. NOTHING. If door scratching fails to achieve his goals, he’ll give up and try something else. That’s when you teach him what he SHOULD do. What the heck? The door’s already scratched, right? You’ll have to fix it one way or another. What’s a few more scratches at this point? Or you could tack carpet or clear plexiglass over the area being scratched until he figures out that scratching isn’t working. You can always fix the door once he quits scratching it. Otherwise, it would be like replacing the carpeting when your puppy’s only half-way housetrained and then getting mad because he pee-ed again. |
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