Correction of the pup
 

Anybody ever give their pup a correcting pop on the rear. Why or why not?

I'm thinking of a two finger swat

No, hitting is never the answer and will just make them fearful of hands!

Stopping wild or sudden unwanted behavior with "No!" or "uh oh" or a sudden touch to the flank using two or three outstretched fingers if he's absolutely manic to distract the dog and standing him down is much more effective and won't ever scare the dog or make him fearful of your hands coming near him. In time, if you keep showing him he cannot do that, he'll learn that every time he re-offends, you are going to interrupt him and back him down and he'll begin to police himself, abort the behavior mid-stream or before it starts. Pain and fear don't teach dogs, lessons do.

I never have. Just give out a sharp No and my dogs have always responded to that immediately.

No popping on the rear or any part of a pups body. Verbal commands only. Popping, smacking causes fear in the dog, fear of hands as other members have stated. If dog is completely out of hand as another member wrote "touch the flank using two or three outstretched fingers if he's absolutely manic to distract the dog". Train dog with different word commands for different behavior issues, Consistency, patience , reward,praise no pop on the butt.

A strong 'Ah Ah' or squeaky toys were really all I ever needed, with a follow up of the 'Leave it' command. I kept squeaky toys everywhere for quick access to side track her quickly & often. Substitute what she's doing with something she can have or do. It all took constant supervision, quick reaction on my part and was exhausting. However, it resulted in her growing up with a strong sense of what's hers and what isn't. We can leave home and not now worry about her destroying anything. To this day, small vinyl squeaky toys are here favorite. Often hard to find them the small size she likes.

We have never had to strike her for any reason. It has been rare to give the 'leave it' command anymore. She just knows. :)

I like this approach. It works for me.

It does work really well for everyone that will keep it up and follow through as long as the dog continues misbehaving. The real trick is never growing lazy but always instantly speaking up with your firm but non-scary "no" or "uh oh", stepping in and stopping the behavior you disagree with, locking eyes with him with your stern gaze in the process and standing there starring him down as an alpha dog would in the wild until he softens, turns or backs away, gives up and relaxes. Then you matter-of-factly walk away and resume your activities as if nothing happened. The first thing he'll begin to learn is that giving up on his bad behavior is what got you "off his case" and learn to give up sooner over time.

Just step in and stop him every time until the dog eventually gets that you will ALWAYS stop him, no exceptions. Repetition by showing them what is never allowed is one way dogs learn what you expect of them and mom always stopping him in her confident, non-angry way will begin to get through to him without ever frightening him of you. And as most dogs really don't like to have mom unhappy with or disciplining them in any way, they also begin to learn the best of all lessons - that stopping that behavior before it fully flowers or just avoiding it altogether is the best way to go and then mommie-dearest stays happy with him, no discipline or unpleasantness need occur and life is all good.

Living with a happy, frisky, well-behaved doggie is a pure pleasure 24/7 and they learn how to keep you always happy with them by staying well-behaved! And the first time you see your dog stop himself at the beginning of a freak-out or before he even begins to misbehave as he realizes he wants to stop himself before you step in is a true moment of training triumph! :) Good luck!

My Piper is pretty sensitive and when I've had to scold her, I lower my voice, say 'shaaame on you' (don't use their names with a negative) and walk away. When I glance back she has the saddest little look and I invariably crumble within minutes and tease and love her back to happy! Thank goodness she's such a reasonable and good little girl--cuz with their adorable little mugs and sweet personalities, I question how firm I could be!

verbal commands only

I don't believe in hitting or flicking and would feel terrible if Billi was ever afraid of me. The only "physical" thing I've ever done is tapped her on her nose when she's darted across the street when firmly telling her "no!" She seemed to get the message.

Otherwise a sharp "ah ah ah!" usually distracts her from naughty behaviors and has worked really well for us.