Why is it considered to be so horrible to rub a dog's nose in it when they deliberately poop in the house? Please read details.

Asked by Buttonstc (27605) August 17th, 2012 from iPhone

Before you decide to hang me at high noon, let me clarify a few FACTS.

1.) I have not ever done this, merely contemplating it.

2.) This is not a confused little puppy but an adult dog who has been fully house trained for years. He certainly knows better and is basically being bratty (or spiteful, according to his owner.)

3.) Rubbing his nose in it would be LIMITED TO simply that along with a stern tone of voice. Absolutely no swatting or hitting of any kind. I believe hitting an animal for any reason is absolutely off limits and abusive as well as totally ineffective.

But what’s the matter with a little shame and unpleasantness to get the point across and discourage repeats ?

Obviously he recognizes his own poop since that’s what he sniffs when outside to get the inspiration to go.

And he certainly knows that his poop doesn’t belong in the house. And this is definitely not a case of urgency or diarrhea or such.

He had been taken out 3 hrs. prior and done a normal sized poop as well as peed.

I’ve been taking him out every 3–4 hrs. just to make certain there wouldn’t be any accidents from him having to wait too long. Sometimes overnight it might be 6 hours or so but this was in the middle of the afternoon and only a 3 hr. time interval.

Obviously he’s not happy that his owner isn’t here but pooping in the middle of the living room won’t bring him back any sooner.

So, why would a little shame and disapproval be so terribly awful to reinforce the fact that this is not acceptable behavior? Continuing to ignore it and pretending it didn’t happen isn’t any solution either (even tho that’s what I’ve been doing.)

So let’s hear some opinions and hopefully any other helpful solutions you might have.