Correcting a Puppy?

[marinenck138]

My questions deals with correcting a dog and what works. Currently, we DO NOT hit our dog with newspapers, seclude her into her crate (not as punishment), role her on her back and hold her down, hit her on the head, nose or any other part of the body, spray her with streams of water, yell at her after the fact, pick her up by the back of the scruff or ignore her for long periods of time.

Now these are all suggestions that I’ve heard from neighbors, co-workers, friends, and relatives but I’m looking to receive a true and correct answer from some of the experts on this board as to how to make a correction. I understand how positive feedback works and use it frequently to teach new behaviors, but how do I correct her when she doesn’t seem to want to listen or feels the need to challenge. I do realize she is a puppy but I don't want to use that excuse every time, especially when I know that she knows better due to the past. Thanks for your help...

[brunie's mom]

With a young pup..redirection is usually the best thing to do. If the pup is jumping up and biting on the leash...and acting crazy....call the pup to you..show it a treat and tell it to sit. So this way...you have done nothing negative....and re-enforced the sit command. If that does not work...get a squeeky toy out...and start throwing it..and get the pup to retrieve it.

Make it something positive.
Instead of using "NO"...I usually would use a sound like "UGGHHHH", they catch on quickly that they do not want you doing it.

Often lowering your voice, and becoming serious helps to redirect them as well as whispering. They often stop what they are doing....and look and listen.

Gina

[Sharon Marples]

Originally Posted by marinenck138

I do realize she is a puppy but I don't want to use that excuse every time, especially when I know that she knows better due to the past. Thanks for your help...

She is less than 3 months of age. Please do not even begin to think that she "knows better." She is way too young for you to even begin to assume that she is retaining a lot of her training.

Your training with this puppy will go on for several years. You need to remember that and not think that if you feel she has learned something at this young age, that she will retain that learning. As a matter of fact, when she gets to be 5-7 months of age, be prepared to have her go through a stage where she forgets everything she has learned so far!

You will need to train, train and retrain for the next year. There are things that she will learn, but there are many things that she will learn and forget, just as a small child would.

Have patience, go with what excellent advice that Gina has given you and don't expect too much from this pup just yet. To do so will set both she and you up for failure and dissapointment.

Make her training fun with lots of toys and treats. Get her started in puppy classes as soon as she is old enough and keep her in classes for at least a year. Both you and she will have fun!

Currently, we DO NOT hit our dog with newspapers, seclude her into her crate (not as punishment), role her on her back and hold her down, hit her on the head, nose or any other part of the body, spray her with streams of water, yell at her after the fact, pick her up by the back of the scruff or ignore her for long periods of time.

I am so glad to hear this and so glad that you are asking questions. That's the best way for you to learn and be able to teach your youngster the correct way. Using positive, reinforced training methods will earn you so much more in the long run, there is no need to use any of the force listed above.

Here is some good reading in case you have not found these yet:

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/pup...up-recall.html

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/pup...nance-etc.html

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/pup...velopment.html

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/tra...ing-101-a.html

Have fun with her!

[damp]

Originally Posted by marinenck138

My questions deals with correcting a dog and what works. Currently, we DO NOT hit our dog with newspapers, seclude her into her crate (not as punishment), role her on her back and hold her down, hit her on the head, nose or any other part of the body, spray her with streams of water, yell at her after the fact, pick her up by the back of the scruff or ignore her for long periods of time.

Now these are all suggestions that I’ve heard from neighbors, co-workers, friends, and relatives but I’m looking to receive a true and correct answer from some of the experts on this board as to how to make a correction. I understand how positive feedback works and use it frequently to teach new behaviors, but how do I correct her when she doesn’t seem to want to listen or feels the need to challenge. I do realize she is a puppy but I don't want to use that excuse every time, especially when I know that she knows better due to the past. Thanks for your help...

How old is your pup/dog?
Are you talking about training issuses or "just" teaching your pup manners?

[brunie's mom]

Looking at her past threads...I believe the pup is 11 weeks old.

Gina

[marinenck138]

Thanks for the advice. She is only 11 weeks old and technically a couple of days short of that. I do remember that she is a puppy but at the same time I have no clue at what time I should stop using that excuse. I know everyone thinks their dog is smart, but for 11 weeks old, she sits on command, lays on command, stay and comes on command minus the ADD she has when she just wants to be playful. She is housebroken except for an accident she has once every couple of days and lately she will curl up and not look at us if she does have an accident as if in shame. Maybe I'm reading to much into it but I feel she knows she did wrong. I've had a dog before as a kid and after two years (none of my family raised the dog right) she didn't know anything. This pup right now is smarter and more sociable then my old dog was at 2. Thanks for all the advice and that is why I'm on here. I really want to raise this pup right... By the way, she just finished her scheduled shots that will allow her into obedience school which she starts next Sunday. Again, thanks...

[marinenck138]

Damp,
There are times that she needs to be corrected like when she bits. I have heard some crazy ways to stop a puppy from biting or grabbing leashes but everything used negative reinforcement. I was wondering if there was an appropriate one to use or if everyone defers the issue into some form of positive reinforcement that works. The advice given above answers that question for me. Thanks...