What is the best way to reprimand or punish my pet?
Speak to your dog in a firm tone of voice but do not yell. Hitting and kicking (any form of physical reprimand) is not appropriate. In order to be effective, the correction must occur immediately after the undesirable behavior. Your dog won’t understand why it is being punished hours after chewing your shoe or urinating in the house. Correct your pet with a firm “No” and then give it a command such as “Sit”. Lavish praise for the desired behavior and any form of positive reinforcement is often far more effective than punishment. Obedience school is very helpful with training and eliminating unwanted behaviors.
