Dog Owner Plans To Punish Pet That Doesn't Come To Them, Gets Nasty Criticisms From Dog Lovers Online

"If he's not coming to you there's a reason!!"

May

• Published in Interesting
• February 15, 2024

In dog training, we view punishment as any method aimed at curbing unwanted behavior. Actions like shouting, physical correction, or even holding back on affection or toys fall into this category.

Understanding punishment is more intricate than it seems. Its effectiveness relies on various factors that influence whether it achieves the desired outcome of reducing the undesired behavior.

For all creatures, including us humans and our furry companions, feedback from our surroundings is crucial for survival. This feedback comes through either reinforcement (like quenching our thirst by drinking water) or punishment (such as getting burned when too close to fire).

We, as pet owners, need to understand that what we may perceive as punishment might not register the same way for our dogs. Similarly, something seemingly innocuous to us could be highly aversive for our furry friends.

Ultimately, punishment is subjective to the one receiving it. Always keep in mind that your dog will naturally seek to avoid or escape what they perceive as punishment.

In other words, if we want to establish a positive and understanding environment, training is key. Punishment typically doesn't curb behavior problems, so it should not be prioritized when it comes to dog training.

Over at Quora, one pet owner is considering punishing their dog for not coming to them when called. The original poster (OP) received not-so-friendly reactions and responses.

The dog should never be punished over such a thing, most Quora users think.

OH PLEASE……GET A GRIP……THE ANSWER IS NO! NEVER!

Giving rewards is the key.

Rewarding it when it does is more effective.

The dog owner should train their pet with consistency.

NO NO NO

why doesn’t your dog want to come to you ?

what have you done or not made clear ??

See my earlier response

train gently consistently

read One Dog At a Time by Dennis Hill

take your dog to a puppy class

be gentle always

Be clear

follow the advice in that book

The pet owner needs patience. What they want will not happen overnight.

Punishing your dog for not coming to you defeats the purpose. Why would your dog WANT to come to you?

You should put your dog on a training lead (20–30 feet) so you can gently bring him to you when called. Then praise him and give him a treat, make a big deal of it.

Train him gradually, you aren’t going to succeed in an afternoon.

One user suspects that the OP is mistreating their pet and encourages them to surrender the dog to a shelter.

This should be a joke. If not, get mental help.

Don't Punish, will make it worse. Dogs are friendly, so there must be a good reason whren he or she wont go to you.

How Do you treat your dog? Are you abusing/hitting him? If so find a Good home for him or give to an animal shelter.

"Bite yourself." Says one user.

Yes. Dogs have sensitive feelings for their masters.

So, when your dog doesn’t come to you, bite yourself hard, and your dog will feel sorry for you, and will obey you better. Be sure to bite yourself hard, so the dog knows you bit yourself.

All the doggo needs is a delicious treat.

No. Dogs don't have memories like humans.

You're proposing to punish the dog for leaving you and not returning when you call. He clearly hasn't been taught to come when called.

If you punish him when he finally does come to you, what have you taught him? The exact opposite of what you want him to do.

Say his name and the word “come.” Show him a treat.

When he walks to you, give him the treat. Repeat. Alternate giving the treat with just a head scratch.

One expert tells the OP the potential reasons why the dog isn't coming to them and suggests positive reinforcement.

As a dog owner, I can totally understand your frustration when your furry friend doesn't come when called. But personally, I don't believe in punishing my dog when he doesn't come to me. Let me explain why.

First of all, dogs are not born with the innate knowledge of what "come" means. They need to be trained to understand this command. Punishing them for not knowing something they haven't been properly taught is simply unfair. Instead, I believe in using positive reinforcement techniques, such as treats or praise, to encourage my dog to come to me.

Secondly, punishment can create fear and anxiety in dogs. If your pup associates coming to you with getting scolded or punished, they may become reluctant to approach you at all. This can harm your bond and trust with your furry companion.

Lastly, it's important to consider the reason why your dog isn't coming to you. Is there a distraction that's more enticing? Have they learned that ignoring you leads to fun activities, like chasing squirrels? Understanding the underlying cause will help you address the issue more effectively.

Instead of punishment, I would suggest focusing on positive reinforcement training. Make coming to you the most rewarding and exciting thing for your dog. Use high-value treats, engage in playtime, or shower them with affection and praise when they respond to your call. Consistency and patience are key here.

Remember, dogs want to please their owners, and it's our responsibility to guide them with love and understanding. So rather than punishing them, let's focus on building a strong and positive relationship with our four-legged pals.

There could be a reason why the dog isn't coming to its owner.

No you idiot!! If he's not coming to you there's a reason!!

Try to find out why!! Maybe he's hurt, he did something he shouldn't.

The OP should start training their dog indoors and outdoors.

Don't be a t**t! How will that make it come?

You train it with rewards for coming. Start in the house by calling him to you.

When he comes, give him a treat. Do that a few times a day indoors.

When you take him out, have some treats with you. He will come because he expects a treat. In time, he will come anyway.

Time to consider a professional trainer.

no, the dog wouldn’t understand why you would punish him, and neither do I.

The dog should want to come to you. Call him and give him a treat.

Punish him? You need a professional trainer. Use positive reinforcement always.

The OP's dog doesn't deserve the punishment.

Absolutely not..That is called animal abuse..

It may be a good idea to get that out of your mind. Pets give us unconditional love 100% of the time.

You should reciprocate.

Punishing the dog for not coming to the OP will only prove to be useless.

No ya monster, that isn't how it's done, you coach them and reward them to come to you, animals aren't stupid, they aren't going to ever come to you for a punishment.

The OP can always consider rehoming the dog if they can't train it properly.

For sure that would make me not want to have anthing to do with you. Do your dog a favor and find him a loving home … maybe just take him tona shelter and ask him to find the dog a loving home since you so obviously don't have two brIn cells to rub together on the subject.

Punishment is not the way to go. We don't know what the OP and the dog's situation is, but if the dog isn't coming to them, then it simply lacks training.

As users have suggested, the OP should teach their dog consistently with treats as a way to reward the behavior and for positive reinforcement.

May