What's the best way to discipline a bullheaded dog?

[rumguy]

I've lived with dogs that don't care about the word "NO" - no matter how stern you utter it.

I've found a smack on the snout works - what do you think?

EDIT: snout, not nose...

[JVS]

1. Get a bigger dog to keep it in line

[Dookus]

2. training

training and more training. If they don't respect your "no" it's because they don't respect YOU.

[rumguy]

4. they were not my dogs per se

I just lived with them....

They would heed the word 'no' - but if it was something they really wanted to do it meant nothing....

[mark414]

3. here ya go

http://www.wihumane.org/expert/DogBehaviorIndex.html

[rumguy]

5. thanks

[allalone]

25. thanx

wonderful site. I printed a bunch of stuff

[Longhorn]

6. I've used a spray water bottle with good success.

I have four dogs and they don't like it!

[rumguy]

8. nice lookin' dogs

they are lookin' for treats there, aren't they?

looks like the dog in back is worried about not getting any.

[Longhorn]

14. They are good dogs and they keep us entertained.

Brutus is the oldest and manages to demand more than his share of attention! ;)

Yes, they're all waiting for treats. We trained Buddy to sit and shake a long time ago and he still does it when he really wants something, even if we don't ask him to.

[Dookus]

9. my old dog-sitter

and trainer extraordinaire used to use a squirt bottle with a vinegar dilution in it.

I could tell how bad my dog was that day by how much he smelled like a salad when I picked him up.

[maveric]

7. Hotsaucing!

A few drops of Tabasco or Tapatito on his tongue and that'll teach him.

[EnfantTerrible]

23. Here we go again...

Tsk Tsk

[henslee]

10. No. Do not hit a dog. If your dog is misbehaving its probably because

its not getting enough time with you. Or your dog is bored.

on edit... I'm sure you know dogs being pack animals, and want you to be the alpha dog -- and if you don't assume the role, it is their insinct to challenge you. If you give your dog a consistent schedule -- walks at reg. times. Food at reg. times. Rotate its toys. Maintain consistent rules... Either on the bed or off the bed. Make sure pooch gets good food -- no people food. And if your dog gets enuf exercise. Your dog will be a super dog.

If you must scold, put pennies in a soda can and seal it. Shaking it near your dog instead of shouting or smacking -- it will work wonders. Dogs hearing is like 10x better than ours. No need to ever shout. No need to give a dog all its shots -- some of them are cancerous (consult an alternative vet)

Finally, a tired dog is a happy dog.

[rumguy]

15. Man some of the dogs I know

I just don't think they'd be fazed by a soda can with pennies in it...

I mean they are seriously bullheaded! Not all the time - they don't snatch food from my hand or anything - but there are times when they refuse to listen, period.

[henslee]

16. How old are they -- I suspect 1 to 2 yrs old or maybe 3. Right?

Sounds like they're too wired and not getting walked enough. Like they need to get tuckered out.

[rumguy]

older but still with tons of energy

you can run them and tire them out - but it doesn't take to long for that energy to come back....

and believe me - when I've lived with dogs we would run them all the time - I'd go fishing with them all the time...out on rivers and streams...

but if they saw a deer - they'd be gone - it was like I didn't even exist anymore....

[henslee]

19. Ignore all prev. advice... Take them out behind the barn and shoot em.

Then buy a canary.

[allalone]

21. my puppy

grabbed the can out of my hand and hid it. scared? no.

[Mojambo]

11. Send them to "time out" n/t

[rumguy]

12. the worst is when they want to chase a wild animal

If they're off the leash there appears to be no way to stop them from going off after a squirell or deer - and then it's hard to discipline them when they come back - cuz they don't know what they're getting scolded for - ya know?

[Knurled99]

13. Train them to sit for a half-hour every day...

Give 'em treats and lots of praise, and eventually they will sit immediately when you tell them, even if they're chasing something. Then start working on "come."

[henslee]

18. All bets are off when they're off leash and feral instincts take over.

Unless you go to doggy school with them. There are lots of cheap classes and your dog will love you for it. Really. Sounds to me like your problem might be you are dealing with more than one beast at once... I used to walk by pointers, seperately... gave each one solo time. Made them feel special.

[flvegan]

17. Positive reinforcement

A smack on the snout only teaches them that you're violent towards them.

Catch them in the act, and correct them. Praise them for good behaviour.

If every time you did something wrong, you got your face slapped, what would you learn? Bear in mind that you don't know exactly what you did wrong...

[Endangered Specie]

20. Electric cattle prods work miracles...

(IM JOKING of course)

[allalone]

22. what is the dog doing?

[EnfantTerrible]

24. Get a cat.

n/t