Dog Training/punishment

[xrated]

So I've been thinking on this for awhile.

It seems there are all manners of electric shock collars for training dogs. They seem to be very accepted by society as a good training tool, etc.

I don't use one on my dog. Rely on flipping him over, stern voice and ocassionaly a swat on the head(mainly if he's walking and really pulling, etc or when he nips). On a couple of times I've noticed that boy do you get looks from people if you swat a dog with your hand.

So how the hell is this different then shocking the dog with a collar, and why is one seemingly OK while the other is not?

 

[Fosgate]

Because electrocution is more humain than beating them to death.

 

[Rattlin_Ram]

While I don't have a problem with swatting them on the head, my overly hyper, easily excited yellow lab would have probably been beat to death had I not gotten a shock collar...

If he ever gets out of line one push of a button and he's a perfect gentleman again...

But just wait till someone see's you swat your kid on the butt in public...

 

[moondawg]

The method that ive found to work best on my lab is grab him by the throat and get right in his face. I just squeeze a little and it cuts his oxygen off and that really gets his attention. Its goood in public cuz no one can tell how hard your squeezing so they usually dont give it much thought like hitting or kicking your dog.

 

[xrated]

The method that ive found to work best on my lab is grab him by the throat and get right in his face. I just squeeze a little and it cuts his oxygen off and that really gets his attention. Its goood in public cuz no one can tell how hard your squeezing so they usually dont give it much thought like hitting or kicking your dog.

I do that at the house, just hard to do when walking him with the kids and stroller.

 

[ArcticBoy]

But just wait till someone see's you swat your kid on the butt in public...[/QUOTE]



That's why you hide the shock collar in their pants.

 

[RMK7SledHead]

Don't swat a dog on the head...hit him on the top of his back (towards his rear legs) with your hat.

Why do I say this? When other people greet your dog, sometimes they make a fast movement with their hand and the dog (if he's been hit on the head) will flinch/cower. If he's been hit on the back, no flinching. Same reinforcement, no negative feedback from idiots.

Note: I definitely condone the use of a shock collar, and when I lived in a "city" setting with my dog, and he went everywhere with me, he wore that collar at all times. Some nasty looks, but he was a well behaved dog too.

 

[CatWoman]

It might have to do with the swat on the head. Generally I think people have a problem with swatting a child or a dog on the head, vs the bottom.

Grabbing a little scruff of hair at the neck and a little shake (I do this on top of the neck) will get their attention too.

I DO use a shock collar, but rarely do my dogs get shocked. They get a warning buzz. I went to this use because my dogs couldn't always be on leash, such as when I'm swimming them and having them retrieve. I also camphost in the summer, and unless I wanted my dogs to be on a cable the whole time we are outdoors at our campsite, then this was my next choice (and still be legal because I am in "physical control" of my dogs when they don't have a leash attached).

 

[xrated]

Don't swat a dog on the head...hit him on the top of his back (towards his rear legs) with your hat.

Why do I say this? When other people greet your dog, sometimes they make a fast movement with their hand and the dog (if he's been hit on the head) will flinch/cower. If he's been hit on the back, no flinching. Same reinforcement, no negative feedback from idiots.

Note: I definitely condone the use of a shock collar, and when I lived in a "city" setting with my dog, and he went everywhere with me, he wore that collar at all times. Some nasty looks, but he was a well behaved dog too.

I never thought of the flinch thing....looks like I will be switching my swatting spot.

 

[jimmy buffet]

i took my dog to a training class and used this give a treat for good behavior. work pretty good, dog dosent run away, never snap at anyone, good with other dogs too. even rings a bell at the back door to crap..... That being said i still crack him in the snout with my fingures when hes out of line, (barks at animals on the tv, or fighting). and yes he does flinch. i dont hit him in the head because the skull will win every time, hip can go out easy so stay away, hit him in the chest when really pissed, but his chest is a tree trunk. (pit/rot mix) have raised 3 dogs myself, not a expert


seen 2 dogs that use the collar and 1 is fine other wont let you touch his head or neck, have to tranqualize it to bath him. i wouldnt use it but thats me. plus its not cheap.

as for the kid drag him to the bad side of town, go to walmart and crack away, they all do it.

 

[Bubba700]

I don't use either a collar or the swatting method. One thing I do, people may have a problem with it but it works great and anyone who has been around my chessie will tell you it works, is when she gets agressive or isn't listening I will put my hand around her mouth and hold it shut. Ill do it till she lets out a small whine. Does a couple of things, first in dog terms it establishes a dominant relationship of me to her and 2nd she knows I only do it when she is out of line. I don't do it too often but when I do she perks right up and follows every command.
Thing I like about that method is there isn't any hitting, shocking, or type of pain involved so it keeps her from any type of flinch developing.

Another bud uses it on his Cheesie too and it works great.

 

[Ex-Member]

^ yep. They have to know who's boss.

Show some aggression towards them, it works wonders.

One of the neighbors has this dog that barks at anything that moves. They tie the dog on a 50ft lead on their porch, so it just roams around the whole yard. The first time it barked at my dog and I, I barked back and chased it. That dog slinks back to the porch whenever it sees me or Duke.

One other lady has this poodle that neither my dog or I like... chased after my dog once, this lady was frantic trying to control the poodle. Told Duke to "Stay close" and he's at my heels, trying to avoid this maniac poodle. Took some self-control on my part to keep from just kicking this damn poodle. Lady finally gets the poodle away from my dog, sits it down and points at it and in an almost sing-song voice says "no, you are very bad, don't do that again". Yeah, that'll help.... moron.

 

[go high fast]

My dog never leaves my side when I am home. He always wants to come with me whenever I go somewhere on foot, bike or car......even brought him sledding one time. Every day when i come home from work he is always waiting for me at the edge of the lawn. He starts going crazy when he sees my car. He is my most loyal companion.

Having said all this we have an electric fence which works great and, initially, I also used a shock collar on him to stop the barking. Also worked great. On occassion I knock the chit out of him with my hand, a rolled up newspaper or the phone book.

He is a rottwieler/heeler X. I beleive some breads respond better to punishment rather than reward. When the kids are around I call him Worthless and threaten that he's a coward and that he's going back to the pound all while scratching his belly. They come to his rescue all in a split second. We all love him to death.

The mean looks from the neighbors are all part of the goofy times we live in.

[/IMG]

 

[CatWoman]

Certainly shock collars could be, and are unfortunately, used abusively.

My Goldens perk right up when I get theirs out. They start bouncing around and smiling....all happy. It's a positive thing to them (that's how they were trained with it)....it means we are going someplace or going to do something fun. They both compete with each other in front of me as to who is going to get theirs on first.

My dogs pretty much go everywhere I go, even if they do have to stay in the truck. At home, they will follow me around, even to the bathroom. The pup is a 9 month 100 lb male, and his sister is 22 months and 71 pounds.

I did establish my *dominance* to begin with (never used the shock collar for any kind of dominance thing). They both will still let me put them on their backs. They were whistle trained as young pups. They also know the basics (sit/down/heel/stay), plus a few tricks.

I do believe in the positive reinforcement and treats with training. When you have an animal that wants to please, lots of love & attention go a long ways.

 

[RMK7SledHead]

[/IMG]

Not a fan of rotties, but THAT is a good lookin' dog (for a non-hunting, non-purebread). Aggressive, but not too much so, and with the healer in there, probably smart as a whip!

 

[Yellow Sno]

Ear pinch is always a better option that swatting IMHO. More effective and doesn't look like you are beating your dog to the uninformed retards out there.

 

[go high fast]

He is such a good dog it's not even funny.

We got him from the Pound in Hamilton Mt. We went there looking to see another dog that we saw based on a photo the Pound had posted at thier website. As we were walking through the kennel we passed him and I was immediately impressed with his markings...........long story short we never even laid eyes on the dog in the photo. We have had him for 5 years......he's unbelievable!!!

 

[Scott]

A flick on the nose works well. They have WAY more sensitive noses than humans do...

And it's more socially tolerant among humans that an open (or closed, LOL) hand.