Do squirt bottles help redirect behaviors?

[Spirit2010]

I'm curious do they help? I got one today, because we are having problems with some things with Whisper. She hates water! So I thought, I should squirt her when she barks, to redirect her to be quiet. Then of course when she's quiet, she gets lots of praise. Well, just a curious question. Thank you for reading!

 

[houndlove]

Er, I wouldn't personally do it, and if it's something she doesn't like it's not a "redirection", it's a punishment. A redirection is more like when I say "hey guys!" to get the dogs' attention and then give them an alternative command.

Have you tried training a "look at me" command? If all you're looking for is a way to stop an unwanted behavior in order to give an alternate one, some kind of "watch me" or "look at me" command would be a positive way to redirect.

Since the water comes from you, I'd be concerned that she'd begin to associate you with this thing she doesn't like at all. Dogs don't always make the connections we think they're going to make. She may connect the bad thing she's doing to getting squirted, or she may not, she may just connect that you = squirt = bad. It's not a chance I'd personally like to take.

 

[Spirit2010]

thanks for clearing that up houndlove. I have been training "Watch" (her command for it) And my mom and I might be signing up for future obedience classes. So this will also be helpful.

 

[agnesyoung]

I have used a small water pistol before with great effect. It can be hidden so that the water is not seen to come from the owner and happens in response to the behaviour. Plenty of praise when quiet. This is used in a " if all else fails" situation or if quick results are needed ie if the barking is so bad that the authorities are threatening to seize the dog or if eviction is a possibility.

 

[Lilavati]

Works with cats. We tried it with Sarama to keep her away from the rat cage (Watch and touch failed, it was just POA, so we tried the squirt). With her, it didn't work. She'd look puzzled, shake it off, and right back to the rats. So I suspect it depends on your dog. Now with cats . . . <laughs evilly> They don't get on the counters anymore.

 

[Whisper]

I have to say I agree completely with houndlove. It's just a punishment, not a redirection. I'm not a fan of training dogs with squirt bottles.
It's great you're working on "watching you" command. Use that to get her attention and then redirect her behavior by giving her an alternative. Try to be as positive but clear as you can.
I think it'll be great to get her into obedience classes.

 

[bubbatd]

I've never used water , but have used a soda can with a couple of rocks or pennies to stop a puppy pee .

 

[Babyblue5290]

I know someone with an extremely obedient dog who used this method. The dog doesn't associate him with things he doesn't like either. Not saying it will work for you, but it does work for some.

 

[Spirit2010]

Well, at least I didn't waste my money on it. I have cats to keep off the counters! lol Thanks everyone!