Advice on punishment

[chris_e]

I have a 6 month old yorkie pup named Lick who is the cutest terror ever. I have had him since he was 2 months old. He is my first puppy, and I have been learning along the way. Unfortunetly, I spanked him and have raised my voice at him on many occasions when he does something wrong. Since reading many of the posts on this site I have come to the conclusion that I am handling punishment totally wrong. As of yet I have not seen any negative side effects of the spanking, but I can only think it is a matter of time. I spanked while housebreaking, but to date Lick is about 85% when using the pad and has no issues about going outside, in fact it is about his favorite thing to do, besides chasing my girlfriends cat around the house.
I guess my question is this: I am not going to spank or yell at Lick anymore, but what else can I do to make him realize he did something wrong? He is very headstrong and requires a lot of guidance and attention. He takes direction well at times and could care less other times. He drives me crazy, but I love the little stinker to death. Please help.

Chris

[Jaspermom]

I am so happy that you have learned that you need to change how you are bringing up your puppy! You are to be congratulated for that! Welcome to YT!

Punishing your dog is futile. They really do not understand it. They do, however, want to please you. If you reward and praise your pup for GOOD behavior, then it's a lot more fun for both of you.

What particular behaviors besides potty training are you trying to change? Specifics can help us help you more effectively.

Let us know what we can help with!

[chris_e]

Lick is really a sweetheart, but he rarely listens he knows there is something in it for him or I raise my voice. I didn't know dogs were so smart. I don't know if I will be able to get him to listen by being sweet to him after I have spent the last 4 months being so stern.
What I am hoping is possible is to end the blackmail cycle. Lick knows if I am holding a treat and will follow commands quickly. If I am not holding a treat or say something in a normal tone regardless of command, he takes his time. So far he knows sit, stay (for about 10 seconds), and lay down. He will sit most of the time but will not lay down unless I am in the kitchen were the treats are. I don't like to feel like I am blackmailing him to do a trick.
Some of his other behaviors are growling while playing with a toy, the cat, or when playing tug o war with me; eating everything, to include rocks and sticks while on walks; and jumping and playing on the furniture.
I have only been on this site for about 2 hours, but I now realize that I have great puppy and I need to guide and train him to be better. Strong arm tactics have had limited results, but I don't think they will work long term.

[txshopper73]

something you could try...do you have a doggie crate? If you do...

Lick pees where he's not suppose to. Firmly tell him no and put him in time out in the crate.

Consistancy is VERY important for dogs. How often is he taken out to do his business?

btw...Welcome!

[livingdustmops]

Welcome to YT and I am thrilled you have seen the light We have a couple of really great members who are very involved with clicker training but they are not on right now but you might want to check this website out in the mean time.

http://www.clickersolutions.com/

[Jaspermom]

Chris, I am so impressed how much you have learned already! Nicely done!

You are right, it may take some time and patience to show your pup you have changed your style, but I am guessing he will catch on.Your puppy is still very young, so he should be able to change some of his behaviors pretty quickly. Let's take a look at each item:

Lick is really a sweetheart, but he rarely listens he knows there is something in it for him or I raise my voice.
It's OK to treat while training. As time goes on and your pup learns the behavior you are training him, you can cut back the treats to every other time, then fewer, until you are only praising. But a treat now and then only enforces that you love the pup and he is special. The important part is PRAISE. Every time there is good behavior, PRAISE, pet, treat.

So far he knows sit, stay (for about 10 seconds), and lay down.
That's actually a pretty good start! If you can get him to stay for 10 seconds, that's great. Release him from his Stay with a happy and chipper "OK"! and praise and treat. Then try for 12 seconds. Remember at this age the attention span of your pup is probably 10-15 minutes, so keep your sessions short and concentrate on one behavior each session. Praise praise praise. And try to work on COME. This one can save your dog's life.

Some of his other behaviors are growling while playing with a toy, the cat, or when playing tug o war with me; eating everything, to include rocks and sticks while on walks; and jumping and playing on the furniture.
Growling is not uncommon, and part of play. If you feel that your pup is getting aggressive, that's a different issue that we can cover later. Eating everything is also common, as your babe is teething big time. Offer other safe chew things. There are awesome toys out there. Jumping and playing on furniture is OK with some people, not with me. Make sure your pup has a nice soft bed that he loves on the floor, and he won't need your furniture. Train him with an OFF, assist him down, show him his nice soft bed, and reward/praise when he listens.If he is chewing on the furniture, get some Bitter Apple Spray. That'll stop him!

Strong arm tactics have had limited results, but I don't think they will work long term.
Again, CONGRATS! I am really proud of you! You are on your way to a happy and pleasant doggy relationship! HOORAY!

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by chris_e

Lick is really a sweetheart, but he rarely listens he knows there is something in it for him or I raise my voice. I didn't know dogs were so smart. I don't know if I will be able to get him to listen by being sweet to him after I have spent the last 4 months being so stern.
What I am hoping is possible is to end the blackmail cycle. Lick knows if I am holding a treat and will follow commands quickly. If I am not holding a treat or say something in a normal tone regardless of command, he takes his time. So far he knows sit, stay (for about 10 seconds), and lay down. He will sit most of the time but will not lay down unless I am in the kitchen were the treats are. I don't like to feel like I am blackmailing him to do a trick.
Some of his other behaviors are growling while playing with a toy, the cat, or when playing tug o war with me; eating everything, to include rocks and sticks while on walks; and jumping and playing on the furniture.
I have only been on this site for about 2 hours, but I now realize that I have great puppy and I need to guide and train him to be better. Strong arm tactics have had limited results, but I don't think they will work long term.

Well, actually, some doggies are a lot like people. Few people like to work for nothing. They like to be paid. So, once a reward system has been started with people, they will seldom keep working if they don't get anything for it.

Growling while playing is a normal puppy behavior and not to be discouraged.

All puppies will pick up anything and eat it if given the chance. You are there to remove it from them if it is dangerous for them to have in their mouths. Puppies seem to like sticks and rocks for some reason. It's kind of like when you were a child and exploring your environment and if you found a really neat rock and wanted to keep it. Your puppy has found a really neat rock and it's quite a find for him. The only difference is that he wants to chew on it because it feels good to his gums.

As far as jumping and playing on the furniture is concerned, do you not want him on the furniture at all? All I can say is good luck. Yorkies think what is yours is theirs, too. I suppose you could train them not to jump on the furniture, but to me that is part of having a yorkie. They seem to think they are part of the family and feel they have as much right there as you.

[chris_e]

Thank you all for the advice. I am going to have to invest some time is looking this site over thoroughly.
To answer question, yes, I have a crate for Lick, and I have put him in it for infractions. He is so comfortable in it, instead of a time out, he usually just goes to sleep.
Overall, what I am getting is that there really isn't punishment, just redirection. All bad behavior is a training oppurtunity for the correct action?
From what I have read here, Yorkies seem to have a behavior all their own, and the general methods may need some tweaking for best results. I have a start for some retraining on my part, and more training for Lick.
Thanks for the help so far.

Chris

[yorkieusa]

He's very cute! Now, in that picture, he is on your furniture and looks just as happy and content there as any yorkie I have ever seen!

I have never punished a doggie and I've had them from the time I was a very young child. Positive reinforcement will get you ten times further with a doggie than anything in the world. Punishment will only push a doggie away from you and break the bond between you.

[Jaspermom]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

He's very cute! Now, in that picture, he is on your furniture and looks just as happy and content there as any yorkie I have ever seen!

I have never punished a doggie and I've had them from the time I was a very young child. Positive reinforcement will get you ten times further with a doggie than anything in the world. Punishment will only push a doggie away from you and break the bond between you.

I am with Karen, though I was brought up in a household that did use punishment for dog training I learned the error of my parent's ways, and like this way much better!

I meant to say I don't let Wosie on the furniture unless I am sitting with her. I don't want her jumping down as she has already proven to me how breakable she is. So far she stays on the floor unless she is sitting in my lap.

[livingdustmops]

Originally Posted by chris_e

Thank you all for the advice. I am going to have to invest some time is looking this site over thoroughly.
To answer question, yes, I have a crate for Lick, and I have put him in it for infractions. He is so comfortable in it, instead of a time out, he usually just goes to sleep.
Overall, what I am getting is that there really isn't punishment, just redirection. All bad behavior is a training oppurtunity for the correct action?
From what I have read here, Yorkies seem to have a behavior all their own, and the general methods may need some tweaking for best results. I have a start for some retraining on my part, and more training for Lick.
Thanks for the help so far.

Chris

Okay, 1st I have to ask are you Chris Man or Chris Woman. Because if you are a guy you sure are learning fast for a guy and if you are a woman great job for understanding you need to be retrained to understand the mind of a Yorkshire Terror. Your little guy sounds very typical and they can be a handful but with the right training they are a hoot and will bring you years of enjoyment.

[chris_e]

The picture was taken before he peed on the couch, twice. Since then I have not let him on the couch unless he is in someones lap. I thought this was a fair comprimise. Also, he is allowed on the bed as long as someone is in bed to supervise him, and he does sleep with me. He has not had an accident in the bed ever, so I am comfortable with him there overnight. I do not like him playing with the cat on the bed though. That is what I am trying to stop by not allowing him on furniture by himself.

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by chris_e

The picture was taken before he peed on the couch, twice. Since then I have not let him on the couch unless he is in someones lap. I thought this was a fair comprimise. Also, he is allowed on the bed as long as someone is in bed to supervise him, and he does sleep with me. He has not had an accident in the bed ever, so I am comfortable with him there overnight. I do not like him playing with the cat on the bed though. That is what I am trying to stop by not allowing him on furniture by himself.

Perhaps it is time for him to be neutered? He may have started marking? Just a wild guess. I'm afraid I've never had a small male doggie, just big one's outside.

I understand the furniture problem better now. I suppose that could be a problem, though, because he sleeps on the bed and probably considers it his territory and right to play there.

[chris_e]

Lick was just neutered. He is exactly the same as before when he was intact. I don't know if they actually did anything as he still has his "boys." I don't know if they just snip or if they remove, but he still exhibits all of the same traits he did when he was whole. I am at a loss. He has always been really energetic, which I like, and I thought getting him fixed would slow him down, but to date, he is still a little heck raiser.
To clear up any confusion from my name, I am a guy. I get made fun of all the time by my guy friends for having an "anklebiter." If they had any idea how many girls stop me to talk when I am walking Lick they would have one too.

[Jaspermom]

Originally Posted by chris_e

Lick was just neutered. He is exactly the same as before when he was intact. I don't know if they actually did anything as he still has his "boys." I don't know if they just snip or if they remove, but he still exhibits all of the same traits he did when he was whole. I am at a loss. He has always been really energetic, which I like, and I thought getting him fixed would slow him down, but to date, he is still a little heck raiser.
To clear up any confusion from my name, I am a guy. I get made fun of all the time by my guy friends for having an "anklebiter." If they had any idea how many girls stop me to talk when I am walking Lick they would have one too.

Yup, yorkies are definitely chick magnets!!

Lick is a puppy, Chris, he will be a "heck raiser" for some time more! Some people say they begin to calm down around a year old. Having had 2 other yorkies before Wosie, I have to say I did not want mine to calm down, lol. I enjoy the antics, provided there is good behavior for the most part.

There are tons of posts here on potty training. You can go to the search function above and type in "peeing", or go to the Training thread and just browse. With your new-found positive reinforcement skills, you will hopefully have this problem solved in no time!