Yes, picking up an adult dog (or even an older puppy) by the scruff of its neck does hurt them, causing pain, potential injury (bruising, muscle strain), and psychological trauma, despite appearances; mother dogs only do this with newborn pups, and humans lack the precise instinct, making it unsafe and often harmful for all but very young puppies, requiring better handling with support for the rear.
Pulling a small dog by the scruff can cause pain or discomfort, especially if done abruptly. Symptoms include yipping, flinching, or avoidance behavior. The scruff is sensitive; gentle handling is essential. Instead, guide dogs calmly using treats or coaxing. If pain persists, consult a vet to rule out injury.
You should never grab a dog but its collar -- whether it's the collar itself or a handle on it. The sudden pressure that will put on the dog's throat can result in an injury and that sudden grab at the dog's neck could exacerbate the dog's reaction that's making you grab for it.
The Good: Humane Discipline in Positive Training
Influencing an animal's behavior without the use of force. Constructive disciplinary techniques such as removal, time outs, taking something of value away, ignoring behavior and interrupting negative behavior with a vocal interrupter.
Avoid picking up a dog from one end only. Lifting a dog by their front or back legs only will strain their ligaments. Carrying a dog like Simba can also lead to negative associations with being picked up. Never pick up a dog by their collar or scruff either!
Picking up an adult dog by the nape of the neck is generally not recommended. While it's a natural behavior for mother dogs to carry their puppies this way, adult dogs can find it uncomfortable or even painful. It's safer and more comfortable to lift an adult dog by supporting its chest and hindquarters.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
When they misbehave or do not obey, show them that you are withholding the treat and use a lower tone of voice. You can also withhold their dog food until they obey your command, and don't allow them to leave for a walk or get a treat until they perform well.
You don't need to let the dog know they did something wrong. What specific problem are you trying to solve? This isn't quite how it works for dogs. Instead, you need to prevent behaviour you don't want and make it really easy for them to build the habits you do want - and reward them well.
Negative punishment is utilized in positive training quite often and is not considered aversive, mainly because it does not rely on fear or intimidation to work. That said, ignoring only works if a dog's intention with the behavior is to get your attention or affection.
A red flag dog behavior signals deep fear, stress, or potential aggression, going beyond normal misbehavior, and includes intense growling/snapping without cause, sudden aggression in a calm dog, persistent hiding, resource guarding (food aggression), freezing, destructive behavior linked to separation anxiety, or signs of extreme anxiety like trembling, lip-licking, and tail-tucking, indicating underlying problems needing professional intervention.
2. Why You Shouldn't Pick Up a Dog by the Scruff. Lifting a dog by the scruff may seem like a natural way to control or carry them, especially after observing how mother dogs handle their pups. However, this approach poses significant risks for humans and is generally inappropriate for dogs of any age.
The Hardest Tricks to Teach Your Dog
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
Be gentle and calm
The alpha leader shouldn't be cruel, physical, or aggressive. When it comes to how to show dominance to a puppy, using verbal commands and training techniques in a calm way is key. It is important to be gentle yet firm when teaching commands to your puppy.
The 3-second rule for puppies (and dogs) is a guideline for positive greetings and interactions, suggesting initial meetings or petting sessions last no more than three seconds before pausing, allowing the dog to choose to re-engage, which helps build confidence, reduce overstimulation, and prevent negative reactions like fear or aggression. It teaches dogs that social contact is on their terms, using short, controlled sniff-and-greet intervals (3 seconds), then disengaging, and repeating as needed, while also being used for petting to let dogs signal they want more.
"Silent killer" in dogs usually refers to deadly diseases that progress with few early symptoms, primarily Heartworm, Hemangiosarcoma (a type of cancer), and sometimes Leptospirosis or Canine Parvovirus, all characterized by vague initial signs, rapid progression, and severe organ damage, making prevention and early detection crucial.
Dogs say "sorry" through submissive body language like tucking their tail, lowering their head, making "puppy eyes," licking, and rolling onto their backs to show they're not a threat, which are appeasement signals to diffuse tension after a conflict or misbehavior, often combined with whining or approaching and retreating. They recognize when their human (or another dog) is upset and use these signs to seek forgiveness, though it's more about reducing stress than human-like guilt.
Adolescence marks the change from being a puppy to becoming an adult. In dogs, it can start any time between six and 12 months and can end between 18 and 24 months. During this time, there are dramatic hormonal changes and a reorganisation of the brain.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, outlining three phases: 3 Days (decompression, feeling overwhelmed/scared), 3 Weeks (starting to settle in, learning routine, personality emerges), and 3 Months (feeling secure, bonded, and truly at home). It helps new owners manage expectations and be patient as their rescue dog transitions, emphasizing calm energy, routine, and space in the early days to build trust.
In conclusion, dogs are sensitive creatures that can remember and react to raised voices. While they don't hold grudges, repeated negative experiences can impact their behavior and emotional well-being. Understanding your dog's emotional states and body language is crucial for building a strong and loving relationship.
Hand clapping and using shaker cans or horns can be intimidating enough to inhibit undesirable behavior. However, remote punishment is preferred. Remote punishment consists of using something that appears unconnected to the punisher to stop the problem behavior.
The most commonly surrendered dog type is the "pit bull type" (including mixes), often due to negative stereotypes, breed-specific legislation, and high energy levels, followed by other popular breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, and Labrador Retrievers that may not fit owner lifestyles. Breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers (especially mixes) also top surrender lists in some regions like Australia.
The seven second rule. Put the back of your hand on the pavement. If you cannot hold it for seven seconds, it is too hot to walk for your dogs. This rule also applies to dogs riding in the bed of a pickup truck.