To punish a puppy feels similar to punishing a baby. Have you heard of any one spanking a baby? That may only lead to the adult feeling bad when the baby starts crying. A tiny baby will not learn from punishment, and puppies are no different. Your treatment of your new puppy is affecting the way your dog will see your whole relationship, similar to a child.
If you choose to punish a puppy, the most you’ll do is frighten it and make it wary of you. If you smack a puppy, even gently, all it knows is the pain of the strike and the fear it feels at that moment toward you. It’s too inexperienced to understand the concept of wrong and right, so it doesn’t learn.
If your little puppy is gnawing on something as an example, and you punish it with even a light tap, naturally it will probably stop what it’s doing. It’s probably afraid of you know as it probably felt agony from the smack. It can’t tell that it was being punished for what he was doing, however, so he does not learn the consequences of his actions.
You may also hurt your relationship if you shout at your puppy. A puppy will certainly stop what it’s doing when you startle it with a scream. But again, the young dog doesn’t understand the link between its actions and your roaring. Even the angry tone of your voice may cause your puppy to be afraid for a second.
Punishing a puppy like this may only make it think that you’re mean and make it terrified of you. It doesn’t see why you frighten it, so it will not trust you. This can keep the little dog from ever truly warming up to you, and you will be unable to have a good relationship as the dog grows.
Some dogs will make a response to you in a defeated way because they are more passive. Your dog won’t ever trust you, even if it stays in line out of fear. More dour dogs will feel threatened by you, so will resist your authority. Dogs are pack animals, and if your dog thinks it should be the leader, you could be in for many behavioral issues giant and little.
In the best case eventuality, your relationship with your dog will not be almost as good as it might be.
Use gentle correction when you discipline your puppy because he does something he shouldn’t do, just like a little child. Use delicate movements and a kind but firm tone of voice, so that your dog understands to stop without becoming frightened.
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