The command NO should be used to stop the dog from doing ANYTHING you do not want the dog to do, and to stop it right now, not 5 minutes from now.

Make your dog learn NO as a pup. Don’t say, “Stop that” or “Leave that alone” or “Don’t go over there.” First, just say NO. How forcefully you say it depends on what level the dog needs to understand the command right then. When it’s a big deal that the dog stops what he is doing quickly, say NO in a big deal kind of way. The dog will look at you, and as soon as you have his attention you can redirect him. Start doing this early.

Here’s an example of what I mean. When the dog is moving in a direction you don’t want him to go, we are all inclined to say. “Hey – come here – or whatever!” Dogs rarely react quickly to that approach. If your dog understands NO means stop what you are doing right now, (and in this case, ‘what the dog is doing right now’ is moving away from you,) then NO will stop him from moving away. Before the dog will come back to you, he has to stop moving away, right? Once he stops, then you can say ‘here,’ ‘come,’ blow the whistle or whatever command you use for that purpose.

The command NO is your friend and your first line of defense. Extend this lesson to virtually everything. Stop the dog from doing the bad thing and then command him to do the right thing. You’ll thank me later!

You will develop your own ways to control your dog depending on the situation and how soft or obstinate the dog. Do not be afraid to be forceful. Define forceful in your own way, but don’t be afraid to be it. And yes, it starts with NO.

P.S. That’s why it’s not really a good idea to name your dog Bo or another name that sounds like no.