THE COMMAND “NO”
One of the first and most imperative things for the puppy to learn is to obey the command, “No.” Teaching this should start in the housebreaking period. Whenever the animal makes a mistake it should be told briskly, “No,” grasped by the scruff of the neck, shown what it has done, and then placed on its housebreaking paper.
The sharp “No” should also accompany any excess barking or biting on the part of the puppy as well as any other of its undesirable actions.
The tone of voice and the attitude of the owner must be such as to make it completely clear to the puppy that disapproval is expressed. The dog will gradually come to associate unpleasantness with the word “No,” and will often seek refuge in its bed until the “heat is off.”
The owner should maintain aloofness for a couple of minutes. By that time the pup has forgotten about the whole thing, and further punishment would serve no purpose. Dogs seem to grasp the meaning of the word “No” very quickly, and this is a good thing because the word is invaluable in further training.