When Gracie was a puppy she was a naughty little thing. She would get all wound up and not pay attention when I would tell her "no." I found that having a rolled up newspaper worked well. Not to hit her with but to bang on my hand or a table to get her attention. Apparently my voice did not carry enough authority to break her out of whatever snit she was in. I guess it is the same concept as the can with coins in it. The noise breaks the brain out of the bad behavior mode and gets them to focus again.
After using that method over several months I no longer needed to use sound. She had learned to sit, stay, and come when called by then and was very attentive to my voice. I really think obedience training is your best defense against the terrier personality. The are busy and aggressive little beings. Lots of exercise is also very helpful. A tired terrier is a very submissive terrier and is not constantly looking for something to get into. |