Use a deep, low tone of voice when you say "No" but never yell or raise your voice. Your dog will learn to associate your tone of voice with negative responses to your dogs bad behaviors. You can say "No," "Bad Dog," "Stop" or even "Hey," all intrchangably with the same low/deep tone of voice.

Never use the dog's name in that low and deep tone of voice because you don't want your dog to shy away from you when you call him or her. You never want your dog to associate its own name with something bad.

If your dog is being naugty just to get your attention, you may want to use a curt "no," then ignore your dog. This response is best if your dog is doing something that is simply anoying but not destructive or dangerous. If you keep saying no, or if you keep paying attention to your dog's attention seeking bad behavior, your dog will not heed you but continue to be bad.

If your dog is doing something that is more than annoying, and destructive, you can try squirt gun training. Purchase a squirt gun, the smaller the opening of the head of the gun, the better as the shot will travel farther and not make too big of a mess. Never let your dog know you have the aquirt gun. This is your secret weapon. Just hide it in a pocket while you are in your daily routine in you home, but keep one inconspicuous eye on doggy, incase he or she decideds to be bad. The moment the dog starts to perform the unwanted behavior (such as trying to eat your plant, or just trying to knock it over), squirt the dog beind the ear. If you have a dog that detests water, I suggest just squirting the dog on his body (other than anywhere near the face, as you don't want to get the inside of the ear by accident or hurt the eyes of your dog). If you have a tiny dog don't squirt anywhere near the ear but aim for the body, or even neck if the dog likes water.

Your dog will not be expecting this, and the surprise of the experience alone will deter your dog from further such destrucive expeditions. If you have a curious or stubborn dog, (yes that would be you), expect your dog to try the behavior again. This time be ready. The moment your dog approches the object of its desire (the plant you want your dog to stay away from completely), squirt the dog, just before he or she performs the unwanted behavior. The trick is to squirt the dog for thinking of and being about to do something bad.

Warning: Dogs are generally smarter than we think, and in order for our dogs not to associate the bad and feared squirt with the people they love, it is best to be as sneaky and inconspicuous as possible. DO NOT under any circumstance let your dog know you are culprit with the squirt gun. Let them think it is the hand of God that strikes them, and be the loving compassionate parent instead.

In order to prevent your dog from dangerous behaviors, it is best to train your dog in advance to heed a hand signal that commands a dog to crouch low on all fours, and freeze. You can train your dog to do this by a combinaion of treat training, hand and voice command. Then you can train your dog to perfrom this command by gradually letting go of the voice command and treating, and only use the hand signal. The hand signal should be one clear enough for your dog to see at a distance (like a raised arm, palm open but fingers together, then move the arm down). Occasionally bring the treats back to assist your dog to effctively always heed your command. Once your dog can follow a hand signal only to crouch low, and freez, you could use this command even out at the park, or when your dog is too far away to hear you properly.

It will become quite handy to teach your dog to come to you on command! That is another essential command that will help keep your dog out of trouble.

If your dog is about to do something dangerous, and you have no idea what to do, follow instinct. Don't run towards your dog unless you know your dog won't run in the oposite direction. This may be the only time necessary to yell at your dog. Attempt to startle your dog into frezing until you get to him or her.

Remember that a well trained dog is a good dog, so train your dog well.