My Dad keeps hitting my puppy!?

Question

Hi I need help, I have an 8 week old Jack Russell puppy, and everytime he does something naughty my Dad hits him. Once he started chewing the furniture and my Dad hit him and my dog yelped. Ive tried to tell my Dad you should never hit a dog and explained why but he still continues to do so.
Please please help, I want my dog to have the best possible life!
Many Thanks

Answer 1

There is a limit to what you can get your dad to do, which is a shame. My father was ignorant and hit our dogs when I was a child, too, and the result was that he was unable to properly train them. The most ironic was when he attempted, unsuccessfully, to house train the dogs. They were so scared of him that they went to the bathroom when he approached them, thus the supposed remedy to getting them to go outside actually CAUSED them to do it INSIDE! My father never made the connection, because he was totally ignorant of how to train a dog. You will be hard pressed to find a professional trainer anywhere that hits their dogs! It is ineffective, and often causes the opposite behavior from what you are trying to achieve.

The only thing you can do is try to educate him on the subject. Print up some articles online about how to train a dog, or buy him a book or two. Underline the parts that say that hitting a dog is ineffective. Other than providing him the means to do so, it is ultimately up to him to learn and end his ignorance. You cannot do it for him. Good luck!

Answer 2

You are right to tell your father to stop hitting your puppy. However, just telling him why you shouldn't may not be enough. You need to tell your father that you're really unhappy with the way he's treating your puppy and he needs to stop, immediately.

That being said, you need to take all responsibility for the dog's discipline. If you're not in a position to be with him all the time, then you need to look into the crate training, especially if it's an indoor dog. Tell your dad that crate training is the method you want to use, and tell him that instead of hitting the dog, to pick him up and put him in his crate. This way, the dog will learn that when he chews on furniture, he goes to his crate, and I guarantee he will stop chewing the furniture. This also keeps the dog out of your dad's hair, which will cut down on his urge to smack away the annoyance. Crate training has a whole list of benefits, the least of which is taking discipline away from your father. Or, if you have a fenced yard where the dog can go in nice weather, leave him outside for the day.

You just need to make sure that when you tell your father not to discipline your dog, you are there to pick up the slack. Take responsibility for your puppy, and he should be housebroken in a short time.

Answer 3

You really should try crate training the puppy instead of letting him have the run of the house and destroying things. Your Dad is probably frustrated having a puppy ruin the home. Hitting the dog is not right. JRTs are extremely active little dogs. You're going to have to start obedience classes and giving him more exercise. Again hitting is not right, but if you want peace these are some suggestions.

Answer 4

You've got to get him to stop or your going to have a really messed up puppy. I once had a dog from the rescue league that we believe had been beaten by a man. It used to lunge at men when we walked him, he hated me (never hit him), used to attack men that came to the house. Even if a man was in the house, but went into the bathroom - when he came out the dog would attack. After a year or so we gave up and gave him to an elderly lady. The two of them have lived together happily ever after.

A Jack Russell is a very high strung dog, also very intelligent. You are going to need to spend a lot of time training him the right way. If you don't do it soon, the dog is going to end up at the Jack Russell rescue league. Suggest you find a puppy clicker training class in your area. Clicker training uses positive rewards vs negative feedback.

Answer 5

I would try talking to my dad and telling him that I would like to take over the disapline and training. I would watch my dog and when it misbehaves I would correct it. The water bottle is a good choice.

You can also check out some good books from your local library and after you read them show them to your dad.

I am not sure if you are talking about a small tap on the bum to catch their attention or all out beating the puppy. If you are worried about the later call the humane society if the other things suggested don't work.

Best of luck

Answer 6

Somebody else might have a better solution but since you can't remove the dad from the home get rid of the puppy to a good home. Go thru a Jack Russel Terrier Rescue organization.

Your dad is either talking to you thru your dog, taking out his frustrations on the dog, or is just plain abusive. Either way, if he doesn't "get it" your dog is going to wind up abused, troubled, and possibly turn into a problem dog. Then he will have to be put down.

Don't let this situation continue.

Answer 7

First of all, please don't try hitting your Dad when he hits the puppy. That'll just open all sorts of doors that are best kept locked and boarded, and besides, you don't want Dad hitting the puppy, why do the same to him?

Second, is your Mum around? Could you possibly speak to her about your concerns with Dad and Pup? Some adults will only listen to other adults.

Third, do work with your puppy. Try crate training if you like how it sounds. (My dog actually tipped her crate on it's side from panicking when we tried, so it doesn't work for everyone.) Take him to obedience training classes.

Best of luck with you puppy.

Answer 8

IT sounds like your Dad is old school. It's true you shouldn't just hit on your dog when ever he misbehaves, however he does need some discipline. Jack russell's tend to be on the hipper side, however with love and discipline they are great little dogs. Maybe you could roll up a news paper and tell your dad that if he feels that it's necessary to spank the dog, to only use the paper, and to only pop hi on the butt. Or you could get a water gun and every time your puppy is doing something he shouldn't you could wet him with that. Please tell your Dad that he should never hit your dog in the face, and he should never discipline him in anger. I know sometimes Dads are hard to reprimand, but good luck.

Answer 9

You are in a tough spot if you've already explained to him why it is bad to hit a dog and he still does it. Your dad is abusive and the puppy won't ever be safe in his presence if he continues. Is there someone else who can talk to him who he may listen to? Like your mom? If not, I know this sounds awful, but maybe if you can't get him to understand, you should find a new home for the puppy.

The only way a pet will ever work out in a household is if all the family members are on board about whether it should be there and how it should be trained.

Answer 10

It is OK to redirect a dog's behavior by a little tap on the nose. It is not OK to hit a dog repeatedly or very hard. It is also important to redirect a puppy right after its misbehavior. If your dad is finding the couch chewed and then assuming (probably correctly) that the dog did it, hitting the dog after the fact will do no good. You have to catch the dog in the act for it to be effective.

If you dad is hitting the dog hard or after the fact, I would let him know that it is wrong. Look up some dog training websites. Perhaps, there is an obedience training class in your area that you and/or you dad could take you dog to.

Godd Luck.