Are you ready for the answer?
Good.
In case you missed it, the last couple of emails I’ve been asking
people a very simple question…
“What is the best way to “correct” a dog that is misbehaving?”
In other words… what’s the gentlest, safest form of correction we can use while still letting our puppy know their behavior isn’t okay?
Many of you said “A stern NO”…
And you couldn’t be more wrong.
Bet you didn’t see that one coming, eh?
As I’ve said all along, how humans communicate and how dogs communicate are very different.
You may THINK you’re being “gentle” on your puppy by shouting at him instead of giving him a firm-yet-gentle smack on the head…
But you’re actually probably doing major damage to your puppy’s self esteem.
NOTE: There is a “right way” to verbally correct puppies, and in fact, it’s key to any successful training. But since it largely has to do with tone of voice, I don’t want to confuse you by trying to explain it over text.
The best solution for you and your puppy is to grab a copy of my Puppy Training Secrets video series at this link:
Get my Puppy Training Secrets
Here’s the thing…
In a group (or “pack”) or dogs, the weight a puppy assigns to a particular type of correction is different than what we humans do.
To us, physical contact is a “last resort”…
But in a pack, the leaders usually use gentle physical correction as a quick correction when a puppy is acting up slightly.
A deep growl, however, means “you screwed up BIG TIME”.
It’s only used when the puppy has SEVERELY overstepped
his bounds… or a fight’s about to break out.
It’s rare, and only used in the most dire of situations.
So if you’re constantly yelling at your puppy… can you
see how that would be hard for them?
Here’s the thing…
By physically correcting your puppy, the puppy knows you still love him. It’s a minor correction… almost as though you’re saying, “No, that’s unacceptable. Don’t do it again, or there will be consequences”.
By giving him a loud and angry “no”, you’re sending a message
of “you are a BAD PUPPY, and you are on THIN ICE in this family!”
This kind of counter-intuitive communication is why it’s so important you study puppy behavior (and how to interact with them) carefully, so you know exactly what message you are sending across.
That’s why I recommend you picking up a copy of Puppy Training Secrets. It will reveal exactly what you think you’re saying…
and what you’re REALLY saying…
Allowing you to have a perfect pooch in record time.
Get it here:
Get my Puppy Training Secrets
Now, while this email has been about physical correction, I want to go on record to say it is NEVER okay to hit, kick, or hurt your puppy (in fact, I’m heavily involved with animal groups specifically against this kind of disgusting behavior.)
But remember… what you’re doing is the equivalent of a slap on the wrist. Not a lot of force, and certainly not harmful…
Just enough to let them know who the boss is.
And strange as it may seem, it’s actually a lot easier for your puppy to get over than a verbal reprimand…
While allowing them to clearly understand their behavior is unacceptable.
Now, I don’t want to overload you…
So I think we should leave it there for today.
Next time, I’ll be explaining exactly how to carry out some of these physical corrections properly, so you will have absolutely NO fears about hurting your puppy physically or emotionally.
You won’t want to miss it.
Talk to you then,
-Brad Pattison