Is it very important to understand your dog's personality as it will determine the success of your dog training.  Like children, every dog is different.   You must understand your dog, what positive reinforcement they respond to, their likes and dislikes and their fears otherwise you can do irreparable damage to them.  I have seen lovely dogs turned into aggressive, unsociable dogs with the wrong training.

Understanding your dog

• A strong willed dog is normally trying to dominate over you or members of your family.  It is important for you to exhibit dominant behaviour and ensure you and every member of your family are ahead in the pack hierarchy and the dog is at the bottom.  This dog may always try to climb the pack ladder. This type of dog can be exhausting to own as you are continually keeping their behaviour in check and you must always be training them. I have seen this type of behaviour in many dogs from Siberian Huskies to Chihuahuas.  It can be any dog breed.
  

• Nervous dogs must be treated with care.  They may urinate on the floor when you come near them, lie on their back, which is submissive behaviour or can start nipping to keep you away.  Raising your voice normally makes these dogs more nervous and you must watch your body language.  These dogs can be harder to train as you must gain their trust and build their confidence, while teaching them.  Be very gentle and caring but ensure that everyone in the house is still at the top of the pack.  TIP - getting angry with a dog that is lying on it's back and peeing will make it worse as it will associate you with anger and fear.  It will do the behaviour every time it will see you.
  
• The happy go lucky dog.  Normally dogs like Labradors.  The can be boisterous, very active but usually as long as you pay them attention and reward them they can be easy to train.  Activity and brain stimulation is a must otherwise they can become mischievous.

What positive reinforcement they respond to

• This could be food, a pat or cuddle, a warm voice and 'good dog', making a big fuss or an activity like throwing the ball or a special toy.
  
• Determine what your dog responds to and use that consistently in your training.  Keep it simple and reward the behaviour at the beginning of the training every time.  As time progresses, you only want to use the reward 70% of the time otherwise the dog will not do the behaviour without the reward!  So keep them guessing and vary the rewards. eg If you use treats, them give them a pat.

Negative reinforcement

• Dogs read body language very well!  They can tell if you are frustrated and upset so while you are all learning training stay calm and relaxed, otherwise they will associate the command negatively.  Just keep trying and if it doesn't work, then stop and try again the next day.
• A loud voice, harsh voice or angry voice will be read by the dogs as bad.  So be very careful when you use it and in the correct situations.  A dominant dog may respond to this and stop the behaviour whereas a nervous dog will think it is in trouble and may run away or not come.
• TIP - if your dog will not come, call it with a steady dominant voice, as soon as it turns to you, make a big fuss to reward the behaviour of turning around and listening to you.  People get very frustrated when their dog will not come, start yelling and then get angry with the dog when it comes back.  So the dog has been punished for 'coming'. Do you think it will come back next time? NO

Like, Dislikes and Fears

• anything your dog likes can be used as a motivator, reward or treat for good behaviour.  Even when your dog is trained, it is important to reward it at times as your dog will become a happier dog.  Remember, a pat can be a reward!
• There are certain things your dog is going to dislike.  If it is essential part of dog maintenance, ie grooming, nail trims, taking tablets, vet visit and treatments, your dog must learn to tolerate this.  Do not accept any growling, nipping, yelping.  It must sit and behave.  TIP - if the dog is struggling and yelping or trying to bite while you are doing something -DO NOT say 'good dog' as you are rewarding the behaviour.  Only say 'good dog' when it is calm and being well behaved.
• If your dog dislikes or is fearful of another dog or a person, remove them from the situation.  Either walk away if at the park or if at home with a person, lock the dog away.  Dogs can be scared of children or just do not like them as kids poke and prod dogs plus they are very noisy.  Just remove the dog.  If they are your own children, you will have to train both the kids and the dog but do not put either of them in danger.
• Dogs can have genuine fears.  If you are trying to get the dog over the fear, be very careful and take time.  Be understanding of the fear and don't think the dog will just get over it by exposing them continually to it.  

Training your dog is not simple as going to a dog training course for 6 weeks and you're done for life! Sorry!  You must understand you dog, what they respond to and be continually training them.  You must also be trained to give the commands correctly.  I like the dog training manual as it gives you step by step instructions on how to train your pet.  It is simple and easy to implement and as it is instant download you can print as many copies as you like.  You can have a copy in the car, at home, one for each of the family members.  It is a resource you will have constant access to.

Dog training can have it's frustrations but keep going.  Seek advice to learn where you are having problems.  Don't just give up thinking it is too hard.  Every dog has the ability to be trained.  Start NOW.  The longer you leave it, the longer it may take.