[jdrsy]

I have to disagree with a lot of this. I have a pup that I posted on here looking for some advice on biting. He was causing a lot of stress for both my children and I. You guys said two things over and over again. Redirect (could take months) and putting him in puppy classes. I did both, to no avail. He is still in his classes, but the redirecting did nothing, in fact, it seemed to get worse.

I talk to multiple trainers, did a lot of online research, and tried EVERYTHING. The one thing I found that worked was "cuffing." Basically, it is supposed to emulate the same feeling a pup will get when being corrected by another dog. Simply put, you cup your hand like you would if you were drinking from it, and give them a firm "cuff." It's not hitting, or beating, your pup, it's correcting them. Since I have begun using this, the pup has almost completely stopped biting. It doesn't hurt the pup, and I've tried it on myself and my kids. The pup has even stopped chasing and biting the kids with them doing this.

And no, he doesn't shy away, he doesn't act scared, he doesn't hide. He sits down, and waits for us to tell him what he needs to do next.

The way I see it, when my children where little, and they misbehaved, they got a firm swat on the behind. I didn't bribe my kids with ice cream and candy to behave, they learned what was right and wrong through correction. The don't fear me, they respect and love me, same as my dog does.

And I'm not sure how you validate yourselves by saying that a leash correction is better. It pulls and strains the dogs neck, and is just as startling as a firm "cuff." They understand a leash correction no more then they would understand words. I think everyone has gone overboard on trying to treat their dogs with nothing but love and bribery. A dog needs firm guidance and correction, the same as he would get in his pack. The pack doesn't bribe with treats, or a leash, they put the pup in it's place right away.