All dogs are suitable for training, although some breeds make naturally superior pupils because generations of ancestors were selected for trainability. (You may want to consult owners, breeders and AKC Standards for information about tractable breeds or even check out an Obedience competition).

If you purchase a breed not known for prowess in the Obedience ring, don’t give up. If training isn’t going so well, maybe it’s your problem instead of the dog’s. Perhaps you’ll find that your methods are inconsistent or confusing. If you’re at your wit’s end, contact a professional trainer for advice or join a local obedience class. Also, you may need to research training and behavior problems more thoroughly. There should be a shelf full of appropriate books at your local library or bookstore.

If you’re wondering whether age is an obstacle, rest assured that there is no age limit for effective dog training. You may have to be a little more persistent in training an adult dog, but there is no truth to the adage that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” However, it is certainly easier if a foundation for learning is initiated right from the start of the relationship.

One way of training your dog to stop an annoying behavior is to use substitution. One kind of substitution is to put an activity you approve of in the place of one you do not. For example, teach the dog who jumps up on people that sitting, not jumping, gets her the attention she’s looking for. And be consistent. If you don’t want your dog to jump up in greeting, don’t ever let her.

You can help steer your dog away from inappropriate behavior by making the objects you want to protect do their part to discourage your dog. You can do so in three ways:

1. Make the object taste bad. Coat the object with something dogs find hateful, such as Bitter Apple, available in any pet-supply store. Tabasco sauce is another disagreeable taste to dogs.

2. Make the object startle him. Balloons and mousetraps make sharp noises that startle your dog and help him decide that maybe he’d better leave the booby-trapped area alone. Some products give off a piercing noise when motion is detected near them, and these can work, too.

3. Make the object shocking. Vinyl mats and strips that give off a tiny static shock can be very effective in teaching dogs to stay off furniture and counter tops.