Corrections for Dummies

[kiya]

When are corrections fair? When the dog clearly chooses to not obey something he/she knows

What kind of corrections do you use? I am carefull with corrections since I had a reactive dog. If on lead a tug tug hey pay attention here. I do not hit my dogs but I have given Kiya a physical correction on her snout while she was trying to bite my kitten. Verbal corrections in a lot of cases. I have been using "time out" for Kiya and the kitten issues by removing her from the rest of the pack

What does "scruffing" teach your dog? To fear you

What age is acceptable to start with a correction collar? I believe all of my dogs were probably around 6 months old when I tried a prong on them, I'd rather have a prong than have my dog constantly choking itself if he/she pulls

[onyx'girl]

When are corrections fair?
When the dog fully understands the correct behavior and chooses not to follow it.
Agree!

What kind of corrections do you use?
Verbal, prong collars, choke collars, ecollars, my hands, denial of someone desired. Whatever is most appropriate at the time
Same for me, though I don't use a choke collar or e-collar.

What does "scruffing" teach your dog?
You mean as in, grabbing them by the scruff of their neck?

I've scruffed Onyx by her neck(she doesn't wear a collar unless we go off property). It is an attention getter, to stop what she's doing(usually herding or charging at Kacie).I'll hold her that way to settle her down a bit. I don't pin her, just hold the scruff. It isn't 'teaching' her anything, just my way of getting her attention when we're outside and she's bullying.
If I had a collar on her, I'd just grab that.

What age is acceptable to start with a correction collar?
Depends on the dog
Agree again, though for both Onyx and Karlo I started with a prong around 7 months. Kacie has never needed a prong, she's very handler sensitive.

[hunterisgreat]

What kind of corrections do you use?[/B]
Verbal, prong collars, choke collars, ecollars, my hands, denial of someone desired. Whatever is most appropriate at the time
Same for me, though I don't use a choke collar or e-collar.
-I use ecollars when its the case that the others can't be used (down from far away, breaking the long down, calm down and don't act the fool when I'm coming to get you out of the car/crate/whatever) and particularly my male as he takes ecollar corrections without going higher in drive (which is desirable in protection work for him). Also a unique correction because of the continuous functionality. I am using chokes now only to deliver corrections when I am trying to lower or contain drives or fixing drive 'leaking'. Its a unique took with quite a different purpose and technique than a pinch or ecollar. I work my hands into there just so when we are wearing no collar or a fursaver, they understand that I will still correct them, even if I have no tools on me. I also sprinkle some touching throughout training even with other tools just to reinforce that. And sometimes putting hands on them is better communication.

[FG167]

Originally Posted by Jax08

When are corrections fair?

As a way of communicating, to clarify, as a consequence to behavior. I believe consequences are informational and can be either positive or negative. I also know a TON of people that give positive consequences that I consider "unfair" - i.e. they are not in fact positive or they are timed wrong and just serve to confuse the dog more. Obviously, the same can be said of negative consequences.

What kind of corrections do you use?

Verbal/tone of voice, pinch collar, dom dog collar, ecollars, hands, facial expression, denial of a desire (I copied someone else above on some of these), leash...I honestly think almost anything can be used as a correction.

I lay hands on my dogs *much* harder/rougher when we are playing/tugging/having fun than I do when they are in trouble - but they have no problem understanding the intent. Sometimes, I simply have to give a look, rest my hand on the top of their head and they *know* beyond a shadow of a doubt they are in the wrong and respond accordingly.

What does "scruffing" teach your dog?

My dogs are scruffed daily at least. I pull Eden onto the couch with me by her scruff and a boost of the back legs. I scruff Kastle walking to and from the car, to and from his crate, to and from the back door. Sometimes they're naked and I have to, sometimes it's just easier. Sometimes I scruff while I look in their mouths or ears or to hold them in position. Kastle was scruffed every single time he was in the bath - to hold him in place. It is not done out of anger.

What age is acceptable to start with a correction collar?

Depends on what the collar is, what it's used for, how mentally mature the dog is and what you expect to get out of it. Proper use of most collars can be started as soon as the dog is responding to feedback and has some sort of idea of what is going on.