How to discipline our pug?

[Leandro]

Quick question about discipline... I have heard different theories on this and am not sure what to do about discipline. Of course, ignoring Pendleton when he whines is effective and sometimes telling him "no" works with other things. However, when he does something more serious, such as biting or chewing furniture, the idea is getting across just by ignoring him or telling him "no". For example, today he was running around the room with a piece of paper in his mouth and refused to stop when I said no.

I have been reading The Monks of New Skete "How to be your Dog's Best Friend" and it suggests lifting the dogs by the back of his neck and shaking him, which is what mother dogs do for discipline. I have tried this and it seemed to work at first, but not so much anymore. I know that praise is great to show him what we expect, but I don't want to confuse him when he does something wrong. For example, if he is digging in the carpet and I tell him no and then give him a treat when he stops, then he may think that I am rewarding the digging. Also, I keep reading that I should ignore him for 1/2 an hour after I reprimand him, but giving a treat sort of undermines that, doesn't it? I am very confused about discipline and I was just wondering if people had suggestions for what they do to discipline their pug. Thanks in advance!

[Imon]

Otto knows the concept of "trade" for when he has something in his mouth and I need it. I usually use a tiny liver treat or a Buddy Bits peanut bite - if I say "Trade", he'll go to his bed with whatever he has, drop it and then come to me for the treat. While he's eating it, I grab whatever it is and take it away.

I thought he'd then start to take more inappropriate things just to play this "game", but that hasn't seemed to happen. It is easier than chasing him, and less dangerous when he has something that could hurt him if he ran with it.

I had to laugh, because the other day he had the run of the house while I was getting dinner ready, and in 20 minutes, he had 3 shoes, a magazine and a stuffed toy pug (mine!) all piled up by the bottom of the stairs. One big "trade" got them back and got him a biscuit. He looked so happy, though, with his stash of loot.

He seems very responsive to my tone of voice - last night, for example, he nearly tripped me by running like crazy between and around my legs as I went to answer the phone. I spoke VERY STERNLY (definitely using my "teacher voice" - and I work with Special Ed. children - this was my "break up that fight, now" voice) and got the phone. When I came back, he was sitting there, head down, looking up really fast, then breaking eye contact and looking away and I swear his little nose was quivering! So I sat down and talked to him and he put his paw on my arm and rested his head on my lap. Then he was happy again and curled up next to me. We'll see what happens the next time the phone rings.

Wish my kids had been that responsive to stern voices.

[jwestoverpug]

Linda gave you some good advice already. I think the most important thing to keep in mind is he's a puppy, and has no idea what is right, and what is wrong at this point. Lots of things are just plain irresistable to him right now.

Trade it is definitely the way to go if he has something he's not supposed to have. When you catch him doing something he's not supposed to do, firmly say no, and then redirect him to a toy, play with him, make that toy super exciting, and praise him like crazy for playing with the toy.

This might not be a popular opinion, but I'm not crazy about the Monks of New skete's book. Do a search on "alpha rolls". Most trainers feel that the book is based on very outdated training theories. A good puppy class should help out with lots of things you're dealing with now, and you'll both have lots of fun!!!

Jesse

[pugmom2003]

When Rocky was a puppy, I disciplined him with the alpha roll for serious matters or if he just wasn't getting the message. As far as chewing goes, I'd say no & immediately put an appropriate chewable (toy or nylabone) to his mouth to replace the item he was chewing on. If he nibbled on me, as all puppies do, I'd yelp like a dog to let him know that he hurt me. I never, ever hit him (not even a swat). As far as a shake by the scruff of the neck goes, I've never done it. It might be ok, or it could cause injury if the shaker was too strong. (Only my opinion.) I'm sure you wouldn't intentionally hurt your baby.

Rocky has grown into a sweet (almost 5 years old) boy who has never chewed on furniture, dug into the carpet or destroyed anything. I'm not sure if it was my method of discipline or if he was born a "good pug!"

[Lemon]

The good thing about "trade" is, it's pretty much the easiest trick in the world to teach. Just hold the treat up by his nose, and say "trade" as he drops whatever's in his mouth. And he *will* drop it -- as long as the treat smells better than the shoe or Kleenex he's eating.

Training can get confusing. Puppy school is the greatest thing we ever did for Lemon. 'Til then, I think the main thing is to be consistent. For me, ignoring works when Lemon is trying to get my attention in an unacceptable way -- by whining, biting my skirt, etc. Saying "no" works for any behavior not involving me -- like chewing the furniture, digging, barking, etc. I wouldn't give a treat for stopping a bad behavior, only for doing a good behavior. Verbal praise works great with pugs. So if he stops chewing on something when you say "no," give him a big "good boy!" and a hug.

On that point, like Linda said, I get the feeling that pugs are extra-sensitive to the tone of your voice. Whenever I've spoken too sternly to Lemon, she's really taken it to heart. She starts shaking and has a hard time looking at me. So I think you have to use the stern voice selectively, saving it for only the worst behaviors.

[Daviddoc]

Interesting replies to the discipline question: our Pug Lord Baltimore II is going on 8 months of age. We did buy him from a breeder who educated and continues to do so about our Pug a most wonderful but ornery, and at times hard headed member of the family. So ours like others mentioned enjoys chewing and eating anything esp paper. Often he will get something in his mouth and loves to play the game of catch me if you can. We have a two story loft condo and he will usually run from us unless the trade is done immediately but generally with a hardness to my voice where he knows I am serious (am retired and 65 yos). He is so fast and just loves to run in the house at full speed around furniture, up and down the stairs until he stops and just looks at us with his tilted head. He can be frustrating esp when he has something in his mouth that one of us has dropped and could danger his GI system if swollowed. But we constantly remind ourselves that he is still a pup and learning, that accidents occur, attempting to chew on my wife's hair continues, and that he is a warm, cuddily snuggler who is truly a gift to us.

[Julesrb]

Trade is a very good idea. We very early on taught Douglas P what 'leave it' meant. He now for the most part can't wait to spit out whatever is in his mouth (tissue paper, pens, glasses, paper, books, crisp packets) in order to get a treat. its almost comical watching the way is is so immediate in his spitting out. The only thing the 'leave it' hasn't worked with was on the one occassion I dropped a small chocolate brownie on the floor. He knew he wasn't going to get much better than that and wolfed it down - much to my panic and phone calls to vet later.

Chasing just plain didn't help as it made it all a game. Trying to get something out of his mouth didn't help either, as that is almost a definate 'chew & swallow' reaction.

Another thing we were taught at puppy school is that 'no' is fine when its general small things. but I found myself saying 'no' a lot and it was hard to express the more serious situations sometimes. So we started 'uh-uh', said in a low stern voice for anything more serious like running out of the front door, biting furniture or hands - basically things that are a big fat no. All said with real disappointment...

Its been a treat learning all of these things, probably in equal measure of exasperation and consternation! We couldn't ever bring ourselves to pick Douggie up by the scruff and shake him. Maybe we are too soft but I honestly don't think it would help him to get it either really. He's our baby...

[Melody]

What is the alpha roll?

We use ignore, "No!", and squirt water bottle when appropriate. This has almost gotten rid of our behavioral problems.

[Snifter]

The alpha roll is when you force a dog to roll onto its back in the submission posture and hold it there. It is frightening to pretty much all dogs and may well provoke some of them to bite.

Lifting pugs up by the scruff of the neck as mentioned in the OP is also a "no no" in my book. I have heard that it is possible for puggy eyes to pop out if this is done. This may be an urban myth but certainly not one I wish to test out.

Trade is very useful. I also know of somebody who will spray low value food items with bitter apple spray and then "accidentally" drop them so the pugs get the idea that not everything that is dropped is going to be a super treat. I, too, use "uh uh" and the pugs know that I mean business when that is uttered. However I always follow it up with a request to do something (something easy that I know they will do) so I can praise or treat them for that. The "uh uh" has therefore almost turned into a marker for "stop what you are doing and wait for a command which will result in good things".

[Melody]

How do you feel about the alpha roll? I still feel like Penelope doesn't know who is boss in the house. When she nips and plays too rough, do you think I should use this method?