This is what I learned in training...sm
Posted By: Moo on 2009-05-31
In Reply to: How do you leash train a dog? - SM
If you do not believe in rewarding good behavior with a tiny treat, then stop reading here. We started on very short walks first. When Shadow would pull on the leash, I would say no, stopped abruptly at the same time, then made him sit before starting again. If he walked without pulling, I would give praise and slip him a treat while walking--do not stop walking. It took a lot of patience, but he now stays close by without a leash (well, most of the time). Good luck.
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dog training
If someone does not want to do something blaming the dog or you, the giver of the dog, is ridiculous. I am thinking she need to hire some help. Hire a dog walker for every single day twice daily walks. Lots of people need jobs. Obedience boarding for a month. Truthfully, she should probably turn the dog back in and get a ferret, they sleep 22 hours a day are playfully entertaining two hours a day and use a cat box. Perfect pet for the lazy.
training the bad dog
I did this, but it did not work, I did that, but it did not work. The reason it did not work is because your dad has no where else to go, has no way of supporting himself, has no money, has no emotional skills whatsoever, needs your mother to help him survive for better or for worse. You will not be able to train him to leave you alone, because he cannot take care of himself and seems very unwilling to learn how. He already has been trained by your mother to behave this way, you can't fix it.
While I was still training, I had some expansions set up
in Word. One was BE for barium enema. At that time, the whole family used the same computer and my son had a report to type. I never thought to turn off the auto correct for him and as I was reading over his paper, the words barium enema jumped out at me. What was funny was it was a report on torture in the middle ages and I remember thinking, well that would be torture. He never retyped the paper! He turned it in with barium enema and never told me what grade he got!
That could have been me re: potty training
My daughter is almost 3-1/2 and she's doing everything your daughter is doing and I'm at my wits end. She can't get into preschool until she's potty trained (I wanted her to go a couple hours a day for two day). I've tried absolutely everything. Taking things away, bribes, offering her incentives (if you use the potty like a big girl we'll redo your room), and on and on, and nothing. I felt like I was the only one who was having these issues. I've tried no pullups also. Nothing works. She'll sit on the potty and as soon as she gets off she'll pee on the floor. She's just very stubborn. You can tell she knows what she's supposed to do, she just doesn't "want to" (her words). (Sorry so long).
potty training
With both my children, 1 boy and 1 girl, we used stickes and once they had an entire line full they got a small prize. With my son he still slept in pull-ups and he always woke up wet and I figured out it was becuase he knew it was okay. Put him in underware and that stopped almost immediately. I was determined to train my daughter before we went to Disney World....big mistake. she was trained but when she had to go there was no waiting, even if we had stood in line for a ride for 45 minutes we had skip the ride and go straight to the restroom. Plus, didn't want her sitting on the potty...boy did I learn my lesson.
How about crate training?
I have 3 dobies that I crate when they can't be trusted to obey the rules.
Potty training
I have a boy and a girl, I bribed them both! It works. My daughter loves jelly beans so we got a small gumball machine and filled it with jelly beans. When she would go in the toilet, she got to turn the handle and get her treat. My son did not care about candy, so we used matchbox cars with him (for #2). I guess bribe her with something she REALLY likes. Dollar store toys work well too! Good luck.
Sounds like he's training you, though, LOL
.
Are you cage training her?
If so, put her in her cage when she gets too rambunctious (sp?). Our new puppy is also about 8 or 9 months old, and she knows the meaning of "NO" and "STOP BITING".
Also, have you tried spraying her with water? it works on most dogs and cats.
training cats
My cat used to have a thing with begging at the fridge. It got so bad she would jump in there. Once she got trapped in there for quite awhile and I did not realize it. We cured her by dribbling a couple of water drops on her head whenever she begged.
puppy training
Start inching the pads closer and closer to the door, and eventually place the pads outside so she figures out that outside is where she really needs to be.
The piddling all the time when walking is marking territory - even in girl dogs. She's finding other scents and peeing over them to leave her own scent on it. If you have her spayed I think you'll find that happens less often.
When she has accidents in the house, is there a pattern to the timing of it? Her bladder is small enough that she needs to be either by a pad or taken outside every couple of hours. Do you have an area in the house that you can sort of confine her with baby gates or some such so the carpets are not an issue? Maybe keep her in the kitchen with lots of beds and cushions that are washable until she is old enough to have a little bit better control.
Good luck. I know all about animals doing things where they're not supposed to do them. Clorox Cleanup is my friend!
lol, if not about the receiving, then why the *list* and the *training*?
x
Crate training is great when done right....sm
I had my dog completely potty trained before she was 12 weeks ago by using a crate and have known others to have the same success. The secret is this. Keep the puppy in the crate except for the times you take him outside to pee or to play with him. He'll learn that the crate is home and he'll not want to pee/dribble/poop etc. in it. Be sure you're taking him out every 2-3 hours during the day so he builds confidence that you'll take him out to go do his "business" then start weaning him back from there. Be sure to praise him each time he does his "business" outside and when you bring him back in, put him in his crate.
If the problem continues then have the vet check him to make sure there's not a problem with his system. More than likely it's just puppy excitedness!
Good luck with your new puppy. Also when he gets to the stage that he wants to eat your house up buy some bitter apple and spray it on your furniture. It has a scent in it that dogs don't like but you don't smell it. It also works in the yard if he starts digging.
potty training puppy
Please do not and I will repeat that DO NOT potty train your puppy using the crate method unless you do not work at home and will not be home for 8-10 hours every single day. I have had many dogs in my life and crate training is crate training and potty training is potty training. Yes, you want the pup to know that the crate is his safe place and yes if you cannot keep an eye on him you will want to put him there but first think about these questions....after he goes outside and pees do you let him have a drink? Do you play with him thereby making hime excited? Either of these things will cause a pup to go pee again even though they just went. It could also be submissive peeing and if you dont make a big deal about it, he should out grow it; however, if you check for drinking and playing and this does not seem to be submissive then the next time you go to the vet mention it to them. My friend's pup did this until she was fixed and the vet had a reason why it happened(even did it in her sleep) and she did out grow it and is much better.
And there is no real time table for saying a pup should be totally housebroken and accident free. I always say within the first six months, it is your fault and up until a year, an accident can happen. Yes, btw, I have had pups that were trained within 6 weeks or less of coming home; however, I did have a boxer that honestly took six months before she really got the idea. Also I suggest bells on a string/yarn etc and hung from the door knob and when we ask them if they have to go potty or you are taking them out, stop and jingle the bells and say something about going potty. I and my friends have used this method and it seems to help them get the hint too about the door being the way to get to go potty.
Best of luck 
Potty training question. SM
I'm a grandma. My daughter toilet trained herself at 18 months. Now her daughter is 3 and is potty trained as far as #1, but will only go #2 in a diaper. She will cry until daughter puts diaper on her and then she goes to the bathroom in diaper. I suggested she not change diaper immediatly, since she is very tidy and maybe will not like wearing dirty diaper. That is the only time she wears one.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
potty training puppy
Of course not. I guess I should have been more blunt about saying that you should not confine a pup to a crate and call it potty training or be foolish enough to say that by locking it in a crate that it is potty trained.
Potty training puppy
I just got a new puppy yesterday. It was a stray that someone put up on craig's list. It looks as though she was abused by her previous owner because she is so shy and scared around my husband (she does not like men), but is not that way with me. In fact, she follows me around all day long. I can't even go to the bathroom! lol She is peeing everywhere. What are your tips on potty training a dog. I do not want to scold her because she is already very shy and afraid. And what about tips on when I am trying to work. If I do not give her attention for a short while, she starts to whine. It is like having a baby here. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!
So, it takes 32 years of training?
Which training method yielded results so quickly? (I'm nearing 16 years, I might need to refine my technique)
Does he get a diploma, or a certificate? Or a ribbon?
Originally it was for crate-training - (sm)
one of my cats who is averse to using her litterbox. In the meantime, my other cat decided this would do very nicely as her own, personal little 'condo', so she took it over. She likes it because everything is right there: Food, bed, water, & litterbox. Not to mention a great view of my birdbath outside! ;)
It's 30 minute circuit training SM
on very easy machines. It's actually fun and everyone is friendly.
Only problem is, you don't really lose a lot of weight, if that's your goal, and, at least where I live, it costs $40 a month. What with rate of pay dropping, I had to quit.
If you don't need to lose a great deal of weight and just want to stay in shape, it really is good.
Lady here at my home now training to become
a nurse and she says no discrimination in becoming a nurse, nothing supposedly plays into your training.
I think she has learned
Sounds like she has learned. . I think you did the right thing. .
Maybe you have never learned how to
relax and you don't realize how you sound when you talk to people. Have you ever recorded one of these conversations to play it back for yourself later? Exercise like Pilates or relaxation therapy with biofeedback might really help you sound more relaxed when you converse with people.
I'm 48 and this is what I know/learned
I can quilt, clean, bake and my cooking is so-so. I'd prefer to bake. I grew up in New England in the 60s when in winter we'd have huge ice and snow storms, and depending on the season we learned different things. My mom taught us how to quilt, sew (plus I took sewing in home ec, girl scouts & 4H - I have lost touch and want to learn again). We learned how to can food for the winter, garden in the summer/fall. We lived in the country and mom would take sis and me into the woods in our backyard and she would point out plants, flowers, types of trees etc teaching us which is edible, poisonous, etc (however if my life depended on it now I'd surely be dead). She taught us candle making, kitting and she tried some crotchet but I couldn't get the hang of it. Her aunt taught her how to TAT (if you can't get crotcheting you certainly won't get tatting) :-). My dad taught us cooking, baking, morse code, and cleaning (he was a cook in the service and also learned morse code, and he would not let us get our drivers licence until we knew and could prove two things. We had to be able to change a flat tire by ourselves without help and he would drive us in the middle of nowhere (there was lots of nowhere in New England) somewhere we were not familiar with and he'd distract us along the way, and then hand me a map and told me to find my way back home shortest route possible so as not to run out of gas. Even my grandmother taught us things (she lived a 2 minute walk from our house). She taught us how to darn socks (I asked why she didn't just buy new ones and I thought she'd fall over in a fit HA HA), she taught us mending, patching, ironing (she had the most crisp and well ironed bed sheets :-). Even though my mom didn't have to say it we knew these were life skills we may need to fall back on. There has been a lot of knowledge I've lost along the way, my interests have changed and there are new things I'd love to learn. I do think more and more people are so used to just throwing things away, but with times like they are I think everyone will start making due with what they have and learn to repair.
I have learned
to stay out of it and I learned this by experience. I had a very good friend (widowed) who got involved with this guy who was 30 years older than her. At first like everyone else I assumed that money was involved but being her friend, I decided to talk some sense into her. I gave her the usual reasons why she should NOT marry this guy. He was older than her mother, what would people say, he probably could not have kids and even if they did have kids, he'd probably die and leave her a single mother. I really cared for her and felt that I was looking out for her because obviously she had lost her mind. She told me that although she loved her mother, she could not live her life to please her. She said that she did not care what people thought because people will think what they want to no matter what you did in your life. She said that she was a widow and that had she had children with her first husband, she would be a single mother anyway. So like any good friend would do, I supported her. Today, years after, they are one of the happiest couples that I know. Her mother thinks the world of her son-in-law (especially since he treats her daughter the way she deserves) and her real friends (me included) get the joy of spending time with a couple who makes you smile every time you visit them and you feel the love and respect that they have for each other touch you. I am blessed to be considered a friend by both of them. It is not for everyone, but for those who do enter into a May/December relationship good luck to them.
Any ideas on potty training a 2-year-old boy? sm
I have 2 girls and they were so easy to train (no joke, one day tops). My son on the other hand, well, I'm afraid I will have to go to school to change him  We bought him a potty chair and he is terrified of it. He just turned two, but when my girls were his age they were already trained. I've always heard boys were harder to train....any help would be appreciated!!
Question about potty training puppies...
Please no one poke fun at my question... I have never potty trained a puppy before and have a few questions. I have a 12 week old Corgi boy named Cody.
How long does it take to potty train a dog. Is it 6 months or longer or should he have the idea down for the most part by age 3 months?
The one thing that I do not understand is why after I take him outside, he will go pee (it seems like he is completely emptying his bladder), I will praise right away, then we go back inside and 5 minutes later he dribbles on the carpet. I'm sure this is normal, but I am not sure what to do about it. Should I put him back in his pet crate immediately?
I know there are a lot of dog experts on this board... I appreciate any advice you can give.
Thanks! Melissa (and Cody)
Ah but most of us learned the language! lol
x
I learned from my grandma's and we did that for my FIL.
His service was the best...just friends telling stories about him. I think the reason for the "saving" is because my grandma's funeral was in Iowa. Plus, honestly, I didn't expect that. It was horrible.
yes and they learned more about the shooter
Such a shame but in Korea they teach in the schools all kinds of antiamericanism...though he did come here when he was 8 years old...1992.
Very said, indeed, and I pray for all the victims, their families, the town of Blacksburg and students, families alike, and for the heroes of this HORRIBLE incident, especially Professor Librescu, an Israeli teacher who helped the kids and died in the end and who was a Holocaust survivor himself.
GOD BLESS THEM ALL!
Lessons learned
Believe me, I knew absolutely nothing when I looked at houses on my own for the first time. Oooo! Pretty kitchen! Nice carpet! Love the color of the living room! Then when I had the home inspection done which cost me a good chunk of change, and boy did I learn fast. I had a 35 page report from him. I passed on the house, but I took that report to every house I looked at after before calling him to come look again and dishing out more money for the inspection. I cringe when I think of what could have been had I bought that house without his expertise. I would be in financial ruins trying to keep up with the repairs or selling it at a loss.
I am not always, perfect with it, but have learned that
a whole week or a month. Enjoy yourself now and again and have what you want is also the key for me.
Will power and determination, and prayers, coming you way !!
I learned a lot from biofeedback.
I don't have any pain issues anymore, and I think learning to relax was key. I had no idea what my muscles were doing until I started getting massage from a physical therapist, and it felt great, but the effect didn't last because I couldn't stop the muscles from coiling back up on me. That's why I did the relaxation therapy with biofeedback, and I learned a lot.
I recently learned that among those who are into -
New Age beliefs (which I'm not particularly), a personality type called "Indigo" exists. The 25 traits that make up an Indigo fit me and my authority-questioning ways to a T. It was quite a shock how exact the match was. Even more interesting was other people's descriptions of their lives, etc. as an Indigo. You might check that term out, cuz you just might be one, too!
According to the teachings of that group, Indigos often lead difficult lives because they spend much of them swimming against the current, but that they are ultimately the ones who will save the world.
Food for thought, when it comes to the differences between leaders, and followers!
Wow --- here's a few tricks we learned
about Dish -- maybe it will work with Direct TV, too. We wanted a better deal with our Dish. Our original contract was up and we were free agents. We stayed with them for about 5 years after the contract ended. That was when they came out with the extra boxes for a few dollars more a month. Originally, you couldn't do that. I called them up and asked them if we could get in on that deal. They said no. So we switched to Direct TV. I had already signed a contract with Direct and they were scheduled to come out the next day. I called Dish and told them I was cancelling our service and then they switched me over to a "cancellation specialist", who then proceeded to offer me the very offer I requested originally. Well, it was too little too late. We were already signed up for Direct TV. We stayed on with Direct TV for our 2 years. At the end of the 2 years, I called Dish back up and resigned as a new customer. Somewhere during that time, my remote broke. I didn't have the warranty coverage. The Dish rep told me that I could sign up for it for $6.95 a month and then call back in tell them I needed the remote replaced. She said you could cancel the warranty plan at any time. $6.95 for a new remote sounded good to me. I've done that twice now in all the time we've had Dish.
Then about 2 or 3 years later (still with Dish) we decided to add additional TVs in the house. I called in and asked about it and of course was told the deals were only for new customers. I said okay. Cancel me as a customer. They switched me over to the "cancellation specialist" who then proceeded to offer me what the other rep couldn't. I asked her why they couldn't just give me that deal to begin with and she said they weren't "authorized" to. I figure it's just their way of trying to make money however they can.
Not long ago, we had a disaster happen that ruined our Dish boxes/remotes/outside dish, everything. We called Dish up and told them and their rep worked every angle he could to get us the best deal with the least responsibility for the destroyed units.
Maybe we didn't like Direct because we were so used to Dish -- the programming setup, etc. I do know one thing I like about Direct (my friend has it) -- you can still get East/West coast channels for little to nothing. Dish took them away for a long time and just recently brought them back, but I think it's expensive.
We can't get cable either where we live now, but when we were able to get it, we went with Dish because our cable company sux. I don't know if anything above will work the same with Direct, but it might be worth a try if you ever need to.
I have learned that in these types
of situations, it is impossible to get all the information you need to figure out exactly what is going on. Too many people gossip and pass on bad information.
On the other hand, maybe I am missing something, but it sounds like you are saying that your son broke up with this girl because he couldn't be alone with her. If that is what you mean, then I can see why she would be upset and hurt. That would look like he tossed her aside because of what he was not getting.
OMG! I just learned my son was on drugs
What do I do? He's going to be 40 this year. I had heard years ago that he started on majjuania when he was over in Japan in the service, but didn't believe it. He and his wife broke up (supposedly) over her use of of meth and cocaine, but I didn't believe that either. Lately, he 's been bringing some "not so nice looking" friends around here for approval and not recieiving that, so I have not seen him since Christmas Eve. Tonight, I heard he is on heroin. This is absolutely the straw that broke the camel's back. He always denied he was on meth or cocaine, but tonight's "revealation" is absolutely too much if it's true.
I'm broken-hearted and devastated over this latest "rumor/truth" (from more than 1 person) and don't really know how to bring the subject up and/or confront him with this. I'm so disappointed [in my son] and thought he was smarter than this. Now I understand why he is not actively trying to find work (unemployed since May last year).
Any suggestions? Forget rehab unless it's free. We can't afford it.He's my only son and he had a very tough life trying to live up to my husband's idea of a (step)son, but he really looks up to him now. We have another son (my stepson) who never got into drugs, why my son? Could his life been so bad?
I love my son but am thoroughly upset with this latest revelation. I just don't know what to do, and would like to stand behind him, but if drugs are his first love, I'm afraid I can't do that. I'm not really a confrontal person and don't want to lsoe my son, but if he gets caught, I'm afraid I won't/can't bail him out of jail.
Your thoughts?
I have learned to move on.
I gave both my kids everything including all the love I could, taught them the right way to treat people, cherished them beyond belief, worked hard to give them what they needed growing up (just me raising them, divorced). In talking with DH yesterday I really do not feel that either 1 of the kids loves me like they should. I do not see nor talk with my son now due to a falling out we had in 2005 and my girl, well she is a me type, all about her. If you cannot change things, just learn how to live with them the way they are or wish them well in their lives.
I need advice for crate training 10 week old puppy. Help!
.
Repeat after me ... Crate training is a GOOD thing!
Invest in a good crate and use it.
The crate will cost you less than the destruction in the long run. It takes a while for the dogs to get use to it but once they are they are much happier for it.
My Rotts each have their own crates and when we have company or if they just want their own space they will go to their crate and chew on their KONG or a pigear.
Whenever I am going to be gone for any length of time I put up my Rotts and when people come to visit and ESPECIALLY when I have other folks children in my house. Mine dont see it as punishment at all and have gotten to where at night they sleep in their crates with the doors open. Although I do have to say they prefer to have Animal planet showing on their TV in their room when I am gone for any length of time.
Good Luck!!!
Yes - 7 day crate training - works perfectly in one week (sm)
google it - it works great and you dont have to swat them or scold them - they learn in one week and we never had another accident after that!
Lots of teething toys and crate training - sm
Get her a good book or a video on raising a puppy. They chew a lot with puppy teeth. Some breeds chew more than others, I had a husky that chewed a table leg, I have had a lab/shepard mix that basically ate a couch....which we ended up putting the dog in the powder room with a muzzle on during the day. Eventually we were able to unmuzzle the dog, after 2 years or so, as she got older and less destructive. Felt bad doing it but it was the only way not to have her eat the plumbing, baseboards, etc. They are also destructive when they are bored. If she leaves the dog alone constantly it is going to get into mischief. A dog is a bit respponsibility, I hope she is up for it, and if she bails I hope you can take it in.
book or CD on training... maybe some info on local classes? nm
nm
Nah, don't need proof, was just curious what you learned.
Nah, don't want proof, was just curious.
I learned so much when I bought and then refinanced (sm)
that I was astounded. I've probably forgotten a lot of it and will have to retrain myself for the next time!! Your 'loan boy' as you call him will probably tell you he needs this info so the underwriter will not turn you down automatically - that's a ploy they use to get everything they can out of you. If they ran your credit you have a right to have a copy of it and you can take it to your next place, give it to them and ask for some numbers. Then if they look good to you and you want to go with them - they can run the credit again. And like someone else said - it is not at all unusual to check with several mortgage companies when doing something like this and those are not big dings on your credit.... inquiries for the same thing are lumped together. You would not believe how aggressive you can be and how much you can get if you get pushy - they act like they are doing you a huge favor when in fact they need your business - go where you get treated well - you will never be sorry. Go to a credit union if at all possible - the closing costs are really minimal and if they can take directly from your checking account - you can usually get a better rate also - they like knowing they can count on the same amount each month on the same day. Get your credit scores and call around - tell them your score is say 725, you are self employed, you want $300,000 and want to pay less than $2,000 in closing costs. I bet you would be surprised. Good luck!!
exactly! Hate is learned from home too.....
I remember a song from South Pacific called "You've Got To Be Taught" (To Hate and Fear)......
it is learned behavior whether it be at home or from the schools
One thing I have learned in life--sm
is to never mix business or money with friendship. Always put everything in writing. It avoids confusion such as this down the road and everybody knows up front what is expected of them, not to mention having all your ducks in a row and the laws on your side when you have to go to court to collect what is owed you. I know that you meant that you were giving her the extra time to come up with the money and not that you were just letting her stay there free out of *friendship* and so does she. *Friends* do not try to take advantage of their friends, like she is doing to you. If you have not already done it, write up an agreement stating all the terms clearly and make her sign it. Also keep VERY good records on what she pays you and when. You will need that when you have to go to court. If she does not want to sign the agreement or becomes offended, then consider the fact that she intends to stiff you again in the future and that she is not truly a friend, but looking for a free ride. I am sorry if this sounds harsh, but you have to protect yourself in this world these days. Actions speak louder than words and her actions have already shown you what direction she is taking. The writing is on the wall...heed it, and good luck to you.
Lesson learned I guess but ..
I do not know how close you are with her and I would not want to start a family feud but I would buy a new one and present her with the bill and ask for half. I also would never loan her another thing. I would have asked for it back way before that time though. Even with family members I trust I always ask for things back after about a month or so just because of that. When I do loan things out I also tell them you break it you replace it. But you do need to speak up.
our poor cat children have learned sm
To duck and cover when mommy and daddy reach out to pet their heads, especially our oldest boy. The ears and the nose seem to be the most sensitive. If the 'kids' come into the office to visit me while I am working and I leave my headphones on, I can actually hear the static crackle!!!
Also, I noticed that if I stroke the cats from head to tip of tail, it seems to complete a circuit of some sort and the tails will actually spark sometimes. Doesn't seem to bother them, but the ears and nose- that is another story.
hc
I have to take care of myself and learned this the hard way sm
I used to push and push and push. I tried to convince myself I only need 4 hours of sleep a night, that I CAN work two jobs full time or nearly so, that I could not go to bed with a messy house. It came to a point where I nearly died because I got too sick and had a near-fatal drug interaction.
The upshot of all that mess was that I have SLE and later found to have celiac disease. My kidneys leak protein, my face has started to scar with the rashes I get. I can't enjoy the sunshine from any place other than the shade, and even then not much of it. At times the fatigue seems neverending. I didn't get a clue about proper rest, exercise and most importantly SLEEP.
I am on chronic steriods and they help, but they are not a cure. I am better, but I am not well. I have been working some odd hours over the past couple of months and it has come to a point where I am sick and having trouble regaining some ground here. I will make it, but it is going to take time and I am feeling impatient.
Because of the celiac, there are all sorts of things I can't eat. I have to have a low protein diet so that I can preserve kidney function (the drugs don't do all the work), and then I am hypoglycemic. Oh yes, meal preparation and eating is a nightmare! The special celiac flours for bread making are pricey and hard to find, and most of the bread is awful at that.
I end up spending a lot on food, and I am a cheapskate. I have to sleep at least 8 hours a night and watch every thing I do. I end up feeling better, but I HATE having to do so much for myself just so I can function!!!!
You have to take care of yourself along, not have a wake up call in your late 40s. If I had been better when I was younger, I would not be in such bad shape. Hindsight is 20/20.
He's learned to push your buttons
and boy is he pushing them. The hardest thing you have to learn to do is not argue with him. Don't try to reason with him, don't try to make sense of a situation for him or with him. If you want him to do option A and he argues, give him option B, but make option B so completely horrific that he has no choice but to go for option A. Have this conversation with him once. If he still argues, explain that Option A is still on the table, but in addition to that he'll get to do Option B as well. Or something like that. And then follow through. Whatever you promise/threaten, you have to follow through. They figure it out really fast when you dont' mean it.
The point is you can't argue with him. He's figured that out and he's probably figured that if he wears on you enough you'll give in to him in some fashion. Pull out the "because I'm the Mommy and I said so" card if you have to. Don't, don't, don't argue or discuss things with him. That's where he's figuring out where your cracks are.
I'm good with the going to bed hungry deal, too. If he complains, give his dinner to the dog and he can have breakfast in the morning. Again, he would get one warning and then he'd see me give Fido the plate. I don't think that will take more than one or two times for him to figure it out. The other key is to make sure that any snacks that are in the house are put away in places he can't get to.
Once you and hubby are consistent with these types of rules, if he is still having this kind of behavior, then I would absolutely look into therapy. Especially if this is new behavior and hasn't been growing for a while.
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