Spanking A Dog Lightly???

[Rottnlove]

I was trying to help give advice to a lady who just adopted an 8 week old Sharpei on potty training.

It was on another discussion board, but not a dog related board.

I said to NEVER spank a dog, and especially if you didn't catch them in the act of messing! The only way to correct a dog was in a firm and growly voice by saying UH UHHH or NO! But never strike the dog. Only correct the dog if it messes in front of you so it will associate the act with your displeasure. They won't understand or remember it if you bring them back to the mess to correct them later.

This other poster who had two labs came in and said that her vet of many years and experience with dogs said to get their attention, swat them on the butt lightly. The advice she gave this lady was to swat the pup on the bum if it messes even if she didnt catch him in the act of messing. She said to get the pup and show him the mess and gently swat him on the butt and say NO!

That really irritated me after I mentioned not to ever spank your dog! She came in after me and tried to correct me by saying that it has never done any harm to her dogs and that it has been good for getting the dogs attention and she has never had any problems doing this. She said her dogs mind her very well, except for her chocolate lab who she has to "remind" by spanking him once in a while to get his attention when he's in the trash or something.

Anyone have any good adcvice?

Thanks for you help, you guys are the greatest. I've wanted to help others as much as I can, and maybe I'm not doing it the best I could?

[Mick Trainer]

You are correct that the dog should not be spanked. Mostvets know extremely little regards animal behavior and correct learning techniques. I have written an article here that covers toilet training. Feel free to pass this information on to this women.

http://www.rottweiler.net/forums/for...p?s=&forumid=9

Further to this it is extremely unliklythat the dog will make an association through showing it the toileting spot and the negative that is created through the spnaking and if the association is made it will not be made with going to the toilet in that area but with toileting overall. More likely the dog will learn that out of the blue this person will come along and drag them to an area and then spank them. No association with the toileting but a clear association that the person cannot be trusted and can lash out at anytime. Taken far enough this could cause learned helplessness. It is unlikly but possible.

Give her the article and tell her that there is another quicker, gentler technique that does not have the risk of negative contingencies.

Mick.

[Rottnlove]

Thanks so much! :)

I did just send her your great article! I hope she reads the advice and follows it, because I feel that the article's information is perfect.

It just really bums me out when vets give out training advice when most likely their expertise is medicine, not k9 behaviour and training! :(

I think I set this other lady with the spanking advice straight. :D (Of course, I didn't get upset..that does no good!) :p

Thanks again, Mick!