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21. Learn to say no

Just like with children, it’s sometimes virtually impossible to say no to dogs, especially when they look at us with those soft, wet, warm eyes. However, dogs thrive on discipline, order and structure. If you give them everything they want, whenever they want it, you are in fact doing them a great disservice. Not to mention that many of the things they want to do are dangerous for them.

For example, your dog may want to eat some candy. You have to say no, otherwise he’ll not only eat it once but insist on getting some more, believing that it’s okay for him to eat candy, when, in fact, candy causes diabetes, liver and pancreas disease. The same goes for other things that are harmful for the dog’s immune system and his overall health but that are simply irresistible to them. Be firm and consistent and your dog will soon understand that there are boundaries that need to be respected, for his own good.