[aimee]

I use "no" in a low firm voice, and Tia has caught on to it very quickly. If she is doing something unacceptable (chewing on my furniture is a big one, but also carrying around one of my daughters' toys, or a kleenex) I use "no" then sometimes "drop it" depending, and she quits immediately. I then praise her because she did what I asked.

I think dogs are smart and can learn a number of words. Tia is 4 months old and knows "no" - "sit" - "drop it" - "go get it" - "ball" - and "kisses" So I'm a fan of word commands, although we start clicker training soon, and I'm sure I'll be a fan of that as well. I just need to learn how to do it properly.