Greyhound Dog Training: Should You Use Punishment?

Almost everybody, particularly dog owners, know that training a dog of any breed is a challenge. One challenge that is often present in every greyhound dog training is the issue regarding physical punishment.

Many dog owners are seen rubbing the pet's nose in the floor when the poor creature failed to urinate at the designated spot. Others can't stop themselves from hitting the pet with a rolled newspaper when he has done something unacceptable. Can you stomach doing these cruel things to a dog who wants nothing but to please you? Do you think hurting your dog physically will help him become a well-trained greyhound everybody loves to be around?

Sadly, physical punishment will do you and your pet no good. In fact, it will only lead to fear, aggression and other behavior problem. Rubbing your pet's nose in the floor will possibly make him afraid of you and your hand. It may also make him afraid of urinating or defecating in your presence thus will tend to do his thing in dark, hard-to-reach places like under the bed, behind the furniture or in the sewer. Definitely you do not want that to happen, do you?

If you discovered that your pet has done something unacceptable such as elimination, but you did not caught him in the act, just clean the mess so that he will not do it again in that same place. Do not call your pooch to come to you to get his punishment. He will think that he is being punished for coming to you, not because of the mistake he did.

Instead of punishment, most experts recommend correction-based greyhound dog training and the use of positive reinforcers. Positive reinforcers could be anything your dog find rewarding such as treats, toys, praise and time to play. Rewards are given to motivate the dog to obey the command given to him. On the other hand, correction-based training requires owners to catch or correct the dog in the act of making the mistake. When you catch your dog urinating inside the house, make a noise loud enough to distract him. Then immediately take him to the designated spot and let him finish there. Give reward when he does.

Physical punishment, apart from being cruel, will lead to behavior problems that are not good for you and your greyhound. To avoid undesirable behavior that leads to punishment, do not leave your dog unsupervised. If you are not around to supervise, limit his access to possible problems.