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James B asked in PetsDogs · 6 years ago

What is the best way to correct an action my dog did?

I was outside playing fetch with my dog when my friend arrived so I can help drive a car that was repaired back to his place.

My dog knows him and the car well (she associates it with her going over his place to play with his dogs). First she wouldn't come to the house when called so I grabbed the leash and waved it from the door, she came running in to get leashed to go with us. I then quickly bolted out the door (with an excessive amount of barking on her end - more than normal)

When I came home 3 hours later I found out she chewed up a bunch of tiles from one of my games (first and only time she has done that) and I shouted and waved the chewed tiles at her and that was it.

Was that an appropriate response or should I of done things differently.

Thanks.

Update:

As I stated, this was the only time she has done this. She leaves everything alone except for that time, I've had that game set out for nearly 2 weeks before this occurred. She is almost 1 year 9 months.

Her return is questionable, as a Samoyed she has a stubborn streak a mile long, she has roughly a 50-60% success rate of returning, she has 100% on a long cable. But praise or treats while leash-less, if she sees a squirrel, dogs, people, she always prefers the other thing.

Update 2:

While not in the house or walks, she is kept in a locked back yard or with me in a fenced front yard that she has never attempted to escape from. She has gone to training and is very obedient on a leash.

6 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    6 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    You only give a correction at the time of the action, even 2 seconds later is too late for it to have any effect.

    Some dogs chew, or do other things, especially when stressed, even if they know you will get angry at them. It doesnt stop them doing it at the time, so correction is useless. Their thinking abilities are just not that sophisticated.

    Edit; Try a small weight on her collar to fool her into thinking she is on the long line.

    If she prefers squirrels to the recall, try changing your tactic. Train her to a hard and fast down at home where there are no distractions, then be on your toes. As you notice her prepare to go you put her DOWN, then immediately recall. Then huge praise. Repeat immediately with jackpot reward, then let her off for a run. Sometimes that can get through to them.

    If not, find a trainer you trust and learn to use an e-collar under direction. You may need to shave a spot on her neck for the contacts but it wont show.

  • ?
    Lv 6
    6 years ago

    First, dog must be trained to come, under the worst possible distractions, the dog must STILL be able to recall to you, under the penalty of death even because the dog has been trained to KNOW what will happen when it does not obey.

    Second, since you know your dog, it must be secured in a crate or kennel before you leave the house. Waving broken items front of it does nothing since dogs brains do not function like that.

    Lastly, please ignore Jo who is simply a bitter older woman with clear signs of stress and a certain penchant for strange language use.

    ADD: I have a Sammie here who will recall each and every time, regardless of distractions, off leash and will not do it for a treat, it will do it because it has been properly trained and KNOWS, without a single doubt, what will happen if that FIRST command is ever ignored.

  • Anonymous
    6 years ago

    If you have a dog and can train a dog you should know perfectly well that you can only train dogs not to do something with two methods

    a) prevention

    b) catch them in the act.

    Since you could do neither in this situation, all you needed to do is nothing, the shouting and waving was completely superfluous unless you needed to do it to relieve your feelings.

  • ?
    Lv 7
    6 years ago

    The best way to correct this action is to properly contain your dog when you cannot supervise her.

  • 6 years ago

    No. She had no idea why you're waving the tiles.

    Should have contained her when you can't supervise, and dog proofed your premises, put everything away (tiles) so she can't access anything, and only correct when caught in the act.

  • Anonymous
    6 years ago

    NO! She didn't know why you were yelling at her as she probably did it as soon as you were out of sight! YOu should have just kept your trap shut and cleaned up the mess since you were the genius that left them where she could get to them to begin with. Next time put your crap up out of the way so she can't get to it in case you trick her again.

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