Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Training - the infamous WATER BOTTLE - OH NO!


I almost feel like I am an old 'granny Chi-weenie' with something we use frequently --- a spritz bottle filled with water to correct bad behaviors we encounter as we rehabilitate...

We use these at adoptions and I use them a lot around the house... There are probably 6 (?) at various points in our home, all in easy access for when needed at a second's notice...

We use them for just about anything - "QUIET" at the exact same second we spritz their butt with the water... takes only a few times with even the most stubborn of dogs for them to catch the drift - we bark, we're not supposed to, the bottle squirts water at our behind along with that word, we're not supposed to be barking...

I've used the water squirt bottle to break up dog fights (easier on your body parts too!), "BACK" when I am trying to teach a dog to not charge an opened door, "EASY" when I am trying to settle dogs down when meeting a new foster for the first time, "NO" when a dog is chewing on a piece of furniture they shouldn't be, etc.

The trick (with anything regarding dogs) is consistency (hence them being all over the house within quick reach) and practice... Doesn't take long for any of the shelter dogs to connect that water and the squirt bottle with something they weren't supposed to do... To the point, you can eventually just pick it up and the behavior ceases!

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