You shouldn't punish a dog for what it has already done since it wouldn't be able to connect the 'crime' with the punishment. I've read this countless of times and try to tell other dog owners this. But they'll tell me that punishment does work. "Dogs aren't as dumb as you think. They do know" someone told me.
Instead, I've fenced off 1/2 of my apartment to myself and the other 1/2 for them to roam freely. But I'd come home after work to find the fence is breached or knocked over and something's damaged or the area is poo-ed on. I've tried spraying dog repellent but it didn't work. So finally I took their advice and scolded Jessica, presenting the chewed up cable (for charging my cell phone) and scolding her for biting it.
Seemed no trouble for a few days, until yesterday when I suddenly had the stupid idea to leave the fence slightly ajar to test whether they got the point of not coming over. I came home and found poo and pee there, I didn't scold them and just cleaned it up. But I went nuts when I found the second cell phone cable chewed, I've only had it replaced for a week and I've just emptied my wallet that night on treats which I hope to use when I start clicker training them.
I looked at Jessica, she saw me with the cable in my hands and started trembling and I knew what they said was right. They DO know what you're scolding them for, and yet she did it again. In my rage, I chucked the charger beside her (I wasn't aiming for her, I was just scaring her) "Haven't I told you not to chew on wires?!"
She hid trembling behind Emily (the other dog). I stuffed the cables at her face like I did the last time "Go on, bite it! Isnt that what you like to do? Look at me when I'm talking to you" I said, pulling away the table so eye contact can be maintained.
Jessica tried to escape but I caught her and pulled her back "I'm not finished yet!" Jessica tried an unsuccessful bite on my hand and stayed still, trembling, and I noticed she's just peed all over my foot in fear. I wasn't angry at all for this, in fact I started feeling remorse and just told her "This is the second one you've destroyed in a week, these things are expensive, don't bite any more wires OK?" I let go, she ran away from me and Emily and trembled in a corner. I stayed and reassured Emily she's OK and not the one in trouble.
Burdened with guilt I went to sleep early (it dawned on me I was the one who left the gate open for her to commit the biting), waking up this morning to find Jessica is treating me like usual (with the normal caution you'd expect of a paranoid dog). Trying to make up for what I did, I stuffed the two of them silly with a wide variety of treats.
I've commited all the stuff I usually condemn others for. I'm a terrible dog owner I know. My girlfriend said "You don't seem any happier after you've had them" It's true that everyday I come home to find what else Jessica's destroyed, what more to write off. It's true other people can enjoy pets who like being pet on, Jessica shys away when touched from behind and above. Other people enjoy walking their dogs, mine won't budge when pulled on a leash, bite through bags and will let all hell loose when being carried. Can't help but admit that Jessica and I might be a big mismatch, feel really bad and guilty *Sigh*
Instead, I've fenced off 1/2 of my apartment to myself and the other 1/2 for them to roam freely. But I'd come home after work to find the fence is breached or knocked over and something's damaged or the area is poo-ed on. I've tried spraying dog repellent but it didn't work. So finally I took their advice and scolded Jessica, presenting the chewed up cable (for charging my cell phone) and scolding her for biting it.
Seemed no trouble for a few days, until yesterday when I suddenly had the stupid idea to leave the fence slightly ajar to test whether they got the point of not coming over. I came home and found poo and pee there, I didn't scold them and just cleaned it up. But I went nuts when I found the second cell phone cable chewed, I've only had it replaced for a week and I've just emptied my wallet that night on treats which I hope to use when I start clicker training them.
I looked at Jessica, she saw me with the cable in my hands and started trembling and I knew what they said was right. They DO know what you're scolding them for, and yet she did it again. In my rage, I chucked the charger beside her (I wasn't aiming for her, I was just scaring her) "Haven't I told you not to chew on wires?!"
She hid trembling behind Emily (the other dog). I stuffed the cables at her face like I did the last time "Go on, bite it! Isnt that what you like to do? Look at me when I'm talking to you" I said, pulling away the table so eye contact can be maintained.
Jessica tried to escape but I caught her and pulled her back "I'm not finished yet!" Jessica tried an unsuccessful bite on my hand and stayed still, trembling, and I noticed she's just peed all over my foot in fear. I wasn't angry at all for this, in fact I started feeling remorse and just told her "This is the second one you've destroyed in a week, these things are expensive, don't bite any more wires OK?" I let go, she ran away from me and Emily and trembled in a corner. I stayed and reassured Emily she's OK and not the one in trouble.
Burdened with guilt I went to sleep early (it dawned on me I was the one who left the gate open for her to commit the biting), waking up this morning to find Jessica is treating me like usual (with the normal caution you'd expect of a paranoid dog). Trying to make up for what I did, I stuffed the two of them silly with a wide variety of treats.
I've commited all the stuff I usually condemn others for. I'm a terrible dog owner I know. My girlfriend said "You don't seem any happier after you've had them" It's true that everyday I come home to find what else Jessica's destroyed, what more to write off. It's true other people can enjoy pets who like being pet on, Jessica shys away when touched from behind and above. Other people enjoy walking their dogs, mine won't budge when pulled on a leash, bite through bags and will let all hell loose when being carried. Can't help but admit that Jessica and I might be a big mismatch, feel really bad and guilty *Sigh*