9 Ways You Accidentally Train A Misbehaving Dog

1. "Max, STOP! Be a good boy!"
All your dog understands is "Max", maybe "stop", and "good boy!" He doesn't understand the rest! Choose your words carefully and only use positive phrases like "good boy" when your puppy is actually behaving. Stick to simple "No" or "Stop" for misbehavior.

2. No jumping rule that only applies to certain people
It's ok to jump on your husband, but he's not allowed to jump on your mother? Dogs don't understand that only some people can handle their weight. Set a no-jumping rule and stick to it. Nobody in your family should ever encourage your dog to jump up. Stay away from teaching tricks that include jumping on people, even to "give kisses", "give a hug", or "high-five".

3. It's only ok if he bites when he's playing
Same as with the jumping rule, dogs don't always understand when biting is and isn't allowed. Ban biting completely from his list of acceptable behavior. Be especially careful of games where people tap on the sides of puppy's face and try to evade his bite. These games, commonly played with puppies, are a lot less cute when his adult jaw is stronger or when the vet tries to look inside his mouth and gets bit.

4. Using treats to lure a runaway dog back inside
If your dog gets loose once, maybe it won't be a disaster to use a little ham to lure him back, right? Well, now your dog knows that running away means she gets a tasty bit of ham. Next time she wants some ham, she might just dart past the UPS driver.

5. Yelling at a barking dog
She's barking to let you know the neighborhood kids are riding bikes again. You yell at her to be quiet. She hears you barking at the kids with her. It's better to make noise using a whistle, silent whistle, shaking a can of pennies, or clapping your hands. Now she knows you're not yelling with her because you think those kids are annoying, too... or do you?

6. Put her nose in her poop
Poop isn't just gross, it's got lots of bacteria in it that can make your little lady sick. Putting her nose in it is a great way to teach your dog not to let you find out where she poops. This could make her afraid to poop outside while you're watching and you might find evidence left in closets or behind chairs instead.

7. Give him the old shoes so he'll leave the new ones for you
He will love the taste of your gross old shoes and who could blame him? Unfortunately, he doesn't know the difference between cheap and expensive or old and new, so he may help himself to the shoes you bought for your brother's wedding because he likes the new leather smell, too.

8. You REALLY spoil her. She's your baby.
Giving your dog everything and everything she wants can make her really insecure and scared on the day when she finally hears "NO!" If nobody teaches her the limits of good and bad behavior, she won't know what to expect when you reprimand her for the first time. Like children, dogs also want to know the rules and they want to know what the consequences will be.

9. Your small dog gets carried everywhere
Being independent from you, on a leash, can give your dog confidence. He needs to know that he can walk by himself in the world without being harmed so that he doesn't get scared when you put him down. That kind of fear often leads to biting. Walking also burns off nervous/pent-up energy that can make little dogs pretty neurotic. Nutty attack chihuahuas? Put 'em on a leash and walk 'em!