Leash/fear aggression

[robinhuerta]

Why do most people think the idea of correction (strong & firm) for unwanted behavior is a bad thing??? Why is everything positive and rewarded?

*I would never reward my child for NOT behaving inappropriately...but I WOULD correct them if they did....

Just a simple question...nothing personal.

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

I think it depends on the why of the behavior.

If I give the dog a correction for something they are afraid of - they see a flag waving and back up, then bark at it, that wouldn't make a lot of sense would it?

But another dog or a human - same thing to the fearful dog as the flag, but often interpreted differently BY US. They get a correction.

Now a dog that is definitely not fearful, being a bully, etc, after they learn what they are expected to do, could get a correction. It could be a verbal, or moving them away, physical, etc. But nice to try to teach them first, and can be done in some dogs without need for correction. Actually, in some dogs, no correction will work, so you have to learn to go about things differently.*

So if no need for a correction why do it? Just a simple question, nothing personal!

And w/puppies, I tend to give them benefit of the doubt, for a few months at least, similar to adult dogs and work to shape in a positive way. Puppies seeing new things for the first time, over and over, new things...it would be nice if all took it well, but probably not all can/will.

*typically not GSDs, who want to work with you regardless. I learned what I do from working with Chow mixes who typically are not biddable and do not care about corrections enough to change their behavior. And now that I know how to do this, I try to because if it works with them, it can work with anyone and it works SO well. And my natural inclination is to do things too harshly so this helps me not to do so.

[cliffson1]

I agree Robin.....as long as its fair and firm, it is still the most effective way for puppy to learn....just like mother dog does with puppy depending on the reason. You cannot take some extreme use of a method and discredit the method.....I see people do that all the time. Firm and fair has worked for me for countless years and i would put my dogs behavoir up with anybodies as proof it works.

[RocketDog]

Oops. I missed the 13 week old part. I'm sure the "snapping" is regular puppy behavior. I'd let the adult female handle it if she's well balanced.