Q&A for How to Tell Your Dog No

Reserve the word 'no' for times when you don't want the dog to ever do that behavior again. When you use the command 'No,' mimic a fast, tense energy, rather than just giving a verbal command. Use the word 'yes' when your dog finally does the end goal behavior you want.

Say "try again." This is the opposite of "good," meaning that the dog is not going down the right path. Say "good" to encourage your dog to keep trying down the path it's on, showing the dog that it's making good progress.

Curbing bad behaviors is essential during puppyhood, as this is the age that dogs learn the most. Correct your dog with a firm "no" if they nip you. "Firm" does not mean angry. Be calm but unyielding when correcting your dog. To help reinforce no biting, you can clicker train your puppy and use a clicker (or even a pen) to reward your puppy the second they stop biting after your correction, but ONLY when they stop. This teaches them that if they don't bite you, they will be rewarded.

Try teaching him not to bark with a clicker. They work well with most dogs.

Yes, but you will probably have better results in the long run if you don't have anything in your hands.

Put your dog's favourite treat on his/her bed or doghouse. Once it sits down, turn the lights down just a little. Go on YouTube and search for some dog relax and sleep music. Add your your dog's favorite toy for extra comfort.

If the problem is at night, freeze a toy or treat with your dog's favorite foods. This will keep him busy. If the problem is during the day, show him that you do not like it when he barks by ignoring him, stopping playtime, or saying in a strong voice "no." If he does not bark at something he usually does, reward him. He will eventually learn what you like and do not like.

Say "No!" very sternly, and let her know you are not happy with her behavior and/or don't want her to do that. Teach her "No" and "Drop". If this doesn't work, contact a dog trainer.

First have your dog on leash as you don’t want your dog getting to the reward and reinforcing himself. Place a treat on the floor and Move far enough away that your dog can easily look away from the food and back at you. Click and feed your dog for choosing to look away from the food. Reward multiple times as you don’t want him to think he has to keep looking at the distraction. Change things up, move the location of the distraction, use a different distraction and approach and pass it from different angles. After he is reliably looking away from the distraction, let him off leash but use a container to hold the food. Move the lid of the container to slightly expose the food, etc.

Puppies are learning all the time, even when they were in the womb. You can start training as soon as the puppy is willing to learn. Training should take place as soon as you get your puppy. It’s important to focus on teaching your puppy to be calm in all environments and to teach them what you want them to do (i.e. build a reinforcement history with their own toys so that they choose to chew that instead of furniture; go to their own bed when guests are over etc.).

Because he/she is a lab, he/she doesn't really understand what you are saying, just thinks, "Hey, I am getting attention here! I think I should bite my owner more often" and your lab will keep biting. Try this, after he/she bites, (get your lab away from biting you, of course), look away from him/her like you're distracted in something else (but look displeased a bit) and don't say a word (negative or positive). Then, after a little time, say good (if he/she has stopped biting). and do this every time he/she bites. Then he/she will understand that he/she will not get attention when biting and will stop this behavior.