how do you correct your dog?
 

I think I've been reading too much. Ha! I'm becoming a "book" parent. I need some advice on discipline. I have done the "time out" thing when I wanted my dog to stop chewing on my expensive desk and it worked. Now he responds to "leave it" very well. However...his "time out" area was his pen which I don't want him to think it is "bad" to be in his pen...so should I have a separate "time out" place?
#2 If we are outside or at a friends house...there are no places for "time out". Like on a walk. He puts on the "I'm not going to listen to you" ears if another person or animal is coming by. Yes...I am doing clicker training and treats...but he completely ignores these things amongst distractions like those. I've read about people using coins in the can...but I don't want him to associate a scary sound to the dog passing by him...however...it would get his attention to my "no" or "heel" command I am trying to do. Walking in a circle doesn't work. I didn't know if the coins in the can or a spray bottle would be too harsh of a punishment? I was going to use putting him on his back, but I read a thread on here that said that was a bad way to correct....so what IS a good way to correct and/or get attention?
#3 last night for the first time he tried to get "frisky" with my arm. I said "no" (he knows the word) but he acted like he didn't hear me. He was so "into" his play that he was oblivious. I had another dog who was like this too. The vet discribed it as them being in another world. You almost have to make a loud noise to distract them and bring them back to listening. So would coins int eh can, spray bottle, or time out been an effective correction for this?
suzie

I do quite a bit of positive reinforcement training which the pups respond to very well. However, when we are on a walk and they don't pay attention I took a lesson from the Dog Whisperer. He suggested to walk with a loose leash so they are relaxed and when they stop paying attention to you and to another animal or person to tug on the leash and let out a short "tss" sound through your teeth. It has worked wonders with both of them. I occassionally have to do it a few times in a row, but they are quickly learning that if they don't pay attention to me the walk will not be as fun. I also can make the sound now related to other things (barking, etc) and they stop.

As for the humping behavior...most people on here probably wouldn't agree with me on this one, but since they do act like they are in another world and I have tried many other things that didn't work, I now give them a light tap on the behind. A light spanking (I don't hit them hard) and that tap seems to be enough to get their attention and get my "NO" across because they stop immediantly fater I say no. After doing that a couple of times they've stopped that behavior...at least while we're around. We're planning on getting both of them fixed next month too so hopefully that will help that problem a little more.

Oh an I tried the coins in the can for all of these things and they could have cared less that I was making noise...they just get louder when I do it...:rolleyes:

Good luck with your training. My boys still aren't angels, but they're learning. I'm sure your little one will too.

the humping could be a dominance thing. I would try flipping him on his back to show that you're in charge.

Stewie has a time out area, but he only gets put in it on *RARE* occasions - maybe once every two months when he is barking like a madman or biting. I use the time out area for incredibly bad behavior only.

PrncssLeah -

QUOTE: I now give them a light tap on the behind. A light spanking (I don't hit them hard) and that tap seems to be enough to get their attention and get my "NO" across because they stop immediantly fater I say no.
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I totally agree with you. I just said in another post that when I bonk my pup on his behind - he thinks I want to play....it's the "stern tone of my voice" at the same time makes him realize that he is being disiplined...and doing something that I don't want him to do. It's the combination that works -

Can't we all get on our hands and knees and play much more roughly with our pups and have a lot of fun - then we are when we give them a tap on the rear for being naughty?

And - when I watch my two dogs play and tumble around the house - jumping on each other and running all over the place, they are being much rougher than I would ever be with either one of them. But - they are having the time of their life.


Carol Jean

Take charge and bring them back to reality by becoming the top dog. The pack leader would nip at them. Take your hand and use it like a dogs mouth and bite them on the shoulder to snap them out of it. When they are in "thier own little world" they don't even hear you, you are just noise. A bite will bring them back to your world.

If you want to read a really good book. Buy Ceasar Milans new book.

If a dog is humping you, it is a sign of disrespect, do as another dog would do and nip at him. Use your hand like a mouth and nip him on the shoulder.