My walking away from her is usually pretty effective. Works on Malachi also. If he gets too rough I tell him, "Malachi, NO!" If it doesn't stop, I leave. When I return, much better behavior.

I have never hit my two, and never will. This works much better for us!

Just my .02 :0)
Melissa

Voice inflections can be a real assist in training and keeping the peace with any animal. Wolfdogs are very smart, as are most animals. I never hit one of my animals, as all that does is reinforce being aggressive to settle things. Teach them that and that is how they will deal with YOU as well. Teach one, you teach them all. They knew when they had done something wrong by my posture, body language and voice tones....same thing that THEY look for in each other to tell what's going on within their own world.

Time and PATIENCE are also a key factor in correcting an animals actions or behavior. One MUST have a basic understanding of what the animals themselves do for corrections amongst themselves to fully understand the psychology of a wolfdog or wolf. Educating ones self prior to obtaining a wolfdog is always preferred but learning the ways, habits, body language and pack structure is a must if one is to have a safe, happy companion that interacts well with other animals and humans.

Greg

I use shunning very effectively, mine are pretty sensitive souls. as well as a throaty growl, when one or the other are getting too rough around me. I also clap my hands loudly, & use The Voice (of She Who Must Be Obeyed) these all seem very effective methods for me...

This morning, Rhi pushed her piggie little self out of the PlayYard... and took a small tour of Spirit's "markings" & of course, added her irresistable oudeur. I walked up to her and took ahold of her collar, muttering little sweet nothings in her ear, I walked her back.. when we got there, she jumped up on me.... No big deal, to me... I lifted my arms to side-step her, and she cringed, flattened her ears, & dropped to the ground. I have NEVER lifted my hand to her in that way... but her Ex's did. They used corporal punishment for every manner of behavior. I dropped to her side & nuzzled & loved on her, then let her into the PlayYard. I tell this tale to express why I don't hit my woofs...
They don't forget. She hasn't been struck since May, when I took her home. Yet, she STILL ducks sometimes... Breaks my Heart.

Try using positive reinforcement, and slowly shape her behavior towards behavior that is compatible with your needs. Clicker training is a fun way to shape behavior, with long-lasting results. But it takes time. You can also combine negative reinforcers such as: Shunning: where you ignore your wolfdog when they act improperly, or you remove your wolfdog from the area, and the fun.

And, one should always question our own needs in a companion. Do you require an absolutely obedient canine companion? If so, don't get a high content.

Kat

I still feel like I am a newbie and have lots of questions myself but when it comes to disciplining my woofers, depending on what they are doing, I will use a stern voice and say "NO! NO!" and then proceed to say "I can't believe you were doing that! Mommy loves you but that is a NO NO." "You know better. Look at all the toys you have to chew on." Then I'll give them a toy or chewie and tell them to go on their way and play with the others. Sometimes I will yell "NO! NO!" and then tell them that I am not pleased and ignore them for a few minutes. THAT is really hard on them. I'll get the nudge of a head on my hand or one of them will try to go thru my legs for affection to get my attention!

I am not really that discipline crazy anyway (even with my son) and most of what the woofers do don't get on my nerves - our house is furnished in early Salvation Army (LOL!) and we live for the woofers. We have allowed them into our lives and whatever they get into is 99% traceable back to a mistake that we made! i.e. leave stuff on the table, leave shoes out in the livingroom, food on the kitchen counter, etc. One thing I never do is time-outs in their cages. I don't believe in that at all. Usually just hearing my voice holler no-no is enough. They all go running and saying to each other *Oh Man! Mom is p***ed! HIDE!!"

Blessed Be,
Colette

Wolfdogs respond best to positive reinforcement but punishment is necessary from time to time.

We start very young and we are consistent through out their lives.

When you assert yourself as the alpha (top dog) in the beginning, very often, the sound of your voice is enough to let the pup know you are displeased.

When the pup is gnawing on something it shouldn't, i.e. your hand, foot, the couch, you offer an alternative. This can be a snausage, a wash cloth, or anything that will take it's attention away from what it is doing wrong.

When this doesn't work, we will pop the pup across the nose with what I call "The Tomahawk Chop". One finger is enough for a small pup but as it grows it will take 2 fingers. It is a sharp snap with the index and later the middle finger and index finger across the bridge of the nose. It smarts but does no damage.

When it is more serious, as in the "challenge" that usually occurs around 2-3 months, we "alpha roll" our pups. This is when we flip the pup on it's back, grab it around it's throat (no choking, just holding) and shake it while growling NO! NO! BAD PUPPY!

Once the pup relaxes, we release it and turn away. We ignore it for about 2-5 minutes. Then we pick it up and shower it with lots of love and kisses and until another incident, we don't act in the least unhappy with it. Sometimes this may take all of 30 seconds. {VBG}

But seriously, never discipline unless it is necessary and then only as much as you have to.

If you have done your job, you shouldn't have to really discipline once a pup is 5-6 months or so. After that, an occasional NO! BAD DOG, with the 2 finger chop raised and promised but not used should be sufficient.

--
Christine

Re: Alternative to Punishment
What the alternative is really depends on what the situation is. For example, in many situations, teaching an alternative to the undesirable behavior is best, i.e. teach a wolfdog who jumps on on people, to sit. He can't be jumping and sitting at the same time. Teach wolfdogs who are mouthy, to lick on cue. When they get mouthy, say NO, then "lick".

In other situations, using what could be termed a "punishment" but is really a softer form of it would be using a stern voice - this can be enough to convey your disapproval of the behavior. Also shunning or ignoring your wolfdog is a mild punisher that is very effective.

Some behaviors can be extinguished by ignoring them. For example, your wolfdog comes and scratches on your glass door to come in. Do you punish him? No. Instead, you ignore him. He learns the scratching does nothing, the behavior extinguishes itself (hopefully before you need a new glass door). You can also reward desirable behaviors. In this example, you'd reward your wolfdog when he stops the scratching. Rewarding desirable behavior is much more effective than punishment and will go a lot further towards a good relationship with your wolfdog.

Reading up on modern training methods goes a long way towards learning how to not have to punish your wolfdog. :)

Nicole

Hopefully, you researched your reasons for getting this type of animal and so you knew what you were getting into. Patience is the key. With wolfdogs, shaping behavior is key. You will need to shape the behavior slowly and repeat, and repeat and repeat.

This animal, in my experience, is one that bases everything on trust. By breaking that trust with hitting or unusually loud shouting, will only cause worse problems in the future. I often sit my dog down and talk softly but deeply in her ear and tell her no.

The one gets it immediately. The other insists it is play time. It takes her quite a while to understand that I am not fooling around. She is six years old, and now when I use my low "mommy voice" she immediately sits. This does not mean she listens, but it is a good start. She was exceptionally difficult to train. My other girl, Bear, is easier, but when she has an issue, she will let you know. She hates my new boyfriend and will do everything to let me know this after he has been in the house. I tell her not to defecate on the floor or throw the trash around. This is her way of telling me she has been unhappy.

Understand there is a difference between misbehavior and communication between you and your dog. This is an important first step. Hitting is never the answer.

Lisa C

I have good results with using guilt . . .I know that sounds bad. When Dakotah does something he's not supposed to, I make it sound like he's just done the worst thing in the world . . .and cut my heart out besides. I find that a little disappointment in the voice and body language goes a long way :)

--Shana

Bribery and begging work for our wolfdogs.

Actually, wolfdogs seem to learn well with positive, motivational training. Luckily, there are scores of books, tapes and websites giving all sorts of information on this. Wolfdogs tend to be extremely smart and need to use their minds in order to stay sane. Clicker training is a great tool for these guys because they can be creative and come up with all sorts of neat behaviors if they are working for food.

Wolfdogs also seem to need structure and a sense that their owner is strong and competent. Establish a good relationship during the times when they are being good. Try to get them to relax when you handle them and to happily roll over when you play. Don't try this with animals you are afraid of or feel might bite-this is supposed to be a play and trust-building exercise. They will immediately pick up on your discomfort and it will make them uncomfortable.

You want the animal to not be afraid of you but to develop a feeling that you are in charge and that is nice (I might not be explaining this well, but being held and manipulated will soon be associated with praise, treats and body rubs and the animal should grow more and more comfortable with the idea of you being in control and the boss.)

If they do something you don't like, don't get mad. That can scare them or make you look like you are out of control. If a stern voice doesn't stop the behavior, shunning (or time-outs) can be a very powerful tool. Whether they are kicked outside or put in a crate, not being part of the action can be quite distressing for them. Once they are let back in with you, they will most likely go through all sorts of submissive behaviors trying to please you so you don't shun them again. You can now handle them and reward them like you do in play training. Then give a couple of obedience commands to get them focused. If they have destroyed something, you can try to take them back to the scene of the crime and have them sit next to the destroyed item and just focus on you for a while. Then, give them a toy or chew they can destroy and praise them when they take it. Hopefully they will soon figure out that it is easier to ask for a toy than it is to be shunned.

Kay