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Some dog trainers will say you don't need to correct your dog. They will often advise you that the absence of a reward is usually enough to cure most problem behaviors. Occasionally behaviors become so bad that they are virtually irreversible.

The three following rules will help make your dog a well behaved pet. Barking is a good example of a dog behavior which tends to be highly self-reinforcing. Barking is a positive reinforcement for the dog. It is unlikely a dog will stop barking without using negative reinforcement.

Using both positive and negative reinforcements are necessary tools for training your dog.

Here are three easy tips to remember:

1. Refrain from using the word "no" every time your dog does something incorrect. The reason will become apparent if you give it some thought. If you say "NO" when the dog pees on the floor and then say "NO" when the dog jumps on a stranger entering the house and then say "NO" when the dog refuses to stop barking, this only confuses the dog. The dog will not comprehend the meaning. The dog tries to figure out what its master means when he/she says the word "NO." Could it mean don't jump? Does is mean stop barking? For example, a better command would be "OFF" if your dog is a jumper, or utilizing the word "QUIET" to end its barking.

2. Don't scold the dog by using his name in a negative way. This could be problematic later on when you are trying to call your dog, and it won't come because it has associated it's name with being in a state of trouble. I can apply this reasoning to my own experience. When I was born, I was named Annette. But, if I did something wrong, my mother called me 'Mary Jane.' When I heard the words 'Mary Jane' I knew instantaneously it was negative, and I wanted to run the other way. This is exactly how your dog will feel.

3. If you use hand or finger signals to train your dog, be sure that each hand or finger signal is associated with one command. Using one hand signal for multiple commands will greatly confuse your dog.

Each different behavior should be matched to a different word. Several examples can be found in the following:

* When you want your dog to look at you, say "Ready!"
* "Sit!" commands your dog to sit.
* "Down!" will tell it to lay down.
* "Stay!" commands your dog not to move and its opposite,
* "Come!", tells your dog to come to you.
* "Drop!", tells your dog to take anything in its mouth out.
* "Ouch!" tells your dog to let go of your hand.
* "Kennel Up!" tells your dog to go to its crate.

It's important for the both of you, that you have an idea of what you want your dog to become. You are the master, and you need to take positive action in helping you canine to best the best dog he can be.