Dog training doesn't need to be difficult or frustrating.
While you will need a healthy level of patience and perseverance, dog training can be made much easier if you spend some time learning to communicate with your dog in a language he understands.
Many people believe that dog training is about teaching dogs to understand the command words you give them.
When you tell a dog to sit or stay or lay down, the dog doesn't actually understand the words you use.
Dogs respond to the tone in your voice and your body language.
If you don't believe this is true, then visit any dog agility training or obedience class and watch some of the higher grades practising.
Dogs are led through, over and under specific obstacles, based on hand signals alone rather than verbal commands and they seem to understand more readily what they're supposed to do.
While training at home won't require that same high level of communication, it is possible to use it to your advantage when you're training your puppy.
Always remember that your dog wants nothing more than to make you happy.
This is why it's important that you establish a set of reactions that show your happiness for when he does the right thing.
An example of this is when you're teaching your dog to go outside to go to the toilet.
Accompany him outside and let him wander around until he feels the need to relieve himself.
When he does, give the command you want him to know, such as 'go pee' or 'wee wee'.
It can get a little repetitive, but be patient.
When he's finished his business lavish plenty of praise on him.
Praise and rewards should be given so it's very clear to your dog that you're happy with what he's done.
Use a happy, high-pitched tone of voice to say 'good dog' and pat him happily.
It's also fine to reward with treats or bits of food, but only small amounts and only after the dog has responded positively to what you want.
Penalties are not the same thing as punishing a dog.
You should never hit, smack or yell at a dog.
They don't understand this form of aggression against them as being a punishment.
They view it as an attack.
In order to penalize a dog who is being naughty, you need to remove their rewards.
Remember, dogs view a reward as getting lots of attention and praise from you.
Incorporate this knowledge into your dog training regime.
Ignoring a dog, turning your back on a dog and folding your arms or looking away from them is a severe penalty in dog language.
If they still don't respond, a low warning growl, just like their mother would do to a naughty pup might be in order.
They will work doubly hard to try and figure out what they did right to deserve the rewards they want and they'll repeat the good actions until they get those rewards back.
The aim of dog training is to ensure you have a happy, well-behaved dog, but it's also important to train the owner to realize how to use a dog's own instinctive behavior to your best advantage.
Persevere with your dog training efforts and be patient.
You'll be rewarded with a loyal, happy companion.