To make dog training a safe, productive experience for you and your dog, keep these tips in mind:

1. Unless an exercise specifically requires that you take the dog off-leash, keep your dog on a leash at all times while training.
2. Don't allow your dog to sniff, pester or play with other dogs before or during training sessions.
3. Don't feed your dog for at least four hours before training.
4. Before your training practice sessions, give your dog ample opportunity to relieve himself.
5. Take a plastic bag to practice sessions. If your dog defecates, clean it up.
6. Practice with your dog only if he is well rested. Moderate exercise a few hours before training is acceptable and may enhance learning for some high-energy dogs. But if your dog has played all day or has gone for a long hike, chances are that any practice sessions that day will not be practical.
7. Consult this blog before practicing. Read and reread instructions. Then go and practice with the dog. Remember to be patient.
8. Practice. Practice. Practice. Dogs learn by repetition. Set aside time each day to train your dog. At the beginner level, a minimum of 30 minutes of practice per day is usually needed. It's always better to train for shorter periods, a couple of times a day, especially with younger or inexperienced dogs.
9. Rough or abusive treatment will not serve your training well. If a dog disobeys your commands, there is a better than average chance that the problem is with you, the trainer, not the dog. Rethink what you're doing, check with your training, or read this blog to refresh your memory and try again.
10. Your dog should be clean (brushed) and free of fleas. Talk to your veterinarian if your dog is troubled by parasites or is experiencing skin or other grooming problems. Aside from being a health issue, a dog with such problems will have difficulty concentrating on the lessons and slow training progress.
11. If you're training the family pet, one family member should take responsibility for training the dog and practicing the lessons daily. Other family members should become familiar with commands and expectations. Still, it's usually easier on the dog to have the same family member act as a trainer and take the dog through the course.

Even with these tips in mind, dog training can be time intensive and in some cases overwhelming. When that happens, consider an expert dog trainer.