Skip to content

People Who Still "Beat to Train"

Basenji Training
  • I found out today that some people I work with beat their dogs/pups (with hands or rolled up newspapers) as a way of training them not to do certain things, go into certain rooms, etc. I'm really saddened to hear this. I told them that I had never had to do anything like that with Paco, and that he was a very well-behaved dog(pup), and that I never worry about him acting out in anger at guests or kids. I told them that the only dogs I've ever been bitten by were dogs that had been beaten as a part of "training," and that I think beating a dog makes the dog not only fearful, but angry, and might fight back at any moment.

    They raised their eyebrows and changed the subject, so I know they disagree, and I'm not going to be "that woman" that is on a soapbox about how to do something in someone else's own home…but...:(

  • I've seen the results of people who think they can 'rough' their Basenjis out of unwanted behaviour and I find that those who use beating as a punishment to their dogs just don't listen to contrary advice. They think that good results from gentleness are pure luck!!!

    I totally agree with you, Shannanigan

  • Some people will never change their opinions no matter what you tell them.
    A friend of ours called when we had only just got Malaika. He whipped her up into a frenzy and then slapped her when she bit him. You can imagine what we said and we made it clear he hadn't to play with her in this way.
    You could tell he thought we were being too soft with her.

  • In society, we are as good as we treat our animals. Do you beat your kids to get them to behave? If you do, child services will be at your door in no time. Too bad this sort of behavior is not 'policed' for animals.

  • I always tell people that newspapers are great for training your dog.

    Roll one up HARD. Every time your dog does something you don't want it to do, hit yourself in the head 20 times while repeating "train my dog!"

  • While I do not generally strike my dogs – the occasional pop on the bottom does happen -- I also think it's important to differentiate between giving a dog a slap or spank and "beating".......
    do these people BEAT their dogs, or do they strike them in a tempered manner? There is a huge difference in the effect and the result.

  • Probably some people use 'controlled' bottom pops or 'tempered mannered strikes'. I've just never done that to any animal I have owned. IMO, an owner's hand should be viewed as a pleasurable experience. Owner attitude (towards the animal), voice and time outs should be used instead.

  • I won't claim I have never smacked a dog… pop for effect not hard enough to hurt. But I also won't pretend it is good training or necessary. Is it abusive, no. But it is not good training. But then, I also think the best parents don't spank. I want neither my dogs or child to behave for fear of getting hit, even if the hit doesn't hurt. I want them to do what I want through training, rewards and punishments that do not include hitting.

  • Without getting into the morality of physically punishing your animal, I think that in the case of Basenjis (at least) it just is not very effective. I think that negative reinforcement training is generally the "easy" way out for a lot of pet owers. It just so happens that we discovered quickly that it just doesn't work with Basenjis. It takes patience and creativity to solve problems using positive reinforcement. I also agree that an obvious disadvantage of punishing your dog is that the law of unintended consequences is such that you can train your dog to be fearful of you, which is trouble waiting to happen.

    As far as the morality, I think we need to be cautious and not judge. And keep in mind that in canine behavoir, pack leaders will often make their desires known by using physical force-not to hurt, but to make a point. A smack with a rolled up newspaper may be the equivalent of nip on the rump by another dog, but I still think there are better ways. Of course, if you are hurting your dog, that is just cruel.

  • @DebraDownSouth:

    I won't claim I have never smacked a dog… pop for effect not hard enough to hurt. But I also won't pretend it is good training or necessary. Is it abusive, no. But it is not good training. But then, I also think the best parents don't spank. I want neither my dogs or child to behave for fear of getting hit, even if the hit doesn't hurt. I want them to do what I want through training, rewards and punishments that do not include hitting.

    Good post!

Suggested Topics

  • Crate vs. expen "kennel" vs both?

    Basenji Training
    11
    0 Votes
    11 Posts
    11k Views
    Chealsie508C
    Crazysenji- same with Oakley, had to be a wire crate; oak never got used to his Vari-Kennel for the car…totally freaked!
  • Inconsistent training

    Basenji Training
    14
    0 Votes
    14 Posts
    8k Views
    agilebasenjiA
    @Kosuzu: I will get into agility when he is a little older, his bones are still too immature for that yet. I would also like to get Khalani into becoming a "therapy" dog as he has a beautiful nature, He can't be assessed for that until he is at least 18 months old. You must tell me more about the "skateboard", does he ride it? Have you ever videoed your agility, I'd love to see that. There are a few youtube videos of Zest! doing agility. Just seach "Zest Agility" and the r/w little basenji is mine. Those are all from her Novice days. She's now in Excellent. We've had quite a few set backs, but she has achieved her excellent agility titles in AKC. You can see my other 2 here: https://www.basenji.org/BasenjiU/Activities/Agility/AOb/stacles.html All but the dogs on the table are mine. Zest is also the star of the Agility Manuevers videos. Hopefully, you'll be able to find a local agility class. There are lots of foundation work you can do with puppies before you start doing jumps and weaves. The other two (Digital the brindlewonderkid and Jet the trying) are retired, but have certainly done a lot. Therapy work is so rewarding! You'll love it. Z and I are off to the Alzheimer's facility tomorrow. Both my boys also really loved it.
  • Training Questions

    Basenji Training
    17
    0 Votes
    17 Posts
    7k Views
    caseeno8C
    I think incorporating some crate training if none is being used will help. If you take him outside and he does not go potty, when you bring him back in, he must go in crate for about twenty minutes or so and not be allowed to roam or play. Then outside again to potty spot. If he does not go again repeat in crate for twenty minutes then out to potty spot and naturally praise like crazy when he does go. The idea is to get him to go potty when you want and where you want. I felt using the crate was extremely beneficial. Chris Battistelli
  • Chief in training

    Basenji Training
    5
    0 Votes
    5 Posts
    3k Views
    renaultf1R
    @Forever: Zoe on the other hand has turned into a little witch. As was suggested I think she is protective of chief. She even turned on Lizzy when she came over the first few minutes than they were fine. But all her previous doggy friends get snarled at when chief gets near them. I hope she settles soon. She has one old dog who looks forward to seeing her on his walks flinching around her now. When Liyah was a baby - if Brando started to go off on her, Ruby would put herself in between Liyah & Brando. Ruby was very protective of Liyah when Liyah was a pup. Ruby doesn't interfere as much anymore - once in a while she gets involved - she pretty much just lets Brando handle it now.
  • Crate training

    Basenji Training
    8
    0 Votes
    8 Posts
    5k Views
    basenji_fanB
    When you feed him in the crate and close do you walk away? I had a foster that was terrified of the crate and also suffered terrible anxiety w/peeing in the crate too. So I would feed him in the crate and then close the door and sit right there with him. At first I only closed the door half way, did that way for about a week then was able to close it all the (without latching) for another week. I would sit right next to the crate and praise him for eating his meals. Then I would scoot a few feet back at one meal, move back at the next and do that for a for a few times. Then I would stay at the few feet back. It is a slow process but it really really helped him in his crate training process and getting him over his fear. I was soon able to feed him in his crate and walk away. He was running to his crate and sitting for his meals. He still had his anxiety for long periods w/the peeing problem but we even worked on that were we could leave for short times and he wouldn't pee in his crate
  • Potty training

    Basenji Training
    24
    0 Votes
    24 Posts
    16k Views
    tanzaT
    @lisatest: Does a puppy have soft poop and as the puppy gets older the poop becomes more solid? It has been a while since I had a puupy so I can't remember. No… a puppy should also have a solid poo...