if you have a pup that is way ward, disobedient, and generally misbehaving,
it is quite easy to forget that he is a pup, and the inevitable human
reaction, leads to smacking. Dont assume that the pup knows what you mean
when you tell him off, because he doesnt, you might smack a child, then give
it into trouble; the child can reason why he/she is in trouble, the pup
cant. Dont smack him!
He doesnt understand why he is being smacked, and may learn to associate
smacking with doing what he's supposed to, which will make him worse because
he will then be confused about what is right and what is wrong.
If my pup is caught chewing something he shouldnt be, i clap my hands
loudly, and shout NO!
Actaully the clap is enough to distract him and get his attention, but he
also needs to know that what he has done is wrong, i point at the object,
with him sitting, and say NO! maybe a few times until i see he's got the
message, then moving away i give him a fuss, and a carry on, so that he
doesnt associate the fuss with doing wrong.
On occasions i have given another form of discipline, ignorance, now this
can be difficult if the pup is cute and equally affectionate, but your dog
or pup craves affection from you, they love to do the right thing, and you
not talking to him is not a good scenario for him.
But believe it or not, this is a very effective form of discipline, it
worked on my older dog when he was young, and it has worked on the pup twice
already, it depends on the offence really but it is usually effective if
held for upto a day, then make a real fuss of him.
Obviously you still feed him and if he needs out you take him, but when he
wants to play you just pretend he's not there; until you are ready or you
can see he's missing you!
As i say, i find it very effective.
If however he has been smacked then sent to coventry you are going to have a
time of it regaining his trust of you.
Every dog/pup is differnet and unique, and so is the handling of him, but
this is just an example of how i have successfully dealt with my dogs, it
may or may not work with others, but please dont smack him!