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Is a light tap on the nose a good idea?

bill1971

Active member
For growling and biting. I asked similar questions but there is a dog groomer that insists a light tap on the nose will help, mainly for the growling but I disagree, even though I am new to owning a puppy. She is 3 months. Any counter arguments to her tapping point? I haven't done it yet I feel bad, like I will hurt her
 
NO! NO! NO! NEVER EVER hit your dog even a little tap on the nose

You want your puppy to associate hands with nice things. and to associate you with love and care - not to be frightened of you.

Did you read Karlin's response to your previous thread:

In this context, puppies growl because it is one of the many ways they will 'talk' as they get older, and they often will growl in play! Two of mine are still play-growlers and Lily's is so funny (she growls as she attacks a toy or chew and throws it into the air to attack again :lol:) it always makes me smile. :D

One reason to never discourage growling per se, is that dogs use a growl as their *polite* was of saying 'I am really unhappy with the situation right now' -- as a warning. If they are punished for growling, they sadly can go straight to biting.

However your goal is to have a dog that -- separate from play growling -- does not growl in inappropriate situations -- eg a well socialised dog used to handling, strangers, children etc (but of course always watched around children mostly as kids themselves can torment dogs!). You definitely want to watch for growling as part of resource guarding -- as noted above and explained more fully here:

http://dogtime.com/puppy-training-pr...ng-dunbar.html



Also download the Ian Dunbar book "After You Get Your Puppy" -- this will still give you loads of great advice : www.dogstardaily.com/free-downloads

It is easy to teach your puppy not to bite, react how another puppy would in this situation with a loud "OW" if the puppy bites and withdraw your attention.
 
Thank you for the quick response, I did read her response before but did not know if it fell into the innapropriate realm. When she is playing, I don't give it a second thought. My wife asks people advice and quite frankly I don't trust anyone that say use force of any kind, so this forum is my "source". Everything I read so far is about positive reinforcement.
 
Totally agree with Nicki. There is NEVER any need to hit or tap a dog anywhere on the body.
When mine were puppies and in play they nipped me I just gave out a loud cry and they soon stopped and knew they did something wrong.
 
No..!!! the moment your puppy does something that you disaprove of, then stop the play or whatever you were doing, say the word 'No!' or growl, or a yelp and feign ignoring him or her for a few moments. that way they will realise.
 
I say "No!" to her, turn my back and walk away if we are playing with a toy and decides my hand is better.
 
If Holly is doing something she shouldn't we say a firm no and turn away from her, after a couple of times she knows that what she may be doing does not get her attention and she stops doing it. I can now say "No Holly, thats not for you" (shes likes to chew peoples clothes!) in a normal voice and she stops instantly, she knows that the word No leads to her being ignored until the behaviour stops.

I love Holly's little growl, She mainly does it when playing but she will also do a cross bewtween a growl and a grumble when she wants a cuddle on your lap :)
 
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