Why I Don’t Use Punishment

Punishment is only effective when the punishment is intense enough to stop the behavior on the first try. If not you will only “stun” the behavior and then you will need to punish harder and harder, escalating way beyond your original intention. This is cruel and can be abusive. The goal of an aversive (punishment) is to quickly and permanently change unwanted behavior, not to have the owner feel better since the dog was punished. 

CAN PUNISHMENT DO HARM

  • Fearful, defensive, or angry dogs can be made worse. Corrections may frustrate the dog and lead to defensive biting or excessive shyness. In addition, a fearful dog will not learn, via corrections, to not be afraid of the scary person/dog/item, but will also then be afraid of you and your reaction. 
  • Dogs rarely relate the punishment to the one behavior you were concerned about. They often start to mistrust the owner who punishes and stop coming when called. 
  • Dogs often “shut down”. They become excessively nervous about the areas or situations in which they have been punished. This will lessen you dog’s response to commands in these situations, which are usually the times you need the commands the most. The dog feels like they can do nothing right so it is safer to do nothing at all. 
  • Dogs may substitute the behavior for another undesirable behavior. It’s better to teach the dog how they can be right in the first place so you can pick which behavior will be substituted. Example: sit instead of jumping. Punishing jumping can lead to submissive urination, biting, growling, or more jumping. 
  • Punishment can damage the relationship that you have built with your dog. It causes confusion and reduces trust. The best solution is to gain your dogs respect by consistency, leadership, and good training instead of through intimidation or force. 
INEFFECTIVE PUNSIHMENT CAN DO A MILLION TIMES MORE HARM THAN
GIVING A TREAT AT THE WRONG MOMENT. THE RISK OF POORLY APPLIED
PUNISHMENT IS GREATER THAN THE POTENTIAL REWARD.

Tricks And Tips For Bringing Home A New Puppy

Puppy’s 1st night: Sleep in the same room as your new puppy (this is his first night sleeping away from his siblings and mother), he will get lonely and cry, don’t get mad, reassure him  you are nearby.

Crate training is a vital tool to use for managing unwanted behaviors like chewing and going potty in your house. Use the crate for when you leave him, when you can not pay attention to him, and at night. For the first week or so, put the crate close to your bed, so he can let you know when he needs to go potty and you can reassure him when he gets lonely. Buy an X-pen that attaches to his crate to give him room to roam when you are away from home and you won’t be able to take him out within the timing he needs to go potty. Place puppy pads, plenty of chew toys, and a bowl of water in his x-pen area. This gives puppies a safe place for them to be where they can’t tear anything up, or potty where they shouldn’t.

Feeding your puppy in his crate will help him associate the crate with positive things. Feeding your puppy from your hands will help him learn that hands around food are a good thing (and this is a great time to do some basic training).

Potty training: Puppies can only hold their bladder and bowels for 1 hour for every month that they are, so a 2 month old puppy will need to go outside to potty every 2 hours, even at night. Use the crate for when you can’t pay attention to him. Set a timer for every 2 hours and every time your timer goes off take your puppy (on a leash) and some treats outside to where you prefer him to potty. Ignore your puppy so he can sniff, if you talk or even look at him, he will likely try to play or offer a sit, we want him to not worry about us, but take care of business.  As soon as hes done going potty praise him and give him a treat. Do NOT do this WHILE he is going to the bathroom, it might cause him to stop in the middle and then when you take him inside he finishes in your house.

Do not punish for accidents, this only teaches the puppy to fear you. If you catch your puppy going potty, just gently pick your puppy up and take him to where you want him to potty. Praise and treat your puppy for going potty outside.

Collars should fit with 2 fingers that can fit in between the dogs neck and collar comfortably.

Don’t bring home a puppy or dog before you go on vacation… this is vital bonding time. Give your new pet at least a few weeks with you before leaving them with family or the boarding facility.

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