QUESTION: "How can I have the best relationship with my dog?"
In this age of information overload, finding the answer should be easy, but...
There are plenty of ways to get advice on how to have a great life with your dog - TV, the Internet, books, magazines, friends, family, and other professionals.
Some of the information out there is helpful, some, however, is far from.
David the Dog Trainer's Approach:
Our methods are humane and reward-based.
Behavior that is reinforced (commonly referred to as "rewarded") occurs more often.
Common reinforcers are: food, play, toys, affection, access to other dogs, and walks, but can be anything your dog loves.
We avoid aversives (things your dog finds threatening/offensive) in our training.
We spend the majority of our efforts on training dogs what to do or what we want by reinforcing behaviors we want to see more of.
We teach the dog what TO DO (a proactive approach) through lure-reward training (see Dr. Ian Dunbar for more) and shaping (see Karen Pryor for more) rather than focusing on what NOT to do using reprimands and corrections (a reactive approach).
This way we seldom have to play the tough disciplinarian nor do we need to "put the dog in her place," "show the dog who's boss," or focus on status and pack order.
Dog training becomes fun for you and your dog, and we avoid damaging our relationship with our pet by being nasty.
Sounds good, doesn't it? 