Are we mean to give the Doodles Time Out?

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Sydney and Olivia were acting up this afternoon.  One started to bark, then the other joined in.  A car pulled into our neighbor's driveway and they both began barking and jumping up on the sofa by the window.  They acted up like this several times.  Sydney is a barker.  Olivia is usually very quiet but can be a real instigator.  She will huff under her breath when she hears something and this will get Sydney going.  Well today, Doodle Mommies were a bit cranky and didn't want to listen to the barking so we used the real mean voice to scold them and blocked them in the TV Room with a fence.  Olivia huffed under her breath and sat by the fence for about an hour.  Now they are both sleeping.  We didn't have the patience today to try positive reinforcement.  We are liking the peace and quiet and no sticky glue Doodles at our side every second.  Do you think we are mean?

[Adina P]

Not at all.  And removing attention/taking away a reward is not anti 'positive reinforcement' type training.  I think it's helpful if they understand a 'Quiet' command or get some kind of warning or command to quit barking and THEN if they ignore that then removing them.  But I see nothing 'bad' about what you did.

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Adina, thank you for your reply.  It is so helpful to hear how others handle behavior issues.  It's been awhile since we had the professional training for our Doodles and since then, we have reinforced some of the training techniques but some have slipped by the wayside.  We also have moved three times which has taken a toll on all of us.  Joining DK has sure helped us become more aware of how to be better Doodle Mom's. And, Adina, we must say, you have been most helpful with your timely responses and advise on many issues.  We are still learning all the ins and outs of DK.  It's wonderful to have you as the Administrator.  We hope you get the credit you deserve!

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

No!  We used to have Peri go to her crate for "time out" time.  Literally would say "NO! then, go to your crate and calm down".  She would stay in about 5-10 minutes and rest, then come out and be much better.

[Robyn, Greg and Snickers]

We do the same as Alison. Now the little stinker will do something he isn't supposed to do get caught and then goes right into his crate. For time outs we leave the door open and wait about 5-10 min before releasing him. 

[Jennifer and Jack]

I am way too soft on Jack.. I think if you needed a time out from the doods that is the right thing to do., Take a break, a quiet time for you. I think if they do not respond to your no command, or your quiet command or whatever it is you are using, they need to be made to somehow.

When Jack was a puppy and I was starting to lose it with him. I didn't discipline him just for being crazy but I would enforce a very nice nap time in his crate and make it a happy experience. I think puppies are a little different as they are just needing training. I agree with Adina that taking away attention is not a negative reinforcement, but in my inexperience  but once they achieve the behavior desired I think they should be rewarded, such as when they settle down.  Going based on what I have read or was told by the trainer..putting a puppy in a crate when they are bad will teach them they go there when they are bad, so then if you want to crate them to leave the house, they think they are in trouble.

 

Also, if you section them off in the house when you leave, I wouldn't think I would yell at them when I put them there when they are naughty. I think I would have a specific spot just for being naughty that is not used for any other spot so they don't get confused messages.

 

When Jack barks at the neighbors, I call him to me and treat or praise him when he comes. If he does not stop barking I get up and go to him and tell him no, if he still doesn't listen he is removed from that room.

 

I am really a very new novelist to training and I would take someone else's advice over mine that has more experience, plus we have to do what works best for our philosophy

 

You are not a bad mom for needing a break, I would say just the opposite, you are a good mom for knowing when you have had enough...

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

When Tara was younger and got too wound up we used to put her in her ex pen to calm down. Just for a few minutes to remove her from the "action" and teach her to calm down.  This was after we tried everything else to get her to "settle". It wasn't a punishment or even a time out to speak of but more a change of venue for her when she was overwhelmed and over excited by the present situation.

I think changing your tone of voice is a good way to communicate with your dog. I am not referring to screaming but just higher or lower tones. I try to use the same VOLUME most of the time with Tara but higher tones for "good girl" things and lower tones for "that's not what I want" things.  I wouldn't call anything you did mean. :)

 

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We did the same thing Ricki.  I never thought of it as punishment, just a chance for them to calm down and for me to "get a grip".  I really don't need to do this anymore.  They're older and respond to a firm "knock it off".

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

Yep, we're thinking "knock it off" is probably much better than SHUTTTTT UPPPPP!  or Shut the #$&# UP!  We'll try it!  We probably have to say it in a deep male voice.  Thanks for your reply!

[Lynn D.]

Hehehehe Hahahahahahah!! That happens here too. Not proud of it, just saying.

[Gail+Kathleen,(Sydney+Olivia:)]

We like the idea of using the same volume but just lower tones for any unacceptable behavior.  Gail is a screamer and when she screams Sydney barks all the more.  On the other hand, Kathy never yells at the Doodles.  It's like she doesn't even hear Sydney barking.  They are better behaved when it's just Kathy home with them.  Maybe Gail needs the time out!  Thanks for your reply.

[Ricki and Tara (doodle)]

I heard a trainer once say that when your dog is barking and you start yelling at them the dog just thinks you have joined in and are barking with them!! LOL!!  I thought that was pretty funny but there may be some truth to it!!

[Smita, Ollie and Juno]

In Ollie's initial, crazy puppy days, I was advised to use the crate more. Best advice ever. He still loves his crate and goes on his own when tired but when he acts up, all I have to say is "Ollie, do you want to go to your night-night?" he understands perfectly and stops acting up. I will occasionally still have to put him in there for a forced nap when he is over-tired and cranky.