If your dog is not turning out to be man’s best friend, it’s time to face the music. Yes, it’s likely your fault. Training should be done early in the dog’s life, or early in your relationship with the dog to make it most effective and easiest. But, if you’re past that point and trying to make up ground, here are some tips to help you get things under control.

1. Be consistent. In many cases, we so confuse our dogs by scolding them for a particular behavior sometimes and then letting them get away with it other times. If using your shoe for a chew toy is not ok; don’t leave the shoes out and don’t fail to take the shoe away from him because you’re too tired to get off the couch right now.
2. Don’t train on too much at once. Start by teaching your dog to sit. Once that’s mastered, then move on to another command. If you overwhelm the dog, then training becomes frustrating to both of you.
3. Use positive reinforcement. Most dogs respond much better to positive reinforcement than negative. Reward him and praise him when he listens. Be patient and try again when he doesn’t.
4. Don’t let him have the run of the house until he’s ready. Confining a dog to a crate or to a single, safe room, like a bathroom is not cruel unless you’re doing it nearly 24 hours a day. It’s far better than creating chaos and frustration when he destroys something or has an accident in the house. At the same time, don’t expect a three month old puppy to hold it for eight hours. If you have to be away from a dog that’s not yet house broken all day long, you must make some arrangements for this. Either have someone let him out during the day, or train him to use papers while you’re away.
5. Spend time with him. Many dogs act out because of boredom or loneliness. Make sure he has play time with you and make sure that he gets plenty of exercise. Often, just ensuring a daily walk is enough to control some behavior problems.
6. Get professional help. Before you give up on an unruly dog, take him to a professional trainer. Many times training classes can make a world of difference in a dog’s behavior, and the trainer can give you some great advice on how to solve the problems you’re having at home.
7. Be patient. No dog obeys every single command every single time. They have good days and bad days just like we do. But, the more time you spend with your dog, training and bonding, the more likely he’ll be to obey you and want to please you.

There are no bad dogs; only bad trainers. But, nearly all trainers can be rehabilitated and their dogs will surely follow suit. Just be patient and consistent, and watch your dog turn into your best friend.

Phyllis Zerkle writes about how to search for online vet tech schools.