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How should I discipline my pup?

1066 Views 16 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  K9luv
My pup is a 6 month pit mix (I think with doberman) and her name is princess. I got her from the shelter about a month ago and she pretty much became potty trained within the first week and adopted the habit of holding it, and telling us when she needs to go very quickly. Before two days ago the only accident she had was of not holding it, but she definitely told me that she needed to go so I knew it was my fault and I didn't do anything but clean it. But the other night she pooped in the room and it shocked me because she never just poops in the house. I was upset so I did sternly told her no, not quite a yell but it was on the louder side. And also the poop was very soft, but I thought it was because of the food change. But then a couple minutes or maybe an hour later she pooped again and it was softer and at this point I was upset but starting to be a bit worried, and then she pooped again, the poop was extremely soft almost liquidy at this point and by this point I was definitely worried. So any help with that situation would be great because I think something could be wrong. Now that you have backstory, we fasted her for 24 hours and gave her less food afterwards because I saw online that's what you should do for diarrhea. This morning after the fast she had a solid poop and I celebrated because I thought everything was over, I was wrong...it was not :)
Within the last two hours she's pooped 3 times, one time being in her crate (which she ate sadly) which I put her after her first poop which brings us to the discipline part (Sorry for the long beginning I wanted to make sure and include anything that could affect her behavior) because the first poop wasn't as soft as the next two, and I thought she was better because of the earlier hard poo, I got very upset because she always tells us when she needs to go but in this case she simply got off her bed and squatted. And I feel so bad because I did hit her twice, not very hard I've done it twice before but it was always the lightest tap that didn't even phased her. This time I think it did hurt and after she pooped twice more I felt even worse because I realized it was still more diarrhea. I don't want a hand shy dog and after the hit she flinched when I was moving my hand, which is what brought me here. The two questions I have are 1 how should I discipline her the best because I see many mixed opinions and I would like a more fact based answer. Two is everywhere I look I always see that a stern "no" it's a good way to discipline them to know the behavior is wrong but hitting and yelling are unhelpful and usually have a negative affect because the dog doesn't know why you're hitting them or yelling. But this statement seems to contradict itself because if they don't know why you're hitting and yelling how would they know why you're sternly talking to them saying no and stop the behavior because of it. I just wants what's best for her but I honestly don't know what way is really the right way. Anything is welcome I just want to do right by my princess, and ill be completely accepting if I am wrong.
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Have you spoken to or taken her to see your vet about the diarrhea? That's what you should be thinking about or doing right now... I'm not sure why you would be more worried about disciplining her than helping her feel better. You don't discipline a dog for getting sick.
And, NO. Hitting a dog is never, ever, ever a good idea. You help her learn what you do want her to do & reinforce/reward that, while preventing her from performing behaviors that you don't want. So, for regular housetraining, you would take her outside very often (before she had the need or opportunity to have an accident) and reward her heavily for taking care of business there. BUT! Your situation in this case has nothing to do with that. If she's got diarrhea & can't physically hold it, getting mad at her certainly isn't going to help. Get her to the vet!
I didn't think I needed to mention that Im taking her to a vet today. I also didn't think I needed to mention that my car broke down and my friends and family do not like dogs so its not easy to be able to get a ride. I also thought that the fact that I spent majority of the PARAGRAPH on her health made it clear that was the biggest concern. I also wanted to at least wait a full day to see if it would pass because YES I talked to a vet, and she told me she most likely ate something bad, and it will pass. But if it persisted for more than a day or 2 THEN come see her. So please, do not assume. Everyone makes mistakes and I thought I made it clear I should not have hit her and regret it almost immediately. There are not many vets open at 3 am in the morning and obviously that's what im thinking about if im here telling this situation and I have class @8 am. I haven't been to sleep all night researching what I can. I mentioned behavior not because she did something bad, because she did not. I mentioned behavior because its a question I had while reading other posts when I originally came for the health issue. I didn't know people gave medical advice on here because I didn't see many others ask about it. She is house and potty trained as I mentioned. I only asked what the best way to discipline her was because I became confused by something someone said, and I see so many mixed opinions, like I also said. No offense to you, I appreciate the advice, but I can't allow you to believe I care more about what she does wrong than her health. Don't you think I would have mentioned some actual behavior issues if that's what I was trying to correct? Everything just flew right over your head
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I didn't think I needed to mention that Im taking her to a vet today. I also didn't think I needed to mention that my car broke down and my friends and family do not like dogs so its not easy to be able to get a ride. I also thought that the fact that I spent majority of the PARAGRAPH on her health made it clear that was the biggest concern. I also wanted to at least wait a full day to see if it would pass because YES I talked to a vet, and she told me she most likely ate something bad, and it will pass. But if it persisted for more than a day or 2 THEN come see her. So please, do not assume. Everyone makes mistakes and I thought I made it clear I should not have hit her and regret it almost immediately. There are not many vets open at 3 am in the morning and obviously that's what im thinking about if im here telling this situation and I have class @8 am. I haven't been to sleep all night researching what I can. I mentioned behavior not because she did something bad, because she did not. I mentioned behavior because its a question I had while reading other posts when I originally came for the health issue. I didn't know people gave medical advice on here because I didn't see many others ask about it. She is house and potty trained as I mentioned. I only asked what the best way to discipline her was because I became confused by something someone said, and I see so many mixed opinions, like I also said. No offense to you, I appreciate the advice, but I can't allow you to believe I care more about what she does wrong than her health. Don't you think I would have mentioned some actual behavior issues if that's what I was trying to correct? Everything just flew right over your head
And in addition, also came here because of the flinch which I stated I DO NOT WANT. Im here to learn the best way because I am also worried about her being afraid of me or my hands which I don't want. I was hoping for health advice but once here it didn't seem to be the place for that so I asked for help, but shifted my focus for the post to something I thought people here could definitely help.
I just don't understand how you missed this "I thought she was better because of the earlier hard poo, I got very upset because she always tells us when she needs to go but in this case she simply got off her bed and squatted. And I feel so bad because I did hit her twice" ohh yea and this too "I felt even worse because I realized it was still more diarrhea" meaning, if u didn't understand I thought she was pooping in the room just too poop and I knew she knew better but once I realized it was the diarrhea again I felt even worse because she's actually sick. Maybe you should reread and actually answer questions I had.
Its OK, a lot was said so I understand how it could’ve been confusing. But was asking ahead of the problems and that is why I didn’t focus on the health issues for that very reason. I was looking for any advice that could possibly help her health wise, as well as a good effective way to discipline because she is a puppy and she does do things they’re just not huge issues. I was also asking about the contradictory sentence which I stated at the end. I will admit trying to ask for help when you’re stressed out and worried at 3 AM And tired, isn’t the best idea as I was very worried and confused but I was basically trying to get help on all three aspects. I definitely agree I shouldn’t of put my frustration out on her for sure, Because it wasn’t her I was mad at, I Had just become stressed of the situation and regretting thinking she was better because of the solid poop she had. I appreciate your help, and thank you for the good wishes. I didn’t mean to come off rude but the idea of someone thinking I don’t care about my dog definitely drives me crazy 😭
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I don't think I told my pup "no" for the 1st year of his life. I have yet to say "no" in a stern voice.

For toileting inside, I simply pick up the pup and take him outside. Big praise for pottying outside.

If he goes for my shoes, I pretend the shoes are really boring, and what he really wants is the toy I'm waving.

Distraction, showing the pup what you want, and big praise/excitement for making the right decision.
I def agree with that because when I first got her I didn’t tell her no much either, The first couple accidents she had I simply clean them up and tried to get her next time and that definitely got her potty trained quick. I was actually on the side of no hitting or yelling, but some misleading information told me otherwise and I think fear of messing up with the first puppy had me second-guessing things. I hate the feeling of yellin at her and i think ill def be going back to how i started. When i say light hit, i really do mean light. Like really a pat. And it was never a “NO!” w a hit. It was more of a “princess!!! no no, dont do that silly dog!” n a pat on the butt n she’d be waggin her tail and lickin me. So this diarrhea situation really just put me out of wack. And w the many stressors of life, i think it was just icing. But she does great and learn so quickly. I also think because of how well behaved she was i was very shocked to see her poo in here. She would wake me up to do her business so it was jus so out of character. I also just realized k9luv this was meant to be a general post, not a reply to u😭 sorry still tryna work this thing
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I don't think I told my pup "no" for the 1st year of his life. I have yet to say "no" in a stern voice.

For toileting inside, I simply pick up the pup and take him outside. Big praise for pottying outside.

If he goes for my shoes, I pretend the shoes are really boring, and what he really wants is the toy I'm waving.

Distraction, showing the pup what you want, and big praise/excitement for making the right decision.
But yes as i said in the begining of that last post, i agree, i some how blended your reply w my general post and idk how, i think i need to go to bed… but anywho i will def try the distract thing!! She loves food n toys so ik that will work. She has learned Sit, Stay, Leave it, Come, No Bite, and Place (Which i usually say lay down for) so she picks up veryy fast, she respects me and i respect her. She does some times get stubborn tho so the distract will surely help. Any advice w biting other people? I taught her no bike to combat that and she doesn’t bite me anymore, but she still bites strangers and friends.
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