Negative consequences for puppies?

Question

We have a 5-month-old puppy. She has begun fighting back when we're trying to do things like get her off of the couch or wipe her muddy paws with a towel. She'll growl and try to bite us. We tell her "No!" firmly and occasionally hold her mouth shut. A local trainer, however, told us that right now "No!" is just a word to her and that she needs some sort of negative consequence, otherwise she'll keep fighting back. When I asked what types of negative consequences there are, he only suggested physical ones, such as tucking her jowls into her mouth when we hold it shut or bopping her on the head gently but firmly. We don't want to resort to physical consequences, and she's a wonderful puppy besides these moments. We also don't want this to escalate. Any suggestions?

Answer 1

I have a little lab pup that tried the same thing. Basically I showed her who is boss by physically making her do what I want her to do. For instance, when she is laying on the couch she'll growl if I move her. I still move her though. You can't show any fear when she acts this way because then she'll feel she has the upper hand. I have heard one way to enforce no is to grab her skin around her neck. This is something that the momma does to keep them in line when they are little pups. My pup is around 6 months now and she still does it a little, but not aggressive like. On other thing that I've learned is to use another noise or sound for no instead of the word no. Usually I snap. Kinda like reverse clicker training. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Puppies at this stage are rather frisky and do tend to bite. But she's also exerting dominance and no matter what you shouldn't let that happen. You should let her know that you are the master or else she will run the house. It is true that physical consequences are sometimes the way to go since dogs understand that language and use it on each other. Gently slap the puppy's mouth and say "NO" firmly and remember to make eye contact while doing so. I also try locking them in a bathroom or something for a while. And also remember as much as possible when training her make sure there aren't any other people around for her to "escape" to. Good Luck!

Answer 3

I personally never resort to physical violence with my own dogs. But I have Collies - which wouldn't respond well to that sort of thing. If you have a more aggressive breed - you may have to do that sort of thing a little bit - to show them who is boss.
Five month old puppies are typically rather naughty though. I don't like to squelch that sort of behavior since I show my dogs, I want them to be really outgoing since it shows some spirit.
Try to be patient with her & gently correct her when she does these things. You can grab her firmly by the ruff when she misbahves & say NO firmly, very close to her face. Hold her still for a few second while you're doing this & she will eventually get it that you are in charge.

Answer 4

Ack! You ran in to one of those old-school, jerk-and-pull trainers. It's true, there need to be consequences for behaviors that you DO want and for those that you DON'T want, but your instincts are right - you don't need to get physical with your pup.
Have a look at some sites that teach bite inhibition. Learn how to play the "It's Your Choice" game:
1. Dog in crate, or in a sit.
2. Have a low value treat handy (for my dog, this would be a piece of broccoli or carrot; for your dog, it might be something else) as well as some super high value treats.
3. Have the low value treat enclosed in your hand.
4. Let the dog smell and mug your hand to get the treat, and say nothing. The *second!* that your dog backs off, say "Yes!" and present a high value treat with your other hand.
5. Repeat. The dog will quickly learn to back off to get the good stuff! You can continue to make this game more challenging: see the link below for more info.
You can see that you might have to practice this first w/o your dog, so that you don't feel like a juggler.
I should also say that if your dog cannot handle this and bites you with force, you do need to seek the help of a professional as soon as you can.

Your pup is showing the beginning signs of resource guarding. This can come up in a situation like the one you described : not wanting to get off the couch, and trying to bite when the human says, "No, really, you get off the couch." If that were my dog, he would be crated in the house, and never allowed up on the couch until I felt confident that he was not going to try that with me again.

And learning crate games will be great, too.
http://www.finchester.org/dogs/dog_diary/2005/08/crate-training.html

Answer 5

she's trying to see what she can get away with. if you've had her for a few months now, she should know NO. its kinda like all of a sudden she's a 2 year old and is just not listening (we have an 8month old right now, we understand!)

what we do is:
first offense, say no (or no bite if she bit) and push her away.
second offense, say no (or no bite) and hold her mouth shut until she's not tense (usually about 2-3 seconds for her to give up fighting)
third offense, so no and pin her to the ground on her back and stare her down until she stops fighting and wont look us in the eye.

when she's being really bratty and just wont listen to anything (usually when she's bored and overly tired - like a kid!) we have a can with some pennies in it that we shake at her. she knows the can, and the minute our hand goes towards it she stops what she's doing and pretends she's been good all along. only thing with the can, if we startle her with it, she might just pee where she's standing, so we have to make sure she sees it before it makes noise. (that wasnt fun to find out while she was sitting in my lap on the couch)

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i just read the person above me, and yes, i snap at her too. usually her daddy will tell her to do something twice and then i just snap and look at her and she does it. she knows that the snap means, RIGHT NOW

Answer 6

Your dog has not learned where you want her to potty. Do not be mean to her when she has an accident she will just sneak off and potty elsewhere. You can startle her when you see her having an accident with clapping your hands or an empty pop can with some pennies in it- shake it. Get a crate and a training book and it will be much easier. It is the easiest way to learn. The more often she potties out doors the faster the smell of the outdoors will make her potty. Also it is helpful to take her to the same spot outside. The smell from her pottying will make her go.

Answer 7

Try a puppy time out. Sound stupid? Has been known to work. I take it you don't crate train. Invest in a crate. It should only be big enough for the dog to stand up, turn around and lay down in. Have a larger breed? Get one that will be functionable when they are fully grown but section it off by inserting a box or something to take up the access space. When they are bad say No! and bring them to the crate. Ignore the wimpering and dont pay any attention to her for say 30 minutes. she will eventually get the idea that if she misbehaves she has to sit in the secluded crate and thats no fun.

Remember NO TOYS in the crate! Good training for bedtime too. It should be taught that that is their "bedroom".

Answer 8

keep the leash on her ; let it drag behind her when she is in the house... if she gets on the couch - take the leash and say OFF, pull her off and praise.... muddy feet?? tell her UT UH and continue doing wiping her feet... as soon as she sees that her behavior is not altering what YOU are doing she will see that it isn't working... pushing her jowels on her own teeth is a good thing don't over do it though

Answer 9

Find a trainer specializing in Positive Reinforcement methods. Puppy Kindergarten would be ideal for her and you.

Answer 10

Use a squirt gun or water bottle that can shoot a stream in conjuction with "NO"