The easiest way to prevent behavior problems is to encourage acceptable behavior from the start rather than trying to change problem behaviors after they've developed. Teaching your dog acceptable behaviors is not difficult, in fact it can be quite easy. However, we often make the mistake of paying more attention to our dogs when there is a problem than we do when they are quiet and well behaved.

Behavior can be easily modified if you remember the following rules: Dogs will do something if it brings them positive reinforcement and, although they may experiment with a behavior once or twice, they will not persist in doing things that don't bring positive reinforcement. Dogs will not persist in behaviors that result in discomfort or other negatives associations. However, the handler of a new dog needs to avoid negatives because he has to remain a positive force in his dog's mind.

Read more about teaching your old dog new tricks.