13-08-2008, 04:21 PM
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Pet Forums Junior Member
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Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: SE London
Posts: 41
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Re: Water spray
Quote:
Originally Posted by dogpositivetraining
Hi,
You didn't make it clear what it is that you are trying to stop your puppy from doing, but in relation to inappropriate chewing, the following in a excerpt from Gwen Bailey's book 'The Perfect Puppy'
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Dogs do not learn rules, they simply learn the consequences of their actions. Instead, correction should appear to come from the object itself. If this happens he will learn that it is unwise to put his teeth on that object, and will be unlikely to chew it again even when left alone.
To do this, keep a small water pistol to hand, or a plant sprayer adjusted to let out a jet of water rather than a spray. Just as he begins to chew something he should not, aim a short jet of water just behind his ear. The intention is to startle him, not to hurt him in any way. His reaction should be one of surprise and he should then wander away from this object to find something else to do. Hide the water pistol from view, look away and, if he looks round at you, pretend you had nothing to do with it.
The correction will be most effective if it happens just as he is about to chew on the object for the first time. If it occurs after he has been chewing for five minutes it will be too late because he will already have been rewarded by his behaviour. If you are too late, distract him by rushing out of the room calling excitedly, encouraging him to follow.
Praise him when he comes to you and then watch him carefully because he will probably go back to his new hobby, giving you a chance to correct him before it begins.
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I use this method, and I also recommend this method to clients, it works a dream. But you do have to make sure that your puppy does not see you with the water pistol (I bought a child small water pistol which fitted in my hand completely). It is very important that your puppy associates the feeling of the water behind his ear with the chewing or whatever.[/I]
What I also do, is once a puppy has been surprised and wandered away from the object he should not be chewing, I wait a short while and then introduce an appropriate safe chew toy, and give lots of praise.
I would point out that I only start with this method once a puppy is 3 months plus, under no circumstances do I employ or recommend that clients employ this method until a puppy is 3 months.
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This makes sense. I actually feel more comfortable about this than shouting at him.
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