Dogs aren't like us. They do not perceive and conceive of their environment in the same way as we do. They can be expressive in their ways, as caring pets to their owners, but their ways of learning are limited. They can and indeed do showcase many characteristics of animals, including something that's most important: dogs, under supervision, could be trained. And you should train yours.

A dog obeying his master is crucial in an age when dogs have been domesticated for many, many decades. What makes dogs good pets and companions is simply that, through time, they can learn. They can learn from us to do what we want. But this, obviously, has limits. Dogs learn most obviously if they associate reward with some results and punishment with others.

During the course of the dog's training, the dog not only learns but the owner also bonds more with his pet dog. What the dog remembers, and what ultimately strengthens his motivation to do what the owners says, is the rewards after doing something right. He also remembers the punishments. Stimulus-response, this is how dogs learn. As the owner trains his dog to act to events, as well as react to them, the way humans do, this will make the owner more comfy with his pet. This is the kind of socialization of the animal that makes him easier for his owner to accept and love. Dog training can usually come in the form of daily routines around the house, although it can be more than that.

It's good to start obedience training while the dog is still just a puppy. If you want your living room furniture and things intact, train that puppy. Otherwise, he will tear apart and chew on things he can fit inside his mouth. Puppies tend to do this a lot. The last thing you want to come home to is a living room that just got tossed up, as though a burglar with teeth instead of hands went through your stuff. Also, you don't want that puppy peeing and leaving its dog poop all over your home. Train them young and they tend to be more submissive in their later years. Also, more of your furniture tends to survive.

Give the dog orders and see if it does as you say. You reward obedience, punish/withhold reward for non compliance. Speak loudly when saying, "Sit." Repeated attempts at this yield results. Not only does the dog distinguish loudly said commands from other commands, but his reaction to them is either reinforced or deterred. Loudly pronounce "come," "stay," "sit," and other commands while ready to cuddle the dog or feed him when he does what you say.

Sometimes, dogs can be aggressive, and even hostile. In these cases, you will have to be harsh and draconian: fewer rewards, more punishment. This is because the dog displays more unacceptable behavior. The last thing you want is a dog running mad after visitors and the mailman. Show the dog who's boss.

Just like kids, a dog behavior can be controlled by punishments and rewards they've come to expect from you. Be consistent, punish bad behavior and noncompliance. Reward the opposite. This will not only bond you to your dog, but also the dog to you, and the obedient dogs are what makes their owners happy.