[Discussion] My dad thinks the only way to train a dog is to hit it. How do I go about this?

Look, these other commenters mean well but they obviously dont care what happens to you if you report your dad. It's cruel to treat the dog like this, but if you phrase it like that (accusations) it will feel like a personal attack and he wont listen. Try showing him alternatives (positive reinforcement based training methods; leadership based training, where the dog wants to follow you, not just fears you-- which I'm assuming is why he'd want a dog in the first place, a companion?).

If you cant convince him to change his training because he doesnt like the dog, I'd try to convince him to give it to someone else, or a rescue organization. Theyd have no trouble placing an 8 wk. puppy. If you wait and it becomes an older dog with more behavioural problems...not so easy.

This is really a much more difficult problem than someone in your position (I'm assuming you're a minor, or at least still dependent on your family) should have to deal with, but unfortunately it seems you're the only one who can. Sorry you and the pup are going through this.

/r/dogs Thread Parent