Patch Confessions: I Shot Scout Finch

When I adopted my Chihuahua, I knew I wanted to train her to not be well, like a Chihuahua. But I got busy and things happened. Three months later, she's a good dog but stands on you when you're eating. 

So I set out to stop that. 

I read on several animal rescue sites that the best way to train a dog was to get a water gun and squirt it at the dog. This seemed nicer than bopping her on the head, so I tried it.

I got my 99-cent watergun from Walgreens and left it by my desk. Since I usually eat dinner while I'm Patching, she has no idea what my dining room table is for.

She jumped. I shot her right between the eyes. What they didn't prepare me for was this: If you've ever seen an animal's heart break right before you, this was it. She just sat there looking at me for the longest time. 

Since then, I haven't been able to bring myself to shoot her again. I've been racked with grief. I've bought her new toys, new bones, everything. 

Do you train your dog with a water gun? Tell us in the comments.