Do you have to punish your dog??

Before I answer this question I want to clarify the word punishment.

What is punishment? What does it mean?
So, here's the definition: Punishment is a term from Psychological Learning Theory that has a precise meaning; it refers to something that causes a behavior to lessen in intensity. There is nothing that is intrinsically punishing. A thing is called punishing if, when it is applied, it results in the reduction of behavior that you want to reduce.
Here's another one: Any pain, suffering, or loss inflicted on a person (or animal) because of a crime or offense.

With other words...if you think someone did something wrong and you do something that hurts him/her either mentally or physically or psychologically in order to "teach a lesson" you punish.

So, now that we know what it should mean..ask yourself what you did to punish your dog and if you got rid of the behavior due to it. Please post your experiences below.



Do wolves use punishment?
Let's look at the natural way things work in the dog world. Let's say a dog tries to eat before the alpha wants him to...and he knows it. He will sneak close to the pray, head low...eyes look nerveously..and try to get a bite. If the alpha sees it he will most likely either get into a fight with him/her or the lower one realizes by itself and runs when the "boss" shows through gestures. So, I would say...yes, there is punishment in the animal kingdom if you want to look at it this way.

Do WE need to punish?
The problem we face as humans is this...usually (most of the time) humans are simply not quick enough to react (since you'd have to punish right at the moment when it happens or just right after it..within 3 seconds of showing the unwanted behavior!) or react at the wrong time! If e.g. you call your dog and he doesn't come right away but 10 minutes later or whenever he feels like it...and you punish him....you teached him to not come back to you since he got punished for coming back. Same goes for peeing on the carpet... If you don't get him WHILE doing it....don't punish him. All those techniques of pushing him with his nose in his pee, etc. don't really work. If they did for someone it's luck...he could have also connected it to you and then just avoids peeing in front of you....and do it secretly ...on the carpet.

Of course, you have to provide rules - every alpha does. That's what makes dogs feel secure. Especially if you have pack of dogs you will realize probably quite fast you have to play your role...or one of them takes over and makes sure s/he gets an order in there.

How do you punish a dog - if so??
For me the most natural punishment is setting limits. If a dog plays the alpha role he decides where and when to go...and who is allowed to follow! If your dog is too "clingy" you might just have to set limitations...areas he is not allowed to go to. If he doesn't obey you don't have to kick or hit him (which might make him rather afraid of you) you just have to be firm and consequent. You have to mean what you want and do it. It's often enough to step in front of him and physically block his way and redirect him to an area where he is allowed to be. It is important to teach what is wanted from him and then praise him for doing it...rather than punishing him for bad behavior...or behavior WE think is bad. In the dog's eye it isn't many times.

Be aware of punishment at the wrong time can be extremely dangerous, too. If, for example, you try to physically punish a dog when s/he is already showing aggressive behavior you might very well get bitten. That's just the logical next step for a dog in panic. Aggression is his way of saying ...I don't know how to deal with this situation than show aggression. Let him "cool down" and react quicker next time...before he goes into the aggressive zone.

Instead of negative punishment (meaning hitting, kicking, etc.) it is usually enough to set rules and teach your dog the right way. ;) Depending on your dog's level of sensitiveness you can THEN correct his behavior just by voice or a firmer correction - only AFTER you've tought him what you want from him. A trustful relationship with your dog partner is the reward. It's worth it, don't you think??

Just because I thought this is funny...this is how monkeys tease dogs ;).