The Importance Of A Proper Correction

By

Sheraone

Ladyshot. I'm with you!

A mother dog's strongest reprimand is the mouth on the back of the neck, possibly pushing puppy to the ground and the rough growl.

And not very often at that.

Reward good behavior and ignore bad behavior unless someone is in danger.

I think people do dogs a disservice by demanding they tow the line and shiver in fear at the possibility of being roughed up. They are not automatons who are supposed to do what they want you to do on command every time.

Happy dogs do what they do because they love to do it and they love pleasing you, the alpha dog.

By

ladyshot

I was interested to read your article - but vehemently disagree with 'tough love' - all you teach your dog is fear as opposed to respect.

I have seven dogs and they are all beautifully behaved and if they do something wrong, a sharp verbal reprimand is all they need to pull them up.

In cases of severe bad behaviour, the roughest I EVER get with them is to hold their heads just behind their ears (without hurting them, but firmly enough to grab their attention) and glare at them, giving them a deep 'growl' - grrrrrrrrr.

Direct eye contact will let them know who is boss and they will invariably not want to hold your gaze. In the wild this is how alpha dogs hold their top positions - 'staring down' the inferior pack animal always wins the day.

NEVER hit a dog. They become 'hand shy' - (flinch if you raise a hand, as they associate this with beating). This is a heart-breaking reaction to see in any dog and its human handler - and shows that the handler has opted for brutality as opposed to patience.

The Importance of Proper Correction is not so much the correction - but the ability to teach them the right way to behave. This should be done with encouragement and praise when the behaviour is good - and patience when they disappoint.

The ability to send clear messages as opposed to mixed ones gets an excellent response. More often than not, if a dogs bad behaviour is bad - the blame can invariably be laid at the human handlers door as opposed to the animals.

Dogs crave affection and love - and will respond much more quickly to that. Hit them and they fear you.

My seven dogs will walk through fire for me - because I have earnt their respect and not their fear.

Nothing will ever change that belief.

Love a dog and you have a lifelong friend who aches to learn - beat a dog and you have a fearful servant who will do your bidding - not to please but rather to avoid a beating... There is a world of difference between the two...

Ladyshot