Dog Punishment?

Question

I have a 3 month old retriever/sheperd mix who I'm trying to teach some manners. The main problem I'm having is that sometimes he goes psycho and starts biting things (including people). We do the dominance pin-down thing, but we want him to confine him to a disciplinary place (time-out area) for awhile. I usually send him to his crate, but I've read it's bad to associate negative feelings with the crate. So where should we confine him to without associating any negative feelings to his normal resting area?

Answer 1

When you need too correct your pup, grab him by the top of the muzzle and firmly push down(this is what his mother did to him the 1st 8wks of his life, so it is already imprinted in his brain), in a strong voice tell what is on you mind "no bite, no pee pee, no jump, stay , sit , lie down, keeps this hold until you get him to submit. You need to bring his adrenaline "high" down so he can even comprehend your command. Instill the sit, stay lie down command, so you don't need to confine your pup, he will just obey your command. Once this is successful, and you tell him to "go lay down" he will probably go into his crate because it is his comfort zone.
I have 4 Pitbulls all males. I utilize crates daily , my dogs feel they each have their own individual home, they each have their own beds, blankets, toys, and snacks, and they respect each others territory. My crates are not for restraining , but for comfort & security.

Answer 2

Not sure where you picked up the dominance pin-down thing, but that is a bad idea. He probably thinks you are playing when you do that, so it's not doing anything for him. If you've ever seen puppies play, that is what they spend a lot of time doing-wrestling each other and biting.

The best solution for when he bites is a firm NO and replace your hand or whatever body part he's biting with a toy. Then praise him for having the toy in his mouth. Dogs learn much better and much faster with positive reinforcement than they do with negative.

Time out in a crate is also a good idea. Any time he gets too rough and puts his teeth to your skin, put him in the crate for a short time out. He'll soon learn that biting equals no more play time. Wait to take him out until he is sitting nicely and calmly in the crate. He should pick up pretty quickly what is acceptable and what isn't...

Answer 3

The dog is still really young, so you are right, you want to make sure that the crate is not a negative place. Try finding a laundry room or storage room where he can't destroy too much where he can relax. HOWEVER wherever you decide to send him for a time out, will become a place he doesn't want to be. Make sure it is not a vital room in the house.

Also, going psycho and biting things is VERY common at this age. It is simply his puppy instincts kicking in. I wouldn't really try to worry excessively about it until he is about 5 months.

Answer 4

You're right about the crate thing (hehe, although that's the first place my dog runs when he's in trouble, it's a comfort zone for him!). Bathroom is a good idea. It's a small area that you can close the door and they won't see you. And remember, time-outs are only for about 30 seconds to a minute per month of age. At 3 months, they're going to be biting, but it shouldn't be aggressive. Get them *tons* of bones and chew toys. My dog loves Dingo brand bones, and the rawhide they use is safe. Kongs are good and tough, and big dogs like yours will tend to destroy smaller toys, which can be bad if they swallow parts.

I found, through raising 3 puppies to adulthood, that the dominance thing is a hit or miss. Get a squirt gun or squirt bottle (make sure it has a stream option, not spray), and use that to train them. Start out with plain water in it. If they do something bad, give them a squirt (preferrably towards the snout, but since it is water, it won't hurt if it gets in their eyes... avoid direct shots though) and follow with "No *insert bad behavior*!". DO NOT use their name in reprimands (ie "Bad Rover! No Rover, no biting!"). They will associate their name with bad behaviour.

If they don't respond to water, or stop responding, get some Bitter Apple from your pet store, and 50/50 that with water. This time, make sure it gets in their snout/mouth area, as it is not good in the eyes or ears. Plus, the taste is awful (yeah, our trainer made us taste it). They will start associating the poor taste with bad behaviour. Eventually, when they start acting up, all you will need to do is pick up the squirt bottle and they'll stop (or in my other dog's case, anything that has liquid: soda can, water bottle, etc.) :)

When you play, be mindful of their biting. When they start getting riled up and nipping, make a "YELP" noise similar to one that a dog would make when hurt, stop playing immediately, and walk away from the puppy. Litter mates will do this when others get too aggressive. It teaches the puppy that playing is okay so long as it's not aggressive. And you want to curb the biting early. My aunt had a puppy a few years back that we adored, and we thought it was kind of cute when it nibbled us. It eventually had to be put to sleep for its seriously aggresive behaviour (put a few holes in my brother's hand once).

Sorry for the long winded response! :) Training classes are awesome too. Places like PetsMart and Petco offer them for about $100 for 8 lessons. Check them out! And good luck!

Answer 5

Lots of toys will be good for your puppy right now! Our puppy got much better after we got him toys to help with his teeth falling out and growing in. It also keeps them from getting bored and chewing up important things.

We use the couch as a "time out" area. He is 9 months old now but we have been using this since he was 3 or 4 months old. We even use counting (like parents do for their children to make them do what they are supposed to do)... I make it to 2 and he is booking it to the couch or where ever I am pointing!! Everyone thinks that this is so weird but it works!!

I use a crate for my kitten. If he is being bad (hurting people or whatever) I put him in there and simply say bad cat and walk away. But if I put him in there to leave, I give him kitty treats and say "bye baby boy." He cries out when he is in trouble but lays down to go to sleep when he is given treats. Animals are not as dumb as a lot of people. They are like kids, they know when they are in their 'room' for trouble and when they are not.

Answer 6

I agree with not using a crate for punishment. Crates are GREAT. It keep the dog safe and out of trouble when unsupervised. It should be a positive place.
I think your obedience issues, especially the biting, warrents a visit to a behavior specialists. There are a wide range of so called "specialists", from someone who thinks they know it all to true veterinarians who are board certified in behavior. Just be careful who you are giving your money to. Find someone with a good reputation and extensive experience and references.
This is something you should consider before you dog seriously injures someone.
As for time outs? I just send my dogs to the couch to lay down. I tell them "stay" in my negative tone. They know what it means.
Alot of time they just need something to keep them preoccupied or stimulated. I give them safe toys, such as hard nylabones, to keep them busy. You can't send you dog to his room like a child. that will not work.

Answer 7

3 months is really young for punishment!!! Confining him is not the answer. He wants to bite stuff coz his teeth and gums are itching due to his growing teeths. Just say a firm NO, but no shouting or screaming. Then give him a chew toy, and when he is playing or chewing it, praise him by saying GOOD BOY!
We have 2 german shepherd, my youngest one is 1 yr old. and believe he is still chewing stuff when we are not home.
BE PATIENT!!

Answer 8

You need to show him domonince not punishment when you do what you do you are olmost telling him that its okay but you need to go in your time out. not good he don't care it's nothing to him if you are able to train him by using extra force but not to much to let him know hes wrong but keep him in the same room and let him know that you are there to watch his every move lol

Answer 9

Some dogs do not do well in rough punish ment - in other words they don't under stand they might even think your telling them to bite those people or their trying to protect you?!
but you should try just petting them and giving them treats when they do well and if they seam tired you should stop

Answer 10

we always sent our dog to the crate when she was bad. when she wants to be left along she goes to the crate, that is her private area. she does not sleep in he crate any longer