Carol Jean,
We are just going to have to "agree to disagree" on this one. Joey has never needed anything more negative than a stern "NO!", occasionally coupled with my standing up and turning my back on him for 30-60 seconds (for inappropriate mouthing). He is praised frequently for doing the right thing and I try my best to teach an alternate behavior when he is doing somthing I don't like.
I've found that he REALLY wants to please me. All it takes is making it clear what is is that I want him to do. A firm "no" is all it takes for him to figure out that a certain behavior isn't working. The minute he desists - "Good Boy! That's right! That's what I like".
Maybe my dog is smarter than most. But, I doubt it. Yorkies, as a breed, are so smart!
Yes, it's possible to train a dog using stricter methods. But why would you want to if you can accomplish the same thing in a positive way?
__________________  FirstYorkie
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