How do I tell my dog NO when it does something bad?

Question

I started hitting his head, but he just looks at me, and then runs. What do i do to let him know what he is doing is bad?

Answer 1

Kinda like ya wrote it up there- a big loud NO is ten times more effective than a whack to the bean.

Answer 2

A simple no usually works. Try saying it in the same tone of voice you would use when rebuking a child. If that doesn't work you could try putting him in his kennel or in a bathroom(with toilet seat down) for a few minutes after you tell him no. Hitting a dog on the head, even if it is lightly, isn't a good idea. They come to learn that a hand coming towards their head means bad things. Then you have a head shy dog that doesn't like to be petted. Good Luck!

Answer 3

Hey! I had the same problem.

This worked for me with the Boston Terrier my mother got a few months ago who is FINALLY becoming house broken! Before that I had to clean up her poo and I would kind of whack her head slightly because I didn't know what else would work. After that, she would run off and started disliking me.

What my mom told me actually works is to first of all look at them straight in the eyes and say "no", which I know most people above me said. After that, we tell her "bad" and then tell her to sit and lay down, in a stern voice, but not yelling really loud, as that often affects dogs negatively (especially dogs who are sensitive to the tone of ones voice). Then, we tell her to stay, and if she gets up we tell her once again to sit, lay down and stay. In the process, she also learned how to be more obedient.

I hope everything works out well!
Good luck!
:)

Answer 4

Ok, just saying no to a dog with some people is like saying hey there boy, you have to have a stern grudgy voice, and the dog has to sense your disapointmnet, dogs do know when your pissed, punishment has to come after the no, If not then you have given him that inch of all your gonna do is say something then he will take that mile,

hitting him on the head is not really doing anything or spanking them unless there are small, becuase there tolerance is ver high to pain, this has to sting, its different than hitting, once that sting is there they will feel that,

now when he runs, go get him and make him lay down somewhere of your choice, if he understands lay down, and he is not to move from that spot, this is open isolation punishment, but always or anytime with that thirty minutes, you have to be mad and have a disapointed attitude so he senses how upset you are,

hope this helps some

Answer 5

Tone of voice is very important when doing this; you need to sound commanding when you say it, even a little angry. Maybe, if you have problems getting your to listen, you could punctuate your reprimand not by hitting, but by holding a leg or putting your hand firmly on his shoulder (you don't need to grip really hard, a slight pressure should be enough). Keep your eyes focussed on his, eye contact is also very important in getting your message across.
I've been told that when praising/reprimanding a dog, I shouldn't be saying 'good/bad dog,' I should be saying 'good/bad-and then the behaviour. I can't picture myself ever saying 'bad-s***!' When she poops on the floor, 'cause I'd be laughing too hard, but I'm trying the idea out with my nine-month-old puppy now...We'll see what happens!
All the best!

Answer 6

the best possible thing you could do is just try to make it so those 'no' situations never occur.

training and rewarding your dog is a great way to get them focused on what they can do to make you happy

take a class with your dog or check a book or video on training out from the library

actually removing them from whatever bad thing they are doing is a better message that you don't want them to do something than 'no'

i would use 'no' very sparingly, and sternly but without anger

if you use it too much they'll probably learn to ignore it

Answer 7

Take him by the scruff of his neck and give him a good shakedown. A dog is still a puppy, even a ten year old is a puppy because they have not mentally matured. They are not taught how to live in the wild and can not go ferrel in the wild. They would die a quick death because ....no female canine has taught them to hunt, where to go for water, how to dig a den, self protection, what is good to eat and what to stay away from, how to live on it's own.
As a result our pets are still mentally a puppy.
So, you treat it as if you are the alpha female, or alpha male. In teaching a lesson the puppy won't adhere to; the mother will take the puppy's neck in her jaw and give it a damn good shake, the pup learns that going near her teat anymore is a no no. Do you understand that?
Now. You take your hand (replacement for the mothers jaw) and grab a fold of flesh in it by the scruff and give the dog a good shake while growling at him. You can say what ever you want as long as it sounds like a growl, call the dog a sweet little muffin if you want, as long as you say it in a growl. Dogs don't understand intellectual language, they understand voice inflection. It isn't what you say to them it's how you say it.
After the lesson turn your back on it. When it tries to make up turn your back on it. Keep it wondering for about five minutes, and that's all. Never keep a grudge on a dog longer than that.
If the dog knows it's place in a pack it will do all it can to make you happy.
Now just let it know that you are the alpha dog. So go let the wee fur runt that you are the top dog. He'll love you for it.
Because.....he will know it's place in the pack and confusion will not reign in it's tiny canine brain.

Answer 8

Be calm and consistent for your dog to learn.

Don't scare the dog by yelling or hitting. He will not understand.

Re-enforce good behavior.
For bad behavior try saying NO (immediately when it happens) and then put him in a timeout for 10 minutes (like a pet carrier)

Answer 9

No hitting!

You say 'No' loudly immediately when something is wrong, when he looks at you you have to keep unblinking eye contact. Say his name quietly and say 'no' again, just as quietly. Wait a few more seconds then break eye contact.

If you hit him, he's confused by the strike and looses all thought about what happened just prior, so all you do is confuse him. You need to do this by eye contact and voice.

Answer 10

u never hit a dog! u look him the eyes and tell him 'no' sternly but not in a yelling tone. but u must do it when u catch him doing something bad.