Dogs are like children. Their mental, physical, and emotional development hinges on the quality of nurturing they get, and behavior problems (other than those associated with young age) are usually associated with an emotional issue or else inadequate supervision.

You and your dog will benefit if you can find the balance between remaining in charge (which gives the dog a sense of security) while still being respectful of the dog and his needs. "Being in charge" does not mean yelling and hitting. It means establishing a few consistent rules that the dog can eventually learn, and firmly letting the dog know when he is breaking a rule. For example, if the dog is not supposed to get on the couch and does simply and gently guiding the dog off the couch, while quietly but firmly saying, "No couch", will eventually get through to the dog.

Don't assume that your young puppy is too young to learn (even if though he may be). Starting to teach basic rules of the house early is important if the dog is to learn those rules. Accepting that some rules require more time to be learned than others is, of course, important. So is understanding that your dog may follow all the rules when people are present but not when left alone.

While dogs who have learned the rules may have their own reason for breaking them (such as being sick and wanting that soft couch cushion for comfort), dogs who haven't yet learned the rules don't understand why they're being scolded or hit when they've broken those rules. The world, to them, seems like an inconsistent, cruel, place where someone yells or hits for some reason they just don't understand. They become insecure at best. If the scolding, yelling, and hitting is too extreme and too frequent they can become disturbed, frightened, and/or angry.

Dogs, like children, learn what they live. The most well behaved and emotionally stable dogs are those who have lived with kind, consistent, teaching and patience.

Young dogs are rambunctious. In spite of consistent, kind, and firm teaching young dogs will generally not remain as perfectly well behaved as older dogs will. Dogs under a year old are the most rambunctious, but dogs under two years old remain youthful. It may be the dogs between one and two years old who are most misunderstood, because under-one dogs are often seen as puppies. Dogs over one year and under two are often expected to act like adult dogs. Dogs this age aren't as crazy-acting as six-month-old dogs are, but it can take until a dog's third birthday before he really acts like a grown-up dog.

Dogs, especially young dogs, have certain behaviors that are just natural dog behaviors. One example is chewing things. Giving your dog a chew toy helps reduce the chances he'll chew on your shoe. Of course, that doesn't mean you should feel safe leaving your leather shoes where your dog can get at them.

When you must leave a young dog alone leave him where his opportunities to get in trouble are minimized. Putting a throw rug in the kitchen and closing kitchen doors will give your dog a soft place to sleep while limiting his access to slippers, plants, and the kids' stuffed animals.

Keep in mind that the longer a dog is left alone, the more likely he is to get himself into trouble. Reducing the potential opportunities for getting into trouble is a good idea.

Keep in mind that dogs (of all ages) are like children when it comes to putting things in their mouth and even swallowing them. Dog-proof your house and don't leave things around that your dog could eat - no matter how unlikely you think it is he'll eat it. (A dog made the news when he ate a knife from a kitchen counter.)

Remember, too, that dogs often need some protection from children. While dogs often seem to understand when the youngest of toddlers fall on them, the dog who is left to take even unintentional abuse from children will be an abused dog - and will development the emotional problems and personality of an abused dog. Just because a child doesn't understand that poking the dog's eye is hurtful it doesn't mean it isn't, essentially, abuse of the dog.

When dogs have people who will protect them and intervene when they someone or something is about to hurt them they learn to feel very safe around those people. They seem to appreciate those people. Like children, dogs who trust and appreciate their people are more interested in pleasing those people by following the rules of the house.

Dogs like being around pleasant, emotionally stable people. Dogs show concern when their beloved owner is crying, but, of course, the episode passes for both the owner and the dog. More seriously, the owner who is frequently angry, frazzled, and upset will cause the dog to feel the same way.

Dogs should be fed a high-quality, well-balanced, diet according to their age and weight. Over-feeding causes obesity and related healthy problems in dogs, just as over-eating causes these things in people.

Dogs cannot eat all food that people eat. Some foods people eat can make dogs extremely ill or even kill them.

Plants around the house can be extremely poisonous. Some plants have the potential of killing pets even the the pet just touches the plant.

Before giving your dog a bath check with a vet or someone with expertise in your dog's breed. Different dogs and different breeds require different bathing practices.

Learn about your dog's breed (or mix of breeds). Some breeds have a tendency to develop some medical problems. Dachsunds, for example, cannot tolerate cold and are prone to spine problems. Collies can be prone to hip problems.

Like people, dogs need a chance to run and play, as well as a place to be cozy and relaxed.

Like people, dogs are vulnerable to extreme temperatures. Never leave your dog in a car. Closed windows can kill. Open windows leave your dog vulnerable to being stolen.

Be patient when "bathroom training". Some puppies take longer than others to learn. Some training involves your knowing when the dog will need to go and making sure he's outside when that time arrives. Grown-up dogs sometimes have accidents when there's nobody around to let them out in time. Some can or will "hold it" far longer than others can and will. Accidents also occur if a dog is made nervous. Regardless of the reason for the accident, dogs generally don't have them intentionally in order to aggravate you.

Dog experts know that most behavior problems in dogs are the result of their owner's/"friend's" not knowing how to make them feel secure. If your dog develops a behavior problem study up on the causes of that behavior problem and ask yourself what you can do to improve the situation. There's nothing wrong with not being 100% expert on having a perfectly behaved dog. There is, however, something wrong in blaming the dog for undesirable behavior that has roots in feeling insecure or mistreated.

Love your dog. Treat him with patience, understanding, kindness, and respect. Always remember that he is a living, breathing, feeling, creature. At the same time, let him know that you are reasonable but in charge when it comes to setting a few rules and protecting him from discomfort when at all possible.

Look into the eyes of your dog and see how attached he is to you. Consider such devotion an honor and treat your friend accordingly.