PRAISE AND REPRIMAND
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Your most effective training persuaders are praise and reprimands. Don't be stingy with the praise; when your dog performs correctly, let him know it. Your praise signifies to him that he has your approval. Furthermore, praise should not be forthcoming only when the pup gets a lesson down pat. It should also follow a reprimand. By reprimanding the pup when he errs and then following with some praise, you will be getting across two important points: 1) if the pup doesn't do what you command, you will be displeased and 2) even though you've reprimanded him, you are still his friend. You need have no fear that praise after a reprimand will lessen the impact of the reprimand. It will not. It has the effect of impressing him and at the same time wiping the slate clean. You can look at it this way: the pup makes a mistake and you correct him. Now he knows that he has done wrong. He'll try to do better next time. Then you praise him and he knows that everything is all right. Now, he'll do his darndest to get it right next time!
You will have to be judicial in your reprimands. Make the "punishment fit the crime." And to make an honest judgment, you should not only consider the fault but also the pup's age, aptitude, and the difficulty of the assignment.
The form of the reprimand, whether it is to be a scolding or a physical demonstration, depends on the circumstances. For example, if the pup doesn't get the idea of sitting down, you should show him how by pushing his haunches down. This is, in effect, a reprimand, and your voice and attitude during the demonstration should convey your displeasure. On the other hand, if the pup balks at a lesson, you reprimand him with your voice. But regardless of the form, the reprimand should be administered immediately after the error or omission. It must be an on-the-spot correction. Calling the pup aside fifteen minutes later and telling him he made a mistake is a sheer waste of time.
Ignoring his friendly overtures when he bolts a lesson or keeps making errors is another form of reprimand. Instead of getting a pat on the head or a playful tussle, he gets the "deep freeze" treatment. But when you do ignore him, don't walk away in a huff. Bring him back into line and start the lesson over again.
The leash can also be used to reprimand the dog. In heeling, for instance, the pup may try to rush ahead or lag behind. A sharp yank on the leash followed by the command "Heel!" will let him know he's done wrong. When he does get back at your heels, praise him.
Threatening or striking a dog during training is a controversial subject. Some trainers use physical force, resorting to threatening gestures or striking the dog when he balks or errs. Others scorn the use of physical force and stoutly maintain it is not necessary. Doubtless there will come a time when the pup really gets you irked and you feel like giving him a good swat. When the pup is stubborn or incorrigibly lax, a slap with the end of the leash may help put his mind to the task.
There will be those who will object to this statement, saying that it is cruelty to animals to strike a dog. When administered as an instructive rebuff, the slap or swat is not cruelty. It is a natural punishment. Let us see how domestic and wild animals teach their offspring. When a bear cub doesn't head for a tree when his mother gives the danger signal, or if he stops to sniff at a rattlesnake, the mother bear gives him a cuff on the head. The cub gets the point and scampers up a tree. If a pup misbehaves or tries to eat his mother's food, she nips him. This helps him to learn not to misbehave or steal his mother's food. A mother cat will whack her wayward kitten with her paw, letting the kitten know he has erred. These examples go on and on, in the animal as well as the bird kingdom. These physical reminders to obey are absolutely necessary. Nine times out of ten, the bird or animal may find that his life depends on instant obedience. He must learn the lesson well, even if it has to be cuffed into him. And none of the bird or animal youngsters ever seems any the worse for the experience.
But you will have to learn the difference between slapping to teach and striking out of anger. The animal or bird parents do not cuff, bite or peck out of anger. Likewise, your slap or cuff should not be used as an outlet for rage or frustration. Whipping the dog while in a fury, beyond the point of reason, is cruelty. When you get to that stage, stop the lesson and cool off. Or, better still, dismiss the class and wait for next time.
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