How to Deter a Dog from Misbehaving Using a Water Gun

Last Updated: September 2, 2022

If you choose to use a water gun to deter your dog from misbehaving, then purchase a water gun that is small. This way, you can keep it handy and concealed. When using the water gun, make sure to catch your dog in the act of misbehaving, and accompany the squirt with a verbal command such as “No.” Also, try not to spray your dog in the face, but rather its body or the back of the head. Keep in mind that this method of punishment does not usually work on dogs that like and enjoy water.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using the Water Gun

1
Purchase a water gun. Visit your local pharmacy, toy store, or discount retailer to purchase a water gun. Buy a smaller gun that you can carry around with you, and one that you can easily hide in your pants pocket or in your waistband.
- Purchase water guns that shoot streams of water as opposed to mists of water.
- Alternatively, you can purchase a spray bottle, but these are more difficult to carry around with you.
2
Catch your dog in the act. When punishing your dog with a spray bottle, it is very important that you punish it while it is in the act of misbehaving. Punishing your dog after the fact can cause confusion, or even make your dog think it is being punished for no reason.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- For example, if you find that your dog has chewed up your shoe, but you did not see your dog doing it, then going over to your dog and squirting it with the water gun will not do any good. Instead, wait for the next time you see your dog chewing on your shoe or the furniture. Use the water gun to punish your dog then.
- Keep your water gun hidden in your pocket or waistband at all times so that you can punish your dog in the act, and use the element of surprise to your advantage.
Advertisement
3
Spray your dog’s body. When you catch your dog in the act, and you have your water gun handy, avoid spraying your dog in the face. First off, by spraying it in the face, you can inadvertently harm its eyes. Secondly, your dog will be able to see that you are spraying the bottle. Thus, it will come to associate you with the punishment, and might begin to fear or resent you.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Instead, spray your dog’s body, like its back or its behind. Or, try spraying your dog in the back of the head.
- Do not use the water gun forcefully, for example, use a high-pressure setting to spray the dog, or spray too much water. You might harm the dog this way.
4
Give a verbal addition. As you squirt your dog, you must give a verbal addition, like “No,” “Stop,” or “Stop, bad dog.” This way, the dog can begin to associate the punishment with the verbal correction. Once it has made a connection between the word and the punishment, you will only need to use the word to get it to stop misbehaving.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Make sure your voice is confident, loud (but not yelling), and firm so that your dog understands that you are in charge and do not approve of the behavior.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Knowing What Not to Do

1
Do not call your dog over. When punishing your dog with a water gun, do not call your dog over to receive the punishment. By doing this, you are not catching your dog in the act. Instead, your dog will think that it is being reprimanded for coming to you when called, which you do not want.
2
Don’t let your dog see the water gun. Try not to let your dog see the water gun, or see that you are dispensing the water from the gun. The punishment should not be associated with you, but with the misbehavior. If your dog comes to associate you with the water gun, then it is more likely to engage in the behavior when you are not around.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Keep the water gun in your back pocket, and make sure your dog does not see you using it.
- To prevent your dog from seeing you use the water gun, approach your dog from behind and spray the back of its head or body.
3
Be consistent. Try to punish your dog every time the misbehavior occurs. If you only punish your dog sporadically, then it will learn that it still occasionally gets to do the unwanted behavior.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- This can cause your dog to either do the behavior when you are not around, or decide that performing the behavior is worth the risk of getting punished.
4
Use a different method. This method of punishment does not usually work on dogs that enjoy water, like Labradors, Golden retrievers, American and Irish water spaniels, Portuguese water dogs, labradoodles, and general retriever dogs. Therefore, you will need to use a different method of punishment if your dog likes water, or is one of these dogs.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Instead, take away one of your dog's favorite toys, or place it in time-out (time-outs should not be longer than a minute). Make sure to accompany the punishment with a verbal addition like, "Bad dog" or "No."^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
- On the other hand, dogs that dislike water are Chihuahuas, pugs, Yorkshire terriers, Pekingese breeds, Dachshunds, Maltese breeds, Shih Tzus, Pomeranians, Chinese cresteds, and Lhasa Apsos.

Expert Q&A

Question

Can I squirt my dog with water?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Squirting a dog with water is a popular way of interrupting bad behavior. However, it does have disadvantages in that the dog sees you give the punishment and links you to the unpleasant experience. This can make the dog wary of you and may not cure bad behavior in your absence.
Question

How do you punish a puppy?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

It is rarely appropriate to punish a puppy and only if you catch the puppy in the act (say of urinating indoors) is a short sharp remonstration the right thing to do. This should be a short "No!" rather than smacking or physical contact. Alternatively, stopping a game and walking away withdraws attention and is a good way of punishing the puppy in a humane way.
Question

What can I spray dogs with to stop them from barking?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Some people spray the dog with water as soon as they start to bark. However, this has a limited effect since the dog learns not to bark when you are present, but may still bark when you're out.