Is he smart or ignorant?

Question

My little baby doggie is 4 yrs old. He looks at you and you melt. After all these years, I thought I found the perfect punishment by dangling my keys. It worked for two days and now he just looks at me like I am strange and ignores me. Is he smart or ignorant or just spoiled?

Answer 1

He's intelligent for sure. Dangling the keys seemed to work because it got his attention, but there was no aftereffect he/she was able to associate so interest was lost. The dog probably realized he owned no car you could "key" and couldn't care less if you did that to your own .. lol

What is the behaviour you want stopped? Positive re-enforcement will work best with dogs so get the dog to stop somehow to earn the reward which could be as little as "good girl" or "good boy" .. if you teach the dog that those phrases are associated with petting after they've stopped with a "no" or something. Whatever commands or re-enforcement you use, keep it short and simple .. easy for the dog to remember.

Answer 2

If you do it and then do something harsh to the dog then it will be afraid of the keys. If you do it and nothing happens to the dog while you dangle the keys then the dog will not be afraid of it after awhile. Its a proven fact by some old psychologist. Sorry I cant remember the name. But there has to be something harsh every time you do it and you have to keep it up for like 2 weeks or something to make it a habit. Like dangle the keys then spray him in the nose with water. Something like that. I don't mean harsh as in beating him!!!! ha ha.

Answer 3

Dogs, like humans, learn. I'm not sure how dangling keys was used as a punishment, unless puppie feared the keys.

If that's the case, the pup has simply realized there's nothing to fear from them, and in the pup's way - pretty much just thinks you're wacked when you do it now.

So - you've got a smart dog, and one that is probably spoiled from the sounds of it...

But I have to ask - what is he doing that requires he be punished?

Answer 4

You must use a strategy of escalating violence. Since the baby doggie has become habitualized to the dangling of the keys, you must now beat him with the keys. This will stop him from making eye contact (hence melting you) because you will have established yourself as the alpha in the pack. When this no longer works, I recommend BIGGER keys.

Answer 5

I dont understand why dangling your keys would be a punishment for your puppy? Were you threatening that you would leave him home alone? and what did he do so wrong that you would do that to him? I LOVE all animals and I couldn't think of any reason to scare my dog-- I would have to say he is MUCH smarter than you, and I believe if he could, he would grab those keys and take off and find someone who wouldn't try to play mind games with him!!!!

Answer 6

it extremely is a not easy paradox. i don't think of I even have an answer that's useful. If i'm smart yet ignorant my smartness could be out shined via my lack of wisdom. And if i'm ignorant yet smart, then my smartness would be seen as fictitious, for the reason that its compromised.

Answer 7

I think that he's just board at your from of "punishment"
And how is dangling keys a punishment?It just makes a ringing sound.

Answer 8

Yeah, I'm not quite sure how dangling keys is a PUNISHMENT, and he's probably thinking the same thing. Also, why is this under "Toddler and preschooler?"

Answer 9

A 4 year old dog isn't a baby.

Answer 10

In the beginning this startled him. Now he is used to it. Try kicking him. Slap him across the snout. Roll up a newspaper and lay into his ****. Got to be creative.