The trainer popped my pup on the nose

[JazzNScout]

I am big into positive reinforcement. I don't hit my dogs. The most dramatic I've gotten is smacking a newspaper against my leg to catch their attention if they've done or are doing something REALLY bad & are not listening.

Today in class, my puppy's trainer popped her on the nose with her hand. Layla is 8 months old, testing boundaries and can be both stubborn AND pushy. She wasn't doing anything particularly outrageous, just not going along with the game plan. I have never touched this dog in a punishing way -- never. She is very sensitive to being reprimanded by voice (I have a really funny video somewhere on here that shows this). Both Layla and I were taken aback. What I really hated was to see Layla's reaction -- she was really confused and didn't want to go near the trainer again. Her face looked like, "Enough of THIS...that hurt!"

I told the trainer I'd take over from there. It was clear she had ruined the dog wanting to be near her, violated the trust that had been built up, and Layla was done working with her.

Am I overreacting because she's my little baby? Or was this way out of line? The trainer later alluded to Layla being a tad spoiled. Well, she is, yes. Not quite sure that's the way to "cure" it, though.

[DJEtzel]

I would have reacted by popping my trainer in the face, personally.

You're not overreacting at all. I don't lay a hand on my dogs, there's no way some stranger is going to.

[Emoore]

That would be enough for me to stop using the trainer, IMHO.

[ShenzisMom]

I agree. Just because the trainer uses other methods doesn't mean she should use them on YOUR dog.
Find a different trainer, ASAP. A good trainer will use the methods you are comfortable with, not 'bop' YOUR dog on the nose on a whim.

And this is from someone who believes in Come to Jesus Meetings...

[jkscandi50]

great way to make a dog head shy and a fear biter - sees the hand coming will bite to stop it.

[Rusty_212]

The trainer you picked doesn't know a **** thing on how to train dogs. Take your dog elsewhere or do it on your own. For petes sake, she's still a puppy! Puppy's are very unruly and don't want to do some things, I know cause my 5 month old is going to classes now and I'm about a half hr he's bored and wants to leave, hitting a dog gets you nowhere with training.
You are NOT overeacting at all.

[Emoore]

I won't say I've never bopped a dog on the nose, but it's pretty much only been when they bite my hand as a knee-jerk reaction to the pain.

[Iletthedogout]

Originally Posted by JazzNScout

I am big into positive reinforcement. I don't hit my dogs. The most dramatic I've gotten is smacking a newspaper against my leg to catch their attention if they've done or are doing something REALLY bad & are not listening.

I told the trainer I'd take over from there. It was clear she had ruined the dog wanting to be near her, violated the trust that had been built up, and Layla was done working with her.

Am I overreacting because she's my little baby? Or was this way out of line? The trainer later alluded to Layla being a tad spoiled. Well, she is, yes. Not quite sure that's the way to "cure" it, though.

Yes the trainer was out of line. Yes you are overreacting. I suspect the dog would have recovered and went on with the training being very attentive to the trainer. You admit your dog is spoiled. Start there and stop spoiling your little baby.

[Stosh]

I have never ever seen a trainer at our obedience club use a hand to correct or punish a dog. In fact, the first night of classes they say they don't want to see an owner hit or physically punish their dog. It's simply not tolerated.

[elisabeth_00117]

Originally Posted by DJEtzel

I would have reacted by popping my trainer in the face, personally.

You're not overreacting at all. I don't lay a hand on my dogs, there's no way some stranger is going to.

This.

I then would of taken my dog, walked out, got in my car and found a new trainer.