Please don't use a spray bottle on your little puppy! There are far better ways to train a puppy.

I didnt mean to imply you may use aerosols as punishment, I just meant some have a similar noise and this may scare them if the spray has been used to either punish and/or deter them.

Spays do scare dogs, maybe not of the owners but with behaviour in question. Using the chewing as an example, the dog chews the object and gets sprayed behind the ears. Doest hurt but its not pleasent, this keeps happening and the dog then learns that chewing said object results in a wet ear the dog may then fear the object or decide the object is evil and needs killing, resulting in more chewing. If you make a mistake and the dog sees you spaying the water at it, it could turn out to be you its chewing. Not exactly pleasent as far as im concerned. That is why I would never recomend it, there are risks involved.

Dogs of a nervous disposition anyway will become more fearfull and those that are either scared or angry may become aggressive. I just dont think its worth attempting. Particually when there are other methods that are much friendlier.

Thank you all for your comments, I always find different ideas very helpful. I have to say that I dont find my spray harmful, its like shouting no, its just a way of breaking a behaviour, its was bought empty and doesn't contain any harmful substainses, it is silent not making one bit of noise and won't relate it to anything.

I have to say though I did read this in the RSPCA training manual and I sure they wouldn't advise something if it was harmful to a dog's personality in any way.

I will try other methods first, but do see this as a viable option and not harmful. If anyone has used it and has found it harmful or useful Im really up for your comments.

I do have a broad shoulder as a police officer I think I naturally have that but I do have a heart and wouldn't do anything to my pup that I really felt was un-called for.

Thanks again

He's a Tan Cocker Spaniel, he's lovely. Were very happy with him.

This makes sense. I actually feel more comfortable about this than shouting at him.

Thanks sue, Cydney (my daugher) is very good, we have tried to spend as much time around people with Dogs, it think it is very important for kids, she understands as much as a two year old can. To be fair on both of them, there only doing what their naturally supposed to do, it just me trying to train both of them to not do what naturally comes to them.

I dont mind people's replies I was just expecting people to tell me there experience rather than opinions. But hey Im up for anything, that's why I have a dog.

Although tiring, I just treated Max like a toddler! When he tried to eat the plants,steal my shoes,chew the chairs etc, (Remote Controls were his favourite)I just said a firm NO and removed him from the object and give him one of his toys instead to play with. I have never moved objects away from him just keep removing him and eventually he just got the message, if I said NO he just left it alone. Have to be a bit patient though!!

The RSCPA, hmmmm, now why doesn't that surprise me! Too busy giving crap advice to be any real help.

What do you mean?

I have seen the damage a water spray can do to a pup as well as an adult dog, it does damage the bond, it also stops a pup from bonding to the owner and I have seen an adult dog go for the owner when he used a water spray and done considerable damage to his face.

I am not interested in what others write about, they are going on their experiences, I am going on mine.

Many people who ask advice on these forums have never had a dog before, they don't know about body language or timing, but are expected to know them to train their dogs.

There are other ways to train your dog or your puppy.