How do you discipline a puppy?

[Sowa]

I'm not sure how I should be disciplining Clover if she's doing unwanted behavior. For example, she chews on the furniture, she climbs in behind the couch even though I have it blocked off she manages to get past it.

If she's chewing on something I'll say a firm No! And sometimes I'll grab her collar and try a correction. If I do that she seems to think I'm playing and then bites more or bites me.

So how can I teach her not to bite things? I read something that if she bites me I say "ouch!" really loud and walk away from her. But that doesn't really work for other things. IS there a way to teach her not to climb behind the couch other then trying to find ways to block it off? She eats the box I have in on place.

I try to walk her 3 times a day so she'll be more calm.

Also, I've been thinking about dog obedience classes but everywhere I've called doesn't start until at least October. I've trained dogs before for obedience so I've been thinking of starting myself for now. The only thing I'm not sure of is what training collar should I use for a 10 week old puppy? I've had older dogs in obedience and they had us use with a choke collar or a pinch. I just feel maybe she's too small for that right now. What do you all use to train your puppies? I've been using just a normal flat collar for corrections and she just ignores it and pulls non stop.

[sasvermont]

As I recall, my trainer told me to always "sweeten the deal" when they are doing something bad. So if she is eating something she shouldn't, say no and at the same time, give her something she should chew on...i.e. a toy, a bone, etc.

I found that the term "leave it" works with Prue. She will STOP doing whatever she is doing and look at me. If I say ok, she will continue.

Oh, and by the way, my dog DOES NOT come back when I call her, so don't think I know everything about dogs.

If you can figure out the "come" command, let me know.

Your pup is so cute.

Give her lots and lots of toys. I found Crocks are fun for them to chew, too. Prue has her own pink pair she chews on. She has never destroyed toys, so I can give her lots of stuffed things to and she nibbles on them.......good girl.

Keep us posted.

[Sowa]

As I recall, my trainer told me to always "sweeten the deal" when they are doing something bad. So if she is eating something she shouldn't, say no and at the same time, give her something she should chew on...i.e. a toy, a bone, etc.

I do that, and she usually goes back to what she was originally doing after a few seconds or when I stop playing with her and the toy.

[sasvermont]

Prue, my pup, had a couple of spots she like to chew..... I covered them with duct tape until she stopped... I still think you need to keep her busy, busy, busy..... with lots of toys. For awhile, I thought Prue had ADD because she switched toys so often. Now, at 18 months, she likes just a few special toys, no longer chews inappropriately and is housebroken.

The pulling thing....My trainer told us to just stand still and not pull the dog at all. I tell Prue to WAIT when she starts to pull and she stops, usually.....

You still have a puppy there, and it will be a real test for you to figure out what works. It sounds like your pup is SMART.... and will test you for some time to come.... Do you carry treats with you at all times? We were told to do that too.... and to keep them minding you with the treats....

Each dog is so different.

[IRescue452]

I use EH EH or Leave it instead of no. No just becomes such a common word a dog hears and thus looses its meaning.

Don't use the collar in a corrective manner. Dogs can get sensitive about having their necks touched if they recognize being yelled at with having their collar pulled on. Also they learn to ignore pulling on their neck.

Making a yipe noise when the puppy mouths is the best idea. If the puppy thinks you are playing, to the kennel for a time out. Don't fuss about it, just be calm and to the point and put the pup in her kennel.

If the pup is getting in a spot you don't like, more closer supervision is needed. When you see the pup getting into that spot, block the pup and redirect her. Really get her going on something more fun. If she goes back it may just be time for a time out or to go to a different room. Once she's trained better on basic obedience you can do Leave it work. I don't like a shake can because some dogs are prone to anxiety.

A normal puppy training collar works well. Do no constantly keep pressure on it or the pup will just get used to ignoring it. The best method to get attention is training treats. Positive training works a million times better than negative. Be sure to keep any training sessions short. Holding a treat in front of the puppies nose and directing them what you want them to do will always get you further than choke collars.

[Sowa]

What do you mean by normal puppy training collar? Like a normal flat collar?

Thanks for the info