[Zumie05]

I just wanted to say on this thread what I think about using spray bottles now, after reading the other thread going on about using them in training.

I do think they are highly effective at getting the dog to stop focusing on something. I do think that vinegar in the water is a bit cruel now that I know it burns, but I still like the idea of squirting the dog to break the attention. If I wasn't going to use the squirt bottle, I would probably be using a leash correction instead.

I learned it isn't fair to use an aversive type of correction on a dog if he doesn't know what is actually expected of him. Makes sense. If I went to Japan and someone asked me to do something and I didn't (because I don't know Japanese) and they started squirting me for not listening, that just wouldn't be fair. You have to first show what is expected, then it does become fair to correct when the dog is actually choosing not to comply.

Also, you do want the dog to understand that you are the one correcting him, not the device itself. Otherwise your dog will only be "good" in the presence of a bottle. I have started hiding it behind my back, and try not to let him see it out. Occasionally when nothing is going on and he is being good I will bring it out and put it in front of his face, and he has no reaction (thank goodness!) so I haven't ruined the squirt bottle opportunity for my dog. I'm pretty sure he thinks it comes from me when I say "quiet".