After completing the basic pet training course at Petsmart, the most effective tool I came away with is to use a squirt/spray bottle to stop a dogs barking. Simply spray your dog in the face or better yet, the hind quarters, the rear end. It is useful to help stop other unwanted behaviors if you use it while the dog is in the act.
Before long all you have to do is say "squirt bottle" and the behavior comes to a halt. Basic training classes at Petsmart are well worth it. Keeping in mind that your consistency with your beloved is what will make or break your relationship with your pet.
By Debbie from Myrtle Beach, SC
I posted a tip about using a spray bottle to train your pet and to steer them away from bad behavior about a year ago on this board and the loyal Pet-Loving folks here on ThriftyFun really let me HAVE it! It seems pet owners consider this to be "pet abuse". While I don't think you should ever spray your pet in the face, I don't really think it's "abuse" to spray them either. It's like everything else out there in this world, it's all about moderation!
I must say that I've often thought that using a spray bottle as discipline might backfire and help make your pet afraid of bath-time or of the water. It's worth a thought.
I once trained a cat to take weekly baths (for cat allergies) and she actually relaxed and enjoyed the baths! (I started her out when she was just a small kitten) and I know if I'd used a spray bottle as discipline, it could easily have undone all the work I went through to reassure her that water was "good" and not "scary". (01/15/2009)
By Cyinda
This would work good on a dog that is not nervous. Did this with my dog (who is very nervous and timid, he is Chu/mix) scared him to death. Now if you bring it out and spray him he runs with his tail between his legs and will not come out of his crate for a long time. On the bigger more sturdy dogs it will do wonders. (01/15/2009)
By wacky camper
This is definitely pet abuse. Positive training methods are better. I think that has already been said before but has anyone mentioned how dangerous this method is. Not all dogs are so passive when it comes to unpleasant consequences. Next time you reach for a spray bottle the dog might decide to stop you, ie attack you. (01/15/2009)
By Diane
It would be abuse to forcefully squirt the dog in the face or to scare the dog, but a little squirt in the mouth area wouldn't hurt if it stopped the bad behavior. I tried this with my German Shep, but she loved it and opened her mouth for the water and wanted me to keep squirting it in her mouth.
I find positive reinforcement really works best. In fact, I say "Good girl" before the command. For example, "Good girl, Angel, sit." It seems to work better with the compliment first. I guess it's her ego :) (01/16/2009)
By Stngray
I can't believe that you pet owners think that a squirt of water is abusive. Come on. The water can only be a distraction to get the behavior to stop. Unless you are using a power hose, how can water harm a pet?
By Shirley
I have had to do the spraying of water myself. All I have to do is just pick up the garden hose and my 4 dogs will run like the wind. Sometimes they think it is a game. (01/17/2009)
By Brenda
A squirt bottle is fine, but not directly into their face. I believe training should be on a positive basis where you wait and reward desired behaviours rather than a negative punishment. It takes a little more of your time and definitely more of your patience BUT it is FAR more effective. Punishment training methods often have relapse problems but positive reinforcement training rarely does!
By Shelter Worker
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What some of you guys fail to realize is that every dog has a different personality this may work for some dogs and it may not work for others positive discipline may not work for other dogs as well my puppy who I have had for about 3 months has been used to sleeping with me ever since I got him he's kind of spoiled now but I have to make some changes because I'm pregnant and it's hard to change some of his ways so I'm going to try this water bottle because I'm desperate
My 18 yr old dog was like my baby, so you can imagine the pampered treatment she got. But, under certain circumstances,
in the beginning of getting her, when I would say "no" to her barking, she'd still want the last bark in or more before she'd stop. Training a pet is for their own good in the long run.
I used a "misting spray" not a spray bottle that had a direct line of squirting water, as that to me seems a bit scary for any pet to be shot in the face or body.
The misting spray of water causes the pet to stop doing what they're doing (usually barking excessively) and they then look
in wonderment or puzzled, because the mist gets their attention, *which is what it's all about* getting their attention, and then at the same time when the mist was like a cloud, I'd say no, stop barking, and she would. It only took a couple of times for her to "get it" in what that meant, and I can say that forever after, when she'd get barking out of control, I'd only have to say no, stop barking and she did.
This was easy, and never did this upset her, or me doing that,
nor were there any bad after thoughts where I had to threaten or anything, just the words: No, stop barking, she knew, and learned very simply without any PTS, haha
I have black and blue marks all over my body and my hands are bit terribly. When I walk down the stairs, this puppy is trying to trip me by biting my shoes and also trip my older dog and other 2 also. My vet recommended a few squirts and now after trying it a few times, I am so happy! I don't have to scream in pain anymore when she bites me. She is a Puppy, but when I would ask her to stop and try to stop in my tracks, with the biting, then praise her when she let go, sometimes she would get more hyper and growl and bite deeper. So that squirt bottle saved me. All it took was a few times, and now when I reach for it, she stops all bad behavior, which is quite a lot. I hate cages, they take away time with your dog, plus they don't work. You can't keep putting the pup in a cage for tearing up puppy pads, biting furniture, tearing up roots, grass and dirt, torturing all of the other dogs and cats, and almost killing us on the stairs.Maybe more people wouldn't turn their dogs in to a shelter, if they wouldn't get criticized for a few squirts of water to stop,bad behavior. That's all it takes is a few times in their body area, and you only have to pck the bottle up.This is my saver.
Thank you for the info. My 8 wk old pit pup does the same thing. My hands n arms look like I got tangled with a rose bush n bruises n almost tripping me off our back deck. (I've trained my cat with a squirt bottle n now all I say is "I'm gon'a squirt you)
I've tried the positive inforcement, the treats n praise, to no avail!! My Staff, had her for 13 yrs. (I trained with a rolled up newspaper) People always was amazed that she was a pit. I only used that technique till she was bout 9mos old.
LuLu learning basic commands n she's very intelligent for a pup, potty training has been pretty easy n she already goes to the door. I got her the day before Thanksgiving as a gift from my niece.
But the biting my body cannot take anymore, and saying ouch loudly only stops her at that moment till I take another step lol.
I will be using the "squirt bottle technique". Hopefully LuLu will get the idea of NO BITE!!
THANKS AGAIN
I have used the squirt water bottle to spray our 14 lb mixed terrier when he is growling and snapping at us. He only does it when he is upset at some people and continues to growl at us even when he is in the cage. I will try to spray his rear end and see if he stops. Thanks for the info.
I recently started using a squirt bottle to stop my terrier I very recently adopted. He chases my timid cat and lunges uncontrollably while walking down the street. The spraybottle has stopped him on the first day! my cat problem is also nearly over. The bottle is used sparingly and only when the problem presents itself. Not animal abuse! it is a Godsent
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