1. Establish Dominance. Learn 'alpha dog' theory.
All dogs need structure and order. Become the calm consistent 'alpha dog', and put yourself in command. Otherwise, your pet may try and become alpha, and will expect you to let them do as they wish. Establishing dominance and making your pet realize that you are the alpha will go a long way in making your dog training more successful.
2. Practice Patience. Socialize First. Tricks Second.
The one thing you will need the most of when training your dog is patience. It takes time, effort, passion, and a calm outlook over time. First priority is to ensure your dog is socialized to other people and animals in the first year for growth. Seek environments where there are other dogs and people (ie. walking through a PetSmart store, open leash parks, etc.) Tricks, such as sit and beg, can come later in life.
With patience, comes perseverance. Some dogs can learn tricks and behaviors in a few days. Others can take weeks. Things learned may soon be forgotten. You must continually work at training your dog to ensure that the behavior sticks.
4. Play before Learn.
Make training fun and enjoyable.
5. Exercise Your Dog.
Training does not really equate to healthy exercise. Make sure to exercise your dog routinely to not only help burn off excess energy, but to also help keep them at optimal health. Also with that burned off energy they will be able to focus on the training with less distractions.
6. Be Realistic In Your Expectations.
7. Avoid Bribery.
Avoid using excessive treats and rewards to get your pet to do what you want. Dog treats are great for teaching your dog a command but ween them off constant treats to verbal and physical praise.
8. Be Consistent.
Once you establish a training routine and schedule, stick with it. Believe it or not, dogs relish consistency and need a schedule. Keeping to your schedule will help keep your dog happy and help make training successful.
9. Do Not Use Punishment. Use Discipline.
Yes, you will need to discipline your dog if they are bad. But discipline in a firm, not a hateful manner. Do not yell or scream at your dog, rather use a firm tone and you will get a better reaction. Likewise use a positive tone when he does good.
10. Practice Family Training.
All of your training efforts will be in vain if the rest of the family is not on board. Make sure that all members of the household are using the same training techniques, and things will go much smoother.
