Training your Fluffy 2: Methods Part 1

Training Your Fluffy: A Guide
Chapter 2 – Methods of Discipline part 1
[Remember that the goal of these methods is to punish and teach, not to abuse.]

Solitary Confinement, aka “Sorry Box” or “Sorry Room”
Description:
>The fluffy is placed in a contained area, such as a pet carrier, small empty room or closet, etc., and left alone for a set amount of time. Leaving the area devoid of light is an option, but not necessary depending on the fluffy.
Commentary:
>Fluffies constantly crave companionship and attention. Left completely alone, even if all other needs are met, a fluffy will enter into a deep depression. This disciplinary method uses that need for contact by isolating the fluffy. The exact nature of the isolation can vary according to owner preferences and resources, as well as the fluffy's personality. A fluffy with a fear of heights can be put in a raised birdcage to enhance the punishment, for example.
>The most common means of exacting this type of punishment are through a pet carrier or a closet, sometimes referred to as the “Sorry Room.”
>The advantage of a pet carrier is that it can be moved to any room or any location for use. However, it is highly recommended that you use a very distinct carrier from any carrier you use for normal transport. Using the same carrier for moving the fluffy as the one you use for solitary confinement will cause the fluffy to associate any use of the carrier with punishment. Many inexperienced owners have made this mistake, and made visits to the vet an even more stressful experience for all parties involved.
>The amount of time you leave the fluffy in solitary is at your discretion, but it should be noted that fluffies are not very good at understanding the flow of time, and a fluffy kept in solitary will likely not be able to tell the difference between two hours and thirty minutes. Keeping a fluffy in solitary for over four hours is needlessly excessive. If the fluffy hasn't learned its lesson despite lengthening the duration, then solitary just won't work with that fluffy. Furthermore, a fluffy will likely forget why it was put in solitary in the first place if left there long enough.
>The fluffy will likely cry and whine and beg to be let out nearly the entire time it is in solitary. This is part of the reason why a closet is preferred to a carrier, as it better muffles the sound. It is important not to cave in to the fluffy's crying. Cutting the punishment short is a disservice to you and the fluffy.
>Telling your fluffy to repeat out loud why it is in solitary will help it remember why it is being punished, though this can sometimes be even more annoying to hear than the crying.
>An important thing to note when using this method: DO NOT FORGET ABOUT THE FLUFFY. If necessary, use an egg timer to remind yourself to let the fluffy out. Remember that excessive solitary confinement is considered cruel and unusual when used on humans. Imagine how it would feel to an animal that has been programmed to absolutely need contact with other creatures.
Conclusion:
>Highly recommended. This method takes patience and repetition, but is also one of the most reliable non-violent means of training a fluffy pony.

Solitary Confinement with Loud Noise, aka “Loud Box”
Description:
>A similar setup to regular solitary confinement, but with the added element of a music player or other device which plays a repeating track of loud, sudden noises.
Commentary:
>Fluffies are extremely sensitive to loud noises. A loud handclap can often cause a fluffy to wince. It is not recommended to own a fluffy pony if there is constant loud noise around your living area, such as trains, traffic, etc. Constant exposure to loud noises can leave a fluffy pony extremely stressed and nervous.
>Before attempting this method, it is recommended you start with simple solitary confinement. If that method does not work, try it again using this setup. If isolation itself is not enough to get a reaction from a fluffy, the addition of loud noises usually does.
>Sound effect tracks including the sound of train whistles, glass breaking, gunshots, jackhammers, etc., can be easily found online or at party supply stores.
>If you are so inclined, heavy metal music will also suffice. This researcher recommends tracks by Motorhead, Lordi, and Iron Maiden, but any sufficiently loud tracks more to your tastes will work.
>Dubstep is also recommended.
>Bear in mind that a fluffy's eardrums have a lower threshold for pain than a human's eardrums. The goal is to punish the fluffy, not permanently damage its hearing (note that trying to train a deaf pony is several degrees more difficult than training a pony with functional hearing. Don't make more work for yourself).
>The solitary confinement area will amplify the sounds due to its small area, so set the music player to a low to middling volume. When in doubt, lowball the volume at first.
>This method has the added benefit of drowning out the fluffy's cries.
>If you listen to such music normally with the fluffy in earshot, use a different genre when putting the fluffy in solitary. The fluffy will associate that music with punishment, and playing punishment music in a normal environment will cause the fluffy to panic, thinking it is about to be disciplined.
>Punishment times are once again up to you, but rarely does a fluffy need to be left in the Loud Box for longer than an hour.
>As mentioned before, be absolutely sure not to leave the fluffy in the Loud Box longer than you intend. After a certain length of time, even if a fluffy has been told to repeat to itself why it was put in the box the entire time, it will being panicking from the noise and forget. As this tends to completely invalidate the punishment, set a timer to remind yourself when to let your fluffy out of the Loud Box.
Conclusion:
>Very recommended. This method, like ordinary solitary, is non-violent, and has been proven effective in several tests. But be sure to carefully monitor its use.

Solitary Confinement with Physical Containment, aka “Bad Fluffy Box”
Description:
>A similar setup to solitary confinement, only using a box or other containment that prevents movement by the fluffy.
Commentary:
>This method is especially effective on energetic fluffies who like to run around a lot. By confining it to such a small box that it can't really move around, you take away the fluffy's preferred way to play.
>The Bad Fluffy Box (BFB) should be just large enough that the fluffy can be placed inside, but not so large that it can turn around or move forward or backward more than a few inches. The fluffy should be able to stand normally without its head or sides hitting the ceiling.
>Any box of the proper dimensions can serve as a BFB. If using cardboard, make sure it is strong quality. Fluffies are not strong, but enough wiggling around and pushing inside a BFB can cause weak cardboard to bend. Given a fluffy's likelihood of soiling the box, cardboard is not generally recommended.
>A BFB can be easily built using materials bought from any hardware store. If using lumber, be sure that the inside walls are sanded smooth, and preferably laquered to prevent splinters. Though that sounds like it should be part of the punishment, you'll be the one who has to remove the splinters, which are hard to find under fluff. Make sure to measure the fluffy's dimensions first. The BFB should have the same internal dimensions as the fluffy, with at least a few inches leeway on all sides. A door with a latch and either a mesh grate or small breathing holes where its face will be completes the BFB.
>Even more movable than a carrier, the BFB can be placed with the door facing the spot of the misbehavior, and since the fluffy can't look anywhere else, it can help the fluffy remember why it is in there.
>Case in point, if a fluffy poops on the floor, it can be placed inside the BFB right next to the evidence of the crime. The sight, and smell, will serve as a constant reminder to the fluffy.
>Special care should be taken to ensure that the BFB is not so small that it forces the fluffy to be cramped inside. Prolonged storage in such a place can affect breathing, and potentially cause damage to the legs and neck. The BFB should not be uncorfortable in and of itself, so long as the fluffy stands still.
>If your fluffy is shown to be claustrophobic, do not use this method. It will start panicking as soon as it is placed inside the BFB, and cleaning a small box is not pleasant.
>Don't leave the BFB close to any ledges. The fluffy may bump the box enough to send it over the edge accidentally.
>As with all methods of solitary confinement, don't leave your fluffy in the BFB for too long. An hour and a half should be the maximum. Any longer and the fluffy becomes too stir crazy. If you want to know how that feels, lock yourself in a crowded closet for an hour.
Conclusion:
>Very recommended. As long as the fluffy can comfortably stand and breathe in the box, no permanent damage is done.