I have been in situations where you have to and when I'm forced to I don't do it hard. A Dog attacked me and Jack on a walk. I had to smack Jack cause he would not stop attacking back so we could get away w/o anyone getting injured. another time a friend's dog attacked me cause I was a outsider to him. I was petting him, then he showed me his teeth so I grabbed his prong collar right before he attacked. he wouldn't stop even though I was holding him in the air so I smacked and he stopped. I have even seen Caesar Millan smack a dog for trying to attack a dog he was bringing into his pack to rehabilitate. With packs of dogs the leader will bite a member if hes doing something wrong. Sorry to break it to you but in some situations you have to sadly . . .

I don't think any of us is saying that we are "pure" when it comes to giving advice on an issue like this. But what is my past offering as far as help now?

Have I ever "spanked" a pup, well yeah sure, years ago when I was young and dumb.
But dog training has come around to a great way of training without having to use those "techniques" and that is where our advice is coming from.

When I have a dog that is very pushy, grabs at food and draws blood and positive or motivational training does not work, yes, I may reach out and with a loosely closed hand, pop them on the nose (not hard at all, but something negative to let them know that attempting to take my fingers is not acceptable)and I do not say anything other than "no" in a calm quiet voice. But I will never ever do it any other time, especially with a puppy that is biting. Redirect or lift up and forward on the collar (if they will not release for redirect) is how I deal with that.

The best thing to do, is to stay nice and calm and deal with it. Getting upset, yelling, smacking or anything like that is no good for a pup or a dog. It actually just escalates the issue with some dogs.

I agree though, that the OP is doing well by just logging in and reading all of the information that this site has to offer.
And also reading through the negative comments to absorb and apply the good training advice offered here.

 Quote: paul watson

\Sorry to break it to you but in some situations you have to sadly . . .

Not breaking anything to me at all, there have been times where my dogs went to their crates because I was frustrated. I choose to avoid using any kind of "abusive" tactics like that.

There are better ways to deal with issues like a puppy that is biting because it is a PUPPY and does not know better. "Smacking" the pup is not going to do anything as far as the pup seeing you as a leader or protector and will ultimately affect your bond with the dog.

I am not sure that giving the "sometimes you have to smack your dog" advice is correct for this board though.

There is loads of information on this site that helps people to train their dog without that, and most of it is available free. All you have to do is find it, read it and also be open enough to take something from it and apply it to have a better relationship with your dog.

 Quote: carol boche

I don't think any of us is saying that we are "pure" when it comes to giving advice on an issue like this. But what is my past offering as far as help now?

No arguement here, drudging up old stupidity may or may not help someone else learn lessons, although to tell someone that is looking for help to get rid of their puppy because they don't deserve to have one is ridiculous. Especially when they are looking for help. I'm sure there are instances when this will apply, I just didn't think it was on this one.

Carole is also right in commenting on the fact that there is a HUGE difference between disciplining a puppy and a full grown aggressive dog. No doubt some dogs need to be choked into subconsciousness. That's not really what we are talking about here. A puppy CAN be controlled by a full grown human. A child might not have any protection against one other than the ADULT in the situation. There again, the ADULT HUMAN needs to be the one handling the puppy primarily most of the time and/or supervising children around it. There are loads of articles on this site addressing that very issue.

 Quote:

I agree though, that the OP is doing well by just logging in and reading all of the information that this site has to offer.
And also reading through the negative comments to absorb and apply the good training advice offered here.

Carole, once again, your gift for words and communication leaves me feeling inadequate! You always know how to wrap it up in a positive way. All I can say is...Amen, sista!

 Quote: RobbinMann

although to tell someone that is looking for help to get rid of their puppy because they don't deserve to have one is ridiculous.
Carole, once again, your gift for words and communication leaves me feeling inadequate! You always know how to wrap it up in a positive way. All I can say is...Amen, sista!

I agree that telling someone they do not deserve an animal is not the best advice. I always go with trying to help people, but, if it looks like they shouldn't have a dog, after trying all I can, then I will tell them that. Does not happen very often.

There is always positive to say even if it starts out a negative conversation.
You can get through to people with pure negativity, but what fun is that for the person to learn? Throw in what they do well and help them with their shortcomings and they do much better.......kind of like puppies and dogs......

I'm sry you guys if I made it sound like I hit my dog whenever he does something bad because I don't thats wrong. And I used an incorrect term "smacking" for this which sounds to you guys like I hit hard, only very rarely have a lightly came in contact with his nose and my palm. And I do stay calm in those situations that are dangerous.

I cannot see how smacking a little pup, will help it gain any confidence in the owner at all. I have never hit any of my dogs in the last fifty odd years,
i did however unfortunatly kill a Sheltie Collie once, when it attacked me, but i was taken by suprise and reacted on instinct but caught the Dog in the throat with the side of my hand. I still regret that happening although it was some 38 years ago

Paul,

Please check your PMs about what is probably a misunderstanding.



Thanks.

ok yea its all handled