Why train your dog? Why not just take care of the dog's physical, medical, and emotional needs, and let it go at that? The answer is control. No matter what breed of dog you own, the dog's life, your life, and the rest of your family's lives will be easier with a trained dog. For example, when you take your trained dog out for a nice walk, he won't bolt after the nearest garbage truck or start a mad dash after the neighbor's cat across a four-lane road. You will bark, as it were, "Stay," and he will stop because you have anticipated his inborn reaction to a situation and are primed to issue a command that he will understand and obey. A trained dog may not fight with other dogs, and-this is not insignificant-he won't use your house as a bathroom or your favorite ottoman as a chew toy. What's more, you'll enjoy the dog, because you and he will be happier, and you will have more opportunities to have a good time with one another. It seems clear that a variety of methods can be used in training a dog. Some people favor positive reinforcement, others feel that saying the word "no" is fine when it comes to training, and others can be even firmer. I think that the key in training your dog is to use techniques that you can live with. If you find an approach uncomfortable, there's no point to using it. You're not going to able to use it effectively. This e-book approaches dogs as if they were human beings. Of course, dogs are different than people, but the fundamental foundation is mindful that dogs have feelings and they are living creatures that deserve respect and love. Maybe that's the main point to remember. Dogs thrive on affection, and if they share one universal characteristic, it is that they want to please their masters. For training to be effective, love really must be a two-way street.