Well the main thing is resepct... I would most DEFINATLY try and find a trainer...and start young. And none of those Bullshit classes at Petsmart.. one on one is the best to begin with.. From the get go, you want the dog to act as a puppy as you expect it to be as an adult.. Start walking on the leash as much as the pup will hate it. If you dont want a big dog on the couch, dont let the puppy. I have a Choke chain for my pit, and if used right.. it wont hurt the dog. The spiked collar worked will for My pit as well. Research, dont be afraid to go online and find out all the info you can on dog training. When the pup is young and starts acting up, but the pup on its back, it will fidgit at first, but when it realizes your the boss it will give up and stop moving. When the pup does this.. turn it over and let it down. Also a pup has a VERY short term memory. If the pup poops inside.. you really cant get upset unless you catch him/her IN THE ACT. Once the pup has pooped, if you yell at it, it has no recollection of what it did, so he/she wont know what your yelling at. So when the pup goes potty outside.. Praise the pup like no other.. make a huge deal about it, even start off with treats. It will get the idea quick. If the pup goes pee inside, and you dont catch it in the act and then yell, the pup knows this "There is pee on the carpet, and mom/dad is mad".. the pup doesnt know "Oh I peed and mom/dad is mad".. Again its a respect thing (can you tell I have had this speach with lots of people?? LOL)