Many things can factor in to your success or failure in training your puppy or dog. The dog's breed, size, and temperament all factor in to this challenging chore. Many different things on your part also play a big role in whether you are successful at training your canine.
House Training
This is probably the most challenging part of having a new puppy in your home. If this is done incorrectly, your house could end up in a royal mess. For smaller breeds, paper training is the best way to go. Where as, for larger breeds it is based to crate train. Both of these methods are very inexpensive and easy if they are done correctly.
Paper training is simple. Old newspapers work the best because the paper is a little thicker than normal paper. When you start this, immediately make your puppy familiar with the paper. Keep the paper in the same spot and be consistent with making your puppy familiar with this. If your puppy does have an accident in the house, (DON'T HIT OR SPANK THE PUPPY) immediately get the puppy's attention. Take the puppy to the paper to finish. This method done repetitively is very effective.
Crate training is the same concept, only slightly different. Again, even with large breeds, don't hit or spank the puppy. Make your puppy familiar with the crate. You want the puppy to think of the crate as a “safe spot”. You do not want the puppy to relieve itself in the crate, so you want to take the puppy outside regularly. Most often you will want to take your puppy out every half-hour. If your puppy has an accident, again, immediately get the puppy's attention. Take your puppy outside so that he/she may finish relieving itself. Immediately after your puppy is finished, put he/she in the crate. Pretty soon your puppy will realize. I'm serious, this has worked every time for me. Getting your puppy house-broken is very challenging, but if successful, well worth the time spent.
Chewing
Lets get one thing straight right off the bat. Puppies chew, they chew a lot. This can't be cured, unless you are around your puppy 24/7. The best remedy for this problem is going to your local pet store and seeing for yourself exactly what they carry to help remedy this problem. I use a spray that smells and taste like sour apples. Dogs hate the smell and taste of sour apples.
This spray is very cheap and effective. You could spray this on their food and they wouldn't touch it. It comes in a spray bottle that resembles hair spray. You can apply this to virtually anything inside or outside your home. It is better to spend a few bucks on this stuff then to come home to a wrecked house. Trust me!
Barking
Again, dogs bark. That's what dogs do. Yeah, tell that to my neighbors. I have had the police at my door at least a dozen times. All because of my dog barking at people passing by. If your dog is barking and it doesn't affect anyone but you, don't do anything. If the barking is annoying you and only you. Bring your dog in the house. But, if you are getting complaints about your dog being to noisy. It's time to do something about it.
The only real thing that has ever worked for me is a “shock collar”. I know what some of you are thinking. I thought the same way when the idea was brought to me. Go to your local pet store and see what they have as far as shock collars. Also, see about what kind of canine training is available in your area. Canine training is THE BEST METHOD. But very time consuming. Unfortunately, in some cities or towns you may not have that much time before your dog can be impounded. This why I have suggested the shock collar.
Shock collars can get expensive. They average about $100 for the “bark shock collars”. If you do decide to go this route, let your dog come to the collar. Don't just walk up and put it on. You want the dog to think of it as a reward. Once your dog comes to the collar, go ahead and put it on him/her. Put them outside. I know it sounds mean, but the quicker they relate the shock to the barking, the quicker you can take it off. I normally takes about 2-4 weeks to remedy this problem. Again, if you can take the time and money to do so, weekly canine training is always the best way to go.
Ultimately, consistency is the main key to your success in training your canine. If you do anything that I mentioned, it will not work unless you are consistent and firm with training your canine.
