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TRAINING a man to do what you want can feel like an impossible task, but it's really very simple - treat him like your dog.

Clare Staples, 36, was once engaged to hypnotist Paul McKenna and is friends with renowned Lotharios Simon Cowell and Robbie Williams.

And she's combined her experience of them with tactics she picked up from training her Great Dane Mr Big and advice from close girlfriends, including Sex And The City creator Candace Bushnell, to write her book Everything I Know About Men I Learnt From My Dog.

"I noticed that men and dogs have the same urges and natural instincts," she says.

"But when I compare men to dogs it's not meant in a negative way. They're my two favourite creatures on this planet and I hope to always have one, if not both, in my life."

Here she gives her top tips on how to have him eating out of your hand.

How to get your man to...

1 BE MORE ROMANTIC: "Rather than nagging him and telling him to be more romantic, use the praise and reward approach. Whenever he does something romantic for you say: 'That's so nice of you to do that'. Be genuine, not patronising. And then reward him, like you do with your dog. If you give your man a treat - like encourage him to go to the football with his friends - then he'll subconsciously remember to do something nice again."

2 GET ON WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS: "When I want Mr Big to do something he doesn't like, such as have a bath, I'll use something to distract him like offer him cheese, which he loves. The same applies to men. Most of them don't like spending time with the in-laws or your friends, but you can distract him so he doesn't think too much about it. For example, if you have your parents around for dinner, cook your man's favourite meal, so he'll be friendly because he's happy.

Alternatively, distract him with ideas of how you will spend the following day, so if he loves fishing tell him you'll go fishing with him and bring sandwiches."

3 REMAIN FAITHFUL: "When I first got Mr Big and took him for walks, I'd call for him to come back but he'd never come. One day I got so angry I just turned my back and started walking home without him. Mr Big immediately came running after me. Men are the same.

The moment they sense you're slightly out of reach they want you more and you become more valuable to them. Make sure you make your own plans outside of your relationship. Instead of sitting at home waiting for him to get back, turn the tables and let him wait at home for you occasionally. Then he'll be so busy wondering where you are he won't want to cheat."

4 BE A GREAT LOVER: "Obviously this isn't an experience I've had with my dog! But the concept of making sure your dog feels rewarded when he does something good applies to men. If your partner does something special for you in the bedroom, encourage it. Tell him 'that was so amazing'. Men like doing something they know they will get praise for. Do something nice so he knows when he does something good for you, he will get something back."

5 HELP WITH THE KIDS MORE: "Men like playing games, just as dogs do. You need to construct a way for your man to interact with the kids, while still having fun. It's important to balance the chores of being a dad with all the fun stuff. Men are big kids at the end of the day. If you want children, make sure you are with the right man. If he says he doesn't want children, don't just put it at the back of your mind and think he'll change his mind, because he probably won't."

6 BE WELL-GROOMED: "Don't date a slob. A man who takes pride in his appearance most likely has high self worth. In my experience, if a man looks a a mess, then he probably is a mess. Dogs are very vain and like you to keep them well-groomed. And this applies to men in some ways. I always take my partner shopping - I find it's great to encourage him when he looks good."

7 BE OBEDIENT: "Just as dogs have to follow rules, make sure your partner follows your relationship rules. Things like making sure he will call when he says he will and treating you with respect. Teach him what you require and don't reward him until he has learned these rules. That said though, I think too many women try to force their men to be too obedient and turn them into lap dogs. You start off by being attracted to this great stag and then you try to turn him into My Little Pony. I think it's best when men are strong and independent - but still respectful."

8 BE HOUSETRAINED: "Men, like dogs, are task orientated. But the important thing is to praise him, without being patronising. If he brings the dishes over then say 'thank you' and encourage him. But it needs to be balanced. Men also like to be taken care of. Cook for him once a week and buy his favourite snacks. Give him a treat when he's done something good so he knows."

Everything I Know About Men I Learnt From My Dog (#9.99) is available from all good bookstores and www.amazon. co.uk