The Ten Dog Commandments for Responsible Owners
1.	My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. Remember that before you get me.
2.	Give me time to understand what you want from me.
3.	Place your trust in me. It is crucial to my well-being.
4.	Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, entertainment and friends. I only have you.
5.	Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice.
6.	Be aware that however you treat me, I'll never forget it.
7.	Please don't hit me. I can't hit back, but I can bite and scratch, and I really don't want to do that. You always win that fight.
8.	Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. I don't speak your language. Perhaps I'm not getting the right foods, or I've been out in the sun too long, or my heart is getting old and weak.
9.	Take care of me when I get old. You will grow old too. You'll hope someone cares.
10.	Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say, "I can't bear to watch," or "let it happen in my absence". Everything is easier for me if you are there. Remember, I love you.
	-- Author Unknown

Listed below are helpful training tips, submitted by club members and instructors, aimed at helping beginning trainers to work with their dogs. Enjoy!

Always make training fun for you and your dog. Do something new and end with something the dog does well. Finish with a short play session. Your dog (and you) will look forward to the next training session.
-- Kathie Lucy

---

Reinforce the behavior you want when the dog is doing the behavior, and not after. For example, praise or give a treat when the dog is in the down position, not after you have released her!
-- Marilyn Tomaszewski

---

If your dog is a "runner," never punish it when you finally catch it. This only teaches your dog that "bad things happen when I come." Rather, when your dog takes off (preferrably in a fence in area for this purpose!) run in the opposite direction. In most cases, your dog will start chasing you.
-- Dwayne Bailey

---

When you are about to open a closet or cabinet door and your dog is checking out what you're doing, give her the "back" command, as you gradually open the door. Soon, your dog will learn to back up when you give this word command!
-- Marilyn Tomaszewski

---

Always make your training sessions short. (TV commercial breaks are great for this.)   Puppies are like kids - very short attention spans - and need time to digest the information you are teaching them.
-- Marie Vihonsky

---

When your dog is already coming to you in a natural way, reinforce that with a "come" command. Then, praise your dog for being such a smart puppy!
-- Marilyn Tomaszewski