Newbie Domme need some advice

Hello All. After spending years reading and researching online about the lifestyle I finally have my first submissive. Its been amazing so far, he has a good deal more experience in the lifestyle than I do and at times I am at a loss, such as when hes acting like a little shit. Hes very bad about provoking me so he can get punishment. Ive mostly just been sending him to the cage when he provokes me but he seems to enjoy that as well. Any suggestions on how to deal with this side of him?
On a different note, Weve mostly just been playing acting out scenes in the bedroom but both of us would like to take a step forward in our relationship and make it a little more permanent. He is moving in to my house and will be my live in sub. Any advice on making the transition smooth for both of us?

I hope it's ok for a non-dom/me to answer here, but speaking as a subby I can say that the absolute best way to punish me would be to just flat out ignore me. That hurts a lot more than any kind of physical punishment. Personally, I'd rather get a spanking for being good than out of anger anyway! Giving him what he wants for acting up is just positive reinforcement of bad behaviour.

Have you tried a time out, or alone time as punishment?

Thats currently what Im doing. I put him in the corner for a while tonight and hes currently sleeping in the closet. Seems to be working pretty well. Thank you for your reply.

I'm glad to have helped, if anything I said was ... you know ... actually helpful. I've often thought that some of the stereotype conventions of BDSM make things a bit confusing. Like, punishments being the same kind of things a lot of subs actually crave. It can actually set up a weird sort of situation where a sub who's always good and well behaved ends up being boring for their Dom/me because there's no 'excuse' to punish them. Again, I'm just speaking for myself here really, but if I feel like I have to be a raging brat just get a little time across the knees, it just feels all wrong.

Anyway, I hope things go well between you both! :)

make him stand in the corner do nothing no questions, no talking etc. at least 1/2 hour
Jinx is right when you give a slave what they want, you are not accomplishing anything. my slaves over the years(female) hated the corner. also slaves clean the house, do the laundry, etc. so you better have punishments he does not like lol

Thank You. Corner time worked beautifully on him along with a few clothes pins, chop sticks. and some rubber bands.