Does your pet know right from wrong?

[Billnew]

My dogs always give themesleves away when they have done wrong.
But most dog trainers and animal people say animals don't know what
is right or wrong.

IMO if you expect an animal to learn whats exceptable it will learn, but if you treat it like it can do no wrong then it won't learn anything.
Just like raising kids, if you let them do what they want they won't know what
is wrong. But if you set clear boundries then they will know what is expected.

IMO it's a strike against book writers whent they say that animals don't learn or understand. Or that if you smack an animal for doing wrong that they will fear you. My dogs(all my life) have learned how to behave, and to expect to be punished if they do wrong. Just like in the Pack, the "alpha" punishes misbehavior.

When my dog comes slinking into the living room with its head down and ears back, and is afraid to look at me then I know it's time to check the house.
Most of the time he walks through the house happily or looking for the kids.

So, don't listen to the goodie two shoe book writers. You can discipline
your pets.
Oh and you don't rub the dogs nose in his mess, you make sure it knows why you are yelling at it, by pointing its nose at the spot while your yelling.
After the discipline time make sure to show your pet love. So that it knows you disapprove of the problem but still love the pet.

Whats your thoughts?

 

[Dagna]

You have to teach your pet what's right and what's wrong. They don't know at 8 weeks of age that your shoes are off limits, you have to teach them. I think that's what most trainers are saying. And positive reinforcement is always the best method. If my dog or cat does something wrong, they get a quick squirt of water and corrected, but I never yell or smack my pets. I found that yelling at them only frightens them and then I become the "crazy lady that yells a lot". I've had the best luck with positive reinforcement and have a wonderful dog that doesn't have any bad habits, except for not liking kids, which I can't fix since I don't have any. My dog's wonderful though, he rings a little bell when he wants outside, the only time we had an accident in the house was when I forgot to take him out before I went to work (Oops!) and he loves to lounge around.

I learned to not yell at my pets when I had a foster dog that was extremely submissive. If I yelled at her, she just peed right where she was sitting, that's how scared she was. So I learned other methods of teaching correct behavior and she turned into a wonderful dog that my husband didn't even want to adopt out. So I had to get another one, who turned out to be just as good as she was and is a happy, well behaved dog.

My opinion, if you properly train your dog, using positive reinforcement for good behavior, you should never have to yell at your dog. And many books are very effective. I bought one when dealing with my foster, which helped me quite a bit. I forget the name of it, but it was teaching you how to correct bad behavior through positive reinforcement and it does work. Training also isn't just about teaching the dog, it's about teaching the owner too. So I've had good luck with it and everyone else I know has as well, so I support positive reinforcement and the use of books as guides for it.

 

[country woman]

I agree with dagna about this and just like a human child you have to teach kids wrong from right too.

 

[bubblegirl23]

A telling off is best when you catch them doing it.

Praise them, too. When they wee in the right spot, "Good girl! wanna widdle belly wub?"

 

[Illuminite]

animals are animals.we expect way too much at times.

 

[Manda_24]

My dog knows when he is doing something wrong. It is funny to watch, sometimes. He is often defiant and just wants to see your reaction, just like a kid.
We have several cats and we will feed them outside and as soon as we walk away he tries to take their bowl but will be watching for you the whole time. When we first got him and he started taking the cat food my mom took him out to his bowl and pushed his nose in it and told him that was his, he took is paw and hit the bowl and knocked it over, he also broke it(it was a ceramic like bowl, it has lasted 2 dogs and about 18 years.) as soon as he did it he looked up at my mom with a look like what are you going to do about it now. His bowl is now nailed down to two chunks of wood, he would take it all over the yard with him.
When he would run down to the road and you would yell for him to come back he comes back with his head down and tail between his legs, he knows exactly what he is doing and knows he isn't supposed to. Sometimes they are a lot smarter than what we give them credit for.

 

[fieldlily]

It IS funny. One of my cats only seems to have some kind of conscience. When she did wrong in front of company last week she went on her climber to pout. My friend said she was thinking on her sin. [She was only kidding, of course ] But this cat really knows when she has done wrong even if I don't say anything. She also knows that when she acts up she will be confined to the front screen porch for a while for her "time out." So if she gets in trouble she just heads for the door to the porch. I think it is just something she learned, because if she could get away with antics she probably would just continue.

Cats don't have consciences like we do to distinguish right from wrong, but they do know and care when they have displeased if they have received good training. They not only have sense but can be sensitive...I love em!

birdfriend.

 

[awashinlove]

IMO if you expect an animal to learn whats exceptable it will learn, but if you treat it like it can do no wrong then it won't learn anything.
Just like raising kids, if you let them do what they want they won't know what
is wrong. But if you set clear boundries then they will know what is expected.

IMO it's a strike against book writers whent they say that animals don't learn or understand. Or that if you smack an animal for doing wrong that they will fear you. My dogs(all my life) have learned how to behave, and to expect to be punished if they do wrong. Just like in the Pack, the "alpha" punishes misbehavior.

ITA, you are spot on! I believe both animals and young children are given too little credit, actually. All of my animals know what is and isn't acceptable behavior based on my reactions. I'm so amused when they use this knowledge to do things behind my back.

I'm not really a fan of positive reinforcement used alone because it does not prepare for enough situations at all. Most will find that if there's something more interesting than a potential treat or pat on the head, the animal's not going to listen to you. This has killed more than one dog after enjoying years of success. My dogs get firm no's (and explanations ), and time outs or muzzles if necessary. I like them having two incentivehave to follow the rules, a potential treat with lots of loving and no time out. Invoking fear is never a way to get your pet to respond as you want, of course.

Blessings,
awashinlove

 

[DaveS]

My animals know right from wrong and decide to do the wrong (because it is more fun) usually. I think it depends what species you are dealing with as far as disciplining goes. With a dog, simply telling him/her to go and sit on his/her own will usually do the trick. With cats it is more tricky..

 

[fieldlily]

My animals know right from wrong and decide to do the wrong (because it is more fun) usually. I think it depends what species you are dealing with as far as disciplining goes. With a dog, simply telling him/her to go and sit on his/her own will usually do the trick. With cats it is more tricky..

Again it depends on the cat. I have a 16 year old cat who I trained to sit. My other younger one...no way will she...listen. Of course, I think my old kitty is brilliant when she is just loving and obedient.

I always found my dogs pretty easy to train, except we had this cocker spaniel once who was really very dense and wouldn't respond to training. Depends on the dog too.

 

[ceedaisy]

Yep, my dog knows right from wrong. But that doesn't stop him from trying to knock off my sandwich from the counter top. And my kitty does no wrong! Hee hee

 

[Casstranquility]

I think at least one of my cats knows what I have proclaimed as "wrong", and that's why she purposely does it anyway! (I tell her not to jump up on my bookshelf-because she'll knock things down, and the second after I scold her, and take her down, she wants to go right back up.)

Oh, well.

-Cassie

 

[Nevada77]

I agree that most animals definetly know when they are doing wrong or not. My dog will go running to his mat or won't even move from it if he has done wrong. If I change the tone in my voice a little he reacts.
I think it is so cute if I catch him stealing a stuffy from somewhere, I say to him "I caught you,you naughty boy stealing mommy's toy" He always looks of embaressed and puts his ears back.

Nevada

 

[bubblegirl23]

You can have my cat If a jar of olives is opened, she tries to stick her paw in. For some bizarre reason, she likes eating olives

 

[Witness Of His Love]

My beagle does...but he feels it isn't necessary to follow orders. He's always been independent.

 

[Billnew]

A good trainer knows how to respond to bad behavior.
Just like children, a child that is totally devistated by a stern voice doesn't need
any other punishment.
But a child that doesn't understand anything but discomfort, needs the punishment.
Just like this, animals are like them.

I don't smack my dog much anymore. Mostly a stern voice works. When he gets into
the trash, when we get home, I tell him that was bad and he usually heads for the back door. If the door is open he will push through the screen door and put himself out.

 

[Witness Of His Love]

Beagles are a stubborn breed. I'm not much for punishment, this type of dog responds better to a quiet voice and gentle touch. Hitting him would make him mean, not obedient.