How do I get my dog to stop doing....?

I often hear "how do I get my dog to stop doing XYZ". I like to get people to rephrase that question to "how can I get my dog to do THIS instead of XYZ". As Pat Miller at Peaceable Paws http://www.peaceablepaws.com/ teaches- for ANY undesired behavior there is a process to decrease this behavior:
#1: VISUALIZE the behavior you DO want. This isn't always as simple as it sounds, but is in my opinion a crucial part. For example- if you don't want your dog jumping up on visitors- what would you PREFER they do? Sit on a mat? Lie down? Try to figure out a behavior that is incompatible with the behavior you DON'T want. Try not to say "I just want my dog to STOP doing XYZ", for some behavior problems it may be a challenge to come up with an alternative behavior- but if we just STOP the unwanted behavior we create a behavior vaccum- which makes it much more difficult for the dog to learn. Dogs learn MUCH better if we can show them behaviors we DO want so they can be rewarded for that behavior instead of saying we don't want them to do anything at all. They are doing that undesired behavior because whether we mean to or not, that behavior IS rewarding in some way to the dog. Dogs do what works.
#2: PREVENT the unwanted behavior from being reinforced..preferably ever.. Sounds simple doesn't it? Not really! If you want to stop your dog from jumping up on people they shouldn't be able to - ever, if possible. This means using leashes, tethers, crates and other management tools to prevent your dog from jumping up on people. Don't yell at your dog, push your dog off, say 'no', tell them 'off', - just prevent them from doing it. Some people ask "why can't I just tell my dog "off", or push them off me? The answer is this; you are still rewarding that behavior! Most dogs jump up to greet you because they want attention- and what are you doing by putting your hands all over them and talking to them (regardless of what you are saying)? You are giving them attention. Some dogs LOVE to be physically pushed off of you- its like a game of body slam! Use a leash or tether to prevent the jumping up and step out of the reach of the dogs paws, or if you have a bunch of people coming over and can't have your dog on a leash- put them in another room or a crate until the excitement has died down and they are more likely to not jump up on people. Try to set your dog up for success- its not only the best way to get them to be rewarded for the proper behavior more often- but it also decreases frustration for both you and your dog!
#3: GENEROUSLY reward the behavior you DO want; again- sounds simple right? IT IS! However I find most people (even me sometimes!) forget to reward behaviors that we DO like. Its very easy to see behaviors we DON'T want- but often harder to see behaviors we like. We take them for granted, and we shouldn't! If you see your dog lying quietly on his bed resting- throw him a little treat, tell him "good boy", give him a belly rub- that is of course only if you LIKE the behavior of calmly lying in his bed :0) For dogs jumping up, I like to reward the 'sit' or depending on the dog- the down. Don't ASK your dog to sit when they greet people- try to wait for him to offer the sit and then as soon as they do= click and treat!Timing is important, especially with a dog who is so excited they are offering a bunch of behaviors. IMMEDIATELY reward the correct behavior, and don't skimp on the reward. A pat on the head and a 'good dog' isn't as rewarding to the dog as we would hope :) A special treat or toy works best. Don't get me wrong, praise is good- but would you work a full time job only for praise from your boss and no paycheck? Once the desired behavior occurs on a regular basis- the reward for the dog can be things other than a treat- but to get the behavior to happen more often, it has to be rewarded often with something the dog REALLY enjoys.. After all, he really enjoys jumping up on people or he wouldn't do it!
SO, start making a list of behaviors you don't like your dog to do.. then start a list of things you would RATHER he do.. and think of how you can help him succeed!!