I agree with about everything posted here except for jailing dogs for extended periods and/or overnight. Dogs don't have the memories that humans, have and personally I don't believe that lengthy periods are any better than 10 - 15 minutes. I live with three dogs who came to me as biters and only one still bites, but that is because he is new to me and is a project in the works. The other two don't bite now unless I hit their triggers which are well known to me now. There are some things that simply don't leave a traumatized dog. But, we are not talking about a traumatized dog here....she is a beloved family member and I am quite sure she will be turned around much quicker than the ones I have. I used 10 - 15 minute time outs with them...sometimes it would take 3 back to back ones....but that is what got them. Associative memory ... they associated their behavior to not being able to stay with the family. One of them actually welcomed being jailed and when he got out of control he would see me heading for his crate and he would actually beat me to it. It gave him time for a breather. He did not see it as negative and/or punishment which is what we strive to maintain...that, to me, is positive training. I don't usually recommend things that I have not tried and I have definitely used time outs .. and I still believe in what I have posted. My guess is that after about 15 minutes a dog has no idea why he is jailed. Similar to pooping in the house....if you find it later on it is useless to do anything. They don't know what you are talking about. Oh, they may look guilty but that is because they are reacting to their owner's facial and verbal gestures. |