Is hitting your dog acceptable?

[Nicola]

[Lindy]

ok I've caught up with this thread.... jeso lots of debate on this one a good thread... my opinion is reflected in much of what has been said, dogs come in all shapes, sizes and personnaliltes. I really think that you have to start with the breed traits when training and I have learned so much about JRTS since I have got Dora and as a result my pup JRT Lizzy is getting the fruits of my new skills and exerience. Now JRTs are small dogs with BIG personalities and if they can elevate themselves to top dog they will without a doubt. Now this is not an easliy answered question YES or NO as I agree that a correction can be a necessity with some dogs, Dora for such a small dog can pull me and i don't mean a little pull she is very strong for a small dog and has been known to nearly pull me off my feet, now a half and full correction do not work, niether does food as she gets fed up with it and decides it not worth the work she has better things to smell Now I have decided she need a prong collar after much consideration and having tried them on her and myself 9round my arm to feel what it's like) I feel that it's the best way to get her attention and stop the pulling which was causing me back pain. I also feel that as part of the new leadership training I have put in this tools will also makle Dora submit to me as the pack leader outside as well as inside and this is very important as she has a very good NOSE for the RABBITS and will run after any prey she smells. This behaviour puts her at risk as she pays no attention to roads or anything else when she is on the scent. i have no other choice and am happy to use the prong as it will be a god send for me and Dora.

I wold never hit/punch or physically abuse a dog, i have taped on the nose and smacked bottoms but never anything more and don't condone anything more.

[StuartW]

I think something this thread has illustrated is that corporal punishment can't be categorised simply as 'hitting'. A 'hit' could mean anything from a single, barely perceptable tap.. to a repeated and severe beating leaving the dog injured. These are two extremes of course, the actual act will fall in the middle somewhere! Whether this physical act of 'hitting' is actually cruel or not is also dependent on the motives behind it, and this in turn is complicated by the hitter's ability (or lack of) to comprehend the motive and action adequately (this is where the distinction between breeds, size of dog, etc fit in). And this is all compared with standards set by our peers.

[Suzanne H]

Lindy, following Eleanor's advice we got a gentle leader for Otto and it works a treat. He would walk to heel for me on the pavement, but no matter what technique I tried on grassy bits - no chance.

Ian could handle him, but he knew I wasn't as strong as Ian and I found him really hard to control on a walk (though strangely he sees me as the boss in the house and does less for Ian).

Not only does he walk nicely now, he is much more biddable overall - sitting at the kerb, leaving rubbish at the side of the road. It really does make you the leader but in a gentle way.

He does look at me like I'm spoiling his fun, but it's better than a sore arm and frustration.

Mind you, he is a brute in comparison to your wee one.

As for hitting - I don't see much wrong with a tap on the nose, but with mine it's much better to ignore the bad and praise the good. He gets a time out in the kitchen on his own for 2 mins if he's been really bad ie nipping, that does the trick.