Dogs love to be appreciated! Just like us, when a job is performed well, we enjoy the approval and rewards of our peers or employers. But every dog is different in personality and this means that every dog needs a different type of reinforcement. Special tasty treats, playing in the backyard or a brisk walk are types of rewards that your little pal needs and really appreciates.

Once your dog has accepted the Sit, Stay and Come commands, he is very likely ready to move on to Intermediate Training. At this stage, teaching him to Lie Down on command is probably your best option simply because he is already familiar with the Sit behavior.

Your dog wants to obey you and be your best friend.  Every ounce of his being quivers with desire to please you. But you have to be his best friend, too, and training him to sit and stay are basic behaviors that will not only protect his life, but open the door for additional, more complex training.

Of course you want to keep your dog safe and one of the best ways to insure this is to teach him the command "Come". After you have achieved a loving relationship with this delightful creature, teaching him this behavior is not going to be a difficult hardship. Your being in control of his freedom is one of the kindest things you can do for your best pal.

Getting to know your fuzzy little friend early on will eliminate many of the unwelcome behaviors that can creep up later on. But what if you have passed that point? Well, first, understand that the bad behavior is a reward in itself to your dog. He didn't relieve himself on your carpet to make you angry it just felt good at the time. And he wants to be a part of your life, all aspects of it, so when you have friends over and he climbs all over them, he is just joining in on the fun.