Your dog may be your best friend, but he or she can humiliate you in public just like your human pals — you can train your dog to behave, but you might not be that lucky with your human friends. A happy owner and a contented dog are usually the result of a well-trained dog.

Does your dog refuse to sit or remain when you instruct it, and do you have to deal with it jumping up and barking at other people? This could just be your dog's natural exuberance getting the best of him, but when you're out in public, it's not only humiliating for you, but it's also frightening for others who are nervous around dogs. If you wish to avoid these situations, you should begin training your dog's behavior right away.

Dogs are similar to children in certain ways, which means they must be taught how to be social beings without engaging in anti-social behavior. Regular training sessions are necessary if you want your dog to respond to your directions and behave properly. If you are a first-time dog owner, you will find it difficult to train your dog to behave properly. Some dog owners send their dogs to professional trainers once or twice a week, but if your budget won't allow it, you'll have to rely on your own resources.

There are training books and manuals available, some of which come as a full bundle, that will guide you through the training sessions one by one. Always remember that with dogs, the best method to teach desired behavior is through repetition and reward - losing your cool is counterproductive. You'll quickly have a well-behaved and probably happier dog if you acquire the proper package and apply the right amount of praise, patience, and time.