It is often said that a dog is man's best friend. Over the past 14,000 years, dogs have accompanied man, helping to hunt, guard and protect. In our modern world, dogs help us fight in war, search and rescue, guide the blind, deaf, disabled, rehabilitate therapy patients, assist law enforcement, and make part of our family as beloved pets (Coren). Although canine superstars such as Lassie, Old Yeller, and Rin Tin Tin represent the perfect dog we all want in our lives, these ideals are far from the truth. Many new dog owners expect their dogs to know behaviors such as walking on a leash, not biting, not destroying the house, and many more. In reality, dogs need to be trained on what their owner wants them to do. It is important for owners to know how to train their dogs to be well behaved. In order to have a well-behaved canine friend, an owner must first choose the breed they want. An inactive family with young children is not suitable for very energetic dogs. An important rule to keep in mind is to choose a dog with the same energy level as its owner. There are four energy levels for dogs: very high, high, medium, and low (Millan, “Perfect Dog” 59). Another factor to consider is the breed's temperament, size, coat and grooming needs, age, and health issues (right). Choosing the right breed will ensure that the owner and dog are compatible with each other. It is essential that your dog understands that you are his pack leader. The instinct to want to be part of a pack is part of a dog's natural psychology. In a dog's mind, inclusion in his pack is an important part of him. This represents his status not only with the dogs around him, but also with any other dog he encounters. It's in his primal instinct...... middle of paper ...... understanding the canine mind. New York: Free, 2004. Print.DeMaio, Teresa. “Wolf Behavior, Part I.” Running with the Wolves.org. Running With The Wolves, Inc, nd Web. February 18, 2014. “Dogs: Positive Reinforcement Training: The Humane Society of the United States.” » RSS. The Humane Society of The United States, October 21, 2006. Web. February 18, 2014.Millan, Cesar and Melissa Jo. Peltier. Caesar's Rules: Your Way to Training a Well-Behaved Dog. New York: Crown Archetype, 2010. Print. Millan, Cesar and Melissa Jo Peltier. Cesar's Way: The natural, everyday guide to understanding and correcting common dog problems. New York: Harmony, 2006. Print. Millan, Cesar and Melissa Jo. Peltier. How to Raise the Perfect Dog: Through Childhood and Beyond. New York: Harmony, 2009. Print. Millan, Cesar. “How to be calm and assertive.” Cesarsway.com. Cesar Millan, Inc., nd Web. February 18. 2014.