Training - Deciding who is the leader of your pack

Training your dog will not solve all of your dog problems.  However if done right, it opens up a line of communication between you and your dog.  Dog's are looking for someone to lead the pack, and if you give them the opportunity they will volunteer for the position almost immediately.  Once the "Master" aspect has been established things will flow smoothly with you are your dog.  You want your dog to respect you, and you have to earn their respect. 

Playing with toys is the best thing you can do with your dog.  It teaches them what is ok to chew on, and what is not.   By playing with the toys with your dog you immediately make them seem more appealing.  By showing your dog that the new toys interest you as well, they will take more interest in it themselves.  A puppy will play with just about anything, so it's extremely important with them.  If you don't teach them to play with their toys... they will begin to chew and play with anything they find appealing. 

Playing Fetch is a game that was originally used to teach hunting dogs to bring something back, and to release it to the hunter.  However this game will work with any breed of dog if played correctly.  It's an important thing to teach your dog because it teaches them to share. Some dogs find very little appeal in going to get something that you threw just to have you throw it again.  Instead of taking the ball from the dog each time, play with your dog or puppy when they bring the toy back to you.  This way you are reinforcing the idea that brining it back doesn't mean you are going to take it again, it means they get to play.  Before long, they will be more incline to give it back to you because they want to share their toys. 

Socializing your dog or puppy is the most important first step!  Dogs are curious and playful as puppies, so this is the best time to socialize.  A puppy or dog that is not properly socialized can and usually will develop unpleasant personality traits.  They may act out violently around other dogs or people, or they may be overly frightened by them.  Either way, a scared dog or a overly confident dog can be a dangerous dog.  Take your dog to the park on a regular basis where children and other animals are.  They need to be on a leash at all times!  Be sure you dog is paying attention to you during this time as well.  It's easy for them to forget that they are still required to mind even when they are having so much fun.  Dog parks are a great way to socialize your dog as well.  Start out slowly and always be sure to keep your dog on it's leash.  Your dog may be trained, but you never know what situations you may encounter. 

Basic Command Training -

Come -

• Never call your dog to get it in trouble!  It only takes a second to do it, but weeks to fix it.  They will develop a fear and associate it with that command. 
• Randomly ask your puppy or dog to come to you.  When it does reward it with a treat or play, make a big fuss!  By doing that at random times in the day, you teach the puppy to stop what it's doing to follow your command.
• Make your dog come to you before doing something fun like going for a walk.  It helps them stay focused in times of over-excitement.  If your dog won't come when called, it could be dangerous for them.  Don't continue on with the fun until they do what you asked.  This could take a while at first, but they will catch on.

Sit -

• Hand motions are great for training. I put an open hand palm up when I say sit.  If you point down they will confuse it with down, palm out and they will confuse it with stay. 
• If you say sit, and nothing happens... just wait.  They will eventually become curious, followed by bored and they will sit on their own.  Repeat the command then make a big fuss!  Reward with a small treat if you'd like. 
• Make your dog sit at random times as well.  If you ask them to sit immediately when you greet them they will also be less likely to jump up on you. 
• The Sit command is good for teaching your dog to listen to you.  Whenever their attention starts to wander and they are not listening, ask them to sit.  They will learn that this command means you are asking for their attention (demanding actually... in a gentle way). 

Down (Lay) -

• After giving the sit command, point to the ground and say down.  By miracle they might make the connection, but more than likely you are going to have to help them lay down.  Once they are flat on the ground make a big fuss and reward them.  They will make this connection quickly!
• After they become good at this, bring the open palm up and get them to sit again.  Once they can go from Sit, to Down, to Sit again... they have this mastered. 

Shake -

• Before my last dog, I would have said this was the easiest trick to teach.  She is so smart, and this really puzzled her.  So be patient with your dog or puppy. 
• Ask them to shake, and pick up their paw.  Once they look away from your hand (because they will be looking inside it for a treat at first) praise them and make a big fuss.  They should catch on fairly quickly.  If they don't after 4-5 tries, take a break for the day.  The frustration will be a step back for both of you.

Stay -

• The stay command should always be paired with hand commands.  Placing your hand up when you say stay reinforces that they should not move. 
• If you start out slowly (don't make them stay for more than five seconds at first) they should develop this trick quickly. 
• Make them sit and stay while you pour their food.  Then once you are done and you step back, give them the command that it's ok to eat.  This will help slow them down while they eat.  Although it's kind of a "ready set GO" scenario... the waiting requires them to calm down long enough to mind.  That is always the key with dog training.  Keeping their minds sharp and their attention focused.