A well-behaved dog owner…
– teaches their dog to greet people with all four feet on the ground / does not allow their dog to jump up uninvited
– teaches their dog to greet other dogs with a polite sniff near the face / does not allow their dog to jump on other dogs
– teaches their dog to greet other dogs in a calm, polite manner / does not allow their dog to behave rudely, then defend the action by saying “He only wants to say ‘Hi!'”
– pays attention to their dog when the dog has done something to deserve it / does not fawn over and fondle their dog at all times – insists that their dog say “Please” (through a sit, down, or other command) before receiving anything of value / does not consistently reward their dog for no reason at all
– knows that their dog, like everyone else in life, will sometimes have to do things it would rather not do / does not let their dog do whatever he or she pleases – understands that once a command has been issued, it must be followed / does not allow their dog to shirk off or ignore commands – behaves as a leader for their dog, providing rules, structure and consistency / does not try to create a democracy, where owner and dog are equal – loves their dog like a member of the family, while remembering and honoring the fact that their dog is, in fact, a dog / does not insist on treating their dog like a “fur kid,” by treating their dog as a miniature human.