When potty training puppies, many folks become frustrated at the whole process in general. Mistakes can happen quite often as most puppies are still getting used to the way the world operates. Therefore, getting frustrated is understandable. The way you react to your puppy's actions is the big determiner of his behavior that most people don't realize. Give these simple tips a try as you potty train your puppy:

RESPECT: That's right - potty training puppies need respect too! Dogs respond to emotions and feelings, and can tell when they're being respected, even though they are not necessarily verbal animals. Usually, they will return the favor and respect your rules better if they can sense that they are loved members of your family.

TEMPER: I know… it's tough to keep it cool when your little buddy just left a "doodoo" right on your living room rug! However, the truth is that calm commands get a much better response than yelling and screaming. Your puppy will become confused and his progress delayed if you lose your temper.

PRAISE: Always remember to get excited for your puppy when he deserves it. This means to reinforce good behavior constantly. Petting, praising, and loving your puppy will not only improve behavior, but will also help reinforce the bond between you, and will strengthen the mutual respect for each other.

STRIKING: Many folks believe that hitting their dog helps establish "who's boss" when potty training puppies. But the truth is that this can cause psychological damage, and can contribute to lengthy delays in the potty training process because it just plain freaks your puppy out! Most of the main-stream dog trainers now recommend positive reinforcement over negative reinforcement, which can mean a major shift in many dog owners' thought processes. So again, if you feel your temper heating up, just walk away and deal with it when you calm down.

Following these four simple guidelines will help strengthen the relationship between you and your dog, and will help improve your dog's behavior, and speed up the potty training process. Have fun!