This is a question we often get. The short answer is: “Sure you can.”
We don’t expect you to be some perfect Yoda Master. We shout at our kids (and dogs). Why can’t you do the same?
Shouting often does the trick: it can get the point across so the dog stops. So if it works, why not?
Don’t confuse shouting with educating
The only caveat we have is: don’t pretend it’s in lieu of a long-term solution. Don’t call it “education”. See it for what it is:
- You lost your patience; and/or
- You have neither the time, energy or inclination to make a training project out of it.
And that’s OK.
Where nagging isn’t a great idea
These are signs that it’s time to take it easy on the shouting, though:
- You do it to be the alpha. Here‘s why it’s not such a clever idea
- If your interactions with your dog are turning into one giant nag fest
- You have to to tell him off a lot for the same problem
- The misbehaviour comes from something more profound. By shouting, you are just masking the symptoms.
- You have to be more and more forceful each time to get through to him
In those cases, it’s time to find out what’s going on and PATIENTLY and DILIGENTLY invest time in teaching him a better way of coping.
Nagging doesn’t work for husbands, and it sure doesn’t work for dogs.
And, do you know what? It kind us makes you look like a moron.
